After 20+ years in Silicon Valley, where I led global teams at Lucent, Altera, and LSI and ran a $400 million sales and marketing organisation, I went on to grow a Silicon Valley startup to over $100 million in global revenue.I founded Primotech, a London-based advisory and growth partner, to bridge a clear gap in how cutting-edge technology companies enter and expand in the UK and European markets.Primotech helps high-potential cybersecurity, fintech, AI, and quantum firms win major enterprise projects, secure flagship logos, and build long-term relationships across financial services, telco, and data-centre sectors.We’ve achieved major wins with leading organisations including JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Bloomberg, NYSE/ICE, LSEG, Vodafone, BT, Morgan Stanley, and BAE Systems, helping over 20 emerging vendors establish reference customers, channel partnerships, and seven-figure pipelines.Since 2023, I also run Cyber &amp; Beats, an invite-only roundtable series in London for CISOs and CTOs. The format provides early access to game-changing technologies, credible peer insights, and meaningful conversations under Chatham House rules. Senior leaders explore topics such as AI in security, regulatory change, human risk, and real-world enterprise strategy.For CISOs and CTOs:I offer early access to emerging technologies before mainstream adoption. Whether you want to benchmark, explore new ideas, or stay ahead of the curve, I connect you with credible insights and trusted peers — without sales pressure.For Founders and Growth Teams:I help you break into complex enterprise environments, secure strategic pilots, navigate long sales cycles, and close high-value deals with the right senior sponsors.With deep networks across the UK, Europe, the US, and China, I bring together the right leaders, ideas, and opportunities — enabling innovation to scale faster and more effectively.

Steve Dodsworth

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reports that the UK faces a severe cyber attack problem since they now track four major incidents weekly, which represents a 129% increase from last year.

The increase in cyber attacks stems from nation-state actors and criminal groups who use advanced persistent threat tactics, which makes cybersecurity a critical survival factor for businesses.

The NCSC demands that organisations enhance their security systems by implementing basic protection measures because they must take immediate action to defend against the growing cyber threats.

Read more in this article: https://heyor.ca/yffbQt

#CyberSecurity #NCSC #CyberAttack #UKCyberThreats

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techhq.com

UK cyber attacks surge 129%: 4 major incidents weekly

Advisor and Business Partner — Driving Innovation & Growth | Silicon Valley Veteran | Helping CEOs, CISOs & CTOs in Fintech, Cyber, AI, Quantum | Co-founder Cyber&Beats Roundtable | * Award-Winning Film Producer

Anthropic conducted a study which demonstrated that the biggest AI systems become vulnerable to data poisoning attacks through only 200-300 contaminated documents.

The research shows that both small and large models remain vulnerable to data poisoning attacks when exposed to minimal amounts of malicious data.

The researchers stress that organisations must implement enhanced security measures and proper data handling practices because they should protect their data streams with the same level of attention as supply chain management systems.

See more here: https://heyor.ca/jMUUNg

#AIResearch #DataPoisoning #CyberSecurity #ArtificialIntelligence

fortune.com

A handful of bad data can 'poison' even the largest AI models, researchers warn | Fortune

The countdown to Black Hat Europe 2025 is officially on — and it’s great to have it right here in London, 8–11 December.

I’ll be there all week, and I’d love to catch up with the many CISOs, cyber leaders, founders, and sponsors who joined our Cyber & Beats roundtables throughout 2025.
If you’re attending, let’s grab a coffee, reconnect, and swap notes on what’s coming next in AI, security, and the changing risk landscape.

You can easily book a time with me here:
👉 https://lnkd.in/enQ2PZaH  

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces — and meeting new ones — at #BHEU.
#cybersecurity #CyberAndBeats  #LondonTec

According to reports, the UK’s critical systems have been compromised in what is being called the world’s first AI-driven cyberattack.

This incident has the potential to shatter the trust in the sectors that provide necessary services to the people and, therefore, it has been a call for all public and private entities to implement strong security measures in their infrastructures.

To be on the safe side, these organisations have to implement a defence strategy that comprises of several layers of security, each digging deep into the next one, so that they are able to resist cyber incidents of this nature in the future.

