Salespeople don't need to wait for a company-wide rollout to start using AI. Begin with one call: use AI to prep, try an AI sales assistant for live help, and let it draft your follow-up. Track what saved time, then share the results with your manager. The reps who learn this early become the people others ask.
Key takeaways
- Smart work in sales now means good prompts plus knowing which tool to use for what.
- The reps who adopt AI early are becoming the go-to voices on their teams.
- Start with one call and one workflow, not a grand transformation.
- Ownership of your own growth beats waiting for a procurement cycle.
In 2024, I was nominated as one of LinkedIn's top sales reps globally. I was hitting my numbers consistently. I had started the first internal podcast at LinkedIn, interviewing leaders. Life was comfortable.
Then I left to start an AI company.
It was a tough call, and a real leap of faith. I wanted to learn AI properly, I had a big ambition, and honestly, I'd seen too many gaps in how we sell to keep ignoring them. Gaps in conversations. Gaps in coaching. Calls that are only reviewed as a post-mortem.
I'm telling you this because of one thing I've learned since: you don't need to quit your job to get ahead with AI. You just need to stop waiting.
Why are some reps pulling ahead with AI?
Because “smart work” has a new definition. Today it means two skills: writing good prompts, and knowing which tool to use for which job.
The reps who have both stand out. They're faster at prep, sharper on calls and better at follow-ups. And something interesting happens: they start being seen as thought leaders. People ask them, “How did you do that?”
The data points the same way. In Salesforce's 2026 State of Sales research, 87% of sales organisations already use some form of AI, and top-performing sellers are 1.7 times more likely than underperformers to use AI agents for prospecting.
The wrong question and the right one
The wrong question: “Has my company bought this for me yet?”
The right one: “How can I become a better salesperson this month?”
I use AI in almost everything now. Prep, research, writing, follow-ups, even thinking through a tough negotiation. It saves so much time that I get to do far more of the work that actually matters: talking to people.
How to start this week (no transformation required)
- Prep one call with AI. Ask it to summarise the account, past emails and likely objections.
- Try live help on one call. Pick one where technical or pricing questions are likely.
- Let AI draft the follow-up. Edit it, don't rewrite it.
- Write down what changed. Time saved, questions you answered, follow-ups sent on time.
- Show your manager. Real results from your own calls beat any vendor slide.
One rule: stick to your company's policies on customer data and approved tools. Getting ahead is great. Getting a call from IT is not.
Where Sunnyside fits
Sunnyside is built so one person can start alone. It preps your calls, helps live with sourced answers without joining the meeting, and writes your notes and follow-up afterwards.
You can try it free, which is enough to collect real results for step 5. When your team is ready, there are Team plans too.
Don't wait for the memo. Be the reason there is one.
Frequently asked questions
How can salespeople start using AI?
Start small: use AI to prep for one important call, try an AI sales assistant for live help on a call with technical questions, and let it draft your follow-up. Note what saved time or improved the conversation, and share those results with your manager. Always follow company policy on data and approved tools.
What AI tools should a sales rep use?
Most reps benefit from three kinds: a general AI assistant for research and writing, an AI sales assistant for prep and live help on calls, and tools that automate notes and CRM updates. Pick tools that fit your workflow and your company's data rules.
Do top sales performers use AI more?
According to Salesforce's 2026 State of Sales research, top-performing sellers are 1.7 times more likely than underperformers to use AI agents for prospecting. Adoption is already widespread, with 87% of sales organisations using some form of AI.
How do I convince my manager to adopt an AI sales assistant?
Show results from your own calls rather than a pitch. Track time saved on prep and follow-ups, technical questions answered without escalation, and follow-ups sent on time during a short trial. Then propose a small team pilot with clear success measures.