Most GTM teamstoday are missing targets because they're simply measuring the wrong things. In this episode, Carolyn and Amber unpack why attribution is a mirage (it only shows the lucky 2% that become opportunities) and why the MQL hamster wheel keeps smart teams stuck optimizing a tiny slice of reality. We dig into the pre-pipeline “factory floor,” show how to expose the messy middle, and explain why “more volume” isn’t a strategy—it’s a cash leak.

You’ll hear concrete ways to replace vanity conversion stats with a causal view of attempts → connects → meetings → opps → DQs (with reasons), what to do about pipeline shock when you tighten scoring, and why pipeline needs a single owner (hint: not “marketing-sourced”).

We also talk about modular change vs. big-bang transformations, and where attribution actually belongs (as seasoning, not the main ingredient), dig into where attribution actually belongs in GTM measurement (spoiler: it’s seasoning, not the protein), and explain why modular change beats waiting for a full-scale transformation.

What You’ll Learn:

• Attribution ≠ answers: It validates the 2-5% that convert and hides the waste in the 98%.

• Kill the MQL hamster wheel: Measure the journey, not just MQL→SQL%.

• Instrument the factory floor: Person-level steps that predict pipeline (and the drop-offs to fix).

• Volume lies: “Do more dials” is a 2012 play—engineer repeatable patterns instead.

• Pipeline shock is healthy: Fewer junk opps → higher win rate and better CAC.

• One owner for pipeline: Align Sales + Marketing on quality pipeline, not credit.

• When to use attribution: After you fix data hygiene and pre-pipeline tracking.

If your dashboards keep telling you to “get more leads” or “add more dials,” you’re staring at the pipeline mirage. Break free from the hamster wheel, shine a light on the messy middle, and finally see what’s really driving, or draining, your revenue.

This episode is powered by Passetto, a GTM advisory and software company with a solution that eliminates the Pipeline Black Box™, the critical data hidden inside every GTM engine where leaders are flying blind when it matters most.

🔗 LINKS & CTAs

• Follow Carolyn on LinkedIn
• Follow Amber on LinkedIn
• Start your 14-Day Pipeline Optimization Sprint to uncover where your pipeline is leaking and to surface the KPIs needed to start engineering predictable pipeline growth.