In this episode, host Marg Bouse welcomes seasoned sales leader Laura Milewski for an honest and energizing conversation about what it really takes to sell—and succeed—in today’s volatile economy.

With over two decades in enterprise and technology sales, Laura shares the human realities behind the profession: the pressure, the passion, and the power of authentic connection. From defining what a lead truly is to balancing digital automation with human relationships, Laura offers candid insights that every salesperson, marketer, and business leader can learn from.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “Build, Retain & Grow” remains the timeless foundation of sales success
• How to align your personal brand with your company’s purpose and mission
• The provocative question every leader should ask: “How do we define a lead?”
• What economic uncertainty and turnover mean for today’s buyer journey
• How to maintain passion, integrity, and empathy amid constant change
• Why marketers should walk a mile in sales’ shoes to truly understand their customer

💡 Key takeaway:
Sales is no longer about transactions—it’s about trust. In a noisy, data-driven world, the winners are those who stay human, stay curious, and keep showing up.

📎 Resources Mentioned

• LinkedIn for Professional Networking: https://www.linkedin.com
• Harvard Business Review: “The New Psychology of Sales” – https://hbr.org
• Related Episode: Customer Marketing: Jackie Bouse on Turning Happy Clients into Growth Engines (LINK)

👇 Join the conversation:
What’s changing most about sales in your world? How are you keeping the human touch alive? Share your experiences below!

#SalesStrategy #WomenInSales #B2BMarketing #Leadership #SalesTraining #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #RelationshipSelling #ConversationsWithMargaret #LauraMilewski #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #SellingInTodaysEconomy #AuthenticLeadership

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast

In this episode, host Margaret P. Bouse sits down with Mark DiFraia for an in-depth discussion on the art and science of messaging and positioning.

Mark explains how he helps companies “find their frequency” — tuning their message so that every stakeholder, from investors to customers, hears the same clear, consistent story. Drawing on his background as both a musician and a messaging pro, he shares why alignment, clarity, and repetition are the keys to turning brand noise into a performance that resonates.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to develop a messaging framework that unifies your team and drives all communications
• Why it’s important to train founders and teams to communicate on-message
• How to measure messaging success
• Why patience and consistency are essential

💬 Key takeaway:
Messaging isn’t about saying more — it’s about saying the right things, consistently, to the right audience, so that every word moves your buyers closer to action.

📎 Resources Mentioned

• 440 Marketing Blog: http://4fortymarketing.com/blog/
• Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdifraia

🎥 Related Episode: “Customer Marketing: Turning Happy Clients into Growth Engines” with Jackie Bouse

How do YOU make sure your team stays “in tune” with your brand message? Share your tips or challenges — we’d love to hear from you.

#MessagingStrategy #BrandPositioning #MarketingPodcast #B2BMarketing #Leadership #440Marketing #MarkDiFraia #ConversationsWithMargaret #BrandMessaging #CommunicationsStrategy #GoToMarket #MarketingFramework #EmpathyInBusiness

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast

In this episode, host Marg Bouse welcomes back her daughter and customer marketing strategist Jackie Bouse for a deep dive into Customer Marketing — one of the least understood and most powerful functions inside a growing business.

Jackie, who has spent years specializing in customer marketing, explains how companies can leverage existing client relationships to drive retention, growth, and advocacy — turning satisfied customers into the most credible marketers a business can have.

Together, Margaret and Jackie explore how small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits can apply these same strategies, even without large marketing teams or budgets.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “Customer Marketing” really is — and why it’s powerful
• How to build trust-based relationships that foster renewals, referrals, and upsales
• Best practices for case studies, customer advisory boards (CABs), and onboarding experiences
• How to ethically use customer logos, testimonials, and stories in marketing
• Why “meeting customers where they are” builds loyalty and community
• How AI and automation will reshape authentic customer engagement

💡 Key takeaway:
Customer Marketing is about relationships — listening, learning, and co-creating value. For businesses ready to scale sustainably, it’s not just a retention tool — it’s a differentiator.

📎 Additional Resources

• Creating a Customer Advisory Board: https://customeradvisoryboard.org/
• Playbook for CAB success: https://www.customermarketingalliance.com/fine-tuning-your-b2b-customer-advisory-boards-for-maximum-success/
• Creating a Customer Community: https://influitive.com/blog/customer-community/

What customer marketing strategies have worked best in your business? Do you run a CAB or customer community? We’d love to hear your experiences.

#CustomerMarketing #MarketingStrategy #CustomerSuccess #B2BMarketing #Retention #Advocacy #CustomerExperience #SMBMarketing #Leadership #RelationshipMarketing #EthicalMarketing

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast

In this episode, host Marg Bouse sits down with her daughter and customer marketing professional Jackie Bouse for a candid, insightful conversation about building internship programs that truly matter.

Together, they explore how companies and teams can design internship experiences that create real value — for both the intern and the employer. Jackie shares her experiences managing and mentoring interns, while Margaret brings her perspective from decades of developing structured, purpose-driven internship programs.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ How to design internships with real learning outcomes and measurable results
• ✅ Why paid or for-credit internships attract the best candidates
• ✅ How to balance structure with creativity and autonomy
• ✅ The importance of mentoring, recognition, and supporting interns after the program
• ✅ Ways to partner with universities and comply with Fair Labor Standards guidelines

This discussion is packed with real-world advice, empathy, and humor — including how to manage hundreds of internship applications, tailor learning plans, and foster confidence in young professionals entering today’s challenging job market.

🎓 Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or student preparing for your first internship, this episode will help you rethink what makes an internship truly successful.

📎 Show Notes & Resources

• Fair Labor Standards Act Internship Guidelines: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/71-flsa-internships
• Massachusetts Workforce Development Programs: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-labor-and-workforce-development
• LinkedIn Career Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/learning

#Internships #CareerDevelopment #SmallBusiness #NonprofitLeadership #WorkforceDevelopment #Mentorship #StudentSuccess #MarketingCareers #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth

Our Host: Margaret Bouse / Marg Bouse https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretbouse

Our Guest: Jackie Bouse https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiebouse

Our Producer and Director: Jesse Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-walsh/

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast