Exploring the Human Touch in an AI-Driven Sales World – Gregory Banning, VP of Sales and Channels North America

Meet Our Guest: Greg Banning, VP of Sales & Channels (North America), Service Express

Greg Banning is a highly accomplished Sales Leadership personal. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience from Fortune 500 companies and dynamic private equity-backed startups. His expertise spans diverse industries, including SaaS, technology, finance, and manufacturing.

Currently, Greg serves as Vice President of Sales & Channels for North America at Service Express. His impressive career includes senior roles at leading companies. For instance, he’s worked at Adobe, Capital One, Amazon, SAP Concur, TD SYNNEX, and HNI. Greg’s sales journey began with cold-calling from the Yellow Pages. Since then, he has built a distinguished career defined by consistent growth, strategic vision, and high-performance.

Originally from Oakland, California, Greg now resides in Tampa, Florida. He lives there with his wife Laura, their three children, and their Australian Shepherd, Bailey. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys working out, meditating, MMA, golf, beach days, cooking, and appreciating fine wine.

Podcast Episode: Sales Leadership & Data Center Insights with Greg Banning

Join us for an illuminating discussion with Greg Banning, VP of Sales and Channels for North America at Service Express. Greg shares his valuable expertise on navigating today’s unpredictable economic landscape and Sales Leadership. He offers crucial insights into third-party maintenance (TPM) within the vital data center sector.

As an IBM Platinum partner, Service Express helps businesses extend equipment life and effectively manage IT costs. Greg also recounts his authentic journey into sales. This path, forged by grit and perseverance, offers a powerful testament to self-belief in overcoming personal challenges on the road to career success.

Mentorship, Creativity, and AI’s Role in Sales

Mentorship and creativity take center stage for AI Sales Leadership. Greg reflects on the profound influence of key figures like Barb Johnson and Pete Peterson. Barb’s role in building his confidence, and Pete’s wisdom in fostering self-awareness, highlight the irreplaceable human elements vital for personal growth.

Furthermore, Greg sheds light on the evolving role of AI in sales. He emphasizes how human ingenuity and creative problem-solving remain unmatched by technology/AI. Indeed, these unique traits continue to drive sales processes forward, even in an AI-driven world.

Developing Authentic Leadership & Driving Sales Success

Listeners will gain actionable insights into developing leadership through authenticity. They’ll also learn to masterfully balance technology with human relationships. The discussion covers AI’s potential to enhance sales processes. It also delves into the essential traits for identifying future leaders, such as empathy and a growth mindset.

Greg underscores the profound importance of storytelling in leadership and its long-lasting impact on careers. Ultimately, the conversation celebrates CRM systems as indispensable tools for driving sales success. They support both personal and professional growth by helping align with team members’ aspirations.

Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:

> Strategies for navigating the economic landscape.

> Understanding third-party maintenance in data centers.

> The critical role of mentorship, confidence-building, and self-awareness in career development.

> How human creativity and ingenuity remain paramount in AI-driven sales environments.

> Insights into fostering authentic leadership, empathy, and a growth mindset for future leaders.

> The power of storytelling in leadership.

> The importance of CRM systems for sales success and team alignment.

Quotes:

“In the world of sales, grit and perseverance are the cornerstones of success. It’s not just about hard work, but also about believing in yourself and being a lifelong learner.” 

“While AI is a powerful tool in sales, it will never replace the human touch. Creativity and ingenuity are irreplaceable elements that drive the sales process forward.” 

“Leadership is about authenticity and understanding your team. It’s not just about positional authority; it’s about having a positive impact on people’s careers and lives.” 

“Storytelling is a powerful tool in leadership. It allows you to connect with your team on a deeper level, helping them to see the bigger picture and motivating them towards success.”

Links:

Gregory’s LinkedIn 

Service Express