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In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer explores the concept of normalcy bias and its implications for decision-making. She provides compelling examples of how normalcy bias impacts individuals and industries, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming this mindset to foster adaptability and innovation. Melina underscores the significance of seizing virtual opportunities and leveraging behavioral economics for business success, urging her audience to consider the enduring value of maintaining virtual offerings.  Additionally, she addresses the perils of normalcy bias, emphasizing the need to acknowledge and confront the tendency to underestimate potential future challenges or changes. Melina teases an upcoming episode with Cass Sunstein, where the concept of normalcy bias will be thoroughly examined, offering listeners an exciting chance to gain further insights. This segment offers valuable insights on embracing change, capitalizing on virtual prospects, and challenging conventional norms, making it essential listening for business professionals seeking to enhance their decision-making acumen. In this episode: Recognize the impact of normalcy bias on decision-making processes. Utilize virtual opportunities to leverage behavioral economics for business growth. Enhance business success by maintaining virtual offerings in the current market landscape. Implement diversification strategies to mitigate risks and optimize business resilience. Address normalcy bias to improve decision-making and strategic planning. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the concept of normalcy bias and its impact on decision-making during times of crisis or change. 00:03:02 - Impact of Normalcy Bias on Decision Making Melina discusses how normalcy bias affects decision-making, leading to complacency and resistance to change, using examples from different industries. 00:09:20 - Clinging to Normalcy in Times of Change Melina explores the tendency to cling to normalcy even when change is inevitable, and how this can hinder adaptability and innovation in businesses. 00:12:48 - Impact of Normalcy Bias on Financial Industry Melina provides an example of how normalcy bias affected decision-making in the financial industry, leading to missed opportunities and potential risks for businesses. 00:15:08 - Adapting to Change and Overcoming Normalcy Bias Melina shares insights on the need to adapt to change, prepare for unforeseen circumstances, and overcome normalcy bias for long-term business sustainability. 00:16:05 - Exploring New Opportunities Melina discusses the need to look for virtual opportunities, the importance of behavioral economics for business success, and the potential for adding new product lines accessible from home. 00:16:34 - Market Fit and Future Planning Melina emphasizes the importance of aligning with market needs, maintaining future sustainability, and considering brand continuity in business decisions. 00:17:25 - Diversification and Normalcy Bias Melina highlights the significance of diversification in business and the impact of normalcy bias on decision-making and problem-solving in the face of change. 00:18:09 - Underestimating Change Melina discusses how normalcy bias leads to underestimating the impact and duration of problems, and the need to regain sensitivity to notice both positive and negative aspects of life. 00:19:25 -  Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Look Again, Cass Sunstein and Tali Sharot Sludge, Cass Sunstein Nudge, Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Simpler, Cass Sunstein What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, Melina Palmer  Top Recommended Next Episode: Sludge (ep 179) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Nudge (ep 35) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Availability Bias (ep 15) Time Discounting (ep 51) Herding (ep 19) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Tali Sharot Ted Talk

In this episode of The Brainy Business Podcast, Melina Palmer digs into the psychology of time pressure and its effects on decision-making. She explains how time pressure creates a sense of scarcity and triggers loss aversion in the brain, leading to impulsive choices, especially during holiday shopping. Melina shares strategies to combat this, like setting a budget and creating a gift list to resist impulse buying. She also delves into how businesses can use time pressure to drive sales but emphasizes the need to test different approaches.  Melina also touches on the impact of time pressure on creativity and productivity, highlighting the importance of clear communication to reduce misunderstandings and time pressure. Her advice is helpful for anyone looking to make informed decisions and resist impulse buying during holiday shopping. Plus, her insights on leveraging time pressure for business are equally valuable. So, if you want to understand the psychology of time pressure and how to navigate it, this episode is definitely worth a listen! In this episode: Discover the psychology of time pressure to understand its impact on decision-making. Explore the influence of time pressure on consumer behavior and decision-making processes. Learn effective strategies to resist impulse buying and make informed purchasing decisions. Uncover how to leverage time pressure in marketing to drive consumer engagement and action. Find ways to reduce time pressure for increased productivity and better decision-making. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction This episode introduces the topic of time pressure and its impact on consumer behavior and decision-making. Melina shares her personal experience of feeling time pressure while buying concert tickets. 00:03:35 - The Complexity of Decision-Making The subconscious brain makes the majority of our decisions due to its faster processing speed. However, considering every facet of a decision would be overwhelming. Time pressure can lead to less effective decision-making and reduce creativity. 00:07:41 - Time Pressure and Consumer Behavior Time pressure during the holidays can influence consumer behavior. Limited quantities, daily deals, and shopping cart clocks create a sense of urgency. Under time pressure, people are more likely to make impulsive purchases and choose familiar, expensive options. 00:09:52 - Shifting Decision-Making Under Time Pressure Time pressure can reverse how we evaluate choices. With plenty of time, we tend to be risk-averse and focus on the risks of making a choice. However, under time pressure, we become loss-averse and fear missing out (FOMO), leading to impulsive buying behavior. 00:10:43 - Tips for Managing Time Pressure To manage time pressure during holiday shopping, create a gift list with spending limits. Plan ahead and have a list of stores to visit or browse online. Having a plan helps resist impulsive purchases and stay within budget. 00:15:52 - Importance of Promotions and Offers Promotions and offers are beneficial for businesses as they help consumers make decisions. Time pressure can be incorporated through discounts or limited-time offers, creating a sense of urgency. Countdowns and limited quantities also drive action. 00:18:15 - Effect of Time Pressure on Consumer Behavior Time pressure impacts decision-making by shifting individuals from being risk averse to loss averse. The perception of limited time changes behavior and motivates action. People are more likely to act quickly when faced with the possibility of missing out on an opportunity. 00:20:25 - Black Friday Deals and Year-End Offers Small businesses should consider if participating in Black Friday or year-end offers is necessary or beneficial. While big retailers are expected to have such deals, small businesses might get lost in the clutter. It's important to be thoughtful and not feel pressured to offer discounts that may result in operating at a loss. 00:22:53 - Impact of Time Pressure on Decision-Making Time pressure causes individuals to focus on extremes and make decisions based on worst-case and best-case scenarios. This may lead to less creativity and accuracy in decision-making. Working with more time allows for better planning and higher-quality outcomes. 00:26:41 - Overcoming Mindset Blocks and Alleviating Time Pressure Constantly being under time pressure can hinder productivity and quality of work. Overcoming mindset blocks and planning effectively can alleviate time pressure and improve creativity and decision-making.  00:31:02 - Evaluating Time Pressure Taking time to evaluate the impact of time pressure and asking key questions can help make confident decisions and use time pressure to your advantage. 00:31:53 - The Effects of Time Pressure Time pressure can hinder creativity, openness to change, and solid work in businesses. Clear communication and reducing unnecessary tasks can help alleviate time pressure. 00:33:02 - Misunderstood Emails Misunderstood emails contribute to wasted time and decreased productivity. Improving email clarity and simplicity can help reduce time pressure. 00:33:39 - Tips to Reduce Time Pressure Implementing strategies like clearer communication, simpler answers, and reducing unnecessary tasks can save significant time for employees. 00:34:46 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Two Weeks Notice, by Amy Porterfield What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Power of Scarcity, by Mindy Weinstein Scarcity, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir  Top Recommended Next Episode: What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You launch (ep 225)  Already Heard That One? Try These:  The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 358) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Loss Aversion (ep 316) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Framing (ep 296) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) How to Set, Achieve & Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Scarcity (ep 270) What is Value? (ep 234) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Herding (ep 264) Mindy Weinstein Interview (ep 271) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) The Truth About Pricing (ep 356) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Judgment and Decision Making Under Time Pressure Decision Making Under Time Pressure: A Model for Information Systems Research This Is Your Brain ‘On Sale' Decisions under Time Pressure: How Time Constraint Affects Risky Decision Making Searching for a Better Deal: on the Influence of Group Decision Making, Time Pressure and Gender in a Search Experiment The Effects of Time Pressure and Completeness of Information on Decision Making

