Winning big in Semiconductors: The Blueprint for Predictable Growth, by Shari Begun

By Victoria Fellows

October 18, 2025

Let’s be honest: in semiconductors, great tech gets you in the door—but it doesn’t win the deal. The companies that consistently win big? They’re not just reacting to what customers say—they’re uncovering what hasn’t been said yet. Then they move fast, execute with precision, and stay focused on what matters.

The real differentiator? It’s not luck. It’s a blueprint—a repeatable way of thinking, prioritizing, and working that turns opportunity into predictable revenue and profitable growth, even in the most volatile markets.

Focus on What You Don’t Know

The biggest growth often hides in the blind spots. What’s around the corner for your customer? Who’s really influencing the next design? Where are the dollars actually going next year? Too many teams spend the majority of their time servicing existing business. Yes, we need to deliver flawlessly—but that shouldn’t consume most of your day. If your team is only protecting what’s already won, you’re playing defense. Growth comes from chasing new programs, new people, and new problems to solve. Curiosity wins. Go find what you don’t know.

Be Strategic, Then Get Scrappy

You can’t win everywhere. So prioritize. Where’s the revenue? Which customers matter most? What programs actually have legs?
Build your funnel based on reality—real volumes, real timelines, real competitive dynamics. Use the tools: block diagrams, site maps, stakeholder charts. And when things slow down? Escalate early. Follow up relentlessly. Never confuse interest with commitment.

Big Customers, Big Complexity

Large customers are never simple. There’s no single decision-maker, and priorities shift constantly. Legal terms, ESG, supply assurance—those aren’t afterthoughts. They’re critical. So get ahead of them. Know who needs to be in the room. Build relationships across supply chain, design teams, and leadership. Don’t wait to be told what matters—go ask.

Land Smart, Expand Fast

Sometimes, the only way in is through a small win. That’s okay—as long as you treat it like the first step, not the finish line. Show up in engineering reviews. Share insights before they ask. And always define next steps: If we do this, will you do that? Small wins become strategic when you deliver value fast and follow through.

Sales Is Everyone’s Job

This isn’t just on the account manager. Your BU, ops, and customer service teams are part of the sales engine too. Help them think like sellers. Ask smart questions. Listen first. Connect the dots back to the customer’s goals. Strong internal alignment builds even stronger external trust

Lead with Clarity. Push with Urgency

The best leaders don’t micromanage—they unblock. They align teams, confront friction, and push on the right priorities. They ask, “Where’s the next $10M?”—and they don’t wait for perfect conditions.

In semiconductors, growth isn’t an accident. It’s intentional. It’s built. And with the right blueprint, it’s repeatable. Let’s go win.

Shari is Vice President of Sales at GlobalFoundries. Shari is a highly accomplished innovative leader with an extensive background in driving transformational growth within the semiconductor industry.

Throughout her career, Shari has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build high-performing teams, establish strategic partnerships, and drive creative solutions from concept to large-scale implementation. She has led global sales teams at Renesas Electronics, (including Dialog Semiconductor), Texas Instruments, and Cypress Semiconductor to date and currently Vice President of Worldwide Industrial Sales. Her passion for leveraging technology to achieve impactful outcomes, coupled with her strategic vision and innovative approach, positions her as a pivotal leader ready to drive strategic planning, market expansion, and operational excellence to new heights.

Shari is also a long-term advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the tech industry. Her contributions include founding Women’s ERGs, mentoring the next-generation of leaders, and sharing her experience and advice through peer-to-peer panel discussions. in 2024, she was named one of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Women of Influence.