Mark Roberge
Mark Roberge is a bestselling author and entrepreneur, who has gone from Harvard Business School grad to changing the competitive landscape of the technology startup industry, providing valuable advice and guidance along the way.
He is currently the Chief of Staff at HubSpot, the leading inbound marketing and sales platform in the world, as well as the author of two highly successful books – The Sales Acceleration Formula and The Changing Landscape of B2B Selling. Roberge is an inspirational figure for aspiring sales entrepreneurs, providing insight and strategies for success at every stage, from novice to pro.
Roberge grew up in small-town, middle-class Maine. He always knew there was something bigger, better, and more exciting than what was in his backyard and, after graduating from the University of Connecticut, Roberge went on to receive his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1999. It was during that time that Roberge first heard the term CRM, which to him sounded like a hot new tech startup. After graduating, he jumped right into the industry, joining Volt Information Sciences, a company that was transitioning from a staffing firm to a customer relationship management software company.
This is where Roberge truly began to hone his business acumen and get the new president of the company to believe in his vision for CRM software. After nine months, Roberge had helped the company reach their targets and landed them a customer base from the telecom and entertainment industries.
It was during this time that Roberge experienced firsthand what it takes to become successful in the tech startup industry and it allowed him to start forming his own opinions about the state of the market. After making a name for himself with Volt Information Sciences, Roberge went on to join a venture capital firm as a venture partner, investing in early stage businesses and continuing to question the industry norms.
In 2006, Roberge joined online software giant HubSpot, becoming a primary investor and later the company’s sixth employee. Roberge quickly rose through the ranks to become the company’s Chief Revenue Officer, helping the company grow from $0 to $100 million in annual revenue. It was during that time that Roberge developed the “Sales Acceleration Formula,” which explains how businesses can be transformed from startups to industry-leading disruptive forces.
During his time at HubSpot, Roberge also got to fulfill his dream of becoming a published author, with the release of his bestselling book, The Sales Acceleration Formula. Written from the perspective of a software executive trying to share his knowledge to help others succeed, the book is packed with the necessary strategies, tactics, and insights to transform a business from good to great.
Having achieved so much in such a short period of time, Roberge still believes in the power of hard work and continually encourages sales entrepreneurs to think outside of the box. He also continues to be inspired by the successes of his peers, learning from each of their experiences to continue to push the industry forward. His ability to question norms, recognize emerging trends, and challenge conventions has definitely made heads turn in the industry, demonstrating the impact one individual can have on an ever-evolving market.
Having been at the forefront of the tech industry for decades, Roberge has impacted the industry in a significant way. His books The Sales Acceleration Formula and The Changing Landscape of B2B Selling have significantly impacts the way entrepreneurs approach sales, helping them stay ahead of the competition.
Roberge may not have had the most traditional path to success, but his journey has allowed him to become an influential leader in the tech industry, impacting the future of the industry and providing invaluable advice and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs. His commit to staying ahead of the curve and continuously recommend strategies that will pay off long-term, is what makes him an inspirational figure for sales professionals.
