--- title: Episode 124 - The AI Advantage - How Top Sales Reps Stay Ahead description: Break down the key factors from the 2025 State of Sales report that separate top sales performers, exploring AI, informed buyers, content trends, and human insight. image: https://play.vidyard.com/tUVtEeL9fMrPwuH9JzhtR3.jpg --- ![Award Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%203.png) Award Winning, Amazon #1 Bestseller: The Revenue Acceleration Framework ![Lift Logo](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/LiftEnablement%20-%20Logo%20-%20Reverse%20(2).png) HubSpot's Most Trusted Partner for Complex Implementations ![HubSpot Certified Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%204%20(2).png) HubSpot Certified App Partner ![Award Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%203.png) Award Winning, Amazon #1 Bestseller: The Revenue Acceleration Framework ![Lift Logo](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/LiftEnablement%20-%20Logo%20-%20Reverse%20(2).png) HubSpot's Most Trusted Partner for Complex Implementations ![HubSpot Certified Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%204%20(2).png) HubSpot Certified App Partner ![Award Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%203.png) Award Winning, Amazon #1 Bestseller: The Revenue Acceleration Framework ![Lift Logo](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/LiftEnablement%20-%20Logo%20-%20Reverse%20(2).png) HubSpot's Most Trusted Partner for Complex Implementations ![HubSpot Certified Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%204%20(2).png) HubSpot Certified App Partner ![Award Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%203.png) Award Winning, Amazon #1 Bestseller: The Revenue Acceleration Framework ![Lift Logo](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/LiftEnablement%20-%20Logo%20-%20Reverse%20(2).png) HubSpot's Most Trusted Partner for Complex Implementations ![HubSpot Certified Badge](https://49161231.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/49161231/image%204%20(2).png) HubSpot Certified App Partner # Episode 124 - The AI Advantage - How Top Sales Reps Stay Ahead Written By: Hannah Rose ### Jess Cardenas The fact that I get to work to solve wicked difficult problems for clients (and sometimes internally) and collaborate with great team members and great clients to do so. Chief of Staff ![](https://www.liftenablement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/plane%20(1).png?width=24&height=24&name=plane%20(1).png) Published: Dec 18, 2025 10:00:01 AM In this episode, Doug and Jess break down the 2025 State of Sales report, exploring how AI, informed buyers, and content trends are reshaping the sales process. They discuss what works, what doesn’t, and why human insight is more critical than ever. ### Audio: ### Video: ![](https://play.vidyard.com/tUVtEeL9fMrPwuH9JzhtR3.jpg) ### Show Notes: ### Pre-Show Banter:  - Jess shares her upcoming trip to Vegas, complete with Kelly Clarkson concerts, blackjack tables, and immersive dining experiences. Doug and Jess reminisce about wild travel stories, previous trips, and the chaos of October schedules. ### Main Discussion Points: Doug and Jess dive into the key trends from the report: - **AI in Sales**: Most reps are using AI, but many struggle to use it effectively. AI should enhance, not replace, the human touch. - **Super-Informed Buyer**s: Customers research heavily before engaging with sales. Sellers must guide the conversation and influence the right questions. - **Human Connection Matters**: Being present, listening actively, and providing insight remains the differentiator in sales. - **Email & Content**: Strong email programs and quality content keep your brand visible and influential in a world dominated by self-service and AI. - **Focus on Metrics**: Tracking win rates, lost deals, and other key metrics allows teams to spot trends, improve strategy, and maintain high performance. ### Jess's Takeaways:  - Use AI as a tool, not an easy button—stay engaged and follow your sales process. - Email is an accelerator in the sales process; don’t de-emphasize it. - Invest in content to support AI, email, and buyer engagement strategies. - Measure quality over quantity and learn from both wins and losses.  ### Next Steps: - Follow Jess, Doug & Lift on socials for updates on the show or other insights:  - Doug Davidoff [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-davidoff-76396b1/) - Jess Cardenas [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-cardenas-3210259/) - Lift Enablement [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/imagine-business-development) - Follow the show on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/4lIsz8aEnYppGgKBqiDKmv) & [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-revops-show/id1594671911) - Subscribe to [The RevOps Show YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@TheRevOpsShow) - Coming Soon Episode 125! ## Learn More With Lift Check out related blogs that spark further insight [Subscribe to our Blog ](https://www.liftenablement.com/subscribe) [3 Ways Salespeople Kill Sales at the End of the Month Click Here ![](https://www.liftenablement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/plane-icon.png?width=44&height=44&name=plane-icon.png) ](https://www.liftenablement.com/blog/3-ways-salespeople-kill-sales-at-the-end-of-the-month) [3 Reasons Mid-Market Companies Are Leaving Salesforce For HubSpot Click Here ![](https://www.liftenablement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/plane-icon.png?width=44&height=44&name=plane-icon.png) ](https://www.liftenablement.com/blog/salesforce-vs-hubspot) [25 Motivational Quotes for B2B Sales & Marketing Professionals Click Here ![](https://www.liftenablement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/plane-icon.png?width=44&height=44&name=plane-icon.png) ](https://www.liftenablement.com/blog/25-motivational-quotes-for-b2b-sales-marketing-professionals) [![LinkedIn](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/blog-index-page/Linkedin.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lift-enablement/posts/?feedView=all) [![RSS](https://www.liftenablement.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lift-Theme-Dev/images/blog-index-page/Rss.svg) ](https://www.liftenablement.com/subscribe) [Subscribe to our Blog ](https://www.liftenablement.com/subscribe)