Networking in the AI Era with Melissa Llarena

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we delve into the rapidly evolving world of AI-powered sales with our special guest, Ash Smith. Ash, an innovative entrepreneur and founder of a successful AI company, provides insightful perspectives on the profound impact of AI on sales strategies.Ash shares his journey of starting from scratch, leveraging AI to achieve remarkable growth in phone sales, and transforming it into a lucrative enterprise. He discusses the dichotomy between inbound and outbound sales approaches, highlighting how AI technology is redefining the landscape by automating top-of-funnel interactions and enhancing personal connections.Notable Quotes:"Lemme tell you a quick story. I started my first AI company two years ago with nothing. No money no. Round A, B, C, whatever investment... And we did that within nine months of starting, within six months of making our first sale." - [Ash Smith] "The things that AI is the best at, as you mentioned, are like large data analysis, organizing things like those kind of technical processes..." - [Jonathan Green] "You don't have to know how it works to use it." - [Ash Smith] Ash emphasizes the importance of trust-based selling and how AI can be a tool that complements rather than replaces human interaction. He advocates for an automation-first mindset to streamline operations while preserving the personal touch that defines successful sales.Connect with Ash Smith:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ai-sales-guy/Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore the transition from internal technology leadership to external advisory roles with our special guest, Klaas Ardinois, a seasoned fractional CTO and technology consultant.Klaas shares his journey from being a full-time CTO to working as an external advisor, helping companies align their technology strategies with their business goals. He emphasizes the importance of identifying specific business problems before adopting AI solutions, comparing today’s AI hype to previous technology trends, such as the early days of websites and social media.Notable Quotes:“The first question is always, what problem are you solving?” - [Klaas Ardinois]“AI means a hundred different things to different people—from expert systems to natural language processing. It’s important to define what you actually need.” - [Klaas Ardinois]“You can’t build long-term success by just adopting AI for the sake of it. The value comes from using it to solve specific problems.” - [Klaas Ardinois]“The reality is, many AI projects end up being about ticking a box for investors rather than creating real operational efficiency.” - [Klaas Ardinois]Klaas discusses the challenges companies face when integrating AI without a clear understanding of its purpose or potential impact. He highlights the importance of ROI analysis and the need for CTOs and CEOs to collaborate closely when deciding on technology investments. Klaas also touches on the security implications of using AI, particularly with proprietary and sensitive data.Connect with Klaas Ardinois:https://www.linkedin.com/in/klaasardinois/https://a3hconsulting.com/Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore the world of AI from the perspective of an investor with our special guest, Adrian Mendoza, a venture capitalist and tech expert who has been at the forefront of AI investment since the early days.Adrian shares insights on how AI has evolved, particularly focusing on the current hype cycle surrounding AI technologies. He discusses the key differences between past AI innovations and the recent explosion of interest sparked by generative AI models like ChatGPT. Adrian emphasizes the importance of identifying companies with long-term potential in AI, warning against investing in companies that rely solely on hype without a strong foundation of proprietary data.Notable Quotes:“AI is everywhere, but the biggest concern for many businesses is whether they’ll still have a business in five to ten years.” - [Adrian Mendoza]“The companies that will win are the ones that secure proprietary data contracts with major platforms, not just using publicly available data.” - [Adrian Mendoza]“Generative AI changed everything because it put AI right in front of the public where people could see its value.” - [Adrian Mendoza]“You can’t build long-term success by just using someone else’s LLM. To thrive, you need your own data and models.” - [Adrian Mendoza]Adrian also explains the concept of “hallucination” in AI, where models generate incorrect or fabricated information. He discusses why this is a critical issue for sectors like finance and healthcare, where accuracy is paramount. Investors must carefully evaluate which companies are solving this problem by integrating AI with proprietary data and not just relying on generic models.Connect with Adrian Mendoza:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmendozavc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/adrianmendozavcInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mendozaventures/Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore how businesses can safeguard their future with AI, featuring our special guest, Brian Childress, a fractional CTO with deep expertise in technology integration.Brian provides valuable insights into the growing concerns of businesses wondering how AI will impact their industries and whether they are at risk of being replaced by AI-driven solutions. He discusses how to “AI-proof” your business and offers practical strategies for integrating AI in ways that enhance rather than replace human