In this episode of the SaaS Sales Performance Podcast, we sit down with Frank Sondors, Co-Founder and CEO of SalesForge. With a career spanning Google, high-growth SaaS startups, and now building cutting-edge AI-driven sales automation, Frank shares his unique perspective on the future of outbound sales, pipeline generation, and sales efficiency.
We explore how traditional outbound models—built on ever-growing headcount—are breaking down, and how AI, automation, and smarter processes can drive predictable growth with leaner teams. Frank also highlights the market realities shaping sales today: talent shortages, buyer saturation, and the rise of AI-to-AI communication.
You’ll learn:
Why sales software needs to evolve away from “big-team” assumptions
How to increase productivity per rep using AI and automation
Why outbound channels like cold email and cold calls are declining—and what’s next
The future role of AI SDRs, and when they do and don’t make sense
What leaner, AI-augmented revenue teams of the future will look like
00:00 - 02:00 Introduction of the episode, guest Frank Sondors, and the topic—outbound sales and pipeline efficiency
02:00 - 04:00 Frank’s background: Google, SaaS, founding SalesForge, and rapid $0–$3M growth in 22 months
04:00 - 07:00 Inefficiencies in traditional sales models: reliance on headcount and dissatisfaction with old approaches
07:00 - 10:00 Building software ecosystems that reduce reliance on large teams; addressing deadwood in sales
10:00 - 13:00 Attrition challenges and the high cost of acquiring top sales talent
13:00 - 16:00 Increasing individual productivity with automation, AI, and smarter processes
16:00 - 19:00 Market saturation: overwhelmed buyers, AI filtering, and the rise of AI-to-AI communication
19:00 - 22:00 Adapting continuously: testing channels like direct mail, offline events, and content sharing
22:00 - 25:00 Decline of cold calls/emails; need for experimentation and integrated touchpoints
25:00 - 28:00 Leveraging automation platforms and integrating humans with AI
28:00 - 31:00 Follow-up automation strategies and handling high meeting volumes
31:00 - 34:00 Future of AI agents in sales; when AI SDRs make sense
34:00 - 37:00 Criteria for AI SDR adoption: large account pools, mid-market deals, shorter cycles
37:00 - 40:00 Pitfalls of over-relying on AI without product-market fit; need for iteration
40:00 - 43:00 Testing AI solutions effectively: 3-month cycles and embracing failure
43:00 - 45:00 Future team structures: lean, technical GTM engineers and RevOps specialists
45:00 - 47:00 Augmentation, not replacement: humans + AI for better margins and efficiency
47:00 - 48:00 Closing remarks: salesforge.ai, upcoming events, and advice to adopt AI and automation