Summary

In this episode of the Growth Focus Podcast, host Gary Lafferty speaks with Will Mazola, COO of Graytitude, about the importance of strategic partnerships in business growth, the nuances of mainframe modernization, and the launch of a new AI product. Will shares his journey from staffing and consulting to leading tech businesses, emphasizing the significance of relationships and the lessons learned from growth mistakes. The conversation also touches on the importance of founder-led visibility and the future goals of the company.

Takeaways

Strategic partnerships are essential for business growth.
Mainframe modernization is a niche but necessary service.
AI can help small businesses manage missed opportunities.
Building strong relationships is crucial in the tech industry.
You can't rely solely on one strategic partner.
Maintaining relationships requires effort and consistency.
Staying lean is important for cash flow management.
Founder-led visibility can enhance brand recognition.
Learning from mistakes is key to sustainable growth.
Entrepreneurs should act on their ideas without hesitation.

Titles

Unlocking Growth Through Strategic Partnerships
The Journey of Will Mazola in Tech Leadership

Sound Bites

"Missed calls are truly missed opportunities."
"If you're thinking of it, get in it."
"Stay the course, if you're thinking of it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Growth Focus Podcast
01:21 Will Mazzola's Entrepreneurial Journey
06:04 Understanding Mainframe Modernization
07:32 Innovating with AI Solutions
11:39 Growth Strategies and Sales Systems
16:13 The Importance of Relationships
19:48 Learning from Growth Mistakes
21:43 Founder-Led Visibility and Brand Growth
24:28 Future Goals and Priorities
26:46 Final Insights for Tech Founders
30:03 Growth Focus YouTube Video Intro (1).mp4

• (00:00:00) - Growth Focus: Strategic Partnerships
• (00:01:13) - How I Went From Consulting to Co-Leading Three Tech Companies
• (00:06:04) - IBM's Mainframe Modernization
• (00:07:33) - WSJD Live: Our New AI Product
• (00:11:18) - WSJD Live: Lead Generation and Pipeline Growth
• (00:12:30) - Channel Partners: How Strategic Partners Drive Growth
• (00:13:57) - Are Strategic Partners Necessary?
• (00:15:57) - Exploring the Need for Relationships in the Industry
• (00:16:29) - Relationships in the Digital World
• (00:19:48) - Reasons to Stay Lean and Expensive
• (00:22:48) - Marathon Engineering: Standing Above the Noise
• (00:24:45) - Top Executives
• (00:26:30) - Growth Focus: One Insight that I Wish More Tech Founders Would