Elevating Performance
Elevating Performance is for leaders and sales pros seeking an edge. Hosted by Mark A. Dronen with expert guests, each episode delivers sharp insights on leadership, sales ecosystems, and emerging tech shaping the future of business.
EP 14, Ch 5 - Embracing Risks and Authenticity with Marc Rosenstock

Marc Rosenstock offers invaluable advice on navigating your career: don’t be afraid to take risks! He highlights the importance of authenticity and how learning from mistakes is crucial for growth.”
Elevating Performance
Chapter Notes
Description:
In this episode, we explore the importance of taking risks and being authentic in your professional journey. Learn how embracing mistakes and learning from them can lead to success, and why authenticity is crucial in navigating the ever-evolving technology landscape.
Key Takeaways:
Taking risks and learning from mistakes are essential for g...
EP 14, Ch 4 - AI-First Partner Ecosystems & Marketing Strategies with Marc Rosenstock

Marc Rosenstock emphasizes understanding how partners are embedding AI into their tools and services. He and host Mark Dronen discuss the crucial need to recognize AI’s strengths and weaknesses within systems like CRM to avoid blind spots.”
Elevating Performance
Chapter Notes
Description: In this episode, we delve into how AI is reshaping marketing strategies, making them more efficient and effective. Discover the importance of understanding AI’s role in partner ecosystems, and learn how businesses can leverage AI to optimize CRM systems, content creation, and media planning.
Key Takeaways:
A...
EP 14, Ch 3 - AI in Marketing: Transforming Functional Flows with Marc Rosenstock

Marc Rosenstock, delves into how AI is transforming specific marketing functions. He uses creative production—from video shoots to post-production—as a prime example, illustrating how AI streamlines workflows, improves efficiency, and enhances quality.”
Elevating Performance
Chapter Notes
Description:Â In this episode, we explore how AI is revolutionizing marketing strategies, making them more efficient and effective. Discover practical applications of AI in creative production, customer interaction, and strategic planning, and learn how businesses can leverage AI to gain a competitive edge.
Key Takeaways:
AI streamlines creative production, reducing time an...
EP 14, Ch 2 - Marketers & AI: Leveling the Playing Field with Marc Rosenstock

Marc Rosenstock dives into the crucial mindset for marketers in the age of AI, especially for SMBs. Marc reveals three key areas where AI is leveling the playing field: gaining experience with daily AI tasks, embedding AI into specific marketing workflows, and understanding how partners leverage AI.”
Elevating Performance
Chapter Notes
Description: Join us as we explore how AI is revolutionizing marketing strategies, making them more efficient and effective. Discover practical applications of AI in creative production, customer interaction, and strategic planning, and learn how businesses can leverage AI to gain a co...
EP 14, Ch 1 - Meet Marc Rosenstock, President, Rosenstock Consulting

Introducing Marc Rosenstock, a leading AI thought leader specializing in marketing, sales, and go-to-market strategies for middle-market brands. Discover how Marc pioneered big data and predictive analytics at giants like Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark. Learn how he became an early adopter of AI in commerce, now advising SMB marketers on its effective use.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk.<...
EP 12, Ch 5 - The Impact of Giving Back and Coaching with Kevin Piket

Kevin Piket, a highly accomplished professional and dedicated family man, shares his profound philosophy on volunteering and community involvement. He emphasizes how giving back, especially to youth through coaching and school programs, has been deeply ingrained since childhood and brings immense personal satisfaction.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk.
Contact Us
Contact
Elevat...
EP 12, Ch 4 - The Power of Mentorship and Curiosity in Sales with Kevin Piket

Kevin Piket shares invaluable advice for aspiring sales professionals. He emphasizes the critical importance of in-person learning and mentorship, highlighting how pairing junior talent with seasoned veterans fosters significant growth.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk.
Contact Us
Contact
Elevate@Elevator321.com
630.225.9585
www.Elevator321.com
Affiliations
Illino...
EP 12, Ch 3 - AI in Sales with Kevin Piket

Sales expert Kevin Piket demystifies the role of AI in sales. Kevin, known for his remarkable sales consistency, shares how Microsoft Copilot significantly boost his productivity, detailing his specific process for linking Copilot with SharePoint and Salesforce for seamless integration.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk.
Contact Us
Contact
Elevate@Elevator321.com
6...
EP 12, Ch 2 - The Go-Giver Sales Approach with Kevin Piket