Learn more here: https://heyor.ca/Mk2q5f

#AIDrivenCyberattack #CyberSecurity #UKCriticalSystems #InfrastructureSecurity

newcivilengineer.com

UK’s infrastructure cyber resilience questioned after first AI-orchestrated attack confirmed | New Civil Engineer

AI adoption is accelerating — but only organisations with the right guardrails can deploy GenAI safely and at speed. I’m working across the UK with CISOs, CTOs and AI-first teams to help them do exactly that. Scott Petty’s approach captures the shift perfectly.

This week, I had the privilege of speaking at the Microsoft CIO Summit in San Francisco, themed “Becoming Frontier.” Together with 250 industry leading CIOs, we explored best practices and discussed how AI is reshaping our industry, including transforming the security landscape and introducing both new opportunities and risks. I was proud to share Vodafone’s AI adoption journey of connecting everyone and driving real transformation through innovation.
 
Vodafone’s AI journey began with clear business objectives: simplify work, enhance customer experience, and unlock innovation at scale. When AI is used in the correct way within a robust framework and clear policies, it becomes a true game changer. Generative AI is now embedded in Vodafone’s core operations, from customer care to network management and software development, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, satisfaction, and productivity.
 
By building on a strong foundation of architecture, platforms, governance, partnerships, and people, we’re accelerating innovation and unlocking new products and revenue streams. Our approach delivers operational excellence and better service, fundamentally transforming how we work and serve our customers.
 
When my colleague Silvia Neumann, Digital Experience Design & Engagement Manager, presented our real-life examples of Copilot deployment, she emphasised that success depends on staying curious and creative. It also requires matching business challenges with outcomes that create real value for customers, removing barriers, tracking and sharing experiences, and making AI part of our daily conversation. I echo these transformational steps. 
 
As we continue our journey, I’m excited to keep learning, experimenting, and sharing best practices with my peers so together we can shape technology that benefits society.
 
#GenAI #DigitalTransformation #Vodafone

Transhumanism is being increasingly referred to as the country seeks to assert its leadership in AI and other frontier technologies.

It advocates for using tech to fundamentally change human abilities and is laying out the blueprints for research and government initiatives, but isn't getting much traction from the general public.

Transparency and accountability in the public eye are necessary to make sure the moral implications of these high-stakes technologies are considered.

For more information, click here: https://heyor.ca/GGTGIe 

#Transhumanism #AILeadership #FrontierTechnologies #HumanEnhancement

blogs.lse.ac.uk

Transhumanism is quietly influencing UK tech policy

As the end of 2025 draws near, UK small firms will be faced with a stark choice: concentrate on survival, or growth.

Cost pressures and the rising expenses of doing business have caused almost 60% of small business owners to focus on managing costs, but there are opportunities to scale, for example in technology and online retailing.

Digital transformation and sustainability will be key for those who want to go forward, as companies respond to evolving consumer expectations and work to create a resilient platform for growth.

Learn more here: https://heyor.ca/M4gAU1

#UKSmallFirms #BusinessGrowth #CostManagement #DigitalTransformation

theuktimes.co.uk

Small Business Trends in the UK: Survival or Scale in 2025? - The UK Times

2025 has experienced an unprecedented increase in cybercrime, with small businesses being easy targets.

Notable trends include shrinking cybersecurity budgets in the face of growing attack counts, greater AI use for defenders and attackers, and some surprising tactics like deepfakes being used in scams.

Challenging organisations is a complex threat landscape, amplified by a growing skills gap, and driven by an environment requiring increased global collaboration. Stronger public-private partnerships are needed to address these challenges and build resilience. 

Find out more in this article: https://heyor.ca/gL7Ml8

#Cybercrime2025 #SmallBusinessSecurity #CybersecurityTrends #AIInCybersecurity

weforum.org

Cybersecurity awareness: AI threats and cybercrime in 2025

TechUK is hosting an event for members to discover how local government technology will look in the coming years, especially with a transformative 2026 ahead.

The 60-minute webinar aims to showcase the digital milestones of the past year and discuss how the Local Government Reorganisation will affect the area, including a keynote from Tiffany St James, the first Chief AI Officer.

So, be sure to attend this event, where you can have a great time with other members, anticipate upcoming trends, and plan the councils of tomorrow!

