Breaking Barriers: My Journey Into AI Voice Sales and the Future of Engagement

While half the business world is still debating whether AI will steal their jobs, the other half is busy using it to steal their competitors' customers. Companies with AI-powered sales processes are enjoying 10-20% ROI increases while their peers are still scheduling meetings to discuss whether they should schedule meetings about AI strategy. Turns out, the secret to AI success isn't having a PhD in machine learning it's just being willing to try something that actually works.

From LA County using AI to streamline disaster recovery permits to voice agents handling thousands of sales calls without human limitations, practical applications are solving real operational problems. The economic landscape remains uncertain, and companies that integrate AI thoughtfully are finding ways to maintain growth while traditional approaches fall short. Strategic technology choices that address specific business challenges are becoming essential for staying competitive.

This Week's Issue:

• How voice AI can scale sales operations beyond human constraints and time zone limitations.
  

• Why AI adoption in government disaster recovery signals broader market opportunities.
  

• Using AI-powered financial analysis to identify actionable growth strategies this quarter.
  

• How current economic uncertainty makes strategic AI investment more critical than optional.
  
  

AI Leverage

This week's article dives into my six-month journey from being an introvert who feared sales calls to building AI voice agents that can handle thousands of them flawlessly. Drawing on my background as an investment analyst with a knack for spotting trends early, I share why voice AI is the biggest leverage opportunity for business leaders in decades.

Summary Points:

• The voice AI market is exploding from US$2.4 billion in 2024 to a projected US$47.5 billion by 2034 (34.8% CAGR).
  

• The growth trajectory is undeniable. Our omnichannel AI SDR eliminates the barriers that limit human sales teams: time zones, language differences, and inconsistent performance across channels.
  

• Companies using AI in sales see 10-20% ROI increases while competitors struggle with basic qualification and follow-up tasks.
  

• Every day you delay AI adoption, your competition gains ground. The window for first-mover advantage is closing fast.

The bigger picture? This isn't just about sales automation. It's about recognizing inflection points before they become obvious to everyone else. For leaders who've always struggled with traditional sales approaches (like me), AI voice agents aren't just tools, they are liberation. To read the full article, click here.

AI Copilots: 

PROFIT/PROGRESS: Scale Your Impact 

Purpose 

• Objective: Analyze current financial performance to identify growth opportunities and potential areas for cost reduction.
  

• SMB Relevance: Understanding financial health is crucial for strategic decision-making and scaling operations.
  

• Timeliness/Context: End-of-quarter analysis can provide insights necessary for planning the upcoming quarter and aligning resources accordingly.
  
  

Core Functionality 

• Copilot Actions: Load financial data, analyze trends, and generate a visual report summarizing findings.
  

• Key Capabilities to Leverage: Data visualization, comparative analysis, and scenario modeling.
  
  

Interaction Style 

• Copilot Persona/Tone: Analytical and insightful, focusing on data-driven decision-making.
  

• Guidance Level: Moderate, providing robust frameworks but leaving room for user interpretation of data.
  
  

Typical User Inputs 

• Information Required: Historical sales data, expense reports, and current market conditions.
  

• Format of Input: CSV files or direct input from accounting software.
  

Expected Outputs 

• Deliverables: A comprehensive financial analysis report highlighting key metrics and recommendations for scaling.
  

• Format/Structure of Output: PDF document with graphs, charts, and an executive summary.
  

• Success Criteria: Identification of at least three actionable strategies for revenue growth or cost saving.
   
  

AI News

➔ Featured Story

LA County using AI to speed up rebuilding after Eaton Fire

Los Angeles County is using AI to streamline the rebuilding process after the Eaton Fire, significantly reducing permit wait times and improving resource allocation for recovery efforts.

Bullet Points:

• LA County adopts AI to enhance efficiency in rebuilding after the Eaton Fire’s devastation.
  

• AI technology aims to expedite the permit issuance process, reducing wait times for construction.
  

• This initiative is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized construction enterprises facing bureaucratic delays.
  

• Experts believe this model could redefine municipal disaster recovery practices across various regions.

Key Takeaway: Why this matters: The integration of AI in disaster recovery can dramatically improve efficiency and resource management, potentially setting a new precedent for municipalities. This proactive strategy not only aids immediate recovery but can also inspire future approaches to rebuilding after catastrophic events.

➔ Other Notable AI News

• Trump’s AI Action Plan Waives Key Federal Environmental Rules for Data Centers
  The Trump administration’s new AI action plan includes provisions to waive federal environmental regulations for the construction of new data centers, aiming to streamline operations and boost the deployment of AI technologies.

