Coaching the Coaches in Sales with Saif Khan
About this episode
In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John sits down with Saif Khan, Regional VP of EMEA and APAC at Semrush, one of the top SaaS platforms helping digital marketers drive visibility, traffic, and growth. But this episode isn’t just about tools or tactics—it’s about the real human side of sales leadership.
From growing up in a council estate in West London to building elite sales teams across two continents, Saif shares how a single ride-along with his uncle sparked his lifelong passion for sales. He breaks down how five years in retail taught him more about buyer psychology than any formal sales training ever could—and why emotional intelligence, not just methodology, is the real differentiator in today’s market.
The conversation dives into:
• How burnout creeps in even during “success”
• Why Saif hit pause on his career for a solo journey through Southeast Asia
• The coaching crisis in frontline management
• The line between AI augmentation and AI dependency—and what it means for the future of leadership.
Whether you’re an SDR, a VP, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with real stories, fresh takes, and valuable lessons for anyone navigating the evolving world of modern sales.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Saif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saif-khan-cism/
Check out Saif's Website Semrush: https://www.semrush.com/
Check out these additional links for Semrush
Employment Opportunities: https://careers.semrush.com/jobs/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/technically-her/id1871241654?l=en-GB
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nBfeFVia9d7ClK7CVOBcV?si=9ef5467e40644435
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semrush_life/#
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SemrushLife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/semrush/posts/?feedView=all
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@semrushlife
Get every episode summarized
Each time Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows
How Customer Success Drives Retention, Revenue & Growth with Elizabeth Salmoun
Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows
Why AI Will NEVER Replace Real Sales with Jeff Kirchick
Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows
Why Platform Sales Are Breaking Traditional B2B Sales with Zachary Gropper
Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows
Why AI Role-Play Is the Missing Piece in Sales Training with Neha Gupta
Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows