As the business world moves toward hybrid and remote work, companies are relearning how to connect with customers, work as teams, create company culture, and attract and retain talent. Research has consistently shown employees and customers are driven by trust, connection, and belonging more than price or compensation alone. Unfortunately, these characteristics are not only hard to develop virtually, but naturally deteriorate. So what do we do about it?
TRAINING MODEL
By leveraging our deep understanding of the latest research, Jon, and the team of designers and scientists at Influence Labs, develop programs built on each organization's specific objectives, values and budget. Whether you are looking to create an exciting company culture, attract/retain talent, work more effectively as a team, engage customers, increase sales, or create a customer community, we will train your people to foster deep and meaningful relationships, both virtually and in-person.
OUR APPROACH
Our training is designed on the methods that we teach. Each session is fully interactive with games, activities and small group conversations that demonstrate how human connection and trust work, and how to bring them to life. Participants will not simply be spoken at, but instead will connect and bond with each other, facilitating development of company culture and community in the process.
BESPOKE PROGRAMMING
Just as your company culture and customers are unique, each training we develop is bespoke and completely customized in terms of number of sessions, format, topics, and intended results.
Common formats include
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Individual sessions: These are one off trainings on a specific topic generally lasting between 1-3 hours
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Multi-Session: A training series is developed across multiple topics that culminate in a deep understanding and application of the material, or at times a project
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Large Scale Training: A custom, multi-session training program, designed to support hundreds or thousands of people over time. This is a combination of either individual trainers working with groups or a mixture of custom pre-recorded videos with guided group activities.
POPULAR TOPICS
Although training is completely customized, these topics are in high demand
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CREATING COMPANY CULTURE AND TRUST WITH A HYBRID WORKFORCE
Company stock value, employee sick days, and profitability are all correlated to the level of trust in an organization. In fact, the greatest predictor of a team’s success is psychological safety, but trust is difficult to create at a distance and few organizations know how to be intentional about the way they interact. Learn the latest research and more importantly, how to apply it to create high performing teams and support a company culture that promotes a sense of belonging and connection, both in-person and across digital platforms.
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SALES & MARKETING TRAINING - THE SCIENCE OF TRUST AND CONNECTIONS IN HYBRID BUSINESS
It’s fair to say that many people are overwhelmed with the amount of communication they have (Zoom, email, Slack, text messages, etc), and as a result it has become harder to get customers’ interest. So as sales and marketing professionals, how do we engage them in the hybrid business world?
The answer begins in understanding how our behavior and expectations shift between digital and in-person interactions, and learning what will garner our interest, trust, and desire to engage over the long term.
EXPECTED RESULTS
What recent history has shown is that unless we are intentional about building relationships then for most of us they will deteriorate, especially when limited to digital interactions.
But, when training is designed to not only educate, but to bring the lessons to life through meaningful interactions, then not only are these ideas better absorbed, but the participant relationships improve in the process.
Although programs are bespoke most companies have requested that their teams walk away with:
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Understanding cutting edge behavioral science
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Immediately applicable techniques
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Interactive games and activities that bring the lessons to life
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Group discussions and training on how to make these interactions most effective
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Post-training guides so that people can return to the ideas often
INFLUENCERS
The Influencers
Conference 2026
Join us on September 24
This is the current schedule, but much of the Influencers Conference is built on surprise and delight, and things are rarely what they seem.
Parents: We leave most event participation to your discretion. For details on individual events, please reach out to us directly.
Schedule
Thursday
5:00 PM
Check-in
6:00 PM
Boxed In - Hosted by Radio Lab
Think you have a keen mind? That's why you were admitted into the University of Rhodes. This is your first opportunity to show off your skills and meet your fellow classmates. Can you and your teammates figure out what's in the box before anyone else? A team of expert judges will evaluate your answers and crown a winning team.
7:00 PM
Dinner
Barely better than home-cooked burritos, but the people are fantastic as always.
8:00 PM
Evening Session
We don't believe in secrets at the University of Rhodes. Join us for this interactive session where you will hear about the incredible projects our professors and alumni have led around the world and see what specialties you, and your colleagues and classmates may want to focus on during your tenure at our great Institute of education.
9:30 PM
After Hours (TBD)
Do you have something you would like to lead or an idea? Be in touch with Codi or Jon.
Friday
7:45 AM
Optional Workout w/ Olympian Jaime Komer
Jaime is a multi-time Olympic and World Championship medalist in water polo. She will lead a combination of exercises for both your mind and body. At the University of Rhodes, we believe being of a fit mind and body will help us accomplish our mission of world peace. Appropriate for all levels of fitness.
Note: Bring a bathing suit, this will take place in the pool.
8:30 AM
Breakfast
9:30 AM
Beneath The Robes
Darly Davis is not only an incredible musician but also one of America's bravest men. As a black man, he went on a decades-long journey to try to understand white supremacists and, in the process, befriended many of the most prominent figures who wished harm on him. His story will inspire you and fill you with hope.
