The Hidden Systems Behind REAL Product-Led Growth (with Wes Bush)
Most SaaS teams claim they’re “doing PLG,” but very few are doing it well. This week on GTM Live, Carolyn and Trevor sit down with Wes Bush, CEO of ProductLed, to unpack why product-led growth often fails—and what to do about it. They explore why PLG isn’t just a pricing model or trial strategy, but a deep, systems-level shift that most teams underestimate.Wes shares the “PLG iceberg” framework: how surface-level features (like a free trial) are only a fraction of the equation, and what’s really beneath the waterline. Carolyn draws parallels to GTM systems and explains why execution gaps usually stem from unseen issues like misaligned metrics, siloed teams, or weak infrastructure. Trevor reveals why so many companies stall out after initial traction and how to diagnose whether PLG is truly viable for your product and team.If your version of PLG starts and ends with a self-serve signup, this conversation will change your thinking.Key topics in this episode:Why most PLG initiatives stall or fail to scaleThe “iceberg” analogy for understanding real PLG systemsHow internal misalignment derails otherwise solid PLG ideasWhy surface-level success metrics are misleadingWhat CEOs and GTM leaders get wrong when trying to “go PLG”What foundational systems need to be in place before you can succeed with PLG📘 Grab Wes Bush’s free e-book “Product-Led Growth: How to Build a Product That Sells Itself” at productled.com/book/product-led-growthThis episode is powered by Passetto. We help high-growth and equity-backed companies turn GTM data into better decisions, faster. We unify your GTM and financial data, identify your growth levers, and help you scale. Part SaaS, part advisory. Visit passetto.com
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47:27
Exposing the Attribution Lie That’s Costing You Millions
Everyone’s analyzing win rates, but too few teams are asking the harder question: how did that opportunity even begin?This week on GTM Live, Trevor and Carolyn break down the most overlooked stage in go-to-market: what happens before a lead becomes a lead. They unpack why early-funnel signals (the ones that come before forms, meetings, or MQL scores) are where your growth strategy is made or broken.They explain why it’s not enough to measure performance after the fact, and how traditional attribution misses the hidden work happening in the earliest phases of pipeline creation. Carolyn explains how early signal data is shaping a new standard for pipeline visibility, and Trevor shows how to connect that data to real decisions: budget, headcount, channels, and more.If your GTM reporting starts at the opportunity stage, you’re already behind.Key topics in this episode:Why traditional approaches to attribution often tells a false storyWhy marketing and sales leaders need to rethink “first touch” and “last touch” measurementWhat happens when early-stage activity is left out of pipeline ROI modelsHow to expose the invisible work that actually drives revenueThe GTM gaps that surface when ops teams aren’t tracking signalsThe early indicators that help you scale GTM programs with confidenceThis episode is powered by Passetto. We help high-growth and equity-backed companies turn GTM data into better decisions, faster. We unify your GTM and financial data, identify your growth levers, and help you scale. Part SaaS, part advisory. Visit passetto.com
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58:41
Inside the GTM Black Hole: Why Marketing Can't Prove Impact
Everyone’s trying to grow pipeline, but only few companies are measuring the part of GTM that actually creates it.This week on GTM Live, Trevor and Carolyn expose why the early-stage “signals” that actually drive pipeline are the ones most teams ignore.They dig into the real problem: teams aren’t tracking signals across the entire pipeline creation journey. Instead, they're relying on last-touch or deal source attribution that tells you nothing about what’s actually working. Trevor explains why so many GTM decisions are disconnected from cost and impact, while Carolyn shares why she believes most attribution reporting is a smokescreen.This episode makes the case for a new standard: tracking what prospects are engaging with before they hit a lead score or sales touches them, and tying that behavior to outcomes. If your prospecting motion isn’t part of your GTM analysis, you’re missing the whole story.Key topics in this episode:Why signal tracking before sales engagement is essentialThe cost of ignoring the prospecting stage in your GTM modelWhat deal source and lead attribution don’t tell youHow to connect early engagement to ROI and pipeline movementThe questions every GTM team should ask about efficiencyWhy companies are misreporting success to the board
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46:19
Why Your GTM Strategy Isn’t Working (Hint: Attribution, Data, and Unit Economics)
This week on GTM Live, Carolyn and Trevor dive into the messiness of go-to-market strategy: overspending on pipeline, bad attribution models, and why marketers are often stuck doing RevOps jobs.Carolyn breaks down the trap of chasing new logos without clear ROI, while Trevor shares how his IT-to-marketing journey led to launching Passetto to fix these exact issues. They get into why data architecture matters before building strategy, and how single-touch attribution is holding teams back.Stick around for listener Q&A, lessons learned from the trenches, and real talk on what actually drives growth.Key topics in this episode:Why most GTM strategies fall apart without strong data foundationsThe hidden cost of single-touch attributionWhat marketing leaders shouldn’t be doing (hint: RevOps)How to think about ROI before chasing pipelineLessons learned from building Passetto to solve these problemsCome hang with us live during our weekly podcast recording—tune in, ask questions, and be part of the convo. Grab your spot at passetto.com/events.
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46:45
RV240 - The End Of An Era (And Beginning Of A New One) - Go To Market Live Episode 45
After a month-long sabbatical that took him across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, Chris Walker returns to Revenue Vitals with a life-changing announcement. In this deeply personal episode, Chris reveals a profound shift in his perspective and purpose that has led him to hand over hosting duties to Carolyn Dilks (Co-Founder and Managing Partner @ Passetto) who will be rebranding the show to “GTM Live”, while he embarks on a new mission. Sharing intimate details about his personal transformation through self-reflection and experiencing "operating system upgrades," Chris outlines his new mission for helping others unlock their innate human potential. This is the start of a new chapter for Revenue Vitals, which will now become “GTM Live” hosted by Carolyn Dilks.And it is a new chapter for Chris, who will be announcing his new podcast and mission in even more details soon.Stay tuned for more.
GTM Live is a new evolution of Revenue Vitals by Chris Walker, now hosted by Carolyn Dilks & Trevor Gibson, Co-Founders of Passetto — a part tech, part advisory GTM agency for high-performing B2B SaaS companies.
This weekly live show is built for CEOs, CFOs & Revenue Leaders who know the current way GTM is executed & measured is broken, and are ready for something better.
We cut through the noise & ditch outdated playbooks. No fluff. No vanity metrics. Just honest, modern conversations about how to track & optimize GTM for what actually matters: unit economics, efficiency & long-term growth.
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