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer explores the intriguing concept of the Hawthorne Effect and its implications for employee behavior and productivity. Drawing from her wealth of experience in behavioral science, Melina adeptly navigates the significance of monitoring in the workplace, emphasizing the need for transparency and employee involvement. She expertly highlights the benefits and potential drawbacks of monitoring, offering valuable insights into the complexities of human behavior and their implications for businesses.  The episode captures Melina's passion for behavioral design and her dedication to unraveling the multifaceted factors that influence employee performance. Through real-world examples and thought-provoking discussions, Melina compellingly presents the case for why business managers should tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the Hawthorne Effect and its relevance in driving organizational success. With a conversational and engaging tone, Melina invites listeners to join her in exploring the intricacies of employee behavior and its practical implications for business management. In this episode: Improve productivity and behavior with effective monitoring strategies. Uncover the powerful impact of the Hawthorne effect on employee performance. Embrace transparency in monitoring to foster a culture of trust and accountability. Explore the benefits and drawbacks of employee monitoring for informed decision-making. Navigate the complexities of interpreting results to avoid confirmation bias. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina Palmer introduces the episode and discusses the focus on the Hawthorne Effect, which explores how behavior changes when people know they are being watched or observed. 00:02:07 - The Hawthorne Studies Melina discusses the Hawthorne Studies conducted at Western Electric's Hawthorne location in the 1920s. These studies aimed to understand how changes in worker conditions would impact productivity and were among the first to incorporate worker opinions and mindset into planning processes. 00:04:43 - Factors Influencing Results The experiments at the Hawthorne location showed that providing input and treating workers as human beings with opinions and worth resulted in increased productivity. However, modern researchers have identified that too many factors were being changed simultaneously, and the special treatment given to the group of women also influenced the results. 00:06:53 - Understanding the Hawthorne Effect The Hawthorne Effect states that when people know they are being observed or that an experiment is taking place, it changes their behavior. This can impact the results of experiments and studies. Researchers often hide the true intent of the study to avoid bias caused by participant awareness. 00:10:19 - Avoiding Observer Bias In certain cases, it is important to avoid observer bias by ensuring that people are not aware they are being watched or observed. This is done to obtain a natural view of behavior and prevent participants from altering their actions. Secret shoppers and incognito observation methods are commonly used in these situations. 00:15:47 - The Impact of Monitoring on Workers Monitoring can be helpful in boosting productivity, but it can also make workers feel rushed and stressed. It's important to involve workers in the monitoring process and address their concerns to avoid negative impacts on performance. 00:17:19 - Importance of Involving Workers in Monitoring When monitoring more complex tasks, it's crucial to ask for workers' input and involve them in the process. This helps them understand the reasons behind monitoring and ensures they feel valued and supported. 00:18:14 - Benefits of Monitoring for Security and Behavior Monitoring can deter theft and encourage good behavior. Security cameras can make people act differently when they know they're being watched. However, over-monitoring or constant visits can lead to immunity and reduced impact. 00:19:41 - Avoiding Confirmation Bias and the Hawthorne Effect Researchers should be cautious of confirmation bias and the Hawthorne effect, which can bias results and hinder finding the real problem or solution. Digging deeper and considering motivations and incentives is crucial. 00:21:32 -  Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Behavioral Science in the Wild, by Dilip Soman and Nina Mazar What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Designing for Behavior Change, by Stephen Wendel Top Recommended Next Episode: Using Ethnography to Understand Your Customers (ep 324) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Dilip Soman Interview (ep 241) Understanding the Problem  (ep 126) How Simple Nudges Can Save Hundreds of Millions (ep 140) Designing for Behavior Change (ep 116) Incentives (ep 36) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) How to Setup Your Own Experiments (ep 63) Time Pressure (ep 74) Priming (ep 252) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Loss Aversion (ep 316) Ikea Effect (ep 112) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Systematic Review of the Hawthorne Effect: New Concepts Are Needed to Study Research Participation Effects The Hawthorne Effect and Behavioral Studies The “Hawthorne Effect” — What Did the Original Hawthorne Studies Actually Show? The Hawthorne Effect – Or Why Everything Works Hemming and Hawing over Hawthorne: Work Complexity and the Divergent Effects of Monitoring on Productivity Hawthorne Effect Hawthorne Studies Podcast Movement Virtual Could You Leverage Podcast Guesting to Grow Your Visibility? Louise Brogan: The Social Bee Ian Anderson Gray