10:30 AM
Break (15 min)
10:45AM
Breakout Sessions - 15 Minutes of Fame (1 Hour)
At the University of Rhodes, we know media can make or break a career or brand, so understanding how to make the most of it can redefine what's possible for you. These breakouts will cover everything from book publishing to making a TV show.
1 - How to Write a Bestselling Book
2 - How to Create a Show (hosted by Emmy & Tony award winners)
3 - How to Become a TV Personality
11:45 PM
Break (15 min)
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM
Oobah (location on Main Stage)
Hear from someone who created the number one restaurant in all of London, the number one energy drink on Amazon, and a wildly successful fashion brand, even though none of these things were real. Oobah Butler uses criminal-like tactics to expose the inequalities of our society and to shift the cultural conversation and narrative.
2:30 PM
Breakout Sessions - Limitless (Activities) (90min)
We've all bought into the limits of what we can do. With the right guide, we can break through. Join us for a session worthy of a movie montage.
1 - Holding Your Breath - Shatter your personal best w/Chuck McGee III
2 - The Unlimited Life - Learn and apply the latest research redefine what drives Success, Passion, and Human Potential w/ Dan Lerner
3 - Olympic Spirit - Learn what it takes to be the best in the world w/5x Olympic medalist Greg Louganis
4 - Forensic Crime Solving - Dr. Robert Leonard is a forensic linguist who has helped solve crimes and get people off of death row. Are you smart enough to solve these real world cases?
4:00 PM
FreeTime
Need to unwind? - No problem. Get your drink on or play some card games where kittens may explode or neanderthals may make poetry. We got you!
6:00 PM
A Taste of Something Special
Learn to make cocktails/mocktails using some of the most cutting-edge technologies in gastronomy
7:00 PM
Party at the End of the Universe
This fully interactive dinner and game experience will put your humanity to the test. Do you have what it takes to survive this celebration, or should you just drop out of the University of Rhodes? - Designed by Elan Lee and Scott Gillies.
9:30 PM
After Hours
Do you have something you would like to lead or an idea? Be in touch with Codi or Jon.
Saturday
7:45 AM
Optional Workout w/ Olympian Dan Walsh
Dan is not only known for being a part in the US Olympic rowing team winning bronze in Beijing, China in 2008, but also for being the best team member. He may not have been the fastest or the strongest, but he was better at getting everyone to perform their best and come together. Join him for a morning team workout that will make you better physically and mentally, and more emotionally connected to the greater purpose.
9:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 AM
American Folk Dancing w/ Crazy Legs
When we think of folk dancing that last thing we imagine head spins, windmills, popping, and locking, or Flashdance. Before there was the word "break dancing," there was a kid named Richard Colon who helped redefine American dance as we know it. Sharing stories from his soon-to-be-released book, you will understand what it is to be rock steady for life.
10:45 AM
Break (15 min)
11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions - MINDMAXING (1 Hour)
At the University of Rhodes, we expect our students to maximize their potential. In these breakout sessions, you'll have the opportunity to create super skills, from reading body language to solving mysteries Sherlock Holmes-style. It will be fun and useful for your future endeavors.
1 - Hidden Meaning - Think you know what people's body language is saying, think again. Blake Eastman has disproven many of the commonly held beliefs. Learn how to interpret what is really going on.
2 - How to Make Great Decisions - Join Planet Money producer Darian Woods to learn the secrets of making better choices (Explore Exploit)
3 - Press Play - Sometimes you just want to get messy and have some fun. This creative activity will remind you what it's like to laugh and play.
12:00 PM
Break (15 min)
12:15 PM
NESTLE'S CRUNCH - Interactive Lunch (12:15 Sharp)
They say you are what you eat. In that case, we should heed the warnings from NYU professor and legend of the food industry Marion Nestle. This interactive session will have you re-evaluating what you eat, inspecting what the labels actually mean, and questioning the promises written on your favorite snack boxes.
1:15 PM
FreeTime
Need to unwind? - No problem. Get your drink on or play some card games where kittens may explode or neanderthals may make poetry. We got you!
2:00 PM
Facing Uncertainty- Jon Levy
What does it take to adapt in the face of fast-paced change? It turns out that most of the advice we get every day does not work, or, worse, does harm. If you are considering what's next or leading an organization trying to figure out what to do amid constantly changing conditions, this session is for you.
3:00 PM
FreeTime
Need to unwind? - No problem. Get your drink on or play some card games where kittens may explode or neanderthals may make poetry. We got you!
5:00 PM
The Truth is Out There
This event takes place outdoors and involves about 60-75 minutes of walking, followed by a picnic dinner. If you can't walk that long let us know and we will accomidate
8:30 PM
Social Time
Enjoy quality time with other attendees
Sunday
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast
9:00 AM
Morning Program (45 min)
To Be Announced
9:45 AM
Break (15 min)
10:00 AM
Commencement- Closing Ceremony (45 min)
Your Graduation Ceremony from Univeristy of Rhodes
11:00 AM