roles.Notable Quotes:“AI is everywhere, but the biggest concern for many businesses is whether they’ll still have a business in five to ten years.” - [Brian Childress]“Start with the business value. Look for inefficiencies and tasks that can be streamlined with AI, but don’t rush to replace people.” - [Brian Childress]“If we focus on solving employee boredom by removing mundane tasks, we can raise both morale and productivity.” - [Jonathan Green]“Let’s look at your business processes first, then find the right tools—don’t just adopt AI because everyone says you should.” - [Brian Childress]Brian emphasizes the importance of first identifying inefficiencies within the business and selecting AI tools that address those specific issues. He warns against the hype of adopting AI for the sake of it, recommending a thoughtful, problem-solving approach. Brian also highlights the value of collaboration between AI consultants and CTOs, suggesting they work together to implement AI solutions that truly benefit the organization.Connect with Brian Childress:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-childress/Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore the evolving role of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in the age of AI with our special guest, Mark Wormgoor, a seasoned CTO and expert in technology leadership.Mark discusses the rapid advancements in technology and how CTOs are at the forefront of integrating these innovations into business strategies. He emphasizes the importance of CTOs balancing their deep technical understanding with the ability to communicate and implement technology solutions that align with business objectives.Notable Quotes:“Technology is not just evolving in a straight line; it’s truly exponential.” - [Mark Wormgoor]“CTOs need to bridge the gap between deep technical knowledge and business needs.” - [Mark Wormgoor]“Start with the business problem. Don’t just adopt AI for the sake of it.” - [Mark Wormgoor]“Awareness and education are key in managing the security risks that come with AI and technology.” - [Mark Wormgoor]Mark shares practical advice for CTOs on how to effectively integrate AI into their organizations. He recommends starting with small pilot projects to test the potential impact of AI tools before scaling up. Mark also highlights the importance of having a collaborative approach, involving various department heads in discussions about AI adoption to ensure it addresses real business needs.Connect with Mark Wormgoor:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwormgoor/https://markwormgoor.com/Mark offers valuable resources for CTOs looking to enhance their skills and better manage stakeholder expectations. His “CTO Compass” project provides insights and guidance for technology leaders navigating the complex landscape of modern business technology.Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of gamification and how AI is revolutionizing it, featuring our special guest, Juliette Denny, a leading expert in corporate learning and gamification.Juliette introduces the concept of gamification, explaining how it differs from game-based learning. She discusses the application of game mechanics—such as badges, levels, and rewards—in non-game contexts to make learning engaging and effective. Juliette emphasizes how these mechanics can drive employee engagement in corporate training by turning mundane tasks into exciting, interactive experiences.Notable Quotes:“Gamification is using the mechanics that humans find appealing in games and applying those in a non-game way.” - [Juliette Denny]“The more gaming mechanics you have, the more excitement you can generate within a learning environment.” - [Juliette Denny]“The point of AI in learning is to adapt to the learner’s needs and create a personalized experience that enhances both knowledge retention and application.” - [Juliette Denny]“We are creating an environment where learning objectives are met, but in a way that’s creatively interesting and engaging.” - [Juliette Denny]Juliette also shares insights into the future of gamification with AI, highlighting the development of gamified AI agents. These agents can create personalized learning experiences by adapting to the user’s knowledge level, making training more efficient and relevant. She explains how these technologies can be used in scenarios such as financial crime training, where participants navigate a virtual world to solve problems, thus learning through practical, immersive experiences.Connect with Juliette Denny:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettedenny/https://zavmo.aiConnect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore the impact of AI on networking with our special guest, Melissa Llarena, an expert in genuine networking and founder of the Mom Founder Imagination Hub podcast.Melissa shares insights on how to use AI to enhance your networking efforts without losing authenticity. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a personal touch and using AI as a tool to prepare and research rather than to replace genuine interactions.Notable Quotes:“AI is never gonna replace the need for someone to have guts.” - [Melissa Llarena]“AI might have that language for you, but at the end of the day, you yourself deep inside know it wasn’t even your words.” - [Melissa Llarena]“The intention in terms of the way that you got that guest and the way that you’re letting them shine on your podcast matters.” - [Melissa Llarena]“You can pull from different categories of your life to add value and not feel insecure about networking.” - [Melissa Llarena]Melissa also addresses common pitfalls in using AI for networking, such as relying too heavily on AI-generated messages and losing personal touch. She provides practical advice on how to leverage AI for research and preparation to enhance your networking efforts genuinely.Connect with Melissa Llarena:https://fertileideas.com/https://www.instagram.com/melissallarena/https://www.melissallarena.com/podcast/Melissa offers a free playbook for mom entrepreneurs and a set of best practices for using AI in networking. Reach out to her on Instagram to get these valuable resources.Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we discuss maintaining authenticity while using AI in marketing with our special guest, Emanuel Rose, an expert in ethical and effective AI usage.Emanuel dives into how AI can be leveraged as a powerful tool without losing your unique voice. He emphasizes the importance of using AI to augment rather than replace your content creation process, ensuring that your authentic voice remains at the forefront.Notable Quotes:“You’ve gotta have some content to point the GPTs at. You don’t want the AI to develop your content for you because it’ll just be bland and boring.” - [Emanuel Rose]“The highest use of AI right now is in editing, summarizing, and repurposing content.” - [Emanuel Rose]“You have to create some content. You have to have a voice.” - [Emanuel Rose]“AI is amazing and cool, but there’s a structure that you have to work within to get the best output in the most efficient time.” - [Emanuel Rose]Emanuel also discusses common pitfalls in using AI, such as the tendency to trust without verifying the AI’s output and the importance of having a clear plan before integrating AI into your workflow. He provides practical advice on prompt writing and using AI for data analysis, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human oversight in the content creation process.Connect with Emanuel Rose:https://emanuelrose.com/https://www.strategicemarketing.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2b-leadgeneration/Emanuel’s insights can help professionals use AI to enhance their marketing efforts while staying true to their brand’s voice.Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore how to survive and thrive in the corporate world with AI, featuring our special guest, Philip Blackett, a corporate expert with insights on integrating AI into everyday work.Philip discusses the importance of adopting a growth mindset when it comes to AI and understanding how it can be leveraged to enhance job performance. He emphasizes that while AI is evolving rapidly, the key is to focus on tools that can directly improve your productivity and efficiency.Notable Quotes:“Let’s adopt a growth mindset in terms of, hey, AI is here to stay. Let’s learn what it’s about.” - [Philip Blackett]“How can I do my job better with the help of AI?” - [Philip Blackett]“The only way to have standardized data going forward that you can use is by having harmonized processes.” - [Philip Blackett]“Focus on AI tools that are relevant to what you do on a day-to-day basis.” - [Philip Blackett]Philip also addresses common fears about AI, including the challenge of keeping up with rapid changes and the concern of standing out in the corporate environment. He offers practical advice on collaborating with colleagues to explore AI tools and staying ahead by continuously learning.Connect with Philip Blackett: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipblackett/ • Books on Amazon: https://geni.us/DYiuHMBPhilip’s expertise can help professionals navigate the complexities of AI integration in the corporate world, ensuring they stay relevant and valuable.Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we explore how businesses can transition to modern systems with the help of AI, featuring our special guest, Ryan Pollyniak, an expert in systems integration and AI adoption.Ryan shares his insights on the challenges faced by organizations with legacy systems and the importance of upgrading to modern, AI-driven platforms. He emphasizes the role of executive leadership in facilitating change and the necessity of having a well-thought-out plan for transitioning to new systems.Notable Quotes:“The biggest inhibitor to change for an organization with their legacy systems is business disruption cost.” - [Ryan Pollyniak]“You want to have executive leadership layer change management in place at an early stage way before you go to try to make a system change.” - [Ryan Pollyniak]“Get your data estate in order. Get your systems in the cloud and with a trusted platform.” - [Ryan Pollyniak]“The only way to have standardized data going forward that you can use is by having harmonized processes.” - [Ryan Pollyniak]Ryan discusses the importance of understanding the specific needs of a business before implementing AI and highlights the benefits of using AI to improve efficiency in everyday tasks. He also explains the difference between machine learning, AI, and other related technologies, providing practical examples of how businesses can leverage these tools.Connect with Ryan Pollyniak: • Website: https://www.westerncomputer.com/ • LinkedIn: Ryan PollyniakRyan’s expertise can help businesses navigate the complexities of transitioning to AI-driven systems, ensuring a smooth and effective upgrade.Connect with Jonathan Green The Bestseller: ChatGPT Profits Free Gift: The Master Prompt for ChatGPT Free Book on Amazon: Fire Your Boss Podcast Website: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/ Subscribe, Rate, and Review: https://artificialintelligencepod.com/itunes Video Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtificialIntelligencePodcast