Sam Thomas

So much overseas talent moving Down Under.   AEs. SEs. SDRs. CSMs. Execs.   Reckon I get at least 5 people a week reaching out.   It's great to see. What a journey ahead of them.   The shit part is I often can't help.   SaaS firms rarely hire through a recruiter if a candidate needs sponsorship.   You feel bad as many only realise this once they get here.   I speak to some who've been looking for months.   We aren't talking average either. Many are genuine A-players who would be a shoo-in if they were PR or citizens.   So on that note: Is anyone hiring who can sponsor?   Let me know what you're looking for and I'll intro some great people. DM or email [email protected]. All free of charge of course. Let's help these people live the Aussie dream.   PS. To anyone moving to Sydney: Manly is 100x better than Bondi. I'll die on this hill. #techsales #saaasrecruitment #gotomarket

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⏰ CLOSING TODAY! This is your FINAL chance to invest in Nexba and the Goodness Group Global. With $936K raised to date, this investment opportunity has smashed its minimum target by 374%. Why Invest? 🏆 High-Profile Endorsements: Collaboration with Pat Cummins on Pace Rapid Hydration. 💸 Revenue Growth: $20 million in revenue & 17% profit margin. 🛒 Retail presence: Stocked in over 4000 stores across 15 countries. 🇬🇧 Market Leader: #1 Kombucha volume brand in the UK. The deal closes today at 11:59pm AEST, so don't miss out! From as little as $250, you can join their journey and become a shareholder in Nexba! 🚀 Invest now 👉 https://bit.ly/4ehbwkV #VentureCrowd #HealthyLiving #Nexba #SugarFree #Crowdfunding #InvestmentOpportunity #FoodTech Always consider the general CSF risk warning and offer documents before investing. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

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There are 33 closing days until the end of the FY for most sales teams in Australia. There are 3 types of sales leaders right now. 1. I have made my team number and we are in bonus time. The biggest challenge is “what do I keep for next year while maximising bonuses and commissions for the team this year?”. I hope this is you! 2. I will make my team number but I need a few key deals to close. The total focus is on closing those deals. If you are not in category 1, I hope you are in this group. 3. I am not going to make it. Do I push as hard as possible to get as close as possible, or do I keep it all for next year. I hope this is NOT you. Does the CEO/Owner and CFO know where you are at? How are you going to address your key challenges whichever category you are in? If you are in category 2, here are some questions for you to ponder: 1. What is the customer’s process from now to contract signature? Who is involved and when? 2. What happens if they do nothing and let it slip until next year? Is there an impact on their business? 3. Are you across their business case? What is unique about our solution that means they have to select us to get those outcomes? 4. Is there budget to spend on this? Or is this process to get budget and then we need to get further approval to spend that budget? This is the process from contract signature to cash in the bank. If you are in category 3, our proven sales framework will ensure you are not in the same place next year (95% success rate over the last 5 years). #founders #salesleadership #salesframework #pamice

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Feeling overwhelmed by your upcoming move? Transform stress into ease with Optimove, your reliable partner in relocations across Australia. With a decade of experience, their expert team offers comprehensive services, from local moves to interstate transitions. Enjoy peace of mind with their commitment to safety, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer service. Ready for a seamless move? Reach out today for an obligation-free quote and let Optimove handle the heavy lifting. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gcCp-Sh9 Share your best moving experiences or tips in the comments! #MovingForward #StressFreeRelocation #CustomerSatisfaction

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Leveraging B2B ecommerce as a growth avenue, Barbeques Galore Pty Ltd Galore turned to BigCommerce’s B2B Edition to create personalised buyer experiences and a frictionless B2B purchasing journey. Angus McDonald, CEO at Barbeques Galore, said, “BigCommerce’s ability to meet all of Barbeques Galore’s B2B implementation requirements at a competitive price was central to our decision to proceed with the platform." Stephanie Byrne, CEO at Amblique, said, "B2B Edition’s immediate usability, BigCommerce’s open SaaS architecture and Amblique’s agile MVP methodology were all integral in getting to market in such a rapid timeframe. Shannon Ingrey, Vice President and General Manager, APAC at BigCommerce, said, "Barbeques Galore recognises the value of delivering a powerful #B2B #ecommerce experience to elevate online selling experiences and meet digitally native buyers where they are." https://lnkd.in/gXNCYjWk

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Air New Zealand reported key metrics on it's Airpoints loyalty strategy at this week's investor day: 🔹 Members pay a premium for fares compared to non-members with base members at 1.1 X multiple, Silver at 1.2 X, Gold at 1.3 X and Elite members at a 1.6 X multiple. 🔹Loyalty cash flow is $215 million now (double 2014's $100 million) 🔹70% of that cash flow is from bank credit cards with members spending the equivalent of 3% of NZ's GDP on them 🔹The Airpoints redemption store processes $50m of sales annually 🔹80% of redemptions are on Air New Zealand flights with a CAGR of 7% for the last 10 years 🔹Airpoints goal is to deliver an incremental $40m to $60m Ebitda by 2028 🔹Membership has grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14% over the last 10 years from 1.6 million members in 2014 to 4.6 million members today .... 🔹 Loyalty Central is a unit of Ellipsis & Company; the loyalty experts. 🔹Sign up here for Loyalty Central's monthly loyalty market update, a "just the facts" summary of all the news (including this piece) https://bit.ly/4ckAcXw

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Western Australian venue rentals startup SpacetoCo has raised $2 million from Purpose Ventures, as the booking platform look to take its international ambitions to the UK.

