Sales tools have promised magic bullets for years, but are they actually helping sellers close deals, or just creating more noise?

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan Hulcoop, CRO at NedTech and Helm AI, to discuss why most AI sales tools get it wrong and what genuinely moves the needle.

We dig into why activity metrics have become vanity measures, the critical difference between automation and augmentation, and how AI should reduce cognitive overload rather than replace human judgment. Nathan shares insights from building Helm, an AI workforce platform designed specifically for SMEs who need amplification, not replacement.

If you're tired of tools that make you busier without making you better, this conversation is for you.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction and catching up with Nathan
1:45 - The landscape of sales tools: more noise than value?
4:12 - Why activity-based tools miss the point
6:30 - AI should augment outcomes, not just increase busyness
8:45 - People buy from people they trust and respect
10:20 - What AI gets wrong about sales: judgment and trust
13:15 - How Helm AI approaches workflow automation differently
16:40 - The Founding 50: building with SME founders
19:30 - Email marketing and social media automation challenges
24:00 - The hidden costs of multi-platform social media
28:15 - Where NedTech and Helm are heading in 2026
31:00 - How to connect with Nathan and Helm AI

Connect with Nathan Hulcoop here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhulcoop/
Helm AI: https://wearehelm.ai/

Connect with me:
🎓 Sales training and courses: https://bendrakes.com
💼 AI Catalyst consulting: https://bendrakes.com/ai-catalyst
🎧 Use code SAVE20 for 20% off any training
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