Read more in this article: https://heyor.ca/DHY1yC

#TechUKEvent #LocalGovernmentTech #DigitalMilestones #AIInnovation

techuk.org

Future gazing: where next for local gov tech in 2026? webinar

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

$20k Monthly Brain Based Sales System Without Chasing the "Yes"

You know the feeling:
😳 Your brain lights up with “What if they think I’m pushy?” the second you open a DM.
😬 You’d rather post and pray the right people find you than risk being ghosted.
😅 You tell yourself that if you were really good, clients would just show up.

You don’t want to fake connection just to pitch.
You want sales that feels human. Real conversations, not pressure tactics.

You’re not bad at sales.
Your brain is just protecting you.

The amygdala flags rejection as danger.
Your prefrontal cortex freezes.
And boom hesitation, overthinking, silence.

That’s where my work comes in.
I teach the Neuroscience of No-Pressure Sales so you can sell with calm confidence instead of fear.

No scripts. No manipulation.
Just science, psychology, and simple tools to retrain your nervous system so selling feels natural again.

When your brain is relaxed, your authenticity returns.
You stop pitching and start connecting.
Outreach stops feeling like an intrusion and starts feeling like service.

This is sales made easy for coaches who hate selling.

✨ Ways to get started with me:

✅ If you're a coach DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a business owner DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a sales leader DM me "Butter"
✅ Attend my next workshop for FREE BRAIN BASED SALES SECRETS. https://forms.gle/HvTRDEZEuu7bgQEF8
✅ Subscribe to the Be Like Butter Bugle: Weekly brain hacks for resilience and influence. https://synaptic-solutions.kit.com/newsletter

Personal interests: 
- Captain ⛵️ 
- Recovering Sugar Addict 🍭 
- Trash TV consumer 🗑️

Sales Coach | Toxic Boss Coach | Neuroscience Coach | Executive Coach | Master Behavioral Strategist | Speaker | Advisor | Expert | 7 figures | Virtual Speaking | Sales Performance Brain Hacker | Mindset Coach I Corporate Trainer I Influence I Key Note Speaker

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Leaders don't do things for you. 

They inspire you to grow into someone who can do them 

Your brain's mirror neurons are fascinating...

When we observe great leadership, 
Our neural networks literally reshape themselves 🧠

Here's what happened in my team's brains 
When I shifted from problem-solver to growth catalyst:

1️⃣ Neural Leadership Networks
↳ Prefrontal cortex activation in decision-making up 
↳ Stress response pathways decreased
↳ Reward circuits fired during problem-solving

2️⃣ Learning Circuit Activation
↳ Neuroplasticity peaked during challenges
↳ Dopamine loops strengthened team bonds
↳ Cognitive flexibility increased 

3️⃣ Performance Neuroscience
↳ Cortisol levels dropped 
↳ Oxytocin boosted trust signals
↳ Group synchronization improved

Science shows: When leaders step back,
The team's collective neural networks step up.

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

PS: What neural pathway did your best leader help you strengthen? 🧠

Video credit: Unlnown

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to build stronger leadership brains
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

The hard things you avoid 

Are the exact things that free you

Most people avoid the hard stuff.
Not because they are lazy.
Because their brain is trying to protect them.

The prefrontal cortex wants long term wins
But the amygdala wants immediate comfort
So every hard task feels like a threat
And your brain tells you to delay it
Even when it hurts you later.

Here is how to flip the switch
So your brain stops fighting you
And starts working for you.

1/ Reduce the threat signal
 Big tasks feel dangerous
 So your brain freezes
 Break the task into the smallest next move
 Science: Small steps lower amygdala activity
 And increase dopamine for starting

2/ Front load the friction
 Do the hardest task first
 Before your brain is overloaded
 Science: Your decision making power is highest early
 And cortisol rises as the day goes on

3/ Create a reward loop
 Your brain needs a reason to try
 Pair the hard task with a positive cue
 Tea, music, a small celebration
 Science: Dopamine releases faster
 When a reward is tied to effort, not outcomes

When you train your brain to face hard things
You stop leaking energy
You build momentum
And the tough stuff becomes automatic

P.S. Whats your best procrastination buster? 

Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Video Credit: Unknown

-----------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon  to get more brainy tips
♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to thrive

I used to shrink parts of myself to fit into corporate.

