The AI for Sales Podcast

Hosted by Chad Burmeister

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Episodes

292

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The AI for Sales Podcast with Chad Burmeister — AI sales tools, AI SDRs, and automation for revenue teams. YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast Hosted by renowned author, speaker, and sales transformation leader Chad Burmeister, this podcast explores the powerful intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence in modern sales. As Dr. Joel LeBon puts it: “In sales, time kills deals. In AI for Sales, AI kills time.” Brought to you by Nooks.ai, SDR.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will personally connect you with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro

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60 recent

October 24, 202629 min

Doing More With Less | How AI Rebuilt His Sales Team | Spencer Krieger

Summary: In this episode, Spencer Krieger, Head of Sales for the Agency Division at Vendasta, joins Chad Burmeister to share how AI is transforming sales, especially for SMBs, through faster lead response, automation, and practical new tools. Spencer explains how Vendasta restructured its own team around an AI SDR, why speed to lead is the metric that matters most, and how AI is closing the gap between small and large businesses. A grounded look at where AI genuinely drives results in sales, and what the next two years hold. Key Topics: AI-driven sales acceleration The importance of speed to lead AI for SMBs and local businesses Automation vs personalization in sales Success stories of AI implementation Treating AI agents like employees Ethical considerations and transparency in AI Takeaways: Speed to lead is the number one metric: inbound conversion drops roughly 25% after the first five minutes. Treat an AI agent like an employee: onboard it, train it for about 30 days, then keep a daily feedback loop. Vendasta restructured from 13+ SDRs to one plus an AI SDR named Sandra, moving reps into account executive roles. Net zero administration: let AI handle research and follow-up so reps focus on deep discovery and relationships. AI raises the floor for every seller; the leader’s job is to raise the ceiling. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:45 Introduction to Vendasta and AI in sales 02:35 Vendasta’s focus on SMBs and AI solutions 04:26 Impact of AI on sales motion and efficiency 05:22 The value of speed to lead in sales conversion 06:37 Using AI to automate and improve sales follow-up 07:50 Success story: AI restructuring and SMS engagement 10:01 AI sales coach and role-play automation 11:56 Misconceptions and realities of AI deployment 14:08 Balancing automation and personalization in sales 15:16 The shift toward contextual AI and agentic systems 17:15 AI’s impact on productivity and market growth 19:04 Ethics, transparency, and accountability in AI 21:18 Building AI skills across a sales team 24:59 Future trends: AI adoption and business growth 26:53 Partnering with Vendasta and ideal customers The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

October 17, 202641 min

AI Agents Will Negotiate Your Next Deal | Russell Zack

Summary: In this episode, Russell Zack, Head of Revenue at Second Nature, joins Chad Burmeister to break down how AI is reshaping sales training, the buyer’s journey, and the way deals get done. Russell shares where AI creates real conversion lift and where it quietly stretches the sales cycle, why training is the most expensive thing teams skip, and how to stay on the right side of the line between efficient AI assistance and creepy automation. A practical, grounded look at where AI genuinely helps sales teams, and where the human still has to lead. Key Topics: AI in sales training and role play Impact of AI on the buyer’s journey and conversion rates AI in RFP responses and deal negotiations Risks of deploying AI without proper training The line between efficient AI assistance and creepy automation Data security, RAG architecture, and protecting proprietary data The rise of the full stack salesperson and changing comp models Takeaways: AI-powered role play lets teams scale and measure training that used to be impossible to standardize. Buyers now arrive with far more research, so reps have to meet them where they are or risk stretching the cycle. The most expensive mistake is skipping training. Powerful tools in untrained hands create noise and burn bridges. The difference between creepy and efficient AI is disclosure plus a real human review that puts your voice back in. The role is shifting toward the full stack salesperson who can discover, demo, and negotiate, with comp models likely following. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:26 Introduction to AI’s impact on sales training 02:00 Second Nature’s AI-powered role play platform 04:09 How AI enhances sales coaching and personalization 04:55 AI’s influence on buyer research and decision-making 08:34 AI’s role in transforming RFP processes 11:05 Common mistakes in deploying AI in sales 17:20 Balancing automation with human touch 20:59 Future of AI in sales and data security 25:51 Ethical considerations and data privacy 28:57 The evolution of AI and sales technology 29:56 Changing candidate profiles and sales roles 33:11 AI’s impact on sales compensation models 34:10 The importance of human-AI collaboration 36:29 Closing thoughts and future outlook The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