Kevin Piket, Director of Sales at Ascend Technologies, pulls back the curtain on his incredible 55-month sales streak. Kevin breaks down his three essential principles for consistent success and shares how embracing a “Go-Giver” philosophy can genuinely transform your business relationships.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk.
Contact Us
Contact
Elevate@Elevator321.com
6...
EP 12, Ch 1 - Meet Kevin Piket, Director Ascend Technologies

Introducing Kevin Piket, a Director at Ascend Technologies and a true master of consistent, high-impact growth in the tech world. Beyond his impressive professional achievements, Kevin is also an adjunct professor at Aurora University and deeply committed to community engagement. He’s passionate about mentoring students, fostering young entrepreneurs, and teaching leadership through sports.”
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About Elevator 321 LLC
We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headqu...
EP 11, Chapter 5 - Military Training & Sales Readiness with Paul H. Pearce

Paul H. Pearce draws powerful parallels between military training excellence and effective sales development. He and host Mark Dronen discuss the importance of hands-on, real-time coaching and constant repetition to combat the "forgetting curve" in sales skills.  Paul emphasizes the need for consistent reinforcement from leadership to embed new methodologies, ensuring teams make mistakes internally, not in front of customers, to secure more wins." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ...
EP 11, Chapter 4 - The Art of Knowing When to Stop Talking with Paul H. Pearce

Paul H. Pearce and host Mark Dronen explore the timeless wisdom of "beginning with the end in mind" for sales pitches. Paul reveals a critical insight: knowing when to stop talking is paramount. He shares a subtle, in-meeting signal his team uses to indicate when it's time to move on from a lengthy explanation. Mark recounts a humorous story involving a Mont Blanc pen that served a similar purpose in interviews. linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen...
EP 11, Chapter 3 - AI's Impact on Sales Performance & Coaching with Paul H. Pearce

Paul H. Pearce discusses how AI is revolutionizing sales evaluation. He explains that AI has shifted the focus from measuring effort (like call volume) to truly measuring impact and influence through analysis of call recordings, talk ratios, and tone. Paul shares a fascinating insight: deals with uninterrupted pitches longer than 76 seconds often fail, underscoring AI's ability to reveal "lazy thinking" and drive more data-driven coaching." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contac...
EP 11, Chapter 2 - Clarity Over Complexity: Revolutionizing SaaS Demos with Paul H. Pearce

Paul Pearce shares his core philosophy: "Clarity beats complexity." He explains the transformative "do the last thing first" approach to SaaS demos, similar to how movies reveal the exciting climax upfront.  Paul highlights how this methodology, starting with the end result, earns trust, boosts engagement, and ultimately leads to faster deals and stronger customer partnerships." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center...
EP 11, Ch 1 - Meet Paul H. Pearce, SaaS Demo Expert and President Americas, Grete Demo!

Introducing Paul H. Pearce, President of the Americas for Great Demo!  Discover why Paul is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in discovery and demo methodologies for SaaS solutions.  Learn about his distinguished career, including his service in the Air National Guard and leadership roles in global SaaS organizations, where he specialized in business development and strategic alliances." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Ele...
EP 7, Ch 4 - Sports, Leadership, and Lifelong Learning with Laura Longcore

Laura Longcore, a former Division I athlete and Microsoft VP, shares profound insights into how her sporting life shaped her leadership philosophy. She and host Mark Dronen explore the powerful parallels between individual and team performance in athletics and business. Laura also offers critical advice to her younger self: embrace lifelong learning and take more risks to continuously grow." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elev...
EP 7, Ch 3 - AI, Critical Thinking & Future Workforce Skills with Laura Longcore

Laura Longcore offers profound insights into AI's transformative impact on the workforce. She and host Mark Dronen discuss the core skills essential for future leaders, including heightened curiosity, critical thinking, and iterative problem-solving. Laura emphasizes that while AI brings new tools, foundational leadership principles and a focus on business outcomes remain paramount." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen...
EP 7, Ch 2 - AI Adoption & Peer Learning with Laura Longcore

Laura Longcore discusses a highly effective strategy for AI adoption within large organizations. Discover how Microsoft empowered its 60,000 employees to embrace AI by fostering peer-to-peer sharing of practical use cases. Laura and host Mark Dronen explore how both leadership modeling and internal collaboration create a powerful chain of learning that ultimately benefits customers." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Gl...
EP 07, Ch 1 - Meet Laura Longcore, Former Vice President, Microsoft