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll join host Melina Palmer as she dives into the fascinating world of behavioral economics and decision-making. With her expertise in the field, Melina explores the concept of Expect Error and how it plays a crucial role in understanding human behavior and designing effective nudges. By sharing personal experiences and real-life examples, she highlights the common errors we make in judgment and decision-making.  From post-completion errors to forgetfulness, Melina demonstrates how anticipating these errors can lead to improved decision-making and behavior. Throughout the episode, she provides valuable insights and practical strategies for businesses and individuals to leverage the power of nudges and choice architecture. So, if you're interested in enhancing your decision-making skills and understanding the psychology behind our choices, this episode of The Brainy Business is a must-listen. Get ready to gain valuable knowledge and unlock the secrets to better decision-making! In this episode, you will: Understand the impact of errors in decision-making to improve your choices. Harness the power of choice architecture to shape your decisions and outcomes. Discover effective nudges that can influence behavior and guide decision-making. Enhance the effectiveness of nudges by incorporating sensory cues. Create consistency in your routines and habits to optimize your decision-making process. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode, which focuses on the E in Nudges - Expect Error. She explains that humans make errors in judgment and decision-making all the time, and emphasizes the importance of designing interventions to support behavior. 00:03:32 - Importance of Expecting Error Melina discusses the importance of expecting errors in decision-making and how it is the reason why nudges and choice architecture exist. She highlights that humans are not perfect, unlike the fictitious species of econs in traditional economic models, and provides examples of errors we can expect in everyday life. 00:07:53 - Post-completion Error Melina explains the concept of post-completion error, where we mentally check off a task as done even if it is only partially completed. She shares her personal example of forgetting to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. Melina also mentions the importance of incorporating all the senses when designing nudges to prevent errors. 00:10:22 - Consistency and Medication Errors Melina discusses the importance of consistency in preventing errors, using the example of medication adherence. She explains how taking medication daily and at a consistent time can help reduce the likelihood of forgetting. Melina also mentions the use of placebo weeks in birth control pills and the recommendation to take weekly medication on Sundays. 00:15:22 - The Power of Strategic Foresight Strategic foresight allows businesses to anticipate and solve errors before they happen, creating a strong reputation for problem-solving and customer service. 00:16:44 - Empowering Employees to Make It Right Giving employees the authority to rectify mistakes on the spot, such as offering compensation or going above and beyond, creates a culture of exceptional customer service. 00:18:07 - Going Above and Beyond The Ritz Carlton is a prime example of a company that empowers its staff to do whatever it takes to make things right for customers, creating a sense of trust and loyalty. 00:20:36 - Anticipating Errors By understanding the busy and overwhelmed state of customers and staff, businesses can implement nudges to help prevent errors and alleviate stress. 00:23:34 - Adding Value to Processes By considering the needs and potential errors of customers and staff, businesses can enhance processes by adding helpful features, such as including batteries or recommended add-ons with products. 00:31:42 - Gmail's Nudge Feature Gmail's nudge feature helps users stay on top of their emails by putting important emails back at the top of the inbox after a few days of inactivity. This nudge includes a message in a different color text, like orange, that prompts the user to follow up on the email. 00:32:41 - Hot State and Cold State Understanding the concept of a hot state and a cold state is essential in behavioral economics. In a hot state, people are more likely to make impulsive decisions and struggle to stick to commitments they made in a cold state. Strategies like self-exclusion lists for gamblers and using Dysulfram for alcoholics can help individuals stay on track even when in a hot state. 