Global Vice President of Commercial Excellence Yujing Liu is here to share her compelling journey, insights, and strategies that have led to a distinguished career at Solmax. We engage in a lively discussion about how geosynthetics are revolutionizing sustainable construction, reducing reliance on traditional materials like concrete. Yujing's story is one of resilience and growth, as she conquered language barriers and self-doubt to excel in her global role. Her experiences provide a roadmap for anyone eager to cultivate confidence and curiosity to achieve professional success.

Our conversation takes us through the adventurous landscapes of early career transitions, highlighting the unexpected growth that comes from embracing challenges. From moving from Shanghai to France without knowing the language, Yujing exemplifies how viewing mistakes as opportunities can foster personal development. We underline the significance of building trust and human connections in unfamiliar environments, and how blending analytical skills with relationship-building can create a vibrant and cooperative team dynamic. These lessons are crucial for anyone navigating career changes and seeking effective ways to connect with new teams.

Leadership and CRM systems take center stage as we explore the art of motivating sales teams and transforming perceptions of technology. Balancing ambition with realism, we discuss how empowering team members can unlock their full potential and achieve collective goals. We also address the evolution of CRM systems — once seen as a burden, now a valuable tool for uncovering opportunities and enhancing customer relationships. With insights into improving CRM's analytical capabilities, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the essential elements driving success in today’s dynamic business environment. Connect with Solmax and tap into additional resources through their website or LinkedIn.

Yujing Liu is the Global Vice President of Commercial Excellence at Solmax, where she leads strategy, processes, and tools to drive profitable growth across the company’s worldwide operations. She partners with regional and functional leaders to strengthen sales effectiveness, optimize pricing, and enhance customer experience, ensuring commercial teams are equipped to win in competitive markets.

Quotes:

"Curiosity is my secret weapon; by constantly asking 'why,' I've found better ways to do things and unlock new opportunities."

"Embracing challenges and viewing mistakes as gifts have been pivotal in my career journey. It's through setbacks that we often learn the most."

"Confidence can be nurtured over time. Even if you weren't born with it, you can cultivate it through practice and self-reflection."

"Building trust in unfamiliar environments is crucial. It's not just about presenting data but about forming human connections."

Links:

Yujing’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yujing-liu-66a32b10/

Solmax - https://www.solmax.com/us/en

Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/

We had the privilege of sitting down with Marek Wasilewski, the dynamic Vice President of Sales for Americas and Latin America at Extreme Networks, to uncover the secrets behind his remarkable journey from aspiring fashion designer to sales powerhouse. Marek's story is a captivating narrative of ambition, resilience, and mentorship, painting a picture of how early experiences in selling timeshares and novelty memberships shaped his career. He shares invaluable lessons on how tough sales environments can be transformative, providing the backbone needed to succeed. Marek's tale is not just about climbing the career ladder but about sculpting one's character in the process and turning challenges into stepping stones.

We also explore the TEAM framework, a game-changing strategy Marek developed to revitalize underperforming business units, showcasing the power of communication as a cornerstone of success. The conversation takes a futuristic turn as we dissect the impact of AI on sales, with frameworks like BANT, CHAMP, and MEDDIC offering foundational guidance in this evolving landscape. Marek offers insights into the philosophical dimensions of AI advancements, pondering their broader implications on the sales field. With AI's rapid evolution, epitomized by tools like ChatGPT-5, Marek's forward-thinking perspective challenges us to envision a transformed future where adaptability and team alignment become the keys to thriving in sales.

Marek Wasilewski is a globally accomplished Revenue Leader with over two decades of experience leading high-performance teams and scaling multi-million-dollar growth across enterprise, SaaS, cloud, and service provider markets. From driving 28% growth in a major LATAM region to taking enterprise revenue from $0 to $5M in just 12 months, Marek has consistently delivered transformative results at scale.

Currently based in Austin, Texas, Marek brings a powerful mix of boardroom credibility and field-tested resilience. He’s the creator of the T.E.A.M. Leadership Framework—Talk, Evaluate, Action, Mentor—designed to inspire performance and build trust across global teams. His leadership ethos? “Business is like cycling—every climb builds strength, and success comes from preparation, endurance, and shared effort.”