It quietly drained the life out of my ideas (and me).

At the time, I thought success required self-erasure.
I hit every goal on the board.
But I felt empty.

 🧠 Promotions
 🧠 Pay raises
 🧠 Prestige

None of it mattered.
My spark was gone.
And so was my creativity.

Have you ever noticed how your brain invents ideas
When you’re not even trying?

Your imagination lights up your neural networks
Like a synchronized light show.

Brain imaging reveals that
Most of your regions activate during visualization.

Here’s what fuels your imagination 👇

1/ Your Brain’s Creative Engine
 ↳ Default Mode Network turns on as the PFC steps back
 ↳ Memory blends with emotion to create new associations
 ↳ Your brain recombines patterns without limits

2/ The Moment Insight Strikes
 ↳ Gamma bursts peak during big realizations
 ↳ Hippocampus sends raw material to the DMN
 ↳ New pathways strengthen the more you play with ideas

3/ Your Creativity Enhancement Tools
 ↳ Take short intentional pauses for DMN activation
 ↳ Change scenes to trigger fresh circuitry
 ↳ Welcome boredom because it sparks innovation

Creativity is not magic.
It is a neural process you can train.
All you need is the space and permission to
Reconnect with curiosity and let your mind roam.
Don’t lose your spark chasing goals that dim you.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

PS: When does your imagination run wild?

Video Credit: Unknown

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to help others reclaim their creativity
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

Your brain won't save you.

Your heart will. 

For two weeks, I volunteered to help rescue animals.
Feeding, cleaning, comforting the scared and the broken.

They had nothing to give back
but showing up still felt right.

Because giving changes you.
It pulls you out of fear and back into purpose.

And right now, the world needs more of that.
 💔 People are hurting.
 💔 Jobs disappearing.
 💔 Markets spiraling.
 💔 Stress levels through the roof.

Everyone’s doing their best just to stay afloat.
But when everything feels unstable,
most people grip tighter.
They try to control.
They chase.
They push harder for the “yes.”

That’s exactly why it stops working.
The brain senses pressure and shuts down trust.
You can’t sell, serve, or lead from scarcity.
You can only do it from calm generosity.

That’s why I’m giving away what I’ve learned.
The exact framework that helped me break free from corporate,
build consistency on my own,
and stop chasing clients who weren’t ready.

It’s called Stop Chasing the Yes.
A workshop to help you
 – Build your own predictable client system
 – Shift from pressure to presence in every conversation
 – Lead with calm confidence instead of fear

If you’ve been giving everything and still feel stuck,
this is your next step.

Because giving works best
when you give to yourself too.

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

P.S. Do you volunteer, if so where?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more neuroscience tools for calm influence
♻️ Repost to help others give without burning out

The only true failure in life is quitting. 

Success is never a straight line. It certainly wasn't for me.

I've had many failures and setbacks along my path.
Layoffs.
Failed ventures.
Bad investments. 

Life is messy. 
Mess is a part of life.

Enjoy the messiness. 
And, your brain kinda likes it messy too.

Why your brain craves zigzag paths 🧠

(The science of why progress feels so messy) 👇

Your neural pathways aren't built in straight lines
And neither is your path to greatness
Here's what's really happening in your brain:

1️⃣ The Neural Reality
↳ Growth pathways form through trial and error
↳ Each "failure" strengthens neural connections
↳ Your brain requires contrast to learn

2️⃣ The Resilience Loop
↳ Setbacks activate problem-solving networks
↳ Stress actually enhances memory formation
↳ Recovery periods boost cognitive flexibility

3️⃣ The Growth Paradox
↳ Progress activates dopamine reward system
↳ Plateaus create new neural foundations
↳ Breakthroughs happen during apparent standstills

Your "messy" journey is how your brain is designed to learn and grow.

P.S. What was your latest messiness?

