• Find Neil on LinkedIn: HERE

In this episode of The SDR DiscoCall Podcast, Neil Bhuiyan takes you through his journey from SDR to Account Executive at Showpad, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped his career in Sales Development.

What you'll discover:

• The challenges of transitioning from SDR to AE—and how to navigate them.
• Why relationships and feedback are the secret weapons for career growth.
• How can adapting your sales style make or break your success?
• The highs and lows of the sales journey, from first deals to imposter syndrome.

Neil opens up about the lessons learned, mistakes, and mindset shifts that helped him level up in his career. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow in tech sales.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning from SDR to AE is smoother with a solid foundation of leads.
• A strong onboarding experience helps in understanding company culture and values.
• Building relationships with team members enhances performance and morale.
• Sales enablement plays a key role in connecting sales and marketing.
• Feedback from peers and mentors is essential for growth in sales.
• Cold calling requires creativity and a personal touch to engage prospects.
• Understanding the customer’s story leads to better sales conversations.
• Imposter syndrome is common for new AEs but improves with experience.
• Adapting your sales style to fit personal strengths leads to better results.
• Learning from failures is a crucial part of the sales journey.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show

08:40 - Joining Showpad: New Beginnings in Belgium

12:23 - Onboarding Experience: Building Relationships

16:28 - The Buzz of Sales: Creating a Team Culture

20:45 - First Cold Calls: Learning Through Experience

24:44 - Sales Enablement: Bridging Marketing and Sales

31:51 - Preparing for Account Executive Life

39:04 - First Deals: The Imposter Syndrome

43:02 - The Reality of AE Life: Challenges and Lessons

49:29 - Adapting Sales Techniques: Finding Your Style

56:19 - Conclusion: Reflecting on the Journey