October 10, 202635 min

SDRs Are Dead? Why Anthropic Is Hiring Them Like Crazy | Devon Kenger

Summary In this episode, Devon Kenger, Director of Sales and Partnerships at Fooji, joins Chad Burmeister to unpack how AI is reshaping influencer marketing, sales, and the way customers buy. Devon makes the case for AI as a multiplier rather than a replacement, explains why human connection still wins deals, and shares where AI genuinely moves the needle - and where it leads to "the bridge to nowhere." A grounded, hype-free conversation on getting real value from AI in go-to-market. Key Topics - AI's impact on influencer marketing and sales - Measuring outcomes like earned media value (EMV) - AI as a multiplier, not a replacement - Common misconceptions about AI in sales and marketing - Using AI for sales coaching, office politics, and judgment - Emerging AI hardware and the vision of an integrated platform - Ethical considerations and data privacy in AI deployment Takeaways - AI is a multiplier, not a replacement - "garbage in, garbage out"; it amplifies a good process and can't polish a bad one. - Human connection still closes deals: buyers increasingly value real people, live content, and the human touch. - The shift is from "renting attention" to owning it - engaged communities beat broad, expensive reach. - AI's best sales use cases go beyond email drafts: coaching, role-play, account planning, and navigating internal communication. - AI should support judgment, not replace it - keep clear policies on data privacy and human oversight. Sound Bites - "I don't mind AI until I find out that it is AI." - "It's a multiplier, not a replacement." - "AI should support the judgment. It should not become the replacement for judgment." Chapters - 00:00 Intro - 01:57 Meet Devon Kenger and his background - 02:47 What Fooji does in influencer gifting and activations - 03:15 The importance of influence in marketing - 04:30 How AI is changing customer buying behavior - 05:29 The need for faster sales processes with AI - 06:08 Outcomes of AI projects: EMV and engagement - 07:09 Trends in community engagement and grassroots campaigns - 07:59 The shift from renting attention to owning it - 08:45 AI as a multiplier, not a replacement - 10:08 The reality of AI in sales roles and hiring trends - 11:03 The authenticity of AI interactions and consumer preferences - 11:50 The value of human touch in customer interactions - 13:26 Focusing AI on solving real pain points - 14:34 Misconceptions about AI replacing jobs - 14:59 Curiosity and asking the right questions with AI - 15:39 Using AI for sales coaching and interpersonal skills - 16:19 AI in navigating office politics and internal processes - 18:21 The impact of AI on education and testing - 19:21 The importance of human engagement and judgment - 20:10 Emerging AI hardware and integrated tools - 21:09 The vision of a proactive, integrated AI platform - 23:40 Ethical considerations and data privacy in AI - 24:19 The importance of AI supporting judgment, not replacing it - 26:23 Getting started with AI: learning paths and resources - 29:43 Ideal customers for Fooji and influencer marketing - 31:36 The power of influencer marketing and brand storytelling - 33:19 The future of AI in sales and marketing tools The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

