Bio on the Fearless Competitor
It started with an epiphany.
I've been selling software and technology for years and years with great success.
The most fun and success I ever had was leading a worldwide team of 25 on the GE account at a large business intelligence software firm.
I built the program from scratch and we grew revenue by 242% in just a year. But I grew disillusioned at their "PO extraction" mentality -- which led to unhappy clients, so I decided to move on.
I admit, I did crack a smile when they turned to their biggest competitor, plucked the guy who led GE for them and hired him to replace me. He did NOT replace me. Unable to touch my results, he lasted just 6 months before they fired him. Touche'
In later years, I had other sales and marketing leadership roles. But as I surveyed what was happening to my clients, I came to a realization. The Internet revolutionized the buying process, just as Henry Ford changed the automobile and Bill Gates changed the world of software,
Companies need to adapt to this new world.
Despite a wife and three boys, I decided to take a risk and I founded a company focused on this new world, Find New Customers. But we're not going to be just another company. We're going to create great content and give it away. We knew that building solid relationships was more important than closing a quick deal.
We began by creating a white paper. (Ironically, I asked both a former employer and a former partner to create a white paper and both refused.) I lined up a sponsor, Marketo, and the incomparable Jill Konrath (Selling to Big Companies) kindly agreed to help me with my writing.
I'd never been a professional writer so it was scary. It took a long time with lots of re-writes. But I eventually created a roadmap for this changed world.
I was stunned when rave reviews of How to Find New Customers started pouring in. The University of Notre Dame decides it was so good, they implemented it in the MBA program. FastCompany called it "awesome.' So did the Funnelholic. And they kept coming! People started coming to Find New Customers in droves.
Since then I've worked countless hours refining the website, networking and talking with the experts. I became an expert at podcasts. My interviews have led to more interviews and a great group of supporters.
Starting a business is not easy. It's hard, lots of work and frustrating. It takes a lot of patience too. But I absolutely love it! I'm thrilled with our progress, content and growing list of clients and interested companies. The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!
I hope you can share our bright future too.
To get in touch with us, please call (516) 284-4930 or send an email to jogden@findnewcustomers.net.
You can learn more about me by visiting the Awards page.
Here are some personal facts too:
I was graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Marketing. (Huge ND fan!)
Born and raised in a small town in the Midwest US, Jeff resides just outside New York City with his wife and their three boys.
"Jeff and I met through The CMO Club. We've done a couple external speaking engagements together around demand generation best practices. Jeff definitely spear-headed our sessions - ensuring we were on message, targeted, and succinct!
Jeff has a great handle on demand generation programs for businesses - really focusing on creating a conversation with the customer that drives results. Jeff would be an asset to any company. It is my pleasure to recommend him."
Barbara Dondiego, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Level3 Communications