  👉 Read more
  
  

• Jim Cramer Argues Big Tech is Underspending on AI Here’s Why
  In a recent analysis, Jim Cramer claims that major technology companies are not investing enough in AI, which could hinder their long-term growth. He discusses the importance of strategic spending on AI to remain competitive in the rapidly advancing tech space.
  👉 Full story
  
  

• Trump’s AI Action Plan and Its Impact on Data Center Growth
  The Trump administration is pushing forward its AI action plan by facilitating the growth of data centers. This move aims to accelerate AI adoption and reshape America’s infrastructure to better support emerging technologies.
  👉 Read more
  
  

• How Redesigning Internal Documents for AI Can Unlock 30% Automation by 2030
  A new push is underway to redesign internal documentation systems in companies to better integrate AI tools, promising a potential 30% increase in automation by 2030. This shift could dramatically enhance productivity and reduce overhead costs.
  👉 Full article
  
  

• OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent Revolutionizes Crypto Trading with Unified Automation
  OpenAI’s ChatGPT agent is reshaping crypto trading by integrating real-time data and automation into a unified system. This breakthrough is poised to change the way cryptocurrency markets operate by enhancing efficiency and decision-making.
  👉 Read more
  
  

• WEX Reports 25% Year-over-Year Growth in Accounts Payable Automation
  WEX has reported an impressive 25% year-over-year growth in its accounts payable automation services. The company credits this growth to the increasing reliance on AI-powered tools for streamlining financial operations in businesses worldwide.
  👉 Read more
  
  

• China’s Demand for Repair Services of Banned Nvidia AI Chipsets Soars
  Despite regulatory bans, China’s demand for repair services of Nvidia’s AI chipsets has exploded. This highlights the country’s growing dependence on AI technologies and the challenges faced in accessing critical AI hardware.
  👉 Full story
  

 AI Economy

Big Picture: Global economic conditions remain unsettled as the U.S. grapples with potential new tariffs that could significantly affect both domestic and international markets. With President Trump expected to announce pivotal tariff changes on imports and pharmaceuticals by August 1, trade tensions could escalate further. Meanwhile, the Eurozone's economic outlook appears stable, with banks like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan now expecting the European Central Bank to hold interest rates steady amid resilient economic signals, creating a dichotomy with the U.S. (Reuters, Bloomberg).

What to Watch

• Following slower consumer spending trends, U.S. GDP growth is revised down to just 0.2% for Q2 2025, fueling concerns about a potential slowdown.
  

• European banks are adjusting forecasts as stable economic performance reduces the likelihood of immediate ECB rate cuts, prompting a recalibration of market expectations.
  

• Strong earnings reports are contributing to a bullish sentiment among U.S. investors, with companies beating profit expectations at the highest rate in four years, suggesting market resilience.

• A recent Morgan Stanley survey highlights that AI adoption rates in industries such as real estate and finance surged, with exposure increasing from 20% to 44% in consumer-driven sectors, underscoring AI's pivotal role in driving operational efficiency.

Key Takeaway: In a period of looming trade wars and fluctuating economic indicators, organizations must prioritize technological integration, particularly in AI, to maintain a competitive edge. The uptick in AI adoption across sectors, as evidenced by Morgan Stanley's report, indicates not only a shift in operational paradigms but also presents a substantial opportunity for enhancing productivity and driving growth in challenging markets. Business leaders should thus consider bolstering investments in AI capabilities to navigate these economic uncertainties effectively.

AI Community

💬 Q&A of the Week

Question from subscriber “Riley J., Construction Project Manager, Pasadena, CA”:
How exactly is the AI being used by LA County to reduce permit wait times after the Eaton Fire? Is this something smaller contractors like me can benefit from right away?

Answer (From Newsletter team):
Great question, Riley! LA County is utilizing AI to automate and streamline the permitting process by analyzing submitted construction plans more quickly and accurately than traditional methods. The system can flag missing documentation, suggest improvements, and route applications to the right departments without manual delays. This means significantly shorter turnaround times for permits a major win for smaller contractors who often face the brunt of bureaucratic bottlenecks. According to county officials, the AI tools are already active and accessible, so you should see the benefits almost immediately if you're applying for post-fire reconstruction permits in the affected areas.

That's it for today!

Before you go we’d love to know what you thought of today's newsletter to help us improve The Leaders Leverage experience for you.

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See you soon,

James Brooks—The Leader’s Leverage editorial team