Alex McNaughton continues his visit with Chris to share psychological insights that challenge traditional sales training. As an AI entrepreneur, Alex emphasizes confidence should be the priority when onboarding salespeople, not technique. He advocates first building enough confidence just to “pick up the phone” and draws parallels between sales and coaching – both guide people through “the emotional journey to consider something new.” Alex tells his story about overcoming fear in sales and boxing, noting most training overlooks the emotional side. He concludes that “so much sales training, particularly cold calling, is wrong or missing” these emotional components.
Last week on Success Beneath the Surface, host Deborah Fell spoke with Tien Wong about the power of connections. Wong started ConnectPreneur over a decade ago to facilitate more regular forums for investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the DC/Mid-Atlantic area to connect and collaborate. A key insight Wong shared is that an engaged, diverse network structured for open interaction has emergent value – it can catalyze growth beyond what any individual could design.
In this episode of The Practical CMO, The Fabricator’s editor-in-chief Dan Davis provides invaluable insights on leveraging technology to drive growth for metal fabrication leaders. He draws apt analogies like Oreo’s product innovations and personalized banking to demonstrate how smart investments in production and marketing technologies enable manufacturers to expand revenues. Dan highlights automation, robotics, and collaborative bots as key investments on the production side. He advocates personalized outreach shaped by AI and modern digital tactics for sales and marketing. Like financial firms once did, manufacturers now can democratize technologies to level the playing field.
Through Aaron’s Presents, kids are empowered to make a positive difference in their communities by pursuing service projects of their own design. From providing reflective vests to peers walking home in the dark, to leading cheerleading classes for younger kids, participants experience the joy and fulfillment of helping others. As we’ll hear from Leah, these projects not only spread good in the world, but build confidence, purpose, and compassion within the young people carrying them out.
Fr. Bill wraps up this playlist reminding us there will be all kinds of obstacles, sufferings, and tragedies in our lives – things that can steal away our hope like war, terrorism, corruption, division, arrogance, pride, and cynicism (just to name a few). The game of our lives hasn’t ended, but our knowledge of the outcome is the reason for our hope.
