Chief Helpfulness Officer at Xocial Gong LLC | LinkedIn Strategist | Community-Driven Brand Builder

What is a Personal Link(Ed)In Net(Work)ER?

Let’s break it down:
Link(Ed) = education, connection, access
Net(Work)ER = doing the work, increasing your net, becoming the responder who moves relationships forward

It’s a philosophy, a strategy, and the title of my upcoming book. (A free course is in the works, too. Stay tuned 📚👀.)

I started as a personal trainer with no marketing budget and no visibility. Before I even named my company Iron Dog Fitness, I had a tough realization: no one knew who I was. That sparked a journey of self-education and strategic experimentation.

I learned that Facebook creates awareness, LinkedIn builds trust, and newsletters keep you top of mind. I built my brand around these pillars, eventually growing from unknown to in-demand — and along the way, I helped others do the same.

As I volunteered with chambers of commerce and nonprofits, I used my newsletter and outreach to revive participation and drive real engagement. One councilmember even asked for my help on his mayoral campaign based on the transformation I sparked in his local chamber. That’s when I knew I wasn’t just promoting myself — I was building a repeatable system.

Today, I run Xocial Gong LLC, a LinkedIn-focused marketing agency for small business owners, startups, and freelancers — people like me, who wear too many hats and have too little time or budget.

Most of my clients don’t need to advertise on LinkedIn. They just need to optimize their profile, apply the right etiquette, and use proven outreach methods to get in the door with decision-makers.

That’s where we come in.

Xocial Gong is the “Link” and “Ed” educator that helps you get “In” with your ideal customers. We increase your “Net” profits by doing the “Work” for you on LinkedIn — using “ER” (Effective, Responsive) strategies to fill your calendar with quality leads who are already interested in what you offer.

Let’s connect if you’re ready to turn LinkedIn into your #1 relationship-building tool.
📲 Text me directly: 323-690-1659

Damien Orozco

Fun days at today's first networking breakfast mixer of the year, hosted by the DoubleTree by Hilton - Rosemead. 
The event was organized as a collaboration networking event by the Commerce Business Council, the Montebello Chamber of Commerce, and the Rosemead Chamber Of Commerce.
 
It's always great when chamber of commerce organizations come together to host a joint mixer, increasing networking opportunities for members of their chambers with members of other chambers. We are all in it together. Team work, makes the dream work! 🥳
#NetworkingEvents #MorningMingleNetworkingEvent #CommerceBusinessCouncil #RosemeadChamber #MontebelloChamber #DoubleTreebyHiltonRosemead

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Alignable event and account invite

Want my free "The 3-1-1 Client Formula: Book Your Calendar with Qualified B2B Leads in Just 5 Minutes a Day on LinkedIn"? Comment 👉🏾 5 a Day Workbook in the comments

LinkedIn 5 a Day Workbook Lead Magnet

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LinkedIn Xocial Mastery Invite

Want more helpful tips. If you're based in the USA or Canada, I'd like to invite you to join my LinkedIn Xocial Mastery Community👀🗣️😃 Comment 👉🏾 "COMMUNITY and I will reach out to you with instructions on how to join for FREE!

LinkedIn Xocial Mastery Community Invite

Stan Store Affiliate Lead Magnet Link

Here is how to get leads and clients on Instagram with automation and AI👉🏾 https://join.stan.store/XocialGong

30 Minute Discover CTA Invite

Need help with a marketing strategy tailored to your specific needs? Let's have a conversation. Book A Discover Call With Us Today!👉🏾 https://calendly.com/xocialgong/30-minute-discovery-call

iron-dog-fitness

commerce-business-council

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DoubleTree by Hilton

Commerce Business Council

Montebello Chamber of Commerce

Rosemead Chamber Of Commerce

Chief Helpfulness Officer at Xocial Gong. Your personal Link(Ed)In Net(Work)ER. We hook'm, book'm and all you do is close'm. Let's grow your business. Find out how! 👉🏾📞🗣️💬 +1 323.690.1659

I call it the "Peek-a-boo" stage 👀😂
Checking out someone's LinkedIn profile isn't just creeping. It's a strategy. 

Most people don't realize this: when you view a profile, LinkedIn notifies the profile owner.

That notification? It's your silent handshake. 🤝

So here's what I do.

I view a prospect's profile 24 hours before I send a message or a connection request. Not random. Not by accident. I'm planting a seed. 🌱

When that message lands, I'm no longer a stranger. I'm the face they just saw in their notifications.

It's like walking into a room where you already nodded at someone across the hall. Warmer. Easier. Less awkward.

But here's the real debate:

Do you go incognito in Private Mode, hiding in the shadows, or do you let your name and headline do the work in Public Mode? 🔍

Pick a lane. There are only two kinds of people on LinkedIn:

1. The ones who stay in the shadows and wonder why nobody responds.
2. The ones who show up, get noticed, and start real conversations. 💬

I know what works for me. 👍🏾

How about you? 👀

Do you stay private, or do you like people to know you were there? 🤔

Drop your answer in the comments.

Let's see who's really out here building relationships. 🧑💼

#LinkedInTips #LeadGeneration #StanSocialSprint #RelationshipBuilding #PersonalBranding

Happy Sunday, LinkedIn family! Here's today's hot LinkedIn tip: Your LinkedIn inbox isn't just for random hellos. It's also your digital treasure chest 🏴‍☠️🪙🧰 in your sales pipeline. 📝💼

If you treat it like casual conversation, you're leaving money on the table. Seriously. 💸

Every missed reply is a missed opportunity. I've seen founders let red-hot leads turn ice cold, just because they "forgot to reply." Ouch. ❄️

Let's keep it simple:

👉🏾 Mark important messages inside your LinkedIn inbox as unread so they don't slip away. 🔔
👉🏾 Use the "Star" ⭐ feature to tag high-potential leads, especially if it seems they're likely to convert into a hot sales lead that could result in a booked meeting. 😃
👉🏾 Block off 15 minutes a day (yes, every day) to clear out the inbox and follow up. ⏰

I get it, life gets busy. But 15 minutes can mean the difference between another closed deal and an opportunity lost to your competitor.

Your next sale could be sitting in that pile of unread messages. 📬

No fancy tools. No magic strategy. Just discipline.

