B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast

What Digital Shifts for Small B2B Teams Make the Biggest Impact?

Episode Summary

When sales and marketing aren’t aligned, it drags out an already long B2B sales process. But when small teams connect those dots, and use AI intelligently, the results are transformational. In this episode, Donna Peterson sits down with Josh Blankenship of OuterBox to talk about: - Aligning sales & marketing without a big budget - Simple digital shifts that make a measurable impact - Practical, trustworthy ways to use AI in B2B - How small B2B teams can compete with larger brands If you lead a small marketing or sales team, this episode will show you how to simplify your digital strategy, strengthen relationships, and grow smarter — not just bigger.

Episode Notes

Episode Title: What Digital Shifts for Small B2B Teams Make the Biggest Impact?
Host: Donna Peterson, World Innovators
Guest: Josh Blankenship | OuterBox
Episode Length: 41 min 41 sec

Episode Overview:

When sales and marketing aren’t aligned, it drags out an already long B2B sales process. But when small teams connect those dots, and use AI intelligently, the results are transformational.

In this episode, Donna Peterson sits down with Josh Blankenship of OuterBox to talk about:

• Aligning sales & marketing without a big budget
• Simple digital shifts that make a measurable impact
• Practical, trustworthy ways to use AI in B2B
• How small B2B teams can compete with larger brands

If you lead a small marketing or sales team, this episode will show you how to simplify your digital strategy, strengthen relationships, and grow smarter, not just bigger.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Why sales & marketing alignment still matters
03:20 – The real cost of working in silos
06:45 – Practical ways to get sales & marketing on the same page
12:30 – How leaders can create shared goals and teamwork
18:15 – AI in B2B: Staying personal while moving fast
24:00 – Using MQL & SQL metrics for smarter decision-making
30:40 – Website changes that increase qualified B2B leads
36:00 – AI agents, lead scoring, and scaling smart
40:00 – Final thoughts: Trust, teamwork & small shifts with big results

Key Takeaways:

• Sales + Marketing = Growth: Bring both departments together with one shared goal.
• Define quality: Use MQL and SQL scoring to measure what really works.
• Website wins: Make contact easy and de-risk the process for prospects.
• AI as a coach, not a replacement: Use AI for feedback and consistency, not mindless automation.
• Focus beats flash: Small B2B teams can compete by staying focused on clarity and authentic communication.

Josh's Bio:
Josh Blankenship is Director of Business Development at OuterBox and a recognized voice on aligning sales and marketing and using practical AI where it fits. He has helped hundreds of B2B and industrial organizations grow, diversify, and scale by differentiating digitally and integrating strategies across channels, including Technical SEO, content, paid media, email automation, UX, attribution, and tight sales and marketing alignment.  

Contact:
Josh Blankenship
jblankenship@outerbox.com
www.Outerbox.com

Resources Mentioned
The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney & Sean Covey