Kris Talajic Selected to Judge the 2025 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service
Reflecting on the privilege of evaluating excellence in sales achievements and customer service innovation
I am deeply honored to announce that I have been selected to serve as a judge for the prestigious 2025 Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service, specifically for the Sales Achievements and Sales Distinction Awards Jury. This recognition represents not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to contribute to celebrating excellence in the sales and customer service industry.
About the Stevie® Awards
The Stevie Awards are widely recognized as the world's premier business award competitions, honoring outstanding achievements in sales, customer service, business development, and management. Since their inception, the Stevie Awards have become the gold standard for recognizing excellence in business performance and innovation.
The Sales & Customer Service Awards specifically celebrate the achievements of sales, business development, and customer service professionals and teams worldwide. These awards recognize not just results, but the innovative strategies, exceptional service delivery, and transformative approaches that drive business success.
The Judging Process
As a member of the Sales Achievements and Sales Distinction Awards Jury, I will be evaluating submissions across multiple categories that showcase the very best in sales performance, strategy, and innovation. The judging process is rigorous and comprehensive, requiring careful assessment of:
- Quantifiable business results and revenue impact
- Innovation in sales strategies and methodologies
- Excellence in customer relationship management
- Leadership in sales team development and performance
- Creative approaches to market penetration and growth
- Demonstration of best practices in sales operations
Why This Matters
Having spent over a decade in go-to-market leadership roles, achieving $50M+ in ARR across various organizations, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that sales professionals face in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. The integration of AI, the shift toward consultative selling, and the increasing importance of customer experience have fundamentally transformed how we approach sales and business development.
This judging opportunity allows me to contribute to recognizing and celebrating the innovative approaches that are driving the industry forward. It's particularly meaningful given my work at the intersection of traditional sales excellence and neuroscience-backed methodologies – areas where I've seen tremendous innovation and results.
Official certificate recognizing appointment as judge for the Sales Achievements and Sales Distinction Awards Jury
Looking Forward
I'm excited to review the submissions and learn from the innovative strategies and exceptional results that sales professionals and teams around the world are achieving. The diversity of approaches, industries, and markets represented in these awards always provides valuable insights that can benefit the entire sales community.
This role also aligns perfectly with my commitment to advancing the sales profession through thought leadership, mentorship, and the sharing of best practices. Whether through my work with Forbes Business Development Council, speaking engagements, or direct consulting, I believe in the power of collective learning and the importance of recognizing excellence.
"Being selected as a judge for the Stevie® Awards is both an honor and a responsibility. These awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in sales and customer service, and I'm committed to bringing my experience in go-to-market strategy, neuroscience-backed methodologies, and revenue growth to the evaluation process. I look forward to celebrating the innovative approaches that are shaping the future of our industry."- Kris Talajic
A Commitment to Excellence
This appointment reflects not just personal recognition, but also the innovative work we're doing at NXT Wave Consulting in combining traditional go-to-market excellence with neuroscience-backed approaches. Our methodology of integrating nervous system regulation, performance psychology, and data-driven strategies represents the kind of forward-thinking approach that the Stevie Awards celebrate.
As we move through 2025, I'm excited to continue contributing to the advancement of sales excellence, both through this judging role and through our continued work helping organizations achieve sustainable, scalable growth through scientifically-informed strategies.