Named to CRN’s Channel Chief list and a multi-time President’s Club and Chairman’s Inner Circle winner, Marek has held executive roles with some of the largest companies, leading teams across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. His expertise spans GTM strategy, recurring revenue models, AI-driven sales transformation, and customer-centric execution.

When he’s not leading global sales strategy, you’ll find him on two wheels—contributing to Dallas-based cycling charity events and recharging through endurance sports that mirror his leadership style: focused, resilient, and purpose-driven.

Quotes:

Nobody grows up saying I want to be a salesman. I left school wanting to be a fashion designer, but sales found me, and it turned out to be my true passion."

"Selling timeshares and novelty memberships taught me resilience. It's about understanding that you're one call away from success and learning to deal with rejection."

"Effective communication is the cornerstone of success. Over-communicating both internally and externally can transform underperforming business units."

"The TEAM framework is built on four principles: Talk, Evaluate, Act, and Mentor. It's about creating a consistent and disciplined approach to revitalizing teams."

Links:

Marek’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwasil/

Extreme Networks - https://www.extremenetworks.com

Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/

Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your sales strategy with the power of AI! Join us as we sit down with Drew Regan, Global Leader, CRM Modernization & AI Solutions at Microsoft, who brings fresh insights from his recent move from Salesforce. Discover how AI is not just a buzzword but the backbone of a seamless, efficient work environment, helping businesses consolidate data and obliterate silos. With Microsoft's cutting-edge applications like Azure, Outlook, and Dynamics, you'll learn how to harness AI for dynamic, streamlined processes that transform mundane tasks into strategic opportunities.

Say goodbye to the drudgery of manual data entry and hello to a new era of CRM efficiency. We tackle the common frustrations of sales professionals burdened by traditional CRM systems and unveil how AI and automation, through platforms like Microsoft's Dynamics 365 and Salesforce, are game changers. Imagine freeing up valuable time to focus on building customer relationships instead of logging information. Our conversation underscores the value of a unified platform that eliminates complexity and boosts productivity, all while keeping the focus on what truly matters—driving business success through meaningful customer interactions.

As we explore the future of AI in sales, witness firsthand the immense potential of AI-driven tools like Microsoft's Copilot and Dynamics. These technologies drastically cut down the time and effort needed for tasks like preparing QBR presentations, empowering sales teams to prioritize strategic deals. From enhancing decision-making with precise data analytics to automating routine tasks, AI is reshaping modern business practices. You'll hear real-world examples of how AI optimizes field service operations and meeting preparations, paving the way for a more productive and successful future. Don't miss out on learning how AI is not just a tool but a strategic partner in revolutionizing your sales processes.

Drew Regan is a Global Leader and Principal Business Program Manager based in Charleston, South Carolina, guiding organizations of all sizes to modernize CRM with an AI-first approach across all stakeholders. With a strategic mindset and passion for innovation, Drew helps businesses transform with speed to stay ahead of the competition and drive measurable impact by deploying productivity and automation across their entire operation.

As a strategic and trusted partner, Drew leads customers through the AI-driven shift from legacy CRM systems to modern, intelligent enterprise platforms, enabling smarter engagement and scalable growth. His programmatic approach, collaborative leadership, and results-oriented mindset empower teams and customers to thrive in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

Quotes:

"AI isn't just a buzzword—it's becoming the backbone of a seamless and efficient work environment, helping businesses obliterate silos and consolidate data."

"With Microsoft's cutting-edge applications like Azure, Outlook, and Dynamics, AI is transforming mundane tasks into strategic opportunities, paving the way for modern sales success."

"Say goodbye to the drudgery of manual data entry and hello to a new era of CRM efficiency where AI and automation become game changers."

"The true power of AI lies in its ability to automate routine tasks, allowing sales teams to focus on what truly matters—building meaningful customer relationships and driving business success."

Links:

Drew’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-regan-01272b7/

Microsoft - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/

Find this episode and all other Sales Lead Dog episodes at https://empellorcrm.com/salesleaddog/