Discover why nearly 70% of businesses fail at implementing their CRM and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize and known as the "Yoda of CRM," reveals how a well-organized CRM can boost sales by 29%, generate 50% more sales-ready leads, and reduce marketing costs by 30%.

In this episode of EO Visionary Voices, Jason shares his journey from advertising designer to data expert, breaking down the essential components every business needs in their CRM system. Whether you're using HubSpot, building custom solutions, or still relying on paper files, this conversation will transform how you think about customer data.

Learn why email marketing should live inside your CRM, how to implement lead scoring to identify your hottest prospects, and why that "How did you hear about us?" dropdown could be the most valuable element on your website. Jason also shares actionable strategies for Black Friday preparation and how to leverage holiday traffic data for Q1 success.

If you're frustrated with disconnected marketing and sales efforts, struggling to prove marketing ROI, or just starting your CRM journey, this episode provides the blueprint for turning customer data into your most valuable business asset.

Key Takeaways:

• The three essential components of an effective CRM system
• How to bridge the gap between marketing spend and sales results
• Why your accounting software isn't enough for customer management
• Lead scoring strategies to prioritize high-intent buyers
• How to reconnect with churned customers and increase lifetime value

Visit afterthelead.com for Jason's free fit assessment and download "The Blueprint For Lead Nurturing" ebook.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to Jason Kramer
1:02 - Passion for Boating on the Hudson River
1:44 - The Free Joke Project
2:51 - Why 70% of CRM Implementations Fail
5:51 - What is a CRM? The Three Essential Components
7:40 - Why Every Business Needs a CRM
9:21 - Integrating CRM with ERP Systems
10:26 - Single Source of Truth Strategy
13:07 - Where to Start: Finding Your Customer Data
15:13 - Lead Scoring and Qualification
17:47 - Reconnecting with Past Customers
19:01 - Black Friday Preparation Strategies
20:44 - The "How Did You Hear About Us?" Secret
21:58 - Shameless Plug and Resources

For more interviews with entrepreneurs and business leaders, follow Talk Commerce: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerce

This has been produced in cooperation with Talk Commerce

Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerce
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.social
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1n
• Twitter: @talkingcommerce
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerce
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerce
• Website: https://talk-commerce.com/

Carly Ries, Fractional CMO at LifeStarr and co-author of "Solopreneur Business for Dummies," shares the brutal truth about building a sustainable solo business. After escaping the RV walls of corporate slavery, she discovered the three critical areas where every solopreneur struggles—and how to fix them.

In this conversation, Carly breaks down why most solopreneurs think they need 50 clients when they actually need just 3-5 at the right price point. She reveals the mindset shifts required to transition from busy work to productive growth and explains why relationship-driven marketing beats SEO every time for solo businesses.

Whether you're planning your corporate escape or already flying solo, this episode delivers actionable insights on pricing your services, building your support network, and creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Carly's Role at LifeStarr
01:22 Training for Pike's Peak & Personal Passions
03:28 The Three Core Challenges Every Solopreneur Faces
05:51 Mindset Shifts from Corporate to Solo Business
08:24 The Virtual Assistant Investment & Trading Services
10:44 Balancing Fractional CMO Role with Entrepreneurship
12:57 Designing Your Ideal Work-Life Integration
14:32 Why Solopreneurs Hit Income Ceilings
16:38 Relationship-Driven Marketing Strategy
18:39 Shameless Plug: Solopreneur Business for Dummies

This has been produced in cooperation with Talk Commerce
Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerce
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.social
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1n
• Twitter: @talkingcommerce
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerce
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerce
• Website: https://talk-commerce.com/

In this compelling episode of EO Voices, host Brent Peterson sits down with Nate Amidon, CEO of Form 100 Consulting, to explore the fascinating intersection of military aviation and modern software development. Nate's unique journey from flying C-17 cargo planes in the Air Force to leading an agile consulting firm reveals powerful insights about leadership, communication, and executing under pressure.

Discover how military principles translate seamlessly into software development success. Nate breaks down why plans never survive "first contact with the enemy" and how agile methodologies mirror combat aviation strategies. He shares battle-tested frameworks for alignment, communication, and implementing what he calls the "MVP" – Minimum Viable Process – that prevents both organizational chaos and process paralysis.

This conversation goes deep into the critical importance of documentation, two-way communication, and why your software team needs to answer one fundamental question: "Why do we exist?" Nate reveals how hiring former military officers brings exceptional leadership to enterprise software organizations and shares insights on helping veterans transition successfully into the private sector.

We explore the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS), Nate's experience in the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), and how structured frameworks create business success. The discussion tackles AI's role in software development, distinguishing hype from reality, and how these tools serve as "nail guns versus hammers" – still requiring expertise to build the house.

Whether you're leading a software team, transitioning from military service, or seeking better project management strategies, this episode delivers actionable insights from someone who's navigated both high-stakes aviation and enterprise software development.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction & Opening Joke
1:20 - Nate's Background: From Air Force Pilot to Agile Coach
4:28 - Agile vs Waterfall: Why Plans Don't Survive First Contact
7:04 - The Minimum Viable Process Framework
8:16 - Documentation & Communication: Learning from Military Bureaucracy
10:11 - EOS and Entrepreneur Operating System Principles
12:00 - The Value of EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization)
13:28 - How Aviation Checklists Improve Software Development
15:23 - Balancing Coaching with Advice-Giving
17:47 - AI's Role in Software Development: Separating Hype from Reality
21:08 - Shameless Plug & How to Connect with Nate

Connect with Nate Amidon:
Website: https://form100consulting.com
Email: nate.amidon@form100consulting.com
LinkedIn: Nate Amidon