#110 The C-Suite Alignment Problem (+ How RevOps Can Fix It) – with Ross Graber, VP & Principal Analyst at Forrester

Ross Graber, VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester, joins Philipp to unpack findings from Forrester's latest C-suite alignment study. Based on feedback from over 130 C-level marketing, sales, and customer leaders, the study reveals how alignment — or the lack of it — directly impacts customer value, resource efficiency, and revenue performance. Together, they explore why C-suite leaders feel aligned while their operational teams often aren't, and what RevOps can do to close that gap.We cover:Key findings from Forrester's C-suite alignment study across 130+ leadersWhy aligned organizations grow faster — and why customers feel misalignment firstThe two biggest alignment blockers: unstable corporate strategy and cultural obstaclesWhy C-suite leaders feel aligned but operational teams often aren'tHow misaligned incentives between marketing and sales create friction at the team levelThe resource cost of misalignment: why 1+1 can equal 0.5 when teams pull in different directionsAnnual planning pitfalls and why adaptive planning structures matterHow RevOps can use data and neutrality to drive cross-functional alignmentThe buyer journey perspective: why internal process shouldn't override buyer needsA practical tip: walk through your own company's buyer journey to find what's brokenRoss Graber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgraber/Weflow: https://www.getweflow.com RevOps Chat Community: https://getweflow.com/community RevOps Letter: https://www.getweflow.com/revopsletter Janis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janiszech Philipp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippstelzerChapters:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:55) Ross's Role at Forrester & the Alignment Study(00:03:10) Key Finding: Alignment Drives Customer Value First(00:07:25) Top Alignment Blockers: Strategy & Culture(00:10:40) Annual Planning & Why Plans Break Under Pressure(00:12:00) C-Suite Feels Aligned — But Operational Teams Don't(00:14:05) Misaligned Incentives Between Marketing & Sales(00:17:05) Translating C-Suite Alignment to Operational Execution(00:19:45) Internal Ripple Effects: Trust, Turnover & Turf Wars(00:22:00) RevOps as the Neutral Party: Leading with Data(00:23:15) The Resource Cost of Misalignment(00:26:15) Why Buyer-Centric Processes Beat Internal Efficiency(00:29:30) Practical Tip: Walk Your Own Buyer Journey(00:30:15) Closing: RevOps' Unique Position to Drive Alignment