God Made a Mistake?

Steve LudwigPathfinder SalesLeave a Comment

a person with an indication of their soul above them

“I wish my neuroses were more productive.”  That’s a joke I share with my friends.  To be honest, It isn’t always a joke.  I listen to podcasts, read the Harvard Business Review, and see the latest books about how to improve productivity, create new habits, and do the things that will really make me a better human being—or at least … Read More

2023: Which Way Will the Winds Blow?

Steve LudwigValue Creation JourneyLeave a Comment

A girl drawing the number 2023 in the sand

Business leaders are wondering what 2023 will bring. The war in Ukraine, the lingering effects of the global pandemic, layoffs at major tech companies, inflation, rising interest rates, artificial intelligence, the collapse of cryptocurrency, the worry around a recession, and a host of other issues can impact your startup.  Enough to give an ulcer to the tech founder with even … Read More

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss?

Steve LudwigLife StuffLeave a Comment

wooden tiles spelling out "in lifting others, we rise".

Most people are not prepared to be the boss of an organization. It’s not a character flaw; rather, as much as we talk about leadership in business circles, you can’t know what it’s like to be in charge until you are. It’s a big responsibility that people’s mortgages, their kids’ college educations, and vacations to Disneyland have a lot to … Read More

Your Gut is Not Always Good at Hiring

Steve LudwigHiring ChallengesLeave a Comment

image of a sign-post with multiple directions

As a B2B tech startup, you have likely already experienced the challenges of building and scaling your business. From developing a product that meets the needs of your target market to securing funding and building a strong team, the journey of a startup is often fraught with obstacles. One of the most significant challenges that many startups face is hiring … Read More

Why Startups Should Manage Recruitment Directly

Steve LudwigHiring ChallengesLeave a Comment

person holding a tv remote control

When you are a startup, you have to take every opportunity to get your name out in order to attract customers and talent.  Yet, many startups give up a massive opportunity for increasing name identity.  This happens in a number of areas, but critically when they are seeking their first salesperson. Startups often turn to recruiters to fill this role … Read More

Understanding the Startup Journey

Steve LudwigValue Creation JourneyLeave a Comment

image showing the stages of growth from startup, through developing the playbook, to scaleup

When you are on a journey, it’s always helpful to have a map. It’s no different for B2B tech startups.  Through our experience, research, and interviews with leaders in the startup space, we have developed an easy way to understand the growth cycle of startups. There are three distinct phases for B2B tech startups, with each phase requiring a specific … Read More

Failure as the Path Forward

Steve LudwigPathfinder SalesLeave a Comment

wooden tiles spelling out learn from failure

The best person to be the first sales hire for a B2B tech startup is someone that can deal with failure and rejection.  Repeatedly. They need to learn from each experience, refine the pitch, gather insights, and develop new approaches and potential clients. They have to keep doing this until success hits.  The question for entrepreneurs—and everyone else— when they … Read More