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Video Credit: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you're ready to embrace the zigzag
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based insights

Most people’s LinkedIn strategy: grind harder and hope

Mine: close clients while living life on my own schedule

I’ve wandered through the Greek islands
- Boat rides to hidden beaches
- Mornings working with seaside views
- A weekend in Skopelos without realizing it was a movie set

I spent a month in Athens
- Day trips to Agistri, turquoise blue waters
- Afternoons coaching clients

Why am I sharing this?
 Because your brain says “that’s not for me”
 Because it tells you to stick with the familiar
 (It’s called comfort bias and it keeps you stuck)

But here’s what no one will tell you:
If you want it, this life is closer than you think

Here’s how your brain makes it happen:

1️⃣ The Belief Reset
 ↳ Your brain avoids what feels out of reach
 ↳ Turn “impossible” into doable with simple shifts
 ↳ Stack wins until change feels normal

2️⃣ The LinkedIn Advantage
 ↳ Know what your ideal client looks for before they decide
 ↳ Post and message in ways that feel safe and personal
 ↳ Use a system that works even while you’re away

3️⃣ The Lifestyle Flywheel
 ↳ Every yes starts before the offer is made
 ↳ Match your approach to their decision process
 ↳ That’s how I work from coastlines and mountain trails

The point?

It’s not about more work
It’s about the right work for the brain

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For One Month, I will revamp your LI system
- ICP Subtext Discovery 
- LI Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- 1 month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement that builds your reach

I will only take ONE client. 
If you want me to build your system,
the way I went from 3k to 50k followers, then DM me
"DFY Butter" and we'll chat.

P.S. Where would you take your laptop first?
P.P.S. Pic from Poseidon's Temple (10/10)
-----------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

One more trip around the sun.

It's been a doozy.

Every birthday, I pause and reflect on my last year.
This year was the year that stretched me in every direction.

I lost my favorite person (my Belley Bean)
That loss began an 8 month walkabout across the globe.

I found my spiritual side.
I found strength I didn't know I had.

I escaped 3 typhoons
I sailed the Mediterranean
I ate the most amazing food 
I chopped a bajillion bananas
I swam in the Blue Cave in Croatia
I cared for 140 elephants and 700 dogs
I got bit and headbutted by deer in Nara
I moved what felt like a million watermelons
I spoiled myself at a Japanese Onsen regularly
I calmly navigated a stalker sitch right up to my airplane 
I lost a toenail trying an advanced yoga post in Cabo San Lucas

I missed my family.
I missed my friends.

I grew.
I grew so much.
I think I grew more this year than any year before.

I admired the precision of Japanese trains.
I learned Thai people do not use chopsticks.
I went from a 3k to 50k community in 8 months.
I was stunned by the beauty of the Greek islands.
I made new friends in the most unexpected places.
I built a predictable, brain-based revenue machine.
I helped countless clients do the same for their businesses.

This year was not easy.
It was not predictable.
But it was deeply transformative.

Here is to another year of becoming.
Here is to letting go, leaning in, and staying open.

And if you are reading this…
Thank you for being part of my journey.

P.S. Today, I am Seattle celebrating!
Wanna celebrate with me?

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For One Month, I will revamp your LI system
- ICP Subtext Discovery 
- LI Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- 1 month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement that builds your reach

I will only take ONE client. 
If you want me to build your system,
the way I went from 3k to 50k followers, then DM me
"DFY Butter" and we'll chat.

-----------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

The real threat to your number isn't the market.

It's the things your reps never say.

Everyone talks about activity.
Everyone talks about coaching.
Everyone talks about pipeline discipline.

But nobody talks about the truth gap.

The space between what your reps say...
...and what is actually happening.

That gap is where bad quarters grow.

😱 The rep who says “all good” while confidence tanks.
😱 The pipeline that looks clean but is full of dead deals.
😱 The silent fear that turns into quiet quitting.

You see these problems too late.
You take the hit.
You carry the blame.

And you never get the early signal
that could have saved the quarter.

Your top threat is not performance.
It is blind spots.

Sales Sage closes them.
Ten minutes.
A simple pulse.

✅ Signals you will never see in a meeting.
✅ Patterns no CRM can surface.
✅ Emotional shifts that predict misses

BEFORE they show up in your number.

If you want to know what your team is really telling you
before it becomes a fire you have to put out

Take advantage of the 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud 
(before it blows up your number)

You will never manage your team the same way again.

P.S. The pic looks like a mix of me and Data from Star Trek, right?

----------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you are tired of surprise misses
 ➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based sales insights

"Get out of my head."

That is what I hear a LOT. 

It's also what my clients hear.
If you want to win in business
Learn to enter your ICP’s mind.

