AI Marketing & Sales Tools That Actually Worked in 2025  + 2026 Predictions - EP 132 🇬🇧 | Theresa Engl & Lars Thalmann (@Holycode)

AI Marketing & Sales Tools That Actually Worked in 2025 + 2026 Predictions - EP 132 🇬🇧 | Theresa Engl & Lars Thalmann (@Holycode)

Author: Björn W. Schäfer | Entrepreneur, Business Angel & Book Author December 14, 2025 Duration: 22:34
Startups test dozens of AI tools, but most teams end up overwhelmed and go back to square one. Stacked tools, no adoption, no real impact. One founder told me: “AI was supposed to make sales easier. It only added complexity.” Theresa Engl (VP Sales) and Lars Thalmann (GTM & Growth) have seen and tested a lot - and built a focused AI stack that actually works. After scaling to 150+ enterprise clients, they share what really moved the needle in 2025 and what’s coming in 2026. 1. The Notetak...

Funky Flywheels Show is a conversation for founders who have moved past the initial startup chaos and are now navigating the complex, costly stages of scaling a B2B SaaS or AI business in the DACH region, specifically those between one and ten million in annual recurring revenue. Hosted by Björn W. Schäfer, an entrepreneur, business angel, and author, this podcast digs into the operational realities that can stall growth and burn cash. You’ll hear frank discussions focused on the most expensive pitfalls, like building what he calls "Fake Sales Teams"-where founders hire a few sellers but still close most deals themselves, creating expensive revenue theater without a real engine. Another critical topic is "Symbolic Sales Leadership," where a seemingly perfect hire with a strong CV fails to deliver impact, costing a company a critical year and significant resources. This isn't about high-level theory; it's a practical, grounded look at sales and go-to-market execution for the scaling phase. Each episode aims to identify these specific friction points and explore actionable strategies to overcome them, making the podcast a resource for founders facing the tangible pressures of building a sustainable, growing company.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Funky Flywheels Show – der Podcast für B2B SaaS- & AI-Founder zwischen 1–10 Mio. ARR.
Podcast Episodes
Die ersten 100 Tage als GTM-Lead - EP 88 🇩🇪 | Darja Schano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:07
In dieser Podcast-Episode beleuchte ich, Björn W. Schäfer, mit Darja Schano ihre ersten 100 Tage als Go-To-Market-Lead bei Along. Darja teilt authentische Einblicke und beleuchtet zentrale Herausforderungen des B2B-Vertr…
B2B Sales & GTM aus VC-Sicht - EP 83 | Manuel Böhringer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:45
In dieser Episode diskutieren Björn W. Schäfer und Manuel Böhringer über das Thema effizientes Wachstum im Kontext von Investitionen in B2B SaaS Unternehmen. Manuel teilt seine Erfahrungen aus der VC-Welt und erklärt, wi…
1. Head of Sales nach Founder-Led Sales - EP 82 | Marc Kiefer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:31
🐰 Ein Vertriebshase mit 18 Jahren Erfahrung - nun 1. Head of Sales im Early-Stage Startup 🚀 In meiner letzten Podcast-Episode für das Jahr 2024 habe ich mit Marc Kiefer, dem ersten Head of Sales bei doinstruct, gesproche…