The Conversation Nicole McMurray
Mini-Series: AI at Work
In this episode of AI at Work, Angela Schultz speaks with Nicole McMurray, Divisional Vice President at AppleOne, about how a nine‑hour AI course sparked the creation of an AI‑powered sales coaching assistant. Designed to reflect Nicole’s leadership voice and company values, the tool gives new hires consistent guidance, confidence, and support — without slowing the business down.
The conversation highlights a powerful truth: AI adoption doesn’t require technical backgrounds. It requires curiosity, education, and leaders willing to listen to their teams.
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From Prototype to Practice: How AI Became a Trusted Sales Coach
AI transformation doesn’t always start with a strategy document or an IT roadmap. Sometimes, it starts with curiosity.
In this episode of AI at Work, Angela Schultz sits down with Nicole McMurray, Divisional Vice President at AppleOne, to explore how a single idea — sparked during an AI training course — evolved into a scalable sales coaching solution used across the organization.
The Problem: Scaling Leadership Without Losing Voice
As Nicole stepped into a larger leadership role, she faced a familiar challenge: supporting more people without diluting coaching quality. New hires needed guidance, reassurance, and fast answers — but leaders can’t always be everywhere at once.
Rather than relying on generic AI tools, Nicole saw an opportunity to create something intentional: an assistant coach that reflected her voice, values, and expectations.
The Spark: Education Unlocks Possibility
The breakthrough didn’t come from a technical background. It came from education.
After taking an AI 101 course, Nicole realized she could upload real company documents, successful emails, and leadership guidance into a system that responded the way she would. The result was an AI assistant that supported sales reps with consistent coaching while reinforcing company culture.
The Impact: Confidence, Speed, and Culture
For new hires, the assistant coach removed hesitation. They could ask questions freely, practice conversations, and move forward with confidence.
For leaders, it freed time while keeping standards high. And for the organization, it created momentum — inspiring others to explore how AI could enhance their own work.
Collaboration Over Committees
As the idea gained traction, it moved from prototype to pilot, bringing together sales leadership, IT, data, legal, and executive teams. The focus wasn’t on forming endless committees, but on committing to action.
This collaboration ensured the solution could scale responsibly, with governance and infrastructure supporting innovation rather than blocking it.
A Human‑Centered Future
Nicole’s story reinforces a key theme of the AI at Work series: AI works best when it elevates people.
When leaders invest in education, invite ideas from across the organization, and focus on human impact, AI becomes a tool for growth — not disruption.