Not their surface answers.
Their unspoken thoughts.
The quiet stuff they never say out loud.

Your ICP is thinking about risk, safety, and reputation.
Their nervous system scans the world for certainty.
Your job is to understand the subtext they hide.

Here are 5 ways to read your ICP’s real inner world:

1️⃣ Listen for the pause
 When they hesitate, note the silence.
 Write down what fear that pause might signal.
 Ask one gentle question to explore it.

2️⃣ Name the problem better than they can
 Say the thing they hint at but avoid.
 Use words they have not said yet.
 Their brain relaxes when it feels understood.

3️⃣ Track their emotional patterns
 Notice where their tone shifts.
 Spot excitement, tension, or doubt.
 These shifts reveal what they truly value.

4️⃣ Map their failed attempts
 Ask what they have already tried.
 Look for frustration in their answers.
 This reveals hidden pain they rarely voice.

5️⃣ Reflect their vision back to them
 Repeat their goals in simple language.
 Show them the future they want.
 The brain trusts what it can picture clearly.

When you understand the thoughts they never say,
your ICP feels seen at a deeper level.
They think you can read their mind.
And trust becomes the easiest part of the sale.

P.S. When is the last time you thought someone was in your head?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to help others build resilient minds
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

The number 1 reason you’re invisible on Linkedin...

You aren't breaking through the RAS filter

Your prospect never sees most of what you say.
Their brain deletes it before it gets inside.

The Reticular Activating System filters everything.
It looks for relevance, novelty, safety, and clarity.
If your message feels routine, it gets ignored.
If it feels vivid and personal, it gets through.
Here are ten ways to pass the filter fast.

1/ Pattern breaks win
Don’t start predictable
Do open with novelty
Science: RAS flags newness first

2/ Short lines keep attention
 Don’t write long blocks
 Do use simple spacing
 Science: Low load keeps thinking open

3/ Make it about them
Don’t lead with yourself
Do mirror their world
Science: RAS checks for self relevance

4/ Signal credibility fast
Don’t over explain
Do give one strong proof
Science: Fast heuristics shape trust

5/ Use micro commitments
Don’t push for yes
Do ask tiny questions
Science: Micro wins open dopamine

6/ Use visual outcomes
Don’t stay vague
Do paint clear images
Science: RAS tags vivid scenes

7/ Match their energy
Don’t push your pace
Do mirror tone
Science: Mirror neurons sync fast

8/ Validate their words
Don’t jump to fixes
Do echo their phrasing
Science: Neural validation needs match

9/ Create safety, not pressure
Don’t force urgency
Do slow the tempo
Science: Threat shuts attention down

10/ Give one next step
Don’t dump info
Do guide clearly
Science: Sequence reduces neural noise

When you speak to the brain instead of the ego
You stop sounding like everyone else
You bypass resistance
You increase trust
And your message finally lands

P.S. Which one has worked for you??

Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe
Dec 15 - 11am - 2pm PST

----------------------------------------------------------------
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon  to get more brainy tips
♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to thrive

Persuasion isn’t pressure.

Persuasion is helping someone feel safe.

Here are 8 ethical persuasion swaps that actually work 👇

Most people try to persuade with logic or force.
But the brain listens to safety signals first.
When you protect autonomy and reduce threat,
People open up, not shut down.

Here are the 8 upgrades:

1️⃣ Regulate before you relate
❌ Don’t say: 
“Let me just explain why this makes sense.”

✅ Say this:
“Before we dive in, take a breath. I want this to feel clear.”

🔬Science:
 A calm nervous system sends safety cues.
 Their mirror neurons match your steadiness, lowering resistance.

2️⃣ Lead with curiosity
❌ Don’t say:
 “Here’s what you need to do.”

✅ Say this:
 “What feels hardest about this right now?”

🔬 Science:
 Curiosity keeps the amygdala quiet.
 Questions activate the prefrontal cortex, the part that evaluates options calmly.

3️⃣ Validate before redirecting
❌ Don’t say:
 “I understand, but…”

✅ Say this:
 “It makes sense you’d feel that way.”

🔬 Science:
 Validation reduces cortisol.
 It signals “You’re safe to express hesitations,” which reopens trust pathways.

4️⃣ Protect autonomy
❌ Don’t say:
 “You should really move forward.”