October 3, 202638 min

From 6 Months to 72 Hours: The AI Rewriting Salesforce | Edmer Abante

Summary: In this episode, Chad Burmeister interviews Edmer Abante about rapid Salesforce deployment, AI's impact on customer experience, and practical AI applications in sales and business. They explore how AI accelerates ROI, dispels misconceptions, and discusses ethical considerations. Key Topics: Rapid Salesforce deployment in 72 hours AI's impact on customer experience and adoption Misconceptions about AI replacing humans Ethical and responsible AI use AI in sales process automation Building internal AI governance Future of AI and human collaboration Takeaways: AI can deploy fully configured Salesforce instances in 72 hours, reducing traditional timelines from months to days. Speed to value is critical; AI enables quick ROI, with some clients going live within a week. AI is best used to handle grunt work, freeing humans for judgment and relationship-building. Responsible AI involves governance, transparency, and human oversight. AI can significantly improve efficiency in sales, marketing, and customer service. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Edmer Abante and Salesforce acceleration 01:12 Customer experience and AI's role in rapid deployment 02:03 How AI reduces CRM project failure through quick adoption 03:45 Case study: AI deployment for a top AI company 05:01 Misconceptions about AI replacing human jobs 07:30 AI in education and the impact on student performance 09:00 Governance, ethics, and responsible AI use 11:00 Balancing AI augmentation with human judgment 13:13 Practical AI applications in sales and marketing 16:55 Learning AI: Starting points and skill development 21:05 The future of AI, risks, and opportunities The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

September 26, 202634 min

AI in Business: Practical Applications and Future Outlook

Summary: In this episode, Chris Fitkin from MetaCTO discusses the practical applications of AI in business, the importance of human oversight, and how AI is transforming workforce dynamics and technology infrastructure. Key Topics: AI's impact on customer experience and business processes Case study on payroll compliance automation Human oversight in AI outputs AI's role in workforce transformation and new job creation Security, scalability, and ethical considerations in AI deployment Takeaways: AI is now used to automate complex internal processes, such as payroll compliance, saving significant costs. Most AI projects now lead to measurable business outcomes, with a success rate improving from 10% to around 30%. Human in the loop is essential for quality control, especially in customer-facing AI applications. AI will create new job categories, such as AI agent managers, that didn't exist a year ago. Trust and skepticism are vital; users should critically evaluate AI outputs and understand data security risks. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AI in Business 01:41 Shifts in Customer Experience with AI 03:21 Case Study: AI in Payroll Compliance 05:38 The Future of Human Labor in AI 08:14 Misconceptions About AI Deployment 11:44 Navigating AI Outputs: Human Oversight 14:02 Becoming a CTO: Key Considerations 17:20 Measuring AI Project Success 19:37 Emerging AI Technologies 22:32 The Importance of Data Ownership 25:00 Ethics in AI Deployment 30:01 Skills for Future Business Leaders The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

September 19, 202636 min

The Future of AI in Business Operations

Summary In this episode, Chad Burmeister interviews Sahil Aggarwal from Von Labs about how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, data insights, and operational efficiency. They explore the future of AI, misconceptions, ethical considerations, and practical applications for businesses. Key Topics Von Labs role in go-to-market tech stack AI's impact on data analysis and insights The evolution from dashboards to AI-driven insights Misconceptions about AI agents and automation The ethical and energy considerations of AI development The future of AI applications and market share Balancing AI automation with human orchestration Takeaways AI can be more trusted than humans in some cases AI has increased productivity by more than 10 times AI pushes both the floor and the ceiling up Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest 00:27 Meet Sahil Aggarwal from Von Labs 01:08 What Von Labs does in the go-to-market space 02:02 How AI enables real-time data analysis 03:21 Impact of insights on customer experience 05:16 AI's potential to replace multiple roles 08:01 Common misconceptions about AI agents 10:13 The concept of super agents versus agents 12:19 The influence of John von Neumann on Von 13:04 Balancing AI automation with human orchestration 15:21 Risks of outsourcing human thinking to AI 19:20 Emerging AI technologies and market leaders 23:25 The value of AI-driven applications for consumers 28:25 Energy constraints and AI's future 30:44 Ideal customers for Von Labs 31:36 AI replacing traditional BI tools 33:13 The evolution from voice commands to AI execution 34:02 Closing remarks and Von Labs website The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

