Artificial intelligence, and most new technologies for that matter, are usually met with complex emotions. Potential for the future can come with the possibility of losing comfortable current practices. But, increasingly, AI allows us to prospect smarter, therefore connecting us with the right customers. Just ask Siri or Alexa, artificial intelligence will continue to surround us both in the workplace and at home.

If AI is here to stay, the need for polished sales and communication skills becomes even more pressing. AI will never replace human ingenuity. Rather, its role is to support us, helping us advance even further. To excel professionally in this new age, we must speak as well as we think™, persuade with confidence, and manage our personal brand in a way that AI simply cannot accomplish.

For over 20 years Dardis has been teaching people how to effectively persuade and move audiences to action. The need to hone these skills and techniques has never been greater.  For this reason, we’ve developed a virtual selling skills program to help you polish your persuasive dialogue skills. With the help of AI, your sales team can find the best customers. With the help of Dardis, your sales team can persuade them.

LinkedIn: Dardis Do’s & Don’ts

Image matters. The way we present ourselves during professional communication impacts the way we are perceived. From the way we dress to our posture and the tenor of our voice, right or wrong, people often base how much they trust our expertise on these factors. In fact, our Leadership Presentation & Image Skills program is tailored for learners striving to master presentation confidence and clarity.

In the age of social media, LinkedIn presents much more than an opportunity to craft a digital resume. It gives us the chance to cultivate a professional presence and connect with other career-driven individuals from around the globe.

But, like other social media outlets, it’s important to act thoughtfully and carefully on LinkedIn. A shared personal opinion might negatively impact your hirability. All our activity, photos, and posts can be seen by employers, both current and potential. That’s why it’s vital to consider what an interviewer might think if they looked at your LinkedIn. Everything you post should be an extension of your personal brand, something you can be proud to associate with your professional identity.

Whether you’re finally jumping on the platform or are a LinkedIn veteran, here are a few useful tips to keep in mind:

• Use photos that bolster your credibility. Selfies and time spent with friends are well worth capturing and remembering, but that doesn’t mean they are appropriate for sharing on social media. When selecting your profile picture, choose one that exemplifies your accomplishments and unique skills.
• Posting frequently is important, but always, no matter what, keep it professional. No photos of that delicious meal at your local taco shop or a beautiful sunset you couldn’t help but snag a picture of. These images can be a fun way to connect with friends on Instagram or Facebook, but on LinkedIn, they demonstrate a lack of separation between professional and personal life.
• Provide value. When you post content, discuss your business, or share a link, make sure it offers some sort of value proposition for your connections. Perhaps it’s an insightful, educational article or a post discussing how you achieved a certain professional victory. This way your network isn’t only aware of your successes, but they have the opportunity to learn something new.