✅ Say this:
 “Want to explore this together?”

🔬 Science:
Autonomy is a core human need.
When someone feels in control, dopamine rises and decision-making improves.

5️⃣ Reframe with clarity
❌ Don’t say:
 “You’re overthinking this.”

✅ Say this:
 “What might shift if this were already solved?”

🔬 Science:
Reframing widens cognitive perspective.
It moves the brain out of threat mode and into problem-solving mode.

6️⃣ Align intentions
❌ Don’t say:
 “I just want you to see my point.”

✅ Say this:
 “We both want a solution that actually works for you.”

🔬 Science:
Shared goals increase oxytocin.
Oxytocin boosts collaboration and reduces defensiveness.

7️⃣ Match energy before guiding
❌ Don’t say:
 “Relax, it’s not a big deal.”

✅ Say this:
 “I hear how this feels for you. Let’s slow it down together.”

🔬Science:
Attunement regulates the nervous system.
The brain trusts what feels familiar before it trusts new direction.

8️⃣ Close with clarity, not pressure
❌ Don’t say:
 “So… are you ready or not?”

✅ Say this:
 “Here’s what the next step looks like. Does this feel right to you?”

🔬 Science:
Clear choices reduce cognitive load.
When the brain knows the path, uncertainty drops—and commitment rises.

Ethical persuasion is simple:
 🧠 Lower threat
 🧠 Raise clarity
 🧠 Protect autonomy

That’s how influence becomes trust.

P.S. Ever notice how pressure makes you want to run?

My workshops are open again.
Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

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➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales tools
♻️ Repost to help more people influence with integrity

The right people don’t try to rebuild you.

They remind you that you were never broken.

Your brain believes the room it’s in.
If people doubt you, your circuits tense.

Amygdala fires.
Cortisol rises.
Your ideas freeze.

Not because you lack skill.
Because your brain detects threat.
But the right room flips the switch.

Safety signals calm your system.
PFC comes back online.
Confidence returns.

Here are 3 steps to feel more at ease anywhere:
1/ Slow your exhale
 It lowers amygdala activity
 and restores clarity fast.

2/ Name the tension
 Labeling emotion reduces threat
 by calming limbic firing.

3/ Focus on one sense
 Sensory grounding pulls your brain
 out of fight and into presence.

You were never the problem.
The environment was.

Choose rooms where your brain can breathe.

P.S. Who was someone who fought for you in rooms you weren't in?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud 
(before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

------------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you’ve ever felt smaller than you are.
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based insight.

People who seem fearless aren’t certain.

They just learned to move while afraid.

Technology is moving fast than imagined.
New tools appear every week.
New systems shift every month.
New AI applications we never thought of.

If your brain isn't bendy, you fall behind quick.
Not because you lack talent.

But because your neural pathways favor comfort.
Most people resist change.
But your brain can be trained to welcome it.
Despite any fear you feel.

Neuroplasticity is the answer (for all of us). 
Here's how you can keep your brain bendy

1️⃣ Practice daily discomfort
✅ Try one thing that feels unfamiliar
 A new skill.
 A new feature.
 A new creative method.
 Novelty boosts dopamine and strengthens learning loops.

2️⃣ Reframe overwhelm into opportunity
✅ Ask what if this makes my work easier
 This simple shift reduces threat.
 A calm brain learns faster and adapts faster.

3️⃣ Use ten minute micro learning
✅ Study one small skill for ten minutes
 Explore a tool.
 Test a workflow.
 Short bursts build stronger neural pathways.

Thriving today isn't about knowing everything.
It's about staying flexible.
A bendy brain wins in a fast world.

P.S. What's the last thing you learned?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

Video Credit: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more brain based sales tools
 ♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to adapt

The cleanest pipelines 

Hide the dirtiest truths.

A perfect dashboard is rarely a good sign.
It usually means the real story is happening off-screen.

Because deals don’t collapse in chaos.
They collapse quietly.

Reps smooth out the rough edges.
They phrase things “optimistically.”
They avoid saying the part that makes them look unsure.

So everything looks green
right up until the moment
it turns red.

• Struggle gets softened
• Risk gets delayed
• Doubt gets hidden
• And you hear the truth weeks too late

Bad quarters don’t come from one big miss.
They come from dozens of unspoken micro-problems
your CRM can’t detect
and your reps won’t say out loud.

