In this episode of Business Growth Playbook, hosts Jeff Evans and Dean Nolley sit down with Gordon Ho, entrepreneur, growth strategist, and LinkedIn expert, to discuss how B2B companies can transform LinkedIn from a digital resume into a consistent lead generation machine.

 

Gordon shares his journey from selling cellular phones and Nextel walkie-talkies through cold calling and Yellow Pages to mastering LinkedIn as a strategic networking and sales platform. With over two decades of entrepreneurial experience and a national speaking tour with Vistage, Gordon reveals the frameworks and automation strategies that cut through the noise on LinkedIn.

What You’ll Learn:
– Why cold calling still works but takes longer, and how LinkedIn accelerates the process
– The four criteria of LinkedIn’s Social Selling Index and how to improve your score
– Profile optimization strategies that answer three questions in three seconds
– How to be selective with your network to improve algorithm performance
– The automation tools and AI strategies that create a consistency engine for outreach
– Why engagement groups may not work and what to do instead
– How tagging expands your reach through the LinkedIn spider web effect
– The interactive workshop approach Gordon uses with CEOs across the country

Key Takeaways:
Most business owners have a LinkedIn presence but don’t invest time strategically

Your LinkedIn profile should be a three second elevator pitch, not a resume

Higher SSI scores statistically lead to better conversion rates

In 2026, automation tools can help non-natural hunters maintain consistent outreach

Content should reach the right eyeballs, not just more eyeballs

Being tagged in posts increases your SSI score and expands network visibility

Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
0:46 – Gordon’s journey from cellular phones to LinkedIn expert
3:20 – The common struggle: finding new customers in 2026
5:00 – Why natural hunters can leverage automation for consistency
7:00 – Gordon’s national Vistage workshop tour
9:00 – Profile optimization and the three second test
12:08 – LinkedIn Social Selling Index explained
14:00 – Dean’s SSI score journey and competitive insights
16:00 – The truth about Sales Navigator and SSI scores
17:00 – Network selectivity and algorithm optimization
19:00 – Do engagement groups actually work?
21:00 – The tagging strategy and spider web effect
24:00 – Converting LinkedIn profiles into 30 second pitches
25:00 – Targeting the right prospects: new owners vs. pain-driven buyers
29:00 – The Patrick Mahomes analogy about coaching
48:00 – Dean’s Sales X engagement process breakdown
50:00 – What a typical LinkedIn engagement looks like

Connect with Gordon Ho:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-ho-mba/
Website: http://www.rainmakerdots.com/

Connect with the Hosts:
Dean Nolley: Sales Growth Inspiration
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-nolley/
Jeff Evans: J Vincent Creative
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffevans78/