Joe Apfelbaum - The Power Of AI and LinkedIn - NIA Speaker Series 2026-05-27

Joe Apfelbaum - The Power Of AI and LinkedIn - NIA Speaker Series 2026-05-27

Use AI and LinkedIn Strategically to Build Stronger Business Relationships Discover how to use AI and LinkedIn more strategically to build stronger business relationships, stay top of mind, and create more opportunities through networking. In this session, Joe Apfelbaum, founder of the AI-powered LinkedIn assistant EvyAI, shares a practical framework for using LinkedIn with more clarity, consistency, and purpose. Joe explains why every business owner needs a written LinkedIn strategy, how to identify ideal clients and centers of influence, and how AI can help save time while supporting more authentic engagement. The presentation covers Joe’s nine-step approach to LinkedIn success: * Build a clear business, marketing, and LinkedIn strategy * Define your ideal client profile and centers of influence * Clarify the promise behind your offer * Use stories to build trust and connection * Optimize your LinkedIn profile and digital footprint * Create systems, templates, and repeatable processes * Increase exposure through consistent posting and engagement * Build credibility with valuable content and conversations * Use AI tools to support outreach, research, comments, and content creation Joe also demonstrates how AI can help generate LinkedIn posts, research prospects, identify conversation starters, respond to comments, organize contacts, and support business development workflows. He emphasizes that LinkedIn success comes from strategy, accountability, relationship-building, and staying top of mind with the right people. This session is ideal for entrepreneurs, business owners, sales professionals, networkers, consultants, and anyone who wants to use LinkedIn more effectively to grow relationships, generate leads, and create more business opportunities. Topics Covered * Why LinkedIn requires a written strategy * How to define your ideal client profile * The role of centers of influence in referral marketing * How to stay top of mind on LinkedIn * Why stories are more effective than sales pitches * How AI can support authentic LinkedIn engagement * How to create posts and comments faster with AI * How to use LinkedIn for relationship-driven business growth * Why accountability improves consistency * How networking and LinkedIn work together

Jessica DeFeo - Marketing System to Increase Your Conversion Rates - NIA Sales Mastery 2026-05-20

Build a Clearer Marketing System That Turns Interest Into a Faster “Yes” Learn how to build a clearer marketing system that turns visibility, relationships, follow-ups, and discovery calls into a faster “yes.” In this session, Jessica DeFeo, founder of JMT Creative Consulting, shares how women entrepreneurs and small business owners can stop guessing with their marketing and start identifying where potential clients may be falling off in the sales process. Jessica breaks down the Conversion Web, a practical framework for improving every step of the client journey: * Attract the right people, not just more people * Connect through clear, specific messaging * Clarify the client’s problem and your solution * Validate trust with proof, FAQs, and credibility * Invite prospects into the next step with clear calls to action You’ll also learn how to audit your own marketing system, track lead flow and close rates, strengthen follow-up, improve discovery call conversions, and create a referral process that brings in more ideal clients. This conversation is especially helpful for service-based business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and small business owners who want more clarity, stronger messaging, better conversion rates, and a marketing system that supports sustainable growth. Topics Covered * Why marketing is not just about visibility * How to reduce uncertainty in the buying process * How to identify conversion leaks * Why clear messaging builds trust faster * How website bounce rate can reveal messaging problems * Why discovery calls should be structured as fit calls * How to improve proposal follow-up * How to ask clients for better referrals * How niching down can make your marketing more effective

