  We show how Conway's multivariable potential function can be constructed
using braids and the reduced Gassner representation. The resulting formula is a
multivariable generalization of a construction, due to Kassel-Turaev, of the
Alexander-Conway polynomial in terms of the Burau representation. Apart from
providing an efficient method of computing the potential function, our result
also removes the sign ambiguity in the current formulas which relate the
multivariable Alexander polynomial to the reduced Gassner representation. We
also relate the distinct definitions of this representation which have appeared
in the literature.
