Matt Banks – Senior SDR, Salesfinity

Summary:

In this episode of the SDR DiscoCall Show, host Neil Bhuiyan sits down with Matt Banks, Senior SDR at Salesfinity, to explore how resilience, loss, and personal growth can shape a sales career.

Matt shares his journey from hospitality to tech sales, opening up about challenges that tested his mental health and confidence. Together, they discuss how finding joy in work, building a personal brand, and embracing life’s impermanence can drive success in sales and life.

Listener Discretion: This episode contains discussion of mental health, loss, and suicide. Support resources are listed below.

Key Takeaways:

• Comfort in cold calling is essential for success
• Personal growth often comes from overcoming adversity
• Transitioning from hospitality to sales can be transformative
• Loss can lead to valuable life lessons and resilience
• How you respond to challenges defines your character
• Experiences in hospitality shape interpersonal skills
• Finding joy in work enhances performance
• Self-reflection is crucial for personal development
• Building a personal brand can open new opportunities
• Embracing life’s impermanence motivates action

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the SDR DiscoCall Show

01:11 – Meet Matt Banks: The Guinness Guru

03:43 – Matt’s Journey: From Hospitality to Sales

11:04 – Life Lessons from Hospitality

19:38 – Responding vs Reacting: A Personal Story

21:55 – Navigating Life’s Challenges During COVID

25:58 – Coping with Loss and Heartbreak

28:38 – Finding Purpose After Trauma

33:53 – Transformation Through Sales and Personal Branding

40:51 – The Comfort Zone of Cold Calling

43:34 – Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

46:13 – Rediscovering Self-Confidence

49:12 – Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals

Soundbites:

• “The role of fun in work is essential.”
• “The evolution of a salesperson is a journey.”
• “Finding joy in work enhances performance.”

Guest Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdrofguinness/
• Company: https://www.salesfinity.ai/

Support Resources:

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out.

• UK & Ireland: Samaritans - 116 123 / jo@samaritans.org
• USA & Canada: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988
• International: https://www.befrienders.org/
• Global: https://findahelpline.com/
• Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org/crisis-services/

Mia Kosoglow – Marketing Lead, Hyperbound

Summary:

In this episode of the SDR DiscoCall Show, host Neil Bhuiyan interviews Mia Kosoglow, the marketing lead at Hyperbound. They discuss Mia’s journey from sales to marketing, the importance of confidence and authenticity in both fields, and the value of self-reflection in career choices.

Mia shares her experiences at Outreach and Armada, highlighting the skills she gained and how they translate to her current role in marketing. The conversation emphasises the significance of finding joy in one’s work and the power of networking to create opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Sales experience is valuable for a career in marketing
• Building confidence in sales can lead to success in other areas
• Networking and genuine conversations can open new opportunities
• It’s important to trust your gut when something doesn’t feel right
• Finding joy in your work is crucial for long-term satisfaction
• Self-reflection can help identify what truly brings happiness
• Authenticity in communication fosters better connections
• Transitioning from sales to marketing can leverage existing skills
• Embracing challenges can lead to personal and professional growth
• Creating a supportive work environment is essential for employee happiness

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the SDR Disco Call Show

01:28 – Meet Mia Kosoglow: Background and Role at Hyperbound

02:20 – Understanding Hyperbound: AI in Sales Training

03:13 – Mia’s Personal Interests and Hobbies

05:09 – Mia’s Journey into Sales: Early Influences

07:49 – The Impact of Family on Career Choices

10:11 – Sales Education: The Value of a Sales Degree

11:30 – Sales Training: Role Plays and Competitions

14:28 – Internship Experience at Outreach

16:54 – Overcoming Rejection: The Power of Grit in Sales

20:57 – The Structure of Success in Sales

22:15 – The Competitive Spirit: Winning vs. Enjoying

23:59 – Building Confidence and Overcoming Challenges

27:21 – Aha Moments: Learning from Mistakes

32:19 – Transitioning to a Founding Role at Armada

39:47 – Realisations: Enjoyment vs. Skill in Sales

40:33 – Finding Joy in Work and Hobbies

43:46 – The Transition from Sales to Marketing

50:03 – Embracing Authenticity in Career Choices

55:51 – The SDR to Marketing Journey

01:00:44 – Advice for Future Generations

Soundbites:

• “Confidence is key in sales.”
• “Let me cook!”
• “Trust your gut.”

Guest Links:

• LinkedIn: Mia Kosoglow
• Company: Hyperbound

Summary

In this episode of the SDR DiscoCall Show, Neil Bhuiyan welcomes back James Buckley, a seasoned sales professional and content creator. They discuss James’s journey in sales, the evolution of content creation, and the challenges of engaging audiences on platforms like LinkedIn.

The conversation dives into authenticity, algorithm shifts, relationship building, and how sales and marketing can truly align. James shares practical tips for overcoming fear in content creation, reframing budget conversations, and mastering discovery questions. This is a grounded, honest look at sales in 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Sales development remains the foundation of tech sales success
• Content creation fuels personal branding and credibility
• Authenticity resonates more than polished perfection
• Engagement strategies drive reach and opportunities
• LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards relevance and interaction
• AI is now analysing video content for context and engagement
• Follower counts don’t equal revenue
• Sales and marketing alignment is essential
• Discovery is continuous — not just one call.
• Recognition and appreciation strengthen relationships

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the SDR Disco Call Show

00:58 - Meet James Buckley: Sales Insights and Journey

02:13 - James Buckley’s Sales Experience and Evolution

04:40 - Reflecting on Personal Growth and Health Journey

07:39 - Controversial Topics in Sales and Social Media

09:04 - LinkedIn Algorithm Changes and Content Visibility

12:05 - The Role of Ghostwriting in Content Creation

15:34 - Understanding Goals in Content Creation

18:33 - The Importance of Engagement and Relationships

21:58 - Life as an Algorithm: Attracting Like-Minded People

24:57 - Value in Sales: Teaching Without Selling

28:20 - Content as a Pathway to Connection and Sales

29:32 - The Power of Content in Sales

31:59 - Building Confidence in Content Creation

35:24 - Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection

38:10 - The Role of Marketing in Sales Content

40:53 - Aligning Sales and Marketing for Success

48:52 - Bridging Sales and Marketing

51:09 - The Importance of Discovery in Sales

53:36 - Navigating Budget Conversations

57:29 - The Balance of Pipeline and Forecast

01:02:13 - The Continuous Nature of Discovery

01:03:57 - Giving Flowers: A Generational Perspective

Guest Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessaywhatsalesbuckley/

Resources from James

• https://gosellbetter.com/Happysellingcoldcallguide1
• https://gosellbetter.com/Happysellingcoldcallguide2
• https://gosellbetter.com/happysellingsignalsguide1
• https://gosellbetter.com/happysellingsignalsguide2
• https://gosellbetter.com/happysellingpracticalprospectingguide