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Melbourne-based TALY Australia, founded by Peter Treloar, has secured $500K in pre-Seed funding led by Skalata to revolutionize personality data for better team performance and decision-making. TALY transforms static personality tests into dynamic AI-driven tools, offering managers personalized coaching, insights into team dynamics, and actionable advice. Early adopters like Motorola and Maurice Blackburn have already processed 4,000+ profiles, reporting improved onboarding and restructuring outcomes. The funding will fuel TALY’s AI expansion, platform growth, and entry into Canada, with exciting new features set for 2025. Stay ahead in the startup world! 🌟 Get a weekly digest of key happenings and insights delivered to your inbox every Monday morning. Don't miss out—subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/e4233YGN 🚀 #HRTech #AI #Funding #Leadership

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Retail media startup Zitcha raises $15 million to accelerate US expansion Expanding into the US is a well-trodden path for Australian startups, but local retail media startup Zitcha now has $15 million in fresh capital to help it accelerate its growth Stateside. Founded by CEO Troy Townsend and chief operating officer Jack Byrne, Zitcha is already used by global consumer brands like Unilever, Microsoft and Lego, as well as leading retailers in seven regions, including Coles in Australia, The Warehouse Group in New Zealand and Ocado in the UK. It plans to open new offices in the US and hire sales and customer success teams there, with Townsend relocating to the US to lead the push. Zitcha aims to offer retailers and brands more sophisticated advertising solutions, driven by data. Its software platform allows retailers to essentially create their own retail media network (RMN) to sell advertising space to suppliers who want to reach the retailers’ customers. The platform automates these transactions across digital assets. such as websites, email and app, as well as in-store displays. The networks are unique to an individual retailer and tailored to its business model and customers, combining planning, delivery and insights in one place. The $15 million Series A round was led by US investment firm VMG Partners and represents the first investment in an Australian business by its venture arm, VMG Technology. Australian venture capital firm OIF Ventures also participated in the round, having previously invested in Zitcha in its $4.7 million seed round in 2022. Zitcha already has a presence in the US market, where the Boston Consulting Group forecasts retail media revenues will exceed US$100 billion in the next two or three years. The startup formed a strategic partnership with Axonet earlier this year to utilise store data and retail media touchpoints across tens of thousands of North American convenience stores. Now, it wants to realise what Townsend describes as “an enormous opportunity for Zitcha” in the US. “Our platform is uniquely positioned to help retailers and brands fully leverage the third wave of digital advertising and as US retail media networks mature, the demand for integrated, data-driven ad solutions has never been higher,” he said in a statement provided to SmartCompany. “With this investment from VMG Partners, along with their vast experience with consumer brands and retail technology, we are excited to tap into the immense prospects America offers.” But despite the lure of the “red hot retail media ecosystem” in the US, Bryne said Zitcha will continue to prioritise Australia, New Zealand and other key territories in Europe and Asia. #Business #Startup #US #USA #UK #Europe #World #economy #economic #invest #investment #investing #investor #News #BD #founding

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Sales Leaders - should you hire in Q4? The Great Debate! Q4 - possibly the most critical in your financial year, and if you're one of the majority whose Q4 also coincides with the end of the calendar year and holiday period, should you be throwing additional hires into what is already a very complex mix? 👍 Pros of Q4 Hiring 👍 🟢 Talent Availability Q4 often sees a larger pool of candidates as job seekers who paused their search during the year re-enter the market. This offers the chance to find a strong fit for your team during a time when options are more abundant. 🟢 Reduced Competition With many companies slowing down recruitment during Q4, competition for talent decreases. This can make for a smoother recruitment process, as candidates may be more receptive to offers. 🟢 Budget Benefits End-of-year budgets can sometimes allow for more flexible or enhanced compensation packages, which can attract high-caliber candidates. 👎 Cons of Q4 Hiring 👎 🔴 Holiday Distractions The holiday season may create scheduling conflicts, making it difficult to organize interviews or assessments. Careful planning is required to avoid disruptions in the hiring process. 🔴 Limited Onboarding Time Bringing on new hires in Q4 often means a shorter onboarding period before year-end. This may pose a challenge if your training is complex or requires extended integration time. 🔴 Timing Uncertainty Candidates might prefer to start a new position in the new year, potentially leading to delayed start dates and affecting project timelines. ☝ Making the Right Decision In summary, choosing to hire in Q4 depends on your company’s specific needs. Think about what your strategic goals are for the year ahead and make a calculated decision based on the above criteria. Anything further to be added?

