This week’s Founder Fundamentals session explored the vital connection between two core engines of startup growth, sales and marketing. The session, Sales & Marketing in Sync: A RevOps Playbook, was led by Rob Manne, Founder of Inflectiv, who brought decades of experience in marketing communications, sales strategy, and revenue operations to the virtual room. Through practical examples, storytelling, and step-by-step frameworks, Rob broke down how founders can implement Revenue Operations (RevOps) to align teams, streamline systems, and scale more efficiently.
What is RevOps and Why It Matters
Rob began by introducing Revenue Operations (RevOps) as the system that unites marketing, sales, and customer success under one operational structure—bridging the gaps that often slow startups down. Instead of operating in silos, RevOps ensures that every team contributing to revenue works from a single source of truth through shared data, aligned tools, and defined processes.
“RevOps is all about creating clarity, clarity of data, of process, and of purpose,” Rob explained. “When sales and marketing aren’t speaking the same language, opportunities get lost.” - Rob Manne
He emphasized that early-stage startups often rely on gut instinct, but RevOps allows founders to back those instincts with measurable insights, helping them make data-driven decisions that improve conversion, retention, and forecasting.
Building a Unified Growth System
Rob shared that one of the most common pain points he sees among startups is platform overload—when teams rely on too many disconnected tools. From CRMs to marketing automation systems, this fragmentation can lead to confusion, inefficiency, and lost opportunities.
He encouraged founders to begin by mapping their buyer’s journey—from the first touchpoint to post-purchase engagement—and to identify which data and tools are essential at each stage. “If you start by understanding how someone discovers, engages, and buys from you, you can build systems that support that journey rather than complicate it,” he noted.
From Chaos to Clarity: The Power of Process
While technology often takes the spotlight, Rob reminded participants that process is what keeps growth sustainable. He recommended documenting workflows early—even if a founder is the only one handling sales and marketing—to prevent future bottlenecks.
“Processes don’t have to be complex. They just have to be consistent,” Rob said. “As you grow, they’ll become the backbone of your operations.” - Rob Manne
He also shared a real-world case where a client integrated multiple systems—marketing, CRM, and customer success—into a single HubSpot ecosystem. The result was greater visibility across teams, faster decision-making, and stronger retention.
RevOps in Action: Turning Data into Decisions
Through examples and live discussion, Rob demonstrated how startups can use RevOps to turn raw data into actionable insights. He discussed the importance of:
- Tracking the right metrics (conversion rates, churn, customer lifetime value).
- Setting clear definitions for leads and opportunities to align sales and marketing.
- Reviewing tools regularly to prevent duplication and optimize spending.
“When teams can see the same data, they can finally move in the same direction,” - Rob Manne
Participants walked away with a clear understanding of how RevOps can simplify growth and strengthen collaboration across business functions. Rob closed the session with five core takeaways for startups:
- Map your buyer’s journey and identify friction points early.
- Consolidate your tech stack and work toward a single source of truth.
- Document simple, repeatable processes as you grow.
- Use data not just intuition to guide decisions.
- Align sales, marketing, and success around shared goals and definitions.
By the end of the session, founders gained not only a roadmap to build smarter, more connected growth systems, but also the confidence to transform data into a driver of long-term success.
About Founder Fundamentals
Founder Fundamentals is a 12-week workshop series hosted by YSpace and Black Enterprenurship Alliance and powered by City of Markham designed to equip you with essential entrepreneurial skills. Attend 9+ workshops to earn a Certificate of Completion and take the first step toward entrepreneurial success!
About the Speakers
As the Founder of Inflectiv, Rob Manne partners with growing companies looking to turn their marketing, sales, and website investments into measurable revenue results. He helps startups and scaleups streamline their systems, align their teams, and make smarter, data-driven decisions through effective revenue operations. Before founding Inflectiv, Rob built an award-winning career in marketing communications and sales with leading organizations including Interbrand, Edelman, and Rogers, where he honed his expertise in connecting brand strategy, customer engagement, and business performance.