Power to Sell

Eric Gjerdevig

Power to Sell is a student-led podcast focusing on mastering the underlying skills of persuasion, leadership, and sales. It's focused on how we transform these 'ordinary' human skills into the extraordinary and how we can differentiate ourselves based on how we sell versus the characteristics of what we sell.

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Matt Berseth and Robert Thomas - Power of Humans + AI

Matt Berseth and Robert Thomas - Power of Humans + AI

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students continue to explore multiple themes and visit with sales leaders and executives from various industries. In the final episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 26), students sat down with Matt Berseth, co-founder and Chief Information Officer, and Robert Thomas (R3), Sales Manager of NLP Logix, a data analytics and artificial intelligence services firm. Matt shared his career journey, starting at Microsoft after graduating from North Dakota State University, moving to Jacksonville, and starting NLP Logix with his business partner, Ted Willich. Matt and Robert highlighted many critical skills and discussed how AI is used today. A key message was leveraging AI in business but understanding where to use it and where you shouldn’t.

Episodes

Matt Berseth and Robert Thomas - Power of Humans + AI

Matt Berseth and Robert Thomas - Power of Humans + AI

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students continue to explore multiple themes and visit with sales leaders and executives from various industries. In the final episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 26), students sat down with Matt Berseth, co-founder and Chief Information Officer, and Robert Thomas (R3), Sales Manager of NLP Logix, a data analytics and artificial intelligence services firm. Matt shared his career journey, starting at Microsoft after graduating from North Dakota State University, moving to Jacksonville, and starting NLP Logix with his business partner, Ted Willich. Matt and Robert highlighted many critical skills and discussed how AI is used today. A key message was leveraging AI in business but understanding where to use it and where you shouldn’t.

Alan Fish - Power of Integrity

Alan Fish - Power of Integrity

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, one theme our NDSU Sales students are exploring is the business of sports and how sales skills are used in sports. In our sixth episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 25), students sat down with Alan Fish, the VP of Global Business Development for the PGA Tour! Alan shared his unique career journey of becoming an ‘accidental’ sales professional! He highlighted the importance of integrity, hard work, and understanding your customer’s needs. Alan also talked about the impacts of Full Swing and LIV Golf over the last few years and the importance of staying focused on the product you deliver to customers.

John Waller and Jackson Magnini - Power of Rapport

John Waller and Jackson Magnini - Power of Rapport

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, one theme our NDSU Sales students are exploring is the business of sports and how sales skills are used in sports. In our fifth episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 24), students sat down with two NFL sports agents from Team IFA, John Waller and Jackson Magnini. John and Jackson shared their unique career journeys and highlighted the importance of rapport, relationships, and teamwork. Our guests also talked about how critical these skills are when the product you represent is another human. Finally, we had some fun by getting their best guesses for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Matt Larsen - Power of Teamwork

Matt Larsen - Power of Teamwork

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, one theme our NDSU Sales students are exploring is the business of sports and how sales skills are used in sports. In our fourth episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 23), students sat down with the Athletic Director of North Dakota State University, Matt Larsen. Matt shared his career journey to Fargo, ND, and highlighted the importance of teamwork and listening. Additionally, he discussed the impacts of changes in NCAA sports around NIL and the transfer portal and the importance of the facility investments NDSU has made over the last decade.

Carl Peterson - Power of Positivity

Carl Peterson - Power of Positivity

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students continue to explore multiple themes and visit with sales leaders and executives from various industries. In this episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 22), students sat down with Carl Peterson, the President of Peterson Farms Seed. Carl shared his career journey as a third-generation farmer and founder of Peterson Farms Seed. He highlighted many critical skills and shared stories highlighting the importance of adaptability, positivity, culture, and taking measured risks.

Angie Volk - Power of Education

Angie Volk - Power of Education

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students explore multiple themes and visit with sales leaders and executives from various industries. In our second episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 21), students sat down with Bison alumni Angie Volk, who has held VP of Sales positions across some of the largest medical device companies in the world, such as 3M, Boston Scientific, and Becton Dickinson. Angie shared her career journey, and her stories highlighted many critical skills, including the importance of serving customers through education. Additionally, she shared a great story about stealing the nickel from UND while in college at NDSU!

Jeff Munneke - Power of Connection

Jeff Munneke - Power of Connection

In season four of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students will explore multiple themes, including the business of sports and how sales skills are used in sports. In our first episode of Spring Semester 2024 (episode 20), students traveled to Minneapolis, MN, to visit with the VP of Fan Engagement for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, Jeff Munneke. Jeff shared his career journey, and his stories highlighted the importance of building connections and commitment. Additionally, he shared some great stories and gave some great advice to our students!

Sharon Schoenborn - Power of Growth Mindset

Sharon Schoenborn - Power of Growth Mindset

In season three of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students have partnered with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our seventh and final episode of Fall Semester 2023 (episode 19), students visited the Microsoft Fargo campus to sit down with Corporate Vice President of Americas Small, Medium & Corporate (SMC) Sharon Schoenborn. Sharon shared her career journey and the importance of learning as a continuous and ongoing process that extends throughout a person's life rather than confined to a specific period of formal education. Her stories highlighted the importance of having a growth mindset, embracing challenges, and betting on yourself.

Dr. Stefanie Boyer – Power of Confidence

Dr. Stefanie Boyer – Power of Confidence

In season three of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students have partnered with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. Our sixth episode of Fall Semester 2023 (episode 18) is a special edition with a wrap-up to the Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition (NISC). NDSU and Bryant University students got to interview Dr. Stefani Boyer, a professor at Bryant University and director of NISC. Stefanie shared her career journey and highlighted the importance of confidence.

Kathy Mazzarella - Power of Grit

Kathy Mazzarella - Power of Grit

In season three of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students have partnered with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview six exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our fifth episode of Fall Semester 2023 (episode 17), students traveled to St. Louis to visit with the President and CEO of Graybar, Kathy Mazzarella. Kathy shared her career journey, and her stories highlighted the importance of perseverance, grit, and passion. Additionally, she talked about the history of Graybar, leadership, and technology, such as artificial intelligence, and gave excellent advice to our students!

Brianne Osowski - Power of People First

Brianne Osowski - Power of People First

In season three of the Power to Sell Podcast, our NDSU Sales students have partnered with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview six exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our fourth episode of Fall Semester 2023, students had the opportunity to visit with North Dakota-based entrepreneur Brianne Osowski. Brianne talked about the importance of putting people first and shared numerous examples, including how her company, Tailorie, is helping connect consumers with brands and the importance of mentors.

Jenny Olson - Power of Storytelling

Jenny Olson - Power of Storytelling

Season three of the Power to Sell Podcast finds our NDSU Sales students partnering with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview six exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our third episode of Fall Semester 2023, students had the opportunity to visit with the Fargo Site Leader for Microsoft, Jenny Olson. Jenny discussed the importance of influence, risk-taking, open-mindedness, and storytelling. She gave great examples of how she has utilized these skills at Microsoft and her time at the State of North Dakota.

Kristi Huber - Power of Connection

Kristi Huber - Power of Connection

Season three of the Power to Sell Podcast finds our NDSU Sales students partnering with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview six exceptional female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our second episode of Fall Semester 2023, students had the opportunity to visit with a well-known business and community leader when they sat down with Kristi Huber, current SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Kristi talked about connecting with people, being intentional, building trust, and her career journey including past experiences as President of the United Way of Cass Clay.

Monni Nyaribo - Power of Authenticity

Monni Nyaribo - Power of Authenticity

Season three of the Power to Sell Podcast finds our NDSU Sales students partnering with the NDSU Women in Business organization to interview six amazing female leaders, executives, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, or community leaders. In our first episode of Fall Semester 2023, students continued our theme of 'everybody sells' by sitting down Monni Nyaribo, who was recently crowned Miss North Dakota 2023. Monni might not be in sales, but she knows something about the art of connecting with people and persuasion! Monni talked about the importance of authenticity in what you do and how you present yourself. She also stressed the importance of trust and gave excellent advice on improving yourself one step at a time.

Kelly Armstrong - Power of Straight Shooting

Kelly Armstrong - Power of Straight Shooting

In our final episode of the Spring Semester, students continued our theme of 'everybody sells' by sitting down with US Congressman Kelly Armstrong. Congressman Armstrong may not see himself as a sales professional, but he knows a thing or two about the art of persuasion! The congressman discussed his journey to the US House of Representatives and many current topics. He stressed the importance of trust, honesty, integrity, and transparency and how those skills are essential to finding common ground, even with people whose politics may not align with his.

Dr. David Cook - Power of Leadership

Dr. David Cook - Power of Leadership

In episode 11, students continued our theme of 'everybody sells' by sitting down with the President of North Dakota State University, Dr. David Cook. President Cook may not see himself as a sales professional, but his position requires the ability to 'sell' a vision to students, alumni, legislators, and the local community. In addition to talking about his journey and the changes happening on campus, President Cook highlighted the importance of trust, transparency, and building relationships and how those skills have been essential to his success during his first year at NDSU.

Todd Berning - Power of Heart

Todd Berning - Power of Heart

In episode 10, we continue our theme of 'everybody sells' by exploring another career requiring sales skills! Real estate development might be something few college students know about, but this guest sure does. Listen as students interview Todd Berning, President and owner of EPIC Companies and Spicy Pie Pizza. Although Todd may not see himself as a sales professional, it's clear that he is excellent at selling a vision to his team, investors, and the communities they work within. Todd talked about how having heart and passion are the keys that have helped him be successful. Todd shared great advice and stories.

William Cromarty - Power of Listening

William Cromarty - Power of Listening

In episode nine, we continue our theme of 'everybody sells' by exploring another career requiring sales skills! Have your sales skills prepared you for the life of James Bond or Jack Ryan? Listen as students interview William Cromarty, a former United States Federal Government Intelligence Officer. William drew several correlations between his previous career and the sales profession. He discussed how developing an asset is a sales process, requiring many of the same underlying sales skills, such as listening and empathy. William shared great advice and opened our eyes to the similarities between sales and intelligence gathering.

Jory Collins - Power of Transparency

Jory Collins - Power of Transparency

In season two, we dive into the theme 'everybody sells!' Our guests are NOT sales professionals but must be persuasive, build trust, and understand people. In our second episode of season two, students interview Jory Collins, the Head Women's Basketball Coach at North Dakota State University. Jory talked about the importance of transparency and building trust with his team. Jory shared a lot of great advice and demonstrated how even a basketball coach needs sales skills!

Luke Heck - Power of Storytelling

Luke Heck - Power of Storytelling

In season two, we dive into the theme 'everybody sells!' Our guests are NOT sales professionals but need to be persuasive, build trust, and understand people. In our first episode of season two, students interview Luke Heck, a criminal defense attorney with the Vogel Law firm. Luke shared some great thoughts and experiences from an industry that most don't know outside of television. Luke had a lot of great advice, including the importance of storytelling in persuasion.