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After eight long months, one of the OnBuy team has finally received the 9p Cashback he earned through a well-known cashback site back in November. 9p… and EIGHT months?! 😱 Cashback is a great way to earn money on the things you buy, but you shouldn't have to work so hard for it. The advantages of traditional cashback sites are, more often than not, offset with complicated clauses and lengthy waiting periods, which for many just aren't worth it. That's why we're doing things differently! We wanted to give customers all the benefits of earning as they shop, without the need for a third party site or the hassle that comes with it. By offering Cashback that can be redeemed instantly, they’re fully in control of their earned cash, whether they want to spend it straight away, save it or wait and withdraw it. For us, this means the joy of giving meaningful rewards as people shop, in a way that puts them in complete control. For our customers, it means real money in real time – not just ‘pointless’ points that they have to wait around for. #cashback #ecommerce #marketplace

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“Top sales reps don't get laid off”   I've seen this a few times recently.   On paper it's hard to dispute.   But let me tell you a quick story.   In 2021 I helped a pre-IPO firm build their GTM team in ANZ.   We spent a year recruiting the best folk in the industry.   AEs. SEs. CSMs. Channel. SDRs.   All genuine A-players.   They did great. Signed some big logos. Tracking well.   Then the CEO announced they were pulling out of ANZ.   The entire team was let go including the VP.   It was properly shit. We felt terrible but no one saw it coming.   Now I can't speak for the rest of the world, but if hiring in APAC you've got to take this into account. Many SaaS firms completely pulled out of region here. Stop assuming good people dont get laid off. Being ignorant will cost you.   #techsales #gotomarket #saasrecruitment

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Loculyze's November 2024 Retail Tracker | Prime report is now live, offering valuable insights into the performance of Australia’s largest shopping centres, each with over 100,000 sqm of GLA. Unique customer growth is up 18.3 percent year-on-year, driven by expanding trade areas and the continued appeal of destination-driven retail. Visit frequency has declined by 10.2 percent, reflecting shifting customer habits, but shopping trips and total hours spent at centres remain strong. These trends underscore the resilience of shopping centres as lifestyle and experiential destinations. With the Christmas season fast approaching, Australia's prime shopping centres are well-positioned for a strong month. Explore the full report to uncover more insights and regional highlights. https://lnkd.in/g2gvKsCi

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I made 2500 cold calls to Aussie SMB owners, so you don't have to. Book meetings and start conversations with my three value 🪝 framework, script, and process ⬇ 🤠 If you want the templates, give me a shout below, and I'll send them to you! 👉🏻 This script and flow delivered the first 20 B2B customers for a new SaaS company using this process and leaning into... ◾ Understanding deeply the irresistible pains to solve for the prospect ◾ Building authority with industry language ◾ Opening yourself up to objections ◾ The simple SPIN call framework ◾ Using a 1,2,3 call pattern What's often overlooked or misunderstood for first-time callers is that the goal of the call is to have a conversation, start a relationship and qualify a prospect. You are trying to work out if you can work with the person on the other end of the call or if they are not the right fit, right now or ever. In the startup world the disqualifying is about... ◾ Identifying your ICP's as fast possible ◾Investing in the best fit prospect for your product right now ◾ Keeping the non ICP's who you know you can't deliver value to warm ◾ Playing the longer game by fostering these early relationships and bringing people on the journey. If you are going to make claims you best be ready to explain at a business and functional level. This process worked because it... ◾ Brought forward objections with folks intrigued/challenged the 3 value 🪝's ◾ Focused on getting past the intro section to hold them on the call ◾ Lined up the hurdle ready for you to jump over ◾ Makes sure you can talk at a 'business level' ◾ Makes sure you can talk at a 'product level' And you know the difference between these 👆 Remember that the objection is merely a hurdle in the shape of a question or statement to be understood, empathised with, stripped back, and moved forward with in a direction. I wanted to share this from a highlight period of my dialling career where I was hitting a 5% conversion rate from call to booked and knew exactly how to run my week to hit quota! Do cold calls fit your market? If this is helpful, please let me know, and I hope it saves you 2500 calls to work out how to build your script and process! --- I am Sean the Founder of Sell Anything We have worked with 300+ Founders alongside some of the best Incubators, Accelerators, VCs and Scale-Ups in Australia. We help SaaS/Tech businesses build $0 to $5m ARR and beyond.. and we bloody love it! Reach out if you need help in sales and revenue growth you'll be working with people who have grown companies from $0 to 8 figures in revenue 🤝 #sales #coldcall

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