1 - The LinkedIn Evolution: From Recruiting Platform to B2B Growth Powerhouse
Unlocking B2B Category Leadership Through Strategic LinkedIn Positioning
In the inaugural episode of the Scaling Smarter: Category Leaders Podcast, host Eli Igra Serfaty sits down with Eli Igra Serfaty, Co-Founder & CEO of MAIA LinkedIn Agency, to explore what it truly takes to stand out, scale smarter, and lead a category in today’s competitive B2B environment. This episode provides a rare, transparent look at the mindset and strategies behind one of the industry’s leading voices in LinkedIn-driven authority building—offering founders, executives, and revenue leaders a playbook for elevating their presence, influence, and growth.
The New Standard for Category Leadership in the LinkedIn Era
In this conversation, Eli breaks down the core principles that separate top B2B category leaders from the rest. Many executives underestimate how significantly their digital authority—or lack thereof—impacts hiring, deal flow, brand positioning, and investor confidence. Eli explains why LinkedIn, more than any other platform, has become the center of gravity for B2B awareness, trust, and high-value visibility.
He emphasizes that category leaders are not defined solely by their results, but by how effectively those results are communicated. A founder may run a thriving company, but if that authority does not translate into their online presence, they risk losing talent, opportunities, and market share. Eli shares examples of leaders who transformed their pipeline, brand, and executive visibility by taking LinkedIn seriously—and how aligning HR, sales, and marketing around the platform multiplies impact.
The discussion also highlights a recurring issue across industries: most executives do not intentionally craft their digital persona. They rely on outdated profiles, inconsistent content, or minimal engagement, which creates a credibility gap between their real-world achievements and their digital positioning. Eli outlines how to close that gap with profile optimization, thought leadership positioning, and consistent, strategic content—steps that help leaders attract higher-caliber clients, talent, and strategic opportunities.
About Eli Igra Serfaty
Eli Igra Serfaty is the Co-Founder & CEO of MAIA, a LinkedIn agency specializing in building executive authority, scaling B2B visibility, and helping category leaders stand out in crowded markets. He is also the host of the Scaling Smarter: Category Leaders Podcast, where he interviews top industry leaders on the frameworks that build trust, credibility, and sustainable business growth.
About MAIA LinkedIn Agency
MAIA is a LinkedIn growth and authority-building agency that helps founders, CEOs, and B2B companies elevate their digital presence, communicate their category leadership, and unlock scalable opportunities. MAIA provides executive profile optimization, thought leadership systems, content strategy, and comprehensive LinkedIn management to help leaders increase visibility and influence in their industries.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Conclusion
This episode sets the foundation for what Scaling Smarter: Category Leaders Podcast is all about—equipping ambitious leaders with the strategies, mindsets, and tools to build undeniable authority and influence in their industry. Eli’s insights reveal that category leadership is no longer about who works the hardest—it’s about who communicates their value the most effectively.
Key Episode Highlights
Why many executives’ real-world authority doesn’t match their online presence
How LinkedIn became the most powerful B2B trust-building platform
The core attributes that define modern category leaders
How a strategic LinkedIn presence impacts hiring, sales, and investor confidence
The foundational steps every leader must take to build digital authority
Explore MAIA LinkedIn Agency to learn how to elevate your authority, visibility, and category leadership.
If you’re a founder, executive, or category creator with insights to share, apply to be a guest on the podcast here.