How many unread messages are lurking in your inbox right now? Be honest, drop your number below. 👇

#SalesStrategy #StanSocialSprint #InboxManagement #FollowUpTips #LinkedInInboxTips

Consistency beats talent every single time. 🚀

I've watched average service providers quietly become industry giants, not because they're the best, but because they refuse to disappear. 💪

Every day, for years, they're showing up, sharing insights, building trust, growing their network. 🌱🤝

Meanwhile, the "brilliant" folks with flashy posts? Most go hard for a month, then vanish the second results don't go viral. 🎇👻

Here's a tough truth: the LinkedIn game isn't about raw talent or being a genius. It's about persistence. About being the one people remember, simply because you never leave. 🧠🔁

The algorithm is simple. If you play every day, it keeps letting you play. 🎲💼

So if you're waiting for inspiration or the perfect idea, stop. Show up, even on the boring days. Post when you think no one notices. Consistency is your secret weapon. 🗝️🔥

Forget being "the best." Be the last one standing. 🏁

How long have you kept at it? Are you in for the long run, or waiting for overnight results?

Tag someone who needs the reminder, let's keep each other accountable. 🫶

#LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #StanSocialSprint #Consistency #LeadGeneration

Stop writing for "Everyone." You are attracting "No One." 🚫

Let me be blunt.
I repeat, "Write for everyone, attract no one." 🗣️

If your post could apply to any business, any person, any situation, it's doing nothing for you. Zero. Zilch. 🕳️

Most content out there sounds like background music in a dentist's office. Safe. Bland. Instantly forgettable. 😴

Want leads? Want engagement? You need to aim for being memorable, not universally liked. 💥

Here's the real secret: 

Good content repels most people. It should turn off at least 90% of your audience. It should have 10% of readers hooked, nodding, and thinking, "Finally, someone gets it." 🎯

That's who you're writing for.

Your ideal client. The one with the headache, you know how to cure. 💊

Trying to please everyone? 
That's like making a pizza with every topping. No one actually wants that. Most just want the one combo that hits the spot for them. (Hint: I love Buffalo Chicken Pizza) 🍕

So get specific. Talk about pain points your best customers complain about on Monday mornings. ☕️

Call out the problems only you can solve. Let the rest scroll past. If non-buyers unfollow, congratulate yourself. You just made room for the right people. 🎉

It's simple. Watered-down content gets ignored. Brave, honest, targeted content gets business. 💡

If you haven't already done so, starting today, pick one person.
Write the post they desperately need to read. 📝

If you don't know who that person is, figure it out. Your next lead is waiting on it. ⏳

Who are you writing for today?
Tag them. Call them in. 📲
If you never repel anyone, you're not attracting anyone either.
#contentmarketing #stansocialsprint #usergeneratedcontent #socialmediatips #LinkedInTipsforSmallBusinessOwners

Bet most of you didn't know this LinkedIn hack. 👀🤔💭😮

You can't send a video message to a prospect from your laptop 💻 or desktop 🖥️ unless you record it elsewhere and send it as a link. Not happening. 😡

Desktop browser? Forget it. The option isn't there. 😮

Here's the truth: the only way to record and send a LinkedIn video message is on your phone. 📱

Open the LinkedIn mobile app. Go to your DMs. Spot that little Camera 📷icon? That's your secret weapon to sending a video directly through LinkedIn's inbox without having to copy and paste a link. 🎥

Why does it matter? Video DMs crush every other outreach tactic. They work. They stand out. 🚀If you wonder why this is true, just ask me in the comments or send me an inbox message. 

But if you're chained to your desktop, you're missing out, plain and simple. 🚫

Next time you want to actually get a reply, grab your phone. 🔓

Try it and tell me what happens. Did you spot the Camera icon? Did you use it? 👀

I'll be here to hear your results. 👂

#LinkedInTips #LeadGeneration #StanSocialSprint #SocialSelling #VideoMarketing

Trying to pitch the CEO? That's like showing up to the Super Bowl with a kazoo. 🏈🎺

Nobody's listening.

Here's the real game: skip the corner office. Talk to the people who care if something actually works.

The ops folks. The sales reps. The quiet genius in accounting who never misses a bug. 🕵️‍♂️

Win them over, and you're golden. Suddenly, your name bounces around the office like a viral meme. 💬

By the time the CEO hears about you, it's already a done deal. ✅

Want to see the fast lane to trust? It's not a cold email to "Dear Decision Maker."

It's a DM to "Hey, saw you're always the first to fix broken CRM stuff, what drives you nuts about it?" 🚀

That's how legends are made. Not with a chart. Not with a pitch deck. Not with a LinkedIn message written by a committee.

So, stop chasing shiny titles and aim for the people making things tick. 🔧

Become a legend in the break room first. The boardroom will catch up.

You want to sell? Start where people are actually buying. 💡

Who gets it already? Tag them. Who needs this wake-up call? Tag them too.

Let's make some noise. Preferably not with a kazoo. 🎉

#leadgeneration #salesstrategy #stansocialsprint #relationshipbuilding #linkedin

This is probably one of my newest favorite posts I've seen on LinkedIn because it lays out the facts...🤣

Chairman – VaynerX, CEO – VaynerMedia, Creator – VeeFriends

Nobody talks about saving money. 

You don’t need Peacock when you’re signed up to 7 different streaming services already… 

People are f*cking leasing new sh*t with money they don’t have. People that are broke having closets and wardrobes..

Everyone’s like “inflation” and “we got f*cked by the Boomers” .. no accountability. Do you know what the Boomers think? They didn’t go out to eat every day .. they cooked at home. They didn’t have 7 purses.. They had 1 purse for 9 years. 

Materialism has eaten up society. 

Some people argue that life is short, so they’re going to spend their money how they want. On the record, that’s fine. You can do whatever the f*ck you want .. but then, don’t complain.

🚀 The "Trojan Horse" Growth Strategy (Or: How to steal followers legally)

Stop shouting into the void. The fastest way to grow your network isn't posting more content. It's commenting on the right content.

📉 The Problem:

Posting when you have zero followers is like throwing a party in an empty warehouse. You bought the snacks, you played the music, but nobody knows the address. It’s demoralizing, and frankly, a waste of time.

💡 The Strategy:

Instead of trying to build a crowd from scratch, go where the crowd already is. 

Here is your 4-step blueprint to drafting off the giants in your niche.

Step 1: Identify Your "Big 5" 🎯
Don't just pick celebrities like Elon Musk. Find 5 creators in your specific niche who are slightly ahead of you (10k–100k followers). These are the people whose audience you want.
Action: List 5 people who post daily about your topic.

Step 2: Ring the Bell 🔔
Timing is everything. You want to be one of the first comments, so you stay at the top of the thread.
Action: Go to their profiles and hit the Bell Icon (Turn on notifications).

