Joe Gravino, VP of GTM Search at Falcon, brings expert insight into hiring the right revenue leaders for private equity-backed companies. With a mission to build better teams that drive returns, Joe and his team at Falcon have helped 250+ portfolio companies and 50+ PE firms find the best-fit CROs, CFOs, and VPs of Sales. In this episode, Joe shares his knowledge on avoiding costly mis-hires. He breaks down the most important traits to look for, the right questions to ask, and the pitfalls to avoid when bringing on a new CRO or VP of Sales. His practical advice is a must-listen for any founder or investor looking to nail their next crucial revenue hire. Here's what Joe and Dan discuss in this episode: [02:13] Joe's journey from new grad to leading Falcon's GTM executive search practice [12:11] The dangers of hiring a "strategic" CRO too early [18:48] Assessing a CRO candidate's track record, skill set, and ability to execute [28:00] Balancing industry expertise vs. raw leadership talent [30:28] How unrealistic expectations can sabotage a search [33:49] Interview red flags that scare off top candidates [42:29] The importance of full transparency about challenges that need to be solved