‘You never lose the skills you learn at
SaaSLeads Academy.’
To find out how the SaaSLeads Academy can supercharge your sales career, we talked to someone who has been there and done it. Introducing Laith Azzee.
Laith Azzee
Graduate
Laith Azzee is a graduate from the SaaSLeads Academy who has already gone on to achieve great things in the SaaS sales industry. We sat down with Laith to talk about his experiences at the Academy, and how it has helped him in his new career.
Starting out
Hi Laith, thanks for talking to us today. Let’s start at the beginning. What made you apply for the SaaSLeads Academy? Was SaaS sales always something you wanted to do?
I was working as a medical device technician, which was OK but not really what you would expect for someone with a business degree! I’ve always been interested in sales as a career, and I could see that tech is so crucial right now. Even during this pandemic, tech companies are thriving while others are struggling to stay afloat.
So when a friend recommended the SaaSLeads Academy to me, I could see that it was an excellent opportunity to explore the world of tech sales and learn some new skills.
The interview with Will (Will Koning, SaaSLeads Founder) happened in two stages. First, I had to go away and research the market. I had to record a prospecting video and compose a sales email. Next, I sat down with Will and we went through it. Thankfully, I got in!
The Academy
What was the SaaSLeads Academy actually like? Be honest!
Honestly, it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy. There were a few ups and downs.
It’s a three-month programme, starting with a two-week intensive course, with Will, as well as some experienced sales leaders as guest speakers.
By Week 2, Will thought I was ready to hit the phones. I was creating cadences, getting acquainted with SalesLoft and talking to real prospects. I actually closed my first deal in that week!
That’s when you learn the most, when you’re on the phones. It’s a lot of information to take in, but you soon work out how you apply it. The more calls you make, the better you get.
If I had to pinpoint the skills I learned, it would be:
- Organisation – learning how to organise cadences and apply sales strategy from discovery to close
- Communication – figuring out what to say to improve your chances
- Consultancy – being a trusted advisor, not a traditional salesperson
And you did all of this remotely?
Yes. All over Zoom. I spent a lot of time on Zoom with one of the other guys on the course. We’d meet on Zoom, then make our calls together, listening in, giving each other help and support.
How do you think the SaaSLeads Academy compares to the traditional recruitment approach?
At the Academy, I was immediately connected to the market, meeting people who have achieved in the sales world, who have been there and done it. Those connections are going to boost my learning and help me grow.
You don’t get that at a recruitment company, where they’re selling a job to you and you to a company.
This way, you can gauge if sales is definitely something you want to do. And of course, you never lose the skills you learn.
The future
So now, you are starting your sales career?
That’s right. I’m at a company called CloudTask, working on developing strategic partnerships. I’m selling globally. In fact, I make most of my calls once America wakes up and gets to work.
It’s going really well, and being able to go in there and make calls straight away is a real advantage. For that reason, I’d recommend the SaaSLeads Academy programme to anyone who thinks they’re ready for a life in tech sales.
What does the future hold for you?
This is 100% a career for me. I want to continue to grow in this sector and learn even more.
In fact, I plan to give back to the SaaSLeads Academy by helping out with the new trainees. I got so much value from the Academy, and I want to help provide more.
Thanks Laith. Final question. What was the best part of your SaaSLeads Academy experience?
For me, the best part was seeing my skills grow and improve.
I’ve listened back to some of my early calls and compared to them to the calls I make now. It’s amazing. You don’t realise how far you’ve come until you look back.
Hey, maybe I do know what I’m talking about after all!
Find out more
If you want to follow in Laith’s footsteps and join the SaaSLeads Academy, or you just want to find out more, visit our site – www.saasleads-academy.io.
Will Koning is the founder of SaaSLeads.io.
He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful start-ups in the UK over the last 10 years.
He is passionate about Sales and disruptive Technology. In particular, elevating the Sales development industry in the UK to new levels.
Outside of work, Will spends his time split between London and Folkestone in Kent where you’re likely to find him sampling English beers and walking his dog by the sea,
Follow him on LinkedIn Here