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Index/SaaS Backwards
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Ep. 186 - What SaaS Leaders Get Wrong About AI

SaaS Backwards · 2026-01-30 · 31 min

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Topics in this episode

Revenue operationsAI strategyB2B SaaS growthAI revenue systemssignal-based marketing

Episode notes

Send us Fan Mail Guest: Lara Shackelford, SVP of Growth Marketing at iCapital - Most SaaS companies are investing heavily in AI, yet many struggle to see meaningful ROI. In this episode of SaaS Backwards , Lara Shackelford - SVP of Growth Marketing, MarTech, and CRM at iCapital - breaks down why AI initiatives fail without the right systems, governance, and change management. Lara explains how AI-powered revenue systems should be designed across the full customer lifecycle, from demand generation through customer success. She introduces the concept of “agent sprawl,” outlines why AI readiness assessments are critical before scaling automation, and shares practical examples of signal-based marketing and sales automation that actually work. This conversation is essential listening for SaaS CROs, CMOs, and RevOps leaders looking to align AI strategy, revenue operations, and go-to-market execution. - Stalled pipeline? Lost deals? Diagnose your GTM gaps with a free, actionable checkup. Get your free SaaS GTM Checkup

Related episodes across the Index

Other episodes covering the same guests and topics, from across The B2B Podcast Index.

  • How a Startup Used a Single Customer Review to Land 10k SignupsMarketing for Startups with Fexingo · on B2B SaaS growth87 / 100
  • Beyond Efficiency: Why AI Is Forcing Marketing to Rethink Everything, Not Just Cut CostsDisambiguation · on Revenue operations87 / 100
  • How B2B Brands Use AI for Dynamic PricingThe Growth Operator with Fexingo · on Revenue operations85 / 100
  • Becoming the Brand Everyone Talks About, ex-CMO of Gong ($300M ARR)| Belkins Podcast Episode #23Belkins Podcast · on B2B SaaS growth82 / 100
  • From SaaS to Systems of Work: The Vertical AI Opportunity with Nick TippmannInvesting in Startups · on Revenue operations81 / 100
  • B2B Sales Strategy and AI in Sales: Deal Intelligence That Drives RevenueThe B2B Revenue Executive Experience · on Revenue operations80 / 100

More from SaaS Backwards

All episodes →
  • Ep. 199 - What AI Taught One Founder About the Future of SaaS79 / 100
  • Ep. 198 - How to Make Your SaaS Company More Fundable94 / 100
  • Ep. 197 - The SaaS Retention Problem Starts Before the Customer Signs75 / 100
  • Ep. 196 - The SaaS Opportunity Hidden Inside Services79 / 100
  • Ep. 195 - Why Code No Longer Drives SaaS Value in the AI Era89 / 100
All SaaS Backwards episodes →