September 12, 202641 min

How AI is Transforming the Customer Experience

Key Topics AI's impact on customer experience Effective AI project strategies AI governance and security Prompt engineering for business High ROI AI initiatives Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lukas Hertig and his AI journey 02:09 Lukas describes himself as a strong executor in AI 04:00 Understanding customer readiness and signals 06:07 Success rates of AI projects and key factors 08:06 Approaching AI implementation: audits and impact analysis 09:59 Building AI skills and connectors for enterprise use 12:07 Security, governance, and compliance in AI projects 13:55 Misconceptions about AI replacing humans 16:11 Future of open-source and self-hosted AI models 17:58 Key questions for AI project planning 19:50 Using AI to improve sales and marketing workflows 22:09 Real-world examples: call recording and data privacy 23:56 Dictation and unique human insights with AI 25:51 Questions for expanding AI in customer service 27:55 Integrating AI with existing CRM and systems 30:06 Data privacy, GDPR, and European regulations 32:03 Avoiding pitfalls: data leaks and governance issues 34:11 How to engage with Lukas Hertig and his team 35:06 Key takeaways: focus on high ROI AI projects 35:51 Closing remarks and future AI opportunities The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

September 5, 202632 min

Hyper-Personalization in Marketing: The Future of AI

Summary In this episode, Alan Zhao from warmly.ai discusses how AI is transforming customer experience and marketing automation. Discover how hyper-personalization, data integration, and responsible AI practices are shaping the future of sales and marketing. Key topics AI-driven customer personalization Data integration and decision trees Marketing automation and outreach Ethical considerations in AI Tools and platforms for AI marketing Takeaways AI enables hyper-personalized marketing at scale. Understanding visitor intent improves conversion rates. Human-in-the-loop remains vital for trust and authenticity. AI tools can automate complex content creation. Ethical responsibility is crucial in AI development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Marketing 02:50 Transforming Customer Experience with AI 05:31 The Role of Personalization in Marketing 08:40 Human Interaction in AI-Driven Marketing 11:29 Keeping Up with Rapid Technological Changes 14:17 Innovative Tools and Technologies in Marketing 17:07 Ethics and Responsibility in AI 19:51 Getting Started with AI in Marketing The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

August 29, 202639 min

The Future of Podcasting: AI, SEO, and Personalization

Summary In this episode, Chad Burmeister interviews John Taylor, CEO of Act Three Agency, about the transformative impact of AI on podcasting, customer experience, and marketing. They explore how AI enhances discoverability, personalization, and ethical considerations in the evolving AI landscape. Key topics AI's impact on podcast discoverability and search Generative engine optimization (GEO) and metadata importance Converting niche audiences into customers Maintaining personal touch in AI-driven content Ethical considerations and responsible AI use Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Podcasting 02:55 AI's Impact on Customer Experience 05:33 Challenges Faced by Podcasters 08:16 Conversion and Discoverability in Podcasting 11:09 Misconceptions About AI 13:59 Maintaining the Human Touch in AI 16:46 The Role of Soft Skills in the AI Era 19:28 Ethics and Responsibility in AI 22:23 Future Technologies and AI 25:09 Conclusion and Future Outlook The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

August 22, 202639 min

The Future of AI in Sales and Business

Summary In this insightful interview, Geoff McQueen, founder and CEO of Worksites AI, shares his expertise on how AI is transforming sales, customer experience, and business operations. Discover the future of AI, misconceptions, and practical tips to leverage AI for success. Key topics AI's impact on sales and customer experience Misconceptions about AI and its capabilities The evolution of SaaS and licensing models Future trends in AI and business applications Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI for Sales and Geoff McQueen 01:14 Geoff's Entrepreneurial Journey and Worksites AI 03:48 The Evolution of Sales Models and the SaaS Landscape 07:50 AI's Impact on Customer Experience and Sales Dynamics 16:48 AI Success Stories and Real-World Applications 21:43 Misconceptions About AI and Its Capabilities 25:08 Emerging Technologies and the Future of AI in Business 31:06 Skills for the Future: Embracing AI and Personal Growth The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by SDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies. 👉 Visit https:// www.theaiforsalespodcast.com/intro to unlock your direct line. 👉 Learn more about becoming a guest (or a sponsor) here: https://www.theaiforsalespodcast.com 👉 Visit the YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIforSalesPodcast

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