To effectively influence partners, you must understand their priorities. A scrappy research method is to watch their executives' public interviews or internal all-hands meetings. This reveals their strategic goals and allows you to frame your proposal in their language, increasing its resonance.

Instead of cold calling, ask a target executive for a 10-minute interview for an article you're writing on an industry topic. This non-salesy approach grants access, positions you as an expert, and initiates a relationship on collaborative, not transactional, terms.

Podcast interviews are a powerful tool for building relationships with otherwise inaccessible decision-makers and mentors. Offering someone a platform to share their expertise is a more effective way to get their attention than a cold email, creating genuine connections and business opportunities.

Dedicate call blocks to connect with junior employees at a target account. The goal is not to book a meeting with them, but to gather intel on internal challenges and key players. Use this information to craft a hyper-personalized message for the actual decision-maker.

When a prospect goes silent on your primary channels (email, work phone), they may be subconsciously filtering you out. Break this pattern by using a novel channel like WhatsApp or a different phone number. This can bypass their filters and elicit a response.

To overcome the challenge of reaching non-customers in B2B, leverage specialized firms like GLG or Bridger. These networks can connect you with specific, hard-to-reach personas (e.g., CFOs of Global 2000 companies) for interviews within days, turning a major research blocker into a simple logistical task.

To secure a critical partnership with Beyond Meat after another deal collapsed, Emma Hernan didn't use traditional channels. She systematically reached out to every account Beyond Meat followed on social media, correctly assuming this network contained employees or close connections, and successfully landed the deal.

Instead of cold outreach, identify where employees of your target companies gather—like triathlons or industry events. Set up a booth and let them experience your product firsthand. This creates organic buzz and personal testimonials that travel back inside the organization, generating warmer leads than a direct sales approach.

Instead of a direct "just following up" message, tag your prospect in a relevant industry post on LinkedIn. This provides value, gives them visibility, and serves as a subtle reminder, positioning you as a helpful resource rather than a persistent seller.