01Positioning and messaging
I look at whether you know who you're selling to, which problem you solve and why a buyer would choose you in each market.
A warning sign is that every deal gets a different pitch, or buyers compare you with companies you don't see as competitors.
02Demand generation
I look at where qualified opportunities come from and whether you can tell which channels lead to sales conversations.
A warning sign is that pipeline depends on the founder's contacts, or the team measures activity without knowing what becomes pipeline.
03Sales process and motion
I look at whether the team follows clear stages for discovery, demos and decisions, and whether everyone knows what moves a deal forward.
A warning sign is that deals stall after a demo or the team can't explain why an opportunity was lost.
04Pipeline and forecasting
I look at coverage, conversion between stages and the evidence behind the forecast.
A warning sign is that deals keep slipping and pipeline reviews only repeat status updates.
05Team and ramp
I look at the roles you've hired, how new reps learn the work and what it takes for them to start selling.
A warning sign is that new reps take a long time to close a deal or the founder is still doing most of the selling.
06RevOps and tooling
I look at whether CRM data, reporting and tools support the way the team sells across regions.
A warning sign is that nobody trusts the CRM or reports have to be rebuilt in spreadsheets.