Welcome Laura Longcore, who recently retired after a remarkable 25-year career at Microsoft. Laura shares how her experience as a Division I diver and four-year team captain profoundly shaped her views on leadership.Discover her journey through diverse leadership roles at Microsoft, including her impactful work in Data and AI, and how she revolutionized employee skilling for over 60,000 individuals." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elev...
EP 4, Ch 4 - The Roar of the Crowd & Supply Chain Lessons with Host, Mark A. Dronen

Host Mark A. Dronen relives the incredible moment his "Grill N Chill" brand was chanted by thousands during a ceremonial lap before a NASCAR race. Mark also shares a crucial, hard-learned lesson about managing supply chains and the pitfalls of misjudging demand." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen EllynInnovation DuPage in Glen Ellyn
EP 4, Ch 3 - Creative Marketing & The Velocity Girls with host, Mark A. Dronen

Host Mark A. Dronen dives into the surprising success of his "Grill N Chill" product's NASCAR activation. He recounts the memorable—and budget-friendly—contribution of the "Velocity Girls," a professional cheerleading team.Discover how this unique, grassroots approach to product demonstration and customer engagement in RV lots outshined more expensive tactics. Mark shares invaluable lessons on scaling disruption creatively and connecting with customers in unexpected ways." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. ...
EP 4, Ch 2 - From Indy 500 Royalty to NASCAR Deals with host, Mark A. Dronen

Host Mark A. Dronen recounts a surreal experience at the Indy 500, where his "Grill N Chill" product caught the attention of racing legends Rick Mears, Al Unser and Mario Andretti. This led to an unexpected partnership with the France family and NASCAR, culminating in a naming rights deal at Michigan International Speedway." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen...
EP 4, Ch 1 - The Wild Ride of Grill n Chill Racing with host, Mark A. Dronen

Host Mark A. Dronen shares a fascinating true story, beginning with an NBC Today Show appearance that led to an invite to the Indy 500. Discover how Mark collaborated with Indy 500 champs and ventured into NASCAR tailgating with his innovative 'Grill N Chill'." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen EllynInnovation DuPage in Glen Ellyn
EP 4, Ch 1 thru 4 - Get Ready for The Wild Ride of Grill n Chill Racing with host, Mark A. Dronen

Join host Mark A. Dronen for an incredible true story that began on NBC's Today Show and landed him at the Indy 500! Discover how his innovative "Grill N Chill" product led to collaborations with racing legends like Al Unser and Mario Andretti, and a surprising partnership with NASCAR." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen EllynInnovation DuPage in Glen...
EP 3, The Genesis of the College of Coaches

In today's tech-driven markets, theory is no substitute for experience. What Elevator 321 is doing – bridging the gap between leadership and sales with seasoned tech executives – is precisely what middle market companies need. They're providing actionable guidance, not just abstract concepts. This is how real growth happens." David Carlquist, former VP of Worldwide Channels, IBM Systems and Technology Group linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffili...
EP 2, The College of Coaches: A New Era in Leadership Development with Mark A. Dronen

The College of Coaches addresses a critical gap in the leadership development landscape, says Diana Gibson, former Microsoft Vice President of Customer Success. Organizations need coaches who understand their specific challenges and can deliver practical strategies for performance improvement. linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. We should talk. Contact Us ContactElevate@Elevator321.com630.225.9585www.Elevator321.comAffiliationsIllinois Small Business Center (SBDC) in Glen EllynInnovation DuPage in Glen Ellyn
EP 1, Unveiling Elevator 321: A New Era for Tech Growth

Join Elevating Performance host Mark A. Dronen, founder of Elevator 321, for an exciting episode introducing his innovative new venture! Mark shares how Elevator 321, founded in 2024, addresses a critical challenge for scaling tech-driven businesses: bridging the gap between leadership and sales. Discover their unique Leadership Development as a Service (LDaaS) model, offering on-demand executive coaching, and how their Sales Effectiveness Services leverage AI to drive powerful outcomes for lower mid-market firms." linkedin Subscribe Subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts. Subscribe About Elevator 321 LLC We’re about moving the needle for leaders of tech-driven business. We’re headquartered in Glen Ellyn...