About Christopher Filipiak
I’m a sales coach and consultant who helps CEOs succeed at their own sales work. My experience is unique in that it combines a foundation in engineering, solid business principles, plus a focus on mindset. The result is an integrated approach that comprehensively transforms your sales organization. I have helped businesses like yours 12x their sales growth, increase deal flow by 500%, and bring on 500% more clients.
I’m a strong believer that mastering a sales skillset helps us create the life we want. And what could be more important than that? So many CEOs dread sales work; I teach them that it’s a loving act. Ultimately, getting what you want in life is up to you. Let me help you get there.
While I work with clients all over the country, I’m based out of Asheville, NC, where I enjoy mountain biking, dancing, laughing, learning, and raising four amazing kids with my wife Karen.
Justin Belleme, Founder & CEO, JB Media Group
“Coaching with Christopher has given me the freedom, time, and energy to get more done in a more balanced way. He provided a tremendous amount of value, and the shifts I've experienced in my mental game, my business, and even my life have been significant.”
Background & Experience
Engineering: I earned my engineering degree from the University of Michigan and went on to work as an engineer at Ford Motor Company. This work focused on lean manufacturing and the integration of people and machine systems. I learned a lot about efficient systems that reduced waste, concepts I still bring to my sales work today.
MBA: I earned my MBA from Wake Forest University, graduating at the top of my class. Studying entrepreneurship and finance, I gained an understanding of all of the puzzle pieces required to build a successful business — marketing, operations, finances, HR, etc. — and how to put them all together.
In-House & Fractional Sales Work: I worked for a couple different companies in business development roles. This evolved into selling for a number of CEOs on a fractional basis. I realized that my clients’ sales systems were lacking so I started helping them build out their sales teams and systems.
Mindset & SRO: I started to study mindset and immediately saw my own life and business become more successful. I realized I had to bring these philosophies to my clients, and started developing the “Sales Ready Organization” framework, defining the core pieces required to build out a successful sales organization.
Research: For years, I researched and interviewed hundreds of CEOs, conducted deep dive sales operations assessments at professional services firms, and built scaling roadmaps for them. I discovered many patterns, including that businesses were struggling to achieve reliable sales, but sales people didn’t work out — leading to years of frustration and expensive trial and error. And, most importantly, the CEO was the fastest, most profitable, and efficient way to add revenue, but it requires shifting their approach to sales.
Bringing It All Together: Today, I’ve combined all of my experience in engineering, business development, systems and operations, and mindset to create my current offering. I help CEOs develop the right mix of mindset, strategy, tactics, and activity to drive sales, in a streamlined, comprehensive, and proactive way.
Sales Philosophy
My experience and research have taught me a lot about sales — and what really works in the real world. I’ve honed these into 5 powerful tenets that make up my sales philosophy.
CEOs should do their own sales work.
There’s ignorance in the market about what a CEO needs to be doing. In reality, sales is the most important part of your business, and you’re the best positioned person to drive revenue.
Strong sales processes are simple.
Sales processes are usually wasteful, overbuilt out of insecurity and fear. Streamlining and organizing sales work reduces time spent on sales activities while increasing overall sales volume.
Deliberate growth requires consistent sales work.
Many CEOs do sales work in a random, reactionary, disorganized way, which feels shitty and leads to inconsistent revenue. Working on sales every day leads to more consistent results.
Selling is an expression of love.
Selling is not something you do to someone, but rather for someone. CEOs must shift their mindset to feel worthy of love and fall in love with serving others through selling.
Sales mastery leads to life freedom.
Developing sales mastery requires you to step up and get uncomfortable, but ultimately leads to the ability to create what you want, when you want it!
