Summer Cognoscenti Interview: Sarah Rhodes

Welcome to episode 20 of What's Broken in GTM and How to Fix It with Louis Fernandes and Simon Daniels. Each week, together with occasional guests, we explore the challenges that face go-to-market leaders in SaaS scale-up businesses and suggest solutions to common issues.

This week the Summer Cognoscenti Series continues with Sarah Rhodes, recruitment director and co-founder at go-to-market recruitment specialists, n8talent. Here’s the TL;DL (“ Too Long; Didn’t Listen)”) in case you don’t have time for the whole episode: Sarah shares some candid insights into the shifting recruitment landscape, the impact to market conditions on hiring behaviours, and what it really takes to find, hire, and retain top SaaS sales talent.

She also discusses how market conditions have shifted, influencing hiring behaviours across the SaaS landscape. In a more cautious or volatile market, companies may hesitate to invest in top-tier talent or delay hiring decisions, despite the ultimately negative impact on growth. Another key point Sarah raises is the importance of senior sales talent in SaaS. Hiring at this level isn’t just about filling a role; it’s about finding individuals who can drive revenue, shape culture, and scale operations. The businesses willing to take some risks in their approach to growing teams and bringing on new talent, Sarah tells us, are the ones that will succeed. And don’t forget, interviews are a two-way process with the candidate evaluating the employer just as much as the other way round!

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