Welcome to “The Horse’s Mouth” with Tom McManus. Sponsored by Terrell Hogan and Branded Brewsky, The Horse’s Mouth is a unique talk show where Tom’s guests sidle up to his bar to discuss the intersection of sports, business, and life. Today, Tom talks with Jason Engelhardt, Cole Faust, and Chris Budihas.
Short Company Description: We accelerate start-up and high-growth business success by DOING THE WORK and DELIVERING THE RESULTS. In many instances, we are brought in by a company’s investors (VC/PE) to work with founders and executive teams to help them move from one cycle of business growth to the next. We bring a “been there, done that” set of skills and capabilities, and we are often the answer to “what now” after a company receives its latest round of funding. It needs to accelerate its revenue growth and related go-to-market activities.
How do you define success?:
Our client’s success is our success.
Every month, we provide our clients with a tactical list of what needs to be accomplished to reach their goals. We offer a weekly checklist of specific items to get done. We define success when our clients achieve their goals.
What’s a pressing challenge you face in implementing a strategic plan?: The biggest challenge that we have right now is our growth. xZactly.ai as a firm is multiplying, and our clients are having more meetings with strategic partners than they have had in the past. It is a good problem to have; we just want to maintain our integrity, work product standards, and continue to be responsive to our clients.
How has your business changed in the past 12 months?: New clients those that received funding and have it the “oh $hit” moment.
What’s One Thing We Should Know That Makes Your Company Unique?: We are not consultants; we do not just provide a pretty presentation telling what you know and how to do it and leave. We join our client’s companies. We have a client who has hired us to be the adults in the room to challenge the senior executive team and another who has asked us to help negotiate with a major casino.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in your business?: Our biggest obstacle is the growth, maintaining our standards, and being available for our clients.
What does it mean to “Be Teal” to you?: I have lived in New York for most of my life and have been a suffering NY JETS fan. Being in Jax and supporting the Jaguars has a different feeling. This is our hometown team. I see the players in the community, I see how wonderful they are with the kids and take their time for autographs and to say hello. I am rooting for OUR team. Still a suffering JET fan but proud to be from JAX and our Jaguars.
