In a world where professional identities shift overnight and industries face digital upheaval, this week’s Top Voices Unite lineup delivered the insights professionals need to stay ahead.

This week, we covered the vulnerable journey of career reinvention, transforming LinkedIn profiles into connection magnets, and the seismic changes AI is bringing to government contracting.

These aren’t just trends—they’re survival strategies for ambitious professionals in 2025. Dive into the biggest takeaways and grab the resources that will help you take your next step with confidence.

Career Reinvention & Authentic Branding for Professionals in Transition

If your career identity has ever felt like it slipped away overnight, you’re not alone.

Michael Lopez kicked off a new podcast format for Top Voice Tuesday, joined by LinkedIn Top Voice and personal branding strategist Melissa Cohen. Together, they peeled back the curtain on the deeply personal side of career pivots—and how to build a brand that’s yours alone.

“I'm excited to be here today with Melissa Cohen to talk about a topic that is near and dear to my heart, which is change.” — Michael Lopez

How Melissa Cohen Built Her Own Path

Melissa’s story is a playbook for professionals facing unexpected changes:

• After 30 years in the fashion industry—including 11+ years at Ralph Lauren—Melissa was laid off during NYC’s pandemic lockdowns. Instead of retreating, she discovered that LinkedIn could be more than job hunting; it became her virtual water cooler, a place to blend personal and professional stories and build real connections.
  
  
• She launched LinkedIn Nuggets, curating insights that resonate with professionals navigating change. Her “Four to Follow” series spotlights inspiring voices, helping her community expand its own networks.
  
  
• She realized true personal branding isn’t about job titles—it’s about forging a reputation and identity that stands independent of any employer.

“LinkedIn became my virtual water cooler or my virtual break room, because I didn’t have one anymore.” — Melissa Cohen

💡 Stat to Know:

According to a LinkedIn study quoted in ChenMed’s 2023 article, 92% of hiring managers that were surveyed responded that a strong personal brand makes a person more hirable. 

Key Lessons for Reinventing Yourself

Melissa’s practical advice for professionals in transition:

• Don’t wait for the “perfect moment.” Small steps today build momentum for tomorrow.
  
  
• Build your network before you need it—it’s your safety net and growth engine.
  
  
• Know your values and what lights you up. That’s how you avoid leaping from one bad fit to another.

“If you wait until you need help to start nurturing those relationships, it’s a lot harder and it feels a lot more transactional.” — Melissa Cohen

Let’s Talk

What’s one thing you’re holding back from sharing because it feels too personal—or too “off-brand”? How could telling that story help someone else?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or tag a friend navigating change!

Replay + Resources

📺 Watch the Full Episode

• In YouTube - Navigating Change and Personal Branding: Insights from Melissa Cohen
• In LinkedIn :
  When Change Feels Personal (How We Shed What No Longer Fits)
  
  

📬 Get the most of the insights from our featured Top Voices in this episode!

• Learn from Michael’s latest thinking on change and transformation, along with current topics discussed on the Top Voice Tuesday Podcast. 
• Visit Melissa’s website to explore her services and discover her latest content curation and insights for professionals navigating career pivots.

LinkedIn Profiles with Personality—Turn Browsers into Clients

Your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t read like a resume—it should feel like a conversation.

This week on Blue TV, LinkedIn Top Voice and Sellovatorz Inc. founder Denise Murtha Bachmann showed how to transform profiles from static summaries into vibrant magnets for meaningful connections.

“Your LinkedIn shouldn’t read like a resume. It should feel like a conversation.” — Denise Murtha Bachmann 

Denise's Four Connection-Magnet Strategies

Denise shared that attracting opportunities on LinkedIn doesn’t start with algorithms—it starts with showing your true self and sparking curiosity. Here’s how she breaks it down into actionable steps:

• Infuse Your Personal Voice
  Ditch third-person bios and speak directly to your audience. Denise stressed that writing in the first person makes your profile feel more like a handshake than a cold corporate pitch.
  
  
• Humanize Your Content
  Personality beats perfection. Sharing quirks—like your hobby, a surprising fact, or a genuine laugh—helps your audience see the person behind the expertise.
  
  
• Turn Your Profile into an Outbound Tool
  Denise revealed how your headline, banner, and featured section should each communicate value:
  • Headline: Solve a specific problem, don’t just list titles.
  • Banner: Choose visuals that reflect your identity and values, not generic stock photos.
  • Featured Section: Highlight posts or media that show your expertise and personality.
    
    
• Convert Scrollers to Conversations
  A thoughtful DM stands out far more than generic connection requests. Denise suggests starting conversations like: “Hey, I loved your take on [topic]. What inspired you to post that?”

