Stories of Selling Human Stories of Selling Human How to Stand Out As A Human in Sales In A World of AI - John Barrows, CEO, JB Sales - Sell By Being Human

Episode 139

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Published on:

8th May 2025

How to Stand Out As A Human in Sales In A World of AI - John Barrows, CEO, JB Sales

Summary:

John Barrows is the CEO of JB Sales, a sales training company focused on elevating the people and profession of Sales. He’s been in Sales his entire life and held every position from making 400 cold calls a week to being the VP of Sales at one of the fastest growing companies in Massachusetts that they eventually sold to Staples and is now the CEO of his own company where he still actively sells every day.

John came on the podcast to talk about how to stand out as a human in sales despite the world of AI that we live in. He dives deep on ways to use AI to augment your sales process over automating your sales process. While AI can write some uncanny human like emials, it still can't replace your soul. Or being the "last mile" in how you can humanize your process.

We discuss the importance of maximizing meeting efficiency, doing AI research to show someone you respect their time, the human element that will never die in sales, and the impact of AI on the sales process. John also covers common questions that sales people ask that we should remove from our vocabulary completely in the world of AI that we live in. This is a good one gang!

Key Takeaways: (using AI)

Sales has always been a human-human interaction.

AI can enhance sales processes but should not replace human connection.

People buy based on emotions and justify with facts.

The essence of sales is helping people solve problems.

Empathy and curiosity are crucial traits for sales professionals.

AI can personalize content but lacks the human touch.

Sales is not about convincing but about understanding needs.

The 'give a shit' factor is something AI cannot replicate.

Automation in sales can lead to a loss of personal connection.

Successful sales depend on how you sell, not just what you sell. Maximizing meeting efficiency is crucial for productive conversations.

Focus on the client's needs rather than your own agenda.

AI can enhance sales processes but cannot replace human empathy.

Avoid asking generic questions that waste clients' time.

Research is essential before engaging with potential clients.

Sales professionals must adapt to AI or risk becoming irrelevant.

Custom AI solutions can enhance personal and professional productivity.

Authenticity in communication builds trust with clients.

Curiosity drives engagement and effective sales conversations.

Investing in AI tools is necessary for modern sales success.

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About the Podcast

Sell By Being Human
We all want to be heard, seen, and understood. This podcast shares stories of how all humans sell just by being great humans.
I believe that all people want to be heard, seen, and understood. But how do we get people to hear, see, and understand us effectively? Salespeople train themselves on techniques to do this but there are people doing it well without the word sales showing up anywhere in their job title or job description. This podcast is designed to help us hone our human skills, understand subtle similarities between non-sales people and salespeople, and show how we can learn from both groups the next time we need to create change and sell by being human.

You will learn from people throughout all walks of life. Nurses, coaches, janitors, event planners, HR executives, and architects. Just to name a few. We'll contrast them with trained sales people to show similarities and differences. There's an art to human connection and sales. We all do it differently and we can all learn from our every day human interactions.

Please contact me and let me know who you see in your life selling by being human! I want to shine a light on them.

alex.smith@docebo.com
@asmith202
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexcsmith/

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Alex Smith

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