SalesSage surfaces all of that in one pulse.

Ten minutes.
One check-in.
Full visibility.

You get:
• early emotional signals leading indicators miss
• patterns no dashboard can surface
• risk detection before the slip
• clarity without interrogation
• truth without friction

If you want fewer surprises
and more control over your number
start your free 14-day trial:

👉 https://salessage.co/

See the truth your team can’t articulate
before it costs you the quarter.

P.S. When’s the last time a “healthy” pipeline wasn’t so healthy?

⸻

♻️ Share if you’re tired of getting blindsided
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀  for brain based sales insights

A like is not a buying signal. 

99% of you get that wrong. 

Buying signals are precise.
Buyers drop clues long before they commit.
Most sellers chase the wrong ones.

A like isn’t intent.
A compliment isn’t commitment.
And “great post” doesn’t mean “I want to buy.”

Here are the 8 way to tell the difference:

1️⃣ Passive Likes vs Patterned Attention
❌ Random likes on your content.
✅ Repeated and thoughtful comments and DMs
🔬 Science:  Patterned consumption = dopamine-driven curiosity.
 That’s early-stage intent.

2️⃣ “Sounds Interesting” vs Ownership Language
❌ “That’s cool” or “I’ll think about it.”
✅ “How would this work for my team?”
🔬 Science: Ownership language activates planning circuits.
 The brain is rehearsing the decision.

3️⃣ Talking in Circles vs Clarity Moments
❌ Telling long stories about their company with no point.
✅ They articulate the problem clearly and connect it to outcomes.
🔬 Science: Clarity = PFC engagement.
 That’s when decisions begin.

4️⃣ Information Hoarding vs Micro-Commitments
❌ “Send me more info.”
✅ They attend your event, answer questions, or complete a short action.
🔬 Science: Micro-commitments create consistency bias.
 Once the brain starts saying yes, it prefers to continue.

5️⃣ Surface Engagement vs Depth Engagement
❌ A quick DM reply or emoji reaction.
✅ They ask specific questions that reveal internal problem-solving.
🔬 Science: Specificity = cognitive effort.
 The brain only invests when it cares.

6️⃣ Random Compliments vs Risk Reduction Questions
❌ “Love your work.”
✅ “How do you handle onboarding?”
🔬 Science: Risk questions mean their amygdala is evaluating safety.
 They’re preparing to commit.

7️⃣ Friendly Vibes vs Monitoring Behavior
❌ They seem nice, polite, or responsive.
✅ They quietly check your LinkedIn daily, revisit your DMs, or watch old content.
🔬 Science: Monitoring = pre-decision due diligence.
 The brain is gathering safety data.

8️⃣ “Just Exploring” vs Timeline Talk
❌ “I just wanted to learn more.”
✅ “We’re planning for Q1.”
🔬 Science: Timeline activation reduces uncertainty and accelerates commitment.

Buying signals are simple:
 🧠 Depth over noise
 🧠 Patterns over one-offs
 🧠 Specificity over compliments

Once you know the difference,
You stop chasing and start closing.

P.S. Ever notice how the real buyers talk very differently?
My workshops are open again.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales tools
 ♻️ Repost to help more people read buyers clearly

Your biggest risk is the rep who says they're "fine."

Your rep's "fine," is eerily similar to your spouse's "fine."

TL:DR It's definitely not "fine."

You don't lose a quarter in one moment.
You lose it in tiny blind spots.

A rep who says they're fine.
A pipeline that looks clean.
A deal that feels safe until it slips.

Then your forecast cracks.
Your VP starts asking questions.
And you wonder what you missed.

What every manager thinks but never says out loud:

You're managing stories, not data.
Your team tells you what feels safe to say.
Not what protects your number.

Sales Sage shows you the parts they leave out.
A simple 10 minute pulse surfaces early risk.

😶‍🌫️ Stress signals. 
😶‍🌫️ Confidence drops.
😶‍🌫️ Hidden struggles that turn into missed targets...
If you catch them too late.

We give you visibility your dashboards say they give you
But can't

The minority report for sales teams. 
14-day free beta: https://salessage.co for early adopters

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The Battle

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