00:34:14 - Precommitment and Save More Tomorrow Precommitment strategies, like the Save More Tomorrow program, can help individuals increase their commitment to certain behaviors. For example, asking individuals to commit a percentage of their future raises to go directly into their retirement savings has led to significant increases in contributions over time. 00:35:45 - Consistency and Staying Top of Mind Consistency is crucial in business to stay top of mind with customers. Drip campaigns and regular content updates, such as blogs, podcasts, and newsletters, help remind customers of their initial interest and keep the brand in their routine. 00:37:38 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Sludge, by Cass Sunstein What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Friction, by Roger Dooley  Top Recommended Next Episode: Give Feedback, the “G” in NUDGES (ep 40) Already Heard That One? Try These:  What problem are you solving? (ep 215) Structuring Complex Choices, the “S” in NUDGES (ep 41) Mixed Signals with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Humanizing Rules, with Christian Hunt (ep 311) Quit, with Annie Duke (ep 227) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Sludge (ep 179) Precommitment (ep 120) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Habits (ep 256) The Power of Habit (ep 22) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Optimism Bias (ep 34) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Reciprocity (ep 238) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Availability (ep 310) Questions or Answers (ep 4) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 358) Behavioral Economics Foundations: Optimism Bias (ep 34) Do Lead Magnets Work and Do You Need One? (ep 3) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter What a 5-Step Checklist from Johns Hopkins Can Teach You About Life and Business Silpat Macaron Baking Mat Be on time with the Procrastinator's Clock Clocky Save More Tomorrow™: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase Employee Saving The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness Choice & Architecture The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Behavioral Economics Postgraduate Degree Programs

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer invites Dr. Ian Robertson, a clinical psychologist, neuroscientist, and author, to delve into the psychology of confidence. With his expertise in understanding how individuals and organizations adapt to change, Ian explores the malleability of confidence and its impact on our lives. He emphasizes that confidence is a belief that can be learned and developed, not solely determined by genetics or brain structure.  Throughout the conversation, Ian shares practical strategies for building confidence, such as setting achievable goals and reframing emotions. He also discusses the role of leaders in fostering collective confidence within teams and highlights the importance of vulnerability, trust-building, and open communication. By understanding the psychology of confidence and implementing the strategies discussed, individuals can boost their confidence and empower themselves in both personal and professional settings. In this episode: Discover the psychology behind confidence and unlock your true potential. Embrace failure as a valuable learning tool to achieve personal and professional growth. Learn how to reframe your emotions to enhance performance and achieve your goals. Start building your confidence one small step at a time and witness the positive impact in your life. Explore the power of collective confidence in leadership and its impact on teams and organizations. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer introduces Dr. Ian Robertson, a clinical psychologist and author of How Confidence Works. They discuss the significance of confidence in shaping individuals' lives and how it can be learned and developed. 00:03:05 - Mind vs. Brain Ian explains the difference between the mind and the brain, using the analogy of hardware and software in a computer. While the brain is the physical structure, the mind refers to the software that shapes our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. He emphasizes that the mind and brain are interconnected and that changes in the mind can have significant effects on the brain. 00:07:33 - The Impact of Confidence on Success Ian discusses the long-term consequences of confidence, using the example of two five-year-old girls with similar abilities. Even a slight difference in confidence can lead to divergent paths and advantages later in life. Confidence not only boosts individual performance but also influences relationships and social dynamics. 00:10:11 - Building Confidence While sudden shifts in confidence, as portrayed in movies, are rare, Ian explains that confidence is built through specific behaviors and tangible successes. The process involves setting proximal goals, gradually stretching oneself, and experiencing a sense of achievement. Slow progress and small successes form the foundation for increased confidence. 00:17:22 - The Benefits of Failure Failure is a better teacher than success as it allows for reflection and learning. Failure can be a threat to the ego, but adopting a growth mindset can help in addressing and learning from failures. 00:18:59 - The Importance of Self-Reflection Self-reflection is crucial for learning from failure. By analