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What I Learned from LinkedIn Canada's Country Director

Author

Joel Hansen
March 10, 2026

Happy 10th Tuesday of 2026,

Welcome back to Stay Curious — a newsletter I write once per week on 3 things keeping me curious, or I send one of you $100 as a penalty.

Here’s what’s on my mind this week:

1. What I Learned About Sales from Diana Luu

My friend Diana is LinkedIn Canada’s Country Director and Global VP of Large Customers.

She’s humble, but she’s one of the best sales leaders in Canada.

Yesterday at 4pm, I hosted her at North House for an “off the record” sales fireside chat.

She’s closed deals as big as $100m, and her minimum floor is $1m. Baller right?

I invited 10 founders from the space that I knew were curious about sales to listen in.

The result was magical. One of my favourite frameworks she shared with MEDDPICC. It’s a check list she uses to navigate any deal she’s part of. It stand for this:

  • metrics: do you know what metrics the buyer cares about?

  • economic buyer: do you know the buyer who signs off will be?

  • decision-making process: do you know the purchase decision process?

  • decision criteria: do you know the buy-side criteria in and out?

  • people involved: what people need to be engaged to start/close the deal?

  • implicate the pain: what pain are you solving for? sure it’s right one?

  • champion: who’s championing the deal internally for you?

  • coach: who’s coaching you how to sell into this company?

2. Austin Recommendations?

I’m heading to Austin this weekend for some SXSW vibes. Got any spots you recommend while I’m in town?

Just heard Jesse Itzler is hosting a run event this week so my wife and I may try and finesse our way onto the invite list.

If anyone knows Austin, hit me with your gems. I’m all ears.

3. Book Recommendation: Green Lights

I’ve been reading Green Lights, a book by Matthew McConaughey, the last week or so, and it’s been lights out.

It’s full of stories that make you laugh and honest lines that make you think.

Squamish BC has even gotten a shoutout for one of his favourite spots to visit in his RV.

Liked today’s deep dive? Forward it to a friend.

Joel

You can hit me up on Twitter or LinkedIn. But the true besties hit me up on Strava and IG.

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