Cheri Tree - B A N K - NIA Speaker Series 2026-04-22

Network in Action Speaker Series: Unlocking Influence with the B.A.N.K. Methodology In this Network in Action Speaker Series, Cheri Tree introduces the powerful B.A.N.K. methodology, a science-based framework designed to decode human behavior and dramatically improve sales, communication, and influence. As a globally recognized expert in influence intelligence and founder of Codebreaker Technology, Cheri explains how understanding personality-driven buying behaviors can transform the way you connect, communicate, and convert prospects into clients. Rethinking Sales: From Numbers to People This session challenges traditional sales thinking by shifting the focus from volume and rejection to human behavior and alignment. Instead of relying on outdated strategies, Cheri demonstrates that aligning your communication style with a buyer’s personality can: * Increase closing rates * Reduce friction in conversations * Create stronger, more authentic connections Key Insight: Sales is not a numbers game—it’s a people game. The Four B.A.N.K. Personality Types Cheri introduces four distinct personality types that drive decision-making: * Blueprint – Structured, detail-oriented, and risk-averse * Action – Fast-paced, results-driven, and competitive * Nurturing – Relationship-focused, empathetic, and collaborative * Knowledge – Analytical, data-driven, and logical Understanding these types allows you to tailor your message for maximum impact. Why Personality Alignment Matters One of the most powerful insights shared in this session is the impact of personality alignment on sales outcomes: * 18% success rate when personalities are mismatched * 82% success rate when communication is aligned This dramatic difference highlights the importance of speaking your customer’s “language”. Influence Over Sales Cheri emphasizes a modern approach to business: Replace “selling” with “influencing.” By focusing on influence, professionals can: * Build trust faster * Create meaningful conversations * Drive decisions without pressure or manipulation Cracking the Code in 90 Seconds The B.A.N.K. system enables you to identify a customer’s personality code in under 90 seconds, allowing you to: * Adjust your communication in real time * Increase engagement instantly * Improve conversion rates with minimal effort Real-World Applications This methodology extends far beyond sales and can be applied to: * Networking – Build stronger, faster connections * Referrals – Improve quality and conversion * Client Relationships – Deepen trust and retention * Hiring – Identify the right fit for roles * Marketing – Personalize messaging at scale * Leadership – Communicate effectively with teams Leveraging AI for Scalable Influence Cheri also highlights how AI and digital tools can amplify the B.A.N.K. system by enabling: * Personalized communication at scale * Automated personality insights * Data-driven decision-making This combination of human psychology and technology creates a powerful advantage in today’s AI-driven world. From Struggle to Success Cheri shares her personal journey from a struggling sales professional to a multi-million dollar earner, proving that: Mastering human behavior—not just sales tactics—is the key to exponential growth. Who Should Attend? This session is ideal for: * Entrepreneurs * Sales professionals * Business owners * Leaders and executives Anyone looking to increase conversions, build stronger relationships, and future-proof their success will benefit from this powerful framework. Learn how to crack the code of influence and turn every interaction into an opportunity.

Robert Ficken - Unlocking Sales Growth Through Intentional Networking & Referrals - NIA Sales Mastery 2026-04-15

In this Network in Action Sales Mastery session, Rob Ficken shares practical insights on how to take control of the sales process using the Sandler methodology. Drawing from his journey from oil and gas engineer to trusted advisor for major organizations, Rob breaks down the common pitfalls sales professionals face and explains how traditional selling approaches often lead to stalled deals and lost opportunities. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, this session explores the critical differences between buyer and seller behaviors, revealing why many sales conversations result in ghosting or indecision. Rob introduces a structured, system-driven approach to selling that emphasizes qualification, trust-building, and clear communication to improve outcomes. Key Topics Covered * Understanding the buyer-seller dynamic and why buyers often control the process * Identifying and overcoming common sales challenges, including objections and ghosting * The importance of a structured sales system for consistency and efficiency * How premature presentations lead to lost deals and free consulting * The role of emotional drivers and pain in decision-making * Implementing the Sandler framework, including upfront contracts and deep qualification * Strategies to improve prospecting, close rates, and long-term client relationships This session is ideal for sales professionals, business owners, and anyone looking to refine their sales strategy, eliminate inefficiencies, and build a more predictable and effective sales process. Learn how to qualify hard, close easy, and transform the way you approach every sales conversation. Learn more about Robert here: https://www.networkinaction.com/index.php/profile/10299-sandler-sales-training-robert-ficken [index.php/profile/10299-sandler-sales-training-robert-ficken] Find your Network In Action group here: https://www.networkinaction.com/index.php/find-a-group [index.php/find-a-group] Start your business networking franchise here: https://franchise.networkinaction.com/ [https://franchise.networkinaction.com/]

Scott Talley - An AI Mastermind - NIA's Network With The Nations - April 1st, 2026

How AI Is Transforming Business Operations & Driving Growth Discover how entrepreneurs, developers, and business owners are leveraging AI tools to automate operations, increase efficiency, and scale their businesses faster than ever before. This discussion highlights real-world use cases of AI-powered workflows that are reshaping how modern businesses operate. Real-World Applications of AI Explore how AI is being used to streamline and optimize key business functions, including: * Marketing automation for faster, more targeted campaigns * SEO optimization to improve visibility and rankings * Sales systems that nurture and convert leads automatically * Custom-built dashboards for real-time business insights AI Tools Powering Modern Workflows Learn how platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and emerging AI solutions are transforming everyday business tasks, such as: * Content creation at scale * Customer communication and support * Lead generation and qualification * Automated follow-ups and engagement Hear firsthand experiences from professionals who are replacing manual processes, reducing operational costs, and building AI-driven systems that function like digital employees. AI Strategies for Beginners & Non-Technical Users This session also provides practical, easy-to-implement strategies for those without a technical background. Learn how to apply AI without coding skills and still achieve powerful results. * AI governance and responsible implementation * Business transformation through automation * Measuring automation ROI * Staying competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape Whether you're a small business owner, marketer, or tech professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the future of work and unlocking new opportunities for growth. Get Connected & Take the Next Step * Find your Network In Action group [https://www.networkinaction.com/index.php/find-a-group] * Start your business networking franchise [https://franchise.networkinaction.com/]