💡 Stat to Know:
78% of LinkedIn users in a professional poll said they preferred the first‑person voice in profile “About” sections, finding it more genuine and engaging compared to third‑person bios. (Briefcase Coach)

This confirms that personal storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s a competitive advantage that opens doors to real conversations and opportunities.

What You Can Do Now

Feeling inspired to refresh your LinkedIn presence? Denise’s tips make it simple to take practical steps right away—even if you’re not ready for a full profile overhaul yet.

• Rewrite your About section in first-person voice.
  
  
• Audit your headline: does it sell your value, or just list your job title?
  
  
• Update your featured section to showcase authentic, engaging posts.
  
  
• Personalize your next 3 connection requests.
  
  
• Leave meaningful comments instead of silent likes.

“Even reading and going through your profile should be an experience—like they’re sitting there listening to you live. You want them to walk away knowing more about you.” — Denise Murtha Bachmann

Let’s Talk

Does your LinkedIn profile sound like you—or your resume? 

Drop your biggest tip for humanizing your presence!

Replay + Resources

📺 Replay the Full Episode:

Profiles with Personality: Make your LinkedIn a Connection Magnet

🔷 Learn from our Top Voice Denise Murtha Bachmann

• Company Website: Sellovatorz, Inc.
   
• Book a 1:1 Sales Strategy Call with Denise 

AI Disruption & the Future of Government Contracting (GovCon)

Billions are on the table—and the rules are changing fast.

On Live with Top Voices Unite, Nikki Estes sat down with Michael Noffsinger, CEO of BidData and host of the AI Catchup podcast, to break down how AI and new federal policies are rewriting the $760 billion federal procurement market.

“Today we have a topic with billions on the table, GovCon in 2025 and how AI and data are reshaping the rules of bidding.” — Nikki Estes

Inside the AI Procurement Revolution

Michael shared how AI has become non-optional in government bids:

• Mandated AI Leadership
  New executive orders now require every federal agency to establish an AI Chief and governance framework. This shift means businesses must understand how to align their proposals with new compliance standards.
  
  
• America Made Provisions
  Stricter rules around local sourcing and intellectual property protections are changing how tech vendors compete for contracts. Michael explained how these regulations can be both barriers and new opportunities.
  
  
• Smart Bidding with AI Tools
  BidData’s analytics software reviews historical winning proposals, helping vendors write more competitive bids that align with federal language and compliance requirements.

“AI is very quickly… going to make the software scene. And this is happening simultaneously with the fact that almost all consumer goods are going to have some sort of electronic or network element. It's called the Internet of Things.” —  Michael Noffsinger

💡 Stat to Know:

According to U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), all 13 priority AI management and talent requirements from the October 2023 Executive Order have been fully implemented by federal agencies as of June  2024.

Turning Complexity into Competitive Advantage

Nikki pushed for practical steps SMBs can take: “Where do they go to learn this information so that they can get those contracts?” 

Michael’s actionable guidance:

• Start with smaller purchases under $15,000 that don’t require competitive bidding.
  
  
• Register on portals like Planet Bids, BidNet Direct, and OpenGov for RFP opportunities.
  
  
• Use AI tools to analyze past bids and craft stronger proposals.

Your Next Moves in GovCon

Navigating government contracting can feel overwhelming—but Nikki and Michael made it clear that even small businesses can break in with practical steps. Here’s how to get started without feeling lost in the red tape:

• Check your local government’s purchasing portals for small-contract opportunities.
  
  
• Download resources like Shipley’s Proposal Guide, Version 4.
  
  
• Connect with experts like Michael Noffsinger for guidance navigating the federal contracting world.

“The government is the largest customer in the world and it's a market that everybody should tap into.” — Michael Noffsinger

Let’s Talk

How confident do you feel about bidding on government contracts? Are AI tools part of your strategy—or still on your “someday” list? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Replay + Resources

📺 Catch the full Live with Top Voices Unite episode here: 

What's Next in GovCon: 2025 Trends That Will Reshape Bidding

🤝 Connect with Nikki Estes  and explore her growing communities:

• Market Me More – Company Website
  
  
• Top Voices Unite – Top Voices Community
  
  
• Emerging Voices Unite – Emerging Voices Community
  
  

💡 Connect and Learn More from Michael Noffsinger

• Visit Michael Noffsinger’s BidData website to explore tools and insights for winning government contracts.
  
  
• Tune into his AI Catchup podcast along with his AI Catchup Team (Brad Rochefort, David Leighton, Brooks Wood & Harvey Castro) for weekly conversations on AI trends reshaping business and government.

Stay Connected to What Matters Most

Get the inside edge on influence, storytelling, and career visibility!

• Subscribe to Scaling My Impact for weekly recaps and standout moments from our Top Voices Unite livestreams.
  
  
• Want the insider track? Join the Market Me More newsletter for exclusive commentary, behind-the-scenes trends, and Top Voice insights you won’t find anywhere else.
  
  

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