Step 3: Drop "Value Bombs" (Not Fluff) 💣
This is where most people fail. Writing "Great post! 🔥" is a waste of digital ink. It makes you look like a bot.
To steal attention, your comment needs to be a mini-post in itself. 

Use one of these 3 Comment Frameworks:

👉🏾 The "Yes, And..."
Bad: "Totally agree."
Good: "Love this point about [Topic]. It reminds me of [Related Concept]. I actually tried this last week and found that [Specific Result]. Thanks for sharing!"

👉🏾 The "Summarizer"
Bad: "Nice list."
Good: "This is a masterclass in [Topic]. My biggest takeaway is point #3—people always forget about [Nuance]. Saving this for later."

👉🏾 The "Friendly Counterpoint"
Bad: "You're wrong."
Good: "Interesting perspective! I usually see people argue for [Option A], but you're making a strong case for [Option B]. Do you think this applies to beginners too?"

Step 4: The Profile Funnel 🧲
Here is the magic: When you leave a killer comment, the creator’s audience sees it. They think, "Who is this smart person?" and click your profile.

The Result: You turn their traffic into your followers. You are essentially "drafting" behind a race car to pick up speed.

🗣️ Here is your 'Call to Action' of the week (basically my challenge to you, if you dare!)

Let’s practice right now. Tag one creator in the comments who always drops knowledge bombs (and tell us why you follow them)!👇🏾
#StanSocialSprint #TrojanHorseGrowthStrategy #CommentFrameworks #ContentStrategy #SocialSelling #NetworkMarketing #LinkedInTips

Want more sales calls on your calendar? Stop begging strangers for their time. 📞🚫

Let's be honest. If you open with, "Can we get on a quick call?", you'll get ghosted more than you'd like to admit. 👻

Nobody owes you 15 minutes. And most people know that 15 minutes = a discovery call, or, in other words, a sales call. You need to prove you're worth it.

Here's how you flip the script: 
Try asking for permission to share real value. 💡

I call it the "Permission Asset" play. 
It sounds like this:

"Hi [Name], I put together a simple checklist on [Pain Point] that helps small business owners. Would it be helpful if I sent it over? No strings attached." ✅

That's it.

What happens next?

👉🏾 If they say yes, you just scored a warm lead, someone who wants what you have. 🔥
👉🏾 If they say no, you avoid awkward calls and wasted time. ⏳
👉🏾 Either way, you come across as helpful, not pushy.

When you offer value first, your DMs stop feeling like cold calls and start sounding like invitations. 🎉

Here's the real test: 
Can you name one resource you wish someone had sent you for free? 
Now, go create it for your own network. 🚀Boom 🧨That's fire 🔥 when it comes to providing value. 💰

What's the best free resource you've shared lately? Drop it in the comments, let's build a library of game-changers together. 👇🏾😃
#LinkedInTips #LeadGeneration #SmallBusinessGrowth #ValueBasedMarketing #SocialSelling #StanSocialSprint

You're invited to join us at the Alignable Alliance of Commerce's first 2026 IN-PERSON kick-off networking event of the year, hosted by The Compound by Dirt Dog Inc. Commerce and organized by Damien Orozco of Xocial Gong, LLC, Ambassador of Alignable.  

WHEN: Wednesday, October 8th, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM WHERE: Dirt Dog the Compound in Commerce, 2909 Supply Avenue, Commerce, CA 90040
COST: FREE for all Alignable and Non-Alignable members (MUST RSVP via provided link)

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

First, we will begin the meeting by discussing best practices for networking to maximize your experience and achieve your goals.

Secondly, if this is your first time attending one of these networking events, don't worry. As your host, I will help you get the most out of this event so that your time with us is well spent.

Thirdly, at each event, I will give you a free tip on how to grow your brand and your business using Alignable and other networking and marketing strategies you can implement immediately during and after the event. 

Help me make this an incredible experience by answering the questions below:

Question #1:
What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now that, if I gave you some advice, would help you grow your network and generate more sales?

Question #2:
What could I do to increase the likelihood that you will register and attend the event, and to ensure you don't want to miss it?

Question #3:
We all have different schedules, so I want to consider that and create events that accommodate the schedule challenges we face.

Question #4
Would it make sense for me to host one in the morning, another during lunch hour, and one in the evening? Each on separate weeks? For example, Week 1 at 7:00 am, Week 2 at 12:00 pm, and Week 3 at 7:00 pm? Thank you for answering these questions.

I want to be the best host possible, so as long as I understand how I can optimize these events for you, I can host events where everyone can participate. 

Damien Orozco, Ambassador
Alignable Alliance of Commerce,
Founder & Chief Helpfulness Officer, Xocial Gong LLC.

Help spread the word and invite others to join our group and attend our events. I promise you it will be fun, engaging, and insightful.
#InPersonNetworking #AlignableAllianceofCommerce #DirtDog #BusinessMixer #NetworkingLuncheon #StanSocialSprint #XocialGong

Dirt Dog Inc.

Xocial Gong, LLC

Alignable

Do people really hate their birthdays that much? 🤔💭😕
Today, the first person this year 'blocked' me on LinkedIn after sending them a happy birthday message.

Initially, she replied with a 'Thank You.'

Then I asked if she had any exciting plans for the new year of life she's been blessed with (not a sales pitch, by any means).

Surprisingly, I got a thumbs up 👍🏾, and then I was blocked.

A similar thing happened once last year with another person. I sent them a happy birthday message and was immediately 'blocked' without any response.

It's weird, but a true story. 😂 Do people really hate their birthdays that much that they block you for wishing them well?
Why do you think they reacted this way? 🤔💭
#BirthdayBoundaries #LinkedInEtiquette #BuildingConnections #StanSocialSprint #LinkedInTips

Your face might be costing you deals (or whatever that is in your profile photo section) 😬

Think your LinkedIn photo doesn't matter? Think again. 📸

In less than a second, people decide if they can trust you, just by looking at your profile picture 👀

Not your headline.
Not your experience.
Your face.

If your photo is dark, blurry, or looks like you snapped it on the way to the airport, you're losing deals before you even say hello. 🚫

Here's the truth:

👉🏾 You don't need a suit or fancy backdrop.
👉🏾 You do need daylight, a real smile, and eye contact 😁
👉🏾 The "approachable" vibe? It's what buyers want most 🤝

1000 words in your summary won't save a profile pic that whispers, "I don't want to be here." 🙈

Want to know where you stand?
Rate your current profile photo from 1 to 10. 🔟
No lying.

