Good afternoon,

Today, I just want to encourage everyone to be their genuine self. Your authenticity will earn you and the business more money. Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.” The pressure to be somebody else is much more prevalent today with the emergence of AI. Use AI as a tool not your voice.

Here are some points from Jeb Stuart’s Podcast called, Can AI Really Replace Salespeople?

The One Thing AI Can Never Do:

This is where the magic happens, and it’s where your competitive edge lies.

AI can write emails. It can analyze data. It can even fake phone calls (poorly). But it cannot engage in real-time, empathetic, synchronous conversation with another human being.

It can’t read micro-expressions during a video call. It can’t pick up on the subtle hesitation in someone’s voice that signals an unspoken objection. It can’t pivot in real-time when the conversation takes an unexpected turn.

Most importantly, it can’t build the kind of authentic human connection that makes people want to buy from you instead of your competitor.

If you’re a salesperson:

• Learn to use AI as your research assistant and writing coach, not your replacement.

• Never let AI write emails or make calls on your behalf. People will know, and they’ll hate it.

• Double down on developing your conversation skills, empathy, and relationship-building abilities.

• Remember the Golden Rule: Never trust, always verify. AI will lie to you, so double check everything.

We just completed our AMS Fest Chicago event and shared with prospects and partners our recipe for membership success. It was arguably the most people we have ever had attend our sessions at AMS Fest.

A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal or our case successful membership management. Most of the prospects left our presentation hungry to explore more menu items with their associations. Our chefs look forward to sharing more of our secret ingredients to help our clients and prospects grow and serve their members.

The follow up on this event will be easy. Everyone will remember the chef’s outfits. Isn’t that what we all are working toward? Making are interactions with customers and prospects memorable!

Bon Appetite,

RJ

As a Business Development consultant, we are always working to keep our subject matter experts on the stage and out of the auditions. With that said, I auditioned for many speaking roles in High School theater. However, I was only given the parts of inanimate objects- Rocks, Trees etc. From this experience, I found it a lot more fulfilling to get other people on the stage.

Spring is God’s way of saying, “One more time!” Robert Orben.

In a sales context, try this to avoid ghosting-  “Your response will help me provide the right content at the right time and avoid bothering you with unnecessary information.” 

Remember, it is not who you meet at the event that counts. It is who you meet after the event that puts points on the board. Bonus- People love a Happy Hour. It’s a non threatening way to meet people.

Sometimes I am amazed at how the small things can turn into a superpower. For example prospects will say, Thanks for setting the appointment so quickly. Your note was so kind. The coffee before the meeting was thoughtful. The sales & marketing teams really communicate clearly and quickly. That was a nice mid-day surprise. As we with disgruntled customers, providing poor service travels fast in the marketplace. The good news is we can all tap into our superpower and create bonds with customers & prospects that can last a lifetime.