Even better: DM it to someone who doesn't know you and ask for brutal honesty. 💬

Ready to find out if your photo is helping or hurting?
Drop your score below or tag someone who needs the nudge. 👇

#LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #LinkedInProfileOptimization #SmallBusiness #StanSocialSprint

Stop handing out business cards. Serious🤔💭😲
Throw away your business cards. 🗑️

You meet someone at an event. You trade cards. What happens next?  
They toss it in their bag, forget your name, and your big "connection" dies before it starts. ☠️

Try this instead: 👇🏾

👉🏾 Next time, pull out your phone. 📱  
👉🏾 Open the LinkedIn app.  
👉🏾 Click the search bar at the top.  
👉🏾 See that little QR code in the top right corner? Tap it. 🧑‍💻  
👉🏾 Show it to your new contact. 
👉🏾 Have them scan your QR code.
👉🏾 Boom. You're connected on the spot.😃

No lost cards. No awkward follow-up. No one is searching for your email three days later. ❌

You get:

👉🏾 Instant connection 🤝  
👉🏾 Their face next to their name (no more "who was that guy?") 🧠  
👉🏾 The ability to DM tomorrow, not next quarter ⏱️

Bet most people in the room have no idea this feature exists. 🤷‍♂️
Instant, immediate first impression gold. 👏🏾

Go ahead. Try it right now.  
Open your LinkedIn QR code and see if you can surprise someone today. 🎯

Did you even know this trick was hiding in your app? 🤔💭

HINT: If you have a Sales Navigator account, the app offers useful ways to remind yourself about your new connection and what they mean to you. Type 'community' as a comment if you're in the USA or Canada and want to learn more. 🙌🏾

#LinkedInTips #StanSocialSprint #LeadGeneration #NetworkingStrategy #OmniChannelMarketingStrategy

Your Brand. Their Living Room. Total Local Authority. 🏠📺🛋️👀🚀

There is nothing quite like the "Wow" factor of a customer seeing your business on their Roku or Apple TV. It builds instant trust before you even knock on their door.

If you’re a home service provider looking to dominate your local market, it’s time to move beyond the mailbox and onto the screen.

What is Streaming TV?

Streaming TV refers to the digital delivery of TV shows, movies, original series, live sports and events, breaking news, and other videos through ad-supported streaming platforms. Unlike traditional TV, streaming puts viewers in control by offering choice, flexibility, and the ability to watch what they want, when they want.

What are the key benefits of advertising on Streaming TV?

Targeted TV Commercials + Streaming Platforms = Targeted TV/Audience 🎯

✅ Targeted by Zip Code
✅ Shown on Premium Channels
✅ Built for Small Business Budgets

Advantages: TV audiences are twice as likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad

• CTV is the best way to reach households with children 
• CTV mirrors America’s diversity profile compared to traditional TV

Technology allows advertisers to target by location, demographics, interests, occupation, and even income bracket.

No Contracts. Minimal Spend Requirement.

Where do TV ads appear?

Reaches your target households through all major streaming platforms, devices, and television networks. Partners include Hulu, Roku, Paramount, Amazon, Apple, and DirecTV, with commercials appearing on major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, Weather Channel, HGTV, Fox Sports, and CNN, among others.

Type "STREAM" in the comments if you would like to learn more.
NOTE: We only work with US-based businesses.
#streamingtv #Geofencing #advertising #MarketingForSmallBusiness #StanSocialSprint

I often see others saying text-only posts are dead.💀

Wrong. Text-Only posts are not dead. 😮

That's just more engagement bait gibberish. 🧲

If anything, they're the secret weapon most people ignore.💣

Look at your feed. Videos everywhere. 🎥 Fancy graphics screaming for attention (some images being embarrassing, outright low quality "AI slop") 🤦♂️

But you know what actually makes you pause? ⏸️

A raw, plain-text post. No distractions. Just words. 
Words that feel like someone slid it into your inbox, not your feed. ✉️

Here's why it works: 

👉🏾 It's human. 👤 Polished content looks nice, but the text feels real.
👉🏾 There's zero fluff. 🍃 Short lines. Lots of white space. Zero effort to consume.
👉🏾 It's honest.😃 You can't hide behind flashy edits or stock photos. 🫣

The best performing posts I've seen? 🏆 
A few sentences and a story that actually means something.

Try it. 👇

Share a simple thought or observation here on LinkedIn. ✍️

Forget the Canva templates and the ring lights for five minutes. 🚫🖼️💡 
Write what you want to say, hit post, and see what happens. 🎯

Chances are, more people will actually read it, because it doesn't look like an ad. 👓

So here's my challenge: 🎲

This week, drop the visuals. 
Go text-only. 
See who listens when the noise disappears. 🔇

If you're still stuck on the bench, tag a friend who always overthinks their post. 🤔👥

Let's see who dares to keep it simple. 🤝

#LinkedInTips #ContentStrategy #PersonalBranding #StanSocialSprint #LeadGeneration

🚀 Perplexity & Microsoft: Is This The Ultimate Power Move? 🤖☁️🤔💭

The AI search world just got a $750 million glow-up! Perplexity AI has officially inked a massive three-year cloud deal with Microsoft.

Here’s the tea ☕️:

👉🏾 The Bill: A cool $750M. Perplexity is heading to the Azure clouds!
👉🏾 The Hookup: This gives Perplexity elite access to run frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI via Microsoft’s Foundry service.
👉🏾 The Drama: After some legal friction with Amazon over its shopping bot, Perplexity is diversifying its "friend group." While they’re still keeping AWS as a "preferred" cloud partner, they now have a major safety net in Azure.
👉🏾 The Goal: Faster searches, smarter shopping agents, and zero downtime.

Microsoft is proving Azure is the "place to be" for every major AI player, not just OpenAI. 🏗️🎮👾

Is this the start of an AI search revolution? What do you think?👇🏾
#PerplexityAI #Microsoft #CloudComputing #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews #Azure #StanSocialSprint

reuters.com

Perplexity signs $750 million AI cloud deal with Microsoft, Bloomberg News reports

The Connection Request 👉🏾 Stop sending blank connection requests.
Blank connection requests are the fastest way to get ignored.

Seriously, when was the last time you accepted a connection request that said nothing but "I'd like to add you to my professional network"?

You don't start a conversation with a stranger by staring at them blankly, right? It might get you punched in the mouth. So why do it on LinkedIn?

Adding context is your secret advantage.

When you send a request, say something real.
Show them you noticed their work.
Give them a reason to hit "Accept."

Try this instead:
"Hi [Name], I just read your post about [Topic]. Your point on X really hit home. I'm also in [Industry] and would love to swap ideas."

or 

"Hi [Name], I just read your post about [Topic] and agreed with your point on X. I work in [Industry] too and would love to follow your work."

Flattery + Context = Acceptance.

That's it.
It's not rocket science.
It just takes 10 more seconds.

Every time I take the extra moment to personalize, my acceptance rate shoots up.

When I get a blank one?
Delete.

So, let's settle this. I am actually very curious:

Do you ever accept blank connection requests?
Drop a Yes or No below.
Every honest answer helps someone here on LinkedIn learn.

#OnlineNetworkingTips #ConnectionRequests #StanSocialSprint #LinkedInTips #InboxStrategies

Stop "Pitch Slapping" me. 🚫

You know the type. You accept a new connection and, before you can even blink, BAM... a sales pitch lands in your DMs. 💥

No hello. No context. Just a cold, hard sell tossed your way like a surprise pop quiz at 7am.

Let's be real, nobody likes a digital ambush. 😬

Imagine walking into a networking event and someone just hands you a business card, starts rattling off their product features, and never even asks your name.

That's what a cold pitch DM feels like. Zero connection. Zero trust.

Think of LinkedIn like a cocktail party, not a used car lot. 🍸

Here's a better way:

👉🏾 Start with a genuine hello 👋🏾 
👉🏾 Find common ground  
👉🏾 Ask questions (and actually listen to the answers)  
👉🏾 Build some trust before trying to sell 💡

You're not just chasing sales. You're building a reputation. 

The fastest way to get blocked? Pitch slapping someone right out of the gate. 🚫

Want to stand out? Be human first, seller second.

I've heard some wild stories about bizarre DMs. What's the worst sales pitch you've ever gotten in your inbox? Drop it in the comments and let's have a laugh (or cringe) together. 😂

#LinkedInEtiquette #HumanFirstSelling #LeadGenerationTips #StanSocialSprint #RelationshipMarketing

I'm hosting the Alignable of Commerce IN-PERSON Networking Event at Dirt Dog on January 21. 😃👇🏾
Just putting this out here again in case you didn't see it yesterday. 

You're invited to join us at the Alignable Alliance of Commerce's first 2026 IN-PERSON kick-off networking event of the year, hosted by The Compound by Dirt Dog Inc. Commerce and organized by Damien Orozco of Xocial Gong, LLC, Ambassador of Alignable. 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 8th, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM WHERE: Dirt Dog the Compound in Commerce, 2909 Supply Avenue, Commerce, CA 90040
COST: FREE for all Alignable and Non-Alignable members (MUST RSVP via provided link)

Mario A. Vitale, Charlene Dimas-Peinado and 13 other attendees

View event: Alignable of Commerce IN-PERSON Networking Event at Dirt Dog

Alignable of Commerce IN-PERSON Networking Event at Dirt Dog

Helping technical experts & product specialists improve their win rate on pitches. 829 clients helped to-date with training that had an immediate, positive impact on their results. Will you be next?

Your presentations are being seen. Are they getting results?

Most executive presentations inform. They don't drive decisions. 
Leadership listens politely, asks a few questions, and says, "Let's revisit this next quarter."

I fix that.

After 24 years in corporate banking — JPMorgan Chase, PwC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Commerzbank — I've sat on both sides of the boardroom table. I know exactly why some presentations get immediate buy-in while others get indefinitely deferred.

It's rarely the idea. It's the structure, the delivery, and knowing what executives actually need to say, "Yes."

I help executives in two ways:

→ Corporate Training
I work with leadership teams at banks, consultancies, and corporates to transform how they present. From board decks to investor pitches to QBRs — I teach the frameworks that get decisions made. Delivered remotely or on-site.

→ Digital Resources
Not ready for full training? 

Start with The Executive Slide System — 17 PowerPoint templates + 51 AI prompts for every executive presentation type. 

Or join my AI-Enhanced Executive Presentation Mastery course launching January 2025.
What I cover:
- Board presentations & investor pitches
- QBRs & Budget Requests
- Strategic recommendations &amp; project updates
- AI tools: Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude for faster, better slides

The results speak:  Clients have used my frameworks to close major deals, secure board approvals, and get promoted to roles they'd been passed over for.

Ready to transform your presentations?

📩 DM me for corporate training enquiries
🔗 Get templates now: https://mbhazeldine.gumroad.com/l/executive-slide-system
🎓 Join the course: https://maven.com/winning-presentations/ai-enhanced-presentation-mastery/

Mary Beth Hazeldine

I watched an executive rehearse for 6 hours.

It made her worse.

By hour four, she was second-guessing every word.
By hour five, she'd lost all natural energy.
By hour six, she couldn't remember her opening line.

Here's what happens when you over-practice:

Your brain shifts from "knowing the material" to "performing the script."

One interruption, one question, one blank moment—and the whole chain breaks.

The executives I've trained who present most effectively?

They rehearse for 90 minutes total. Three passes:

Pass 1: Content flow (Does this make sense?)
Pass 2: Transitions (Can I move smoothly between sections?)
Pass 3: Timing (Am I hitting my marks?)

Then they stop.

Because after that, you're not getting better.
You're just memorizing a script you'll forget under pressure.

The goal isn't perfect recall.
It's flexible confidence—knowing your material well enough to present it from any starting point.

What's your rehearsal sweet spot?

I help executives present with confidence | 10,000+ trained | Ex-JPMorgan, PwC, RBS, Commerzbank

I sat through a full-day presentation course when I was a banker.

By lunch, I'd learned how to make eye contact and use hand gestures.

I've been presenting to boards for 24 years. I didn't need tips on eye contact.

I needed to know:
→ How to restructure 47 slides for a CFO who gives me 10 minutes
→ How to handle hostile questions from stakeholders who've already decided no
→ How to present when I'm the most junior person and everyone has an agenda

The course taught none of that.

Here's the problem with most presentation training:

It's built for beginners.

80% performance skills (delivery, body language, slides)
20% strategic skills (structure, stakeholder management, politics)

For senior professionals, that ratio should be inverted.

What executives actually need:

✓ Executive-specific frameworks (not "3 key points")
✓ Stakeholder psychology (what they want vs. what they say)
✓ High-stakes scenario handling (hostile Q&A, technology failures)
✓ Efficiency systems (90 minutes, not 6 hours)

Before investing in any presentation course, ask:

1. Who's the target audience? (If it mentions "overcome fear of public speaking" prominently—it's not for you)

2. What's the framework-to-tips ratio? (You want 60%+ strategy)

3. Does it address executive scenarios? (Board presentations, budget requests, presenting bad news)

4. Is there peer interaction? (Learning from other senior professionals is half the value)

5. Does it include modern workflows? (AI-enhanced efficiency isn't optional in 2026)

If the course can't speak to these directly, it's not designed for your level.

See a full breakdown of what senior professionals actually need from presentation training in the comment below.

---

#ExecutivePresence #PresentationSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #CorporateTraining #SeniorLeadership

Most 5-minute presentations contain 15 minutes of content.

That's not a 5-minute presentation. That's a 20-minute presentation delivered badly.

I watched a senior analyst destroy his promotion chances in exactly 4 minutes and 47 seconds.

He'd been given five minutes with the Managing Director. The slot every ambitious professional dreams of.

He spent the first two minutes on background.

By minute three, he was rushing through slides.

By minute four, he was apologising.

The MD cut him off at 4:47. "Thank you. Next presenter."

Here's what I've learned training 5,000+ executives:

A 5-minute presentation requires MORE preparation than a 50-minute one, not less.

When you have an hour, time forgives mistakes.

Five minutes forgives nothing.

The fix isn't speaking faster. It's the 1-3-1 structure:

→ 1 minute: Hook + main message 
→ 3 minutes: Three supporting points 
→ 1 minute: Call to action + close

Start with your conclusion, not your introduction
What's your biggest challenge with short presentations?

"You need to project more energy. Be more dynamic. Work the room."

I heard this feedback for five years when I worked at JPMorgan Chase.

So I tried. I forced myself to be "on" before every presentation. Projected enthusiasm I didn't feel. Tried to "work the room" like my extroverted colleagues.

Every time, I crashed afterward. Exhausted. Depleted. Convinced something was fundamentally wrong with me.

Then a senior partner pulled me aside after a client pitch:

"You seem like you're performing. It's distracting. Your content is excellent—why are you trying so hard to be someone else?"

That conversation changed everything.

I stopped trying to present like an extrovert.
I started presenting like myself.

Here's what I've learned from 24 years in banking and training 5,000+ executives:

The standard presentation advice fails introverts because it assumes extrovert energy creates impact.

It doesn't.

What actually works:
→ Thorough preparation (your natural strength)
→ Energy management (protect time before and after)
→ Depth over showmanship (substance wins)
→ One-to-one connection (not "working the room")
→ Strategic pauses (silence is power)

The most impactful presenters I've encountered aren't the loudest.

They're the most prepared. The most substantive. The most genuine.

Many of them are introverts who learned to present authentically—not performatively.

Your quiet nature isn't a liability to overcome.

It's an advantage to leverage.

"Any questions?"

The worst way to end a presentation. And yet almost everyone does it.

Here's what happens when you say those words:

→ Your audience shifts from "listening mode" to "escape mode" 
→ Nobody wants to risk asking a "stupid" question publicly 
→ Awkward silence kills the momentum you built 
→ Everyone—including you—just wants to leave

I learned this the hard way at Commerzbank.

Delivered what I thought was a compelling 20-minute strategy update. Hit every point. Polished slides. Confident delivery.

Then I said: "Any questions?"

Twelve executives staring at their notepads. Eight seconds of silence. The CEO checked his phone.

"Thank you, let's move on."

I left convinced I'd failed. But the feedback said the content was excellent. The strategy was approved.

The problem wasn't my presentation.

It was my ending.

"Any questions?" had killed the energy I'd built. It created an awkward moment that overshadowed everything before it.

Real audience engagement doesn't happen at the end.

It happens throughout:
- Directed questions to specific people
- Strategic pauses for reflection
- Reading the room and adjusting
- Check-ins before moving on``

The best presenters never ask "any questions?"

They've already answered them—by staying connected the whole time.

I used to hide in bathroom stalls before presentations.

Not metaphorically. Literally.

Shaking hands. Racing heart. Convinced I was dying.

Then I'd walk out, deliver the presentation, and no one had any idea.

Years later, I learned something that changed everything:

The executives I was terrified of?

Many of them were doing the exact same thing.

We just never talked about it.

If you've ever felt alone in your presentation anxiety — you're not.

Not even close.

Happy Saturday. Be kind to yourself this weekend. 💛

The presentation you're dreading tomorrow?

It's probably taking up more mental space this weekend than it deserves.

Here's something I learned after 24 years of high-stakes presentations:

The anxiety you feel on Sunday night is almost never proportional to the actual risk on Monday morning.

Your brain treats "presenting to the CFO" like a survival threat.

It's not.

It's a conversation with slides.

Three things that help me reset on Sundays:
→ Write down the ONE thing you want them to remember 
→ Accept that some nerves are useful (they mean you care) 
→ Stop rehearsing after 6pm (diminishing returns are real)

The presentation will go better than your Sunday brain thinks it will.

It almost always does.

And if you want the full protocol for appearing calm when presenting to senior leadership — even when you don't feel it — get the link to the article I wrote in the comment below.

What's your Sunday night presentation ritual? Or are you blissfully presentation-free this week?

I watched a VP present 47 data points to the CFO last week.

The CFO's response after 12 minutes?

"What do you actually want me to do?"

Here's what most professionals get wrong about data presentations:

They think more data = more credibility.

Executives think: more data = you haven't done the thinking for me.

The shift that changes everything:

❌ "Here's all the data so you can decide" 
✅ "Here's my recommendation, supported by these 3 data points"

Executives don't want a tour of your spreadsheet.

They want your conclusion — and the confidence that you've already done the analysis.

Data is evidence. It's not the presentation.

I wrote about this today — including the exact structure that turns data dumps into decisions.

Link in comments 👇

I once watched a senior leader walk into a Town Hall with a 28-slide deck…

…and lose the room in the first 3 minutes.

Not because the message was wrong.

Because the structure quietly signalled:
“I’m here to present at you, not with you.”

Here’s what most leaders miss about Town Halls:

People don’t need more information.
They need orientation + reassurance + belief.

So if you want your next Town Hall to build trust fast, use this simple structure:

1) The Reality (name what’s true)
“Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.”

2) The Meaning (translate the impact)
“What this changes for customers, teams, and priorities.”

3) The Direction (what stays stable)
“Here’s what we’re continuing, protecting, and doubling down on.”

4) The Ask (how people can help)
“What I need from you over the next 30–90 days.”

5) The Human Moment
A short personal line that creates connection:
“What I’m paying attention to… and what I’m learning.”

That’s the difference between a Town Hall that feels like a corporate update…
and one that feels like leadership.

I shared the full template you can copy in the comments below.

What’s the hardest part of Town Halls for you—clarity, trust, or handling tough questions live?

A VP used Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gamma to build her board presentation.

The slides were beautiful.

The board said no.

She came to me confused: "The deck was better than anything I've made before."

She was right. The slides were polished.

But the structure was wrong.

She'd built up to her recommendation over 20 slides when the board wanted her position in the first 60 seconds.

She'd included data that addressed HER concerns, not theirs.

She'd structured it for herself, not for how her CFO actually makes decisions.

AI had made her faster at building the wrong presentation.

That's the trap nobody talks about.

Here's what I've learned after 24 years in banking and working with executives on high-stakes presentations:

AI can generate slides.
AI cannot generate buy-in.

Three things AI fundamentally cannot do:

1. Read the room
→ See the CFO lean back at budget mention
→ Notice the CEO nod at your third point
→ Adapt in real-time

2. Build YOUR credibility
→ Answer unexpected questions with depth
→ Show judgment about what matters
→ Demonstrate command of the material

3. Structure for YOUR specific decision-maker
→ Know your CFO wants numbers first
→ Know your CEO needs strategic context
→ Know your board wants risk before opportunity

AI produces average content for average audiences.

Executive presentations require tailored thinking for specific people.

The professionals who thrive with AI will be those who invest in the human judgment layer—the framework—and use AI to accelerate execution.

Those who rely on AI for thinking will produce faster mediocrity.

70% framework. 30% AI execution.

That's the ratio that works.

Full breakdown in the comments 👇

The CFO who lost a £4M approval in 11 words.

Actually, he wasn't the CFO. He was presenting TO the CFO.

I watched it happen at Commerzbank.

A VP—brilliant analyst, 15 years of experience—had requested 30 minutes for a technology investment pitch. He'd prepared 47 slides. Rehearsed for hours.

His first 11 words:

"Thank you for making time. I'd like to walk you through..."

The CFO raised his hand. "What's the number and what do you need from me?"

The VP froze. His recommendation was on slide 34.

He tried to explain why the context mattered first.

The CFO checked his phone. Then stood up.

"Send me a one-pager. I don't have time for this."

Meeting over. Budget denied.

Here's what those 11 words signaled:

→ "Thank you for making time" = This is a favor, not a business necessity
→ "I'd like to walk you through" = Your time will be spent on MY process

Now imagine he'd opened with:

"I'm requesting £4M for platform migration. It reduces operating costs 23% within 18 months."

Same request. Completely different frame.

Six months later, I coached a different VP on the same pitch.

He led with the headline.

Approved in 12 minutes.

The difference wasn't the analysis.

It was the first 11 words.

---

What's the worst opening line you've heard in a presentation?

47 slides → 23 rejections.
12 slides → £4.2M raised.

Same founder. Same science. Same market.

Dr. Sarah Chen came to me after 23 failed investor meetings. Her biotech was breakthrough-level. Three pharma companies had already expressed licensing interest.

But her deck was killing her.

I watched her pitch. By slide 8, she was still explaining the problem. Her solution appeared on slide 19. Her ask was buried on slide 43.

No investor made it that far.

"They need to understand the science," she said.

"They need to understand why YOU win," I replied. "The science is why they took the meeting."

We rebuilt her deck in one afternoon:

→ Slide 1: Her unique insight (not the problem)
→ Slide 2: The ask (not buried on slide 43)
→ Slide 3: Her team (not an afterthought)
→ Slides 4-10: Everything else
→ Slide 11: The ask again

Three weeks later: £4.2M at her target valuation.

Here's what most founders miss:

Every slide beyond 12 is an argument against yourself.

It signals: "I can't prioritize. I don't know what matters. I'll bloat your investment the same way I bloated this deck."

Investors pattern-match constantly. Lean decks signal lean thinking.

Six months later, Sarah sent me a note. Her board chair said it was the clearest update he'd seen in 20 years of investing.

He asked if she could teach their other portfolio founders.

The skills that fix pitch decks don't just raise capital.

They establish you as a leader worth backing again.

---

What's the longest pitch deck you've ever sat through?

#PitchDeck #Fundraising #StartupLife #VentureCapital #PresentationSkills

The night before a big presentation, most advice tells you to rehearse more.
I spent 5 years doing exactly that.

Rehearsing until midnight. Lying awake running worst-case scenarios. Waking up exhausted and more nervous than before.

Then a mentor told me something that felt completely wrong:
"Stop preparing by 8pm. Go to bed early. Trust that you know enough."
I didn't believe her.

But I was desperate. So I tried it.

The next morning, something shifted. The fear was still there—but it felt like energy instead of dread.

I delivered that presentation better than any before it.

Here's what I've learned since (and what I now teach):
Your brain needs time to consolidate what you've prepared. Rehearsing until midnight actually interferes with that process.

The goal isn't to eliminate fear. It's to arrive rested enough that fear becomes fuel.

The day-before protocol that changed everything for me:
→ Lock your content by noon 
→ One full run-through in the afternoon 
→ Prepare for 3 likely questions 
→ Stop ALL rehearsal by 8pm 
→ Normal evening. Early bed. No alcohol.

Counterintuitive. But it works.
—
What's your go-to ritual the night before a big presentation?

I felt the heat start at my chest.

By the time it reached my face, 200 people were watching me turn bright red.
I was 10 minutes into a client pitch. My slides were solid. My prep was thorough.
But my nervous system had other plans.

For years, I thought blushing was something I had to hide. Or power through. Or somehow "fix."

I was wrong.

Here's what I learned as a clinical hypnotherapist that I wish someone had told me in that boardroom:

Blushing isn't a weakness. It's your sympathetic nervous system doing exactly what it's designed to do.

And fighting it makes it worse.

The breakthrough came when I stopped trying to suppress the flush and started working WITH my nervous system instead.

The technique that finally worked? A 60-second reset that activates your parasympathetic response—the "rest and digest" system that naturally calms the flush.

I've now taught this to hundreds of executives who thought they were stuck with visible anxiety forever.

They weren't. And neither are you.

I wrote the full method (including the exact 60-second technique) - link in the comments.

If your face has ever betrayed you in a high-stakes moment, this one's for you.

The difference between a 10-minute and 15-minute presentation isn't 5 minutes.

It's a completely different mindset.

After 24 years in banking, I noticed something strange: every organisation defaults to the 10-minute format.

Leadership updates. Project reviews. Interview presentations. Client pitches.

It's not arbitrary. There's neuroscience behind it.

Research shows attention naturally cycles every 10 minutes or so. Your audience's brain wants a reset at that mark.

Fight that rhythm and you're fighting biology.

Work with it and you're working with how humans actually process information.

That's why 10 minutes became the dominant format of business communication:
→ Long enough to build a real argument
→ Short enough to maintain engagement
→ Flexible enough to work across contexts

Master the 10-minute presentation and you've mastered the format you'll use more than any other in your career.

What's the most common presentation length in your organisation?

"Can you say a few words?"

The most terrifying sentence in business.

It happened to me in a JP Morgan Chase conference room in 1991 (I remember the date because I had just moved from NYC to the London office). The Division Head turned, looked directly at me, and asked for my view on timeline risks.

Every head swivelled. Twelve executives waiting.

I had exactly zero seconds to prepare.

My mind went blank. Words came out—I'm not sure which ones. Forty-five excruciating seconds of rambling while my credibility evaporated.

That evening, I made a decision: never again.

Not by knowing all the answers. That's impossible.

But by having a framework that would let me respond coherently even when ambushed.

The framework I learned is called PREP:

→ Point: State your position first 
→ Reason: Explain why 
→ Example: Give one piece of evidence 
→ Point: Restate (signals you're done)

That's it. Four steps. Works for almost any question.

The people who seem naturally eloquent aren't smarter or quicker than you.

They've simply internalised structures that make organisation automatic.

What looks like talent is really preparation meeting opportunity.

Practice PREP in low-stakes situations—meeting questions, casual opinions, dinner conversations.

Within a month, it becomes automatic.

Then "Can you say a few words?" stops being terrifying.

And starts being an opportunity.

The Presentation Advice I Wish I'd Ignored

I spent years following "expert" presentation advice that made things worse.
Here are three rules I finally broke:

1. "Start with an agenda slide"

Nobody has ever thought: "This presentation was terrible, but thank goodness I knew what was coming."

Now I start with the point. The agenda is implied by... making the point.

2. "Make eye contact with everyone"

I tried this once. Looked like a malfunctioning lighthouse.

Now I talk to one person at a time. Four seconds each. Actual connection instead of performative scanning.

3. "Picture the audience in their underwear"

Who came up with this? It's weird. It doesn't work. And it definitely doesn't help when you're presenting to your CFO.

Now I picture them as colleagues who want me to succeed—because that's usually what they are.

The pattern?

Most presentation advice optimises for looking like a presenter instead of actually communicating.

The best presenters I've worked with break the rules constantly. They just make sure the audience gets what they need.

What presentation "rule" have you happily abandoned?

The 7-second window that determines if executives take you seriously.

I learned this the hard way at JPMorgan Chase.

28 years old. Three months into my role. Presenting a quarterly analysis I'd spent two weeks perfecting.

The CFO stopped me mid-sentence: "I've heard enough."

My analysis was solid. My slides were polished.

But I'd already lost.

I walked in apologising for taking their time.
I positioned myself in the corner.
I spoke to my slides instead of the room.

The executives decided I wasn't worth listening to before I finished my opening sentence.

Princeton research confirms what that CFO already knew:

→ People form competence judgments in 0.1 seconds
→ Those snap judgments become durable filters
→ Everything you say gets interpreted through that first impression

If you project confidence in those 7 seconds, your content sounds credible.

If you project uncertainty, even brilliant insights get discounted.

Same data. Same slides. Completely different outcomes.

The question isn't whether these judgments are fair.

They're not.

The question is whether you'll master them—or be victimised by them.

I've now trained 5,000+ executives on exactly how to command those first 7 seconds.

You'll find the link to the full breakdown (including the 3 pillars and 5 biggest mistakes I see weekly) in the comment below. 👇

Everyone's using AI to build presentations.

Most of them still look generic.

Here's why:

---

AI without framework = generic slides, fast.

Framework without AI = excellent slides, slowly.

Framework + AI = excellent slides, fast.

The order matters.

---

I see people open ChatGPT and type:

"Create a 10-slide presentation about Q3 results"

Then wonder why it looks like everyone else's deck.

AI doesn't know:
→ What decision you need from the room
→ What your audience already believes
→ What would make them say no
→ Your organisation's politics

Only you know that.

---

The fix isn't better prompts.

It's doing the thinking BEFORE you touch AI.

Here's the workflow I teach:

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟭: 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗬 (no AI yet)
• What decision do I need?
• What's the ONE thing they must remember?
• What objections will they have?

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟮: 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 (no AI yet)
• Build your narrative spine
• Write slide titles as assertions
• If it doesn't work spoken aloud, it won't work on slides

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝟯: 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗗𝗗 𝗔𝗜
• Draft content for each slide
• Strengthen your headlines
• Identify gaps in your argument

The difference?

You're directing AI with clarity instead of hoping it reads your mind.

---

This is why I teach 70% framework, 30% AI.

The framework is the thinking.

AI is the acceleration.

Skip the framework and AI just helps you build the wrong presentation faster.

---

I've put 24 years of executive presentations into a course that teaches both:

AI-Enhanced Presentation Mastery (link in comments)

But even without the course — try this on your next deck:

Spend 15 minutes clarifying the decision before you open any tool.

You'll be shocked how much faster everything else becomes.

---

Are you using AI for presentations? What's working (or not)?

#presentations #ai #productivity #leadership

I watched a client lose a £2M investment opportunity last year.

Her slides were polished. Clean fonts. Smooth transitions. Professional layouts.

The investors passed in under 5 minutes.

"It felt like every other pitch we've seen this month," one told her. "Nothing stood out."

Here's what most people don't understand about AI presentation tools:

They're trained on millions of slides. 
Which means they produce the average of all those slides. Average is, by definition, generic.

When you prompt Copilot with "Create a presentation about Q3 results," it generates what a Q3 presentation typically looks like—across thousands of companies, industries, and contexts.

It doesn't know your CFO is skeptical. 
It doesn't know your Q3 contains a critical pivot. 
It doesn't know the board has seen 47 similar decks this month.

So it gives you safe bullet points, stock imagery, and slide titles like "Overview" that tell your audience nothing.

The fix isn't a better AI tool. It's better input.

Six weeks later, we rebuilt my client's deck using a framework-first approach:
→ Same information → Same AI tools for execution → Completely different result

She raised £2.1M.

The AI didn't change. Her input did.

If you have an investor pitch, board presentation, or QBR coming up in the next few weeks—and you're tired of AI giving you slides you're embarrassed to present—I'm running my next AI-Enhanced Presentation Mastery cohort soon.

It's 70% framework thinking, 30% AI execution. Works with Copilot, Gamma, ChatGPT, or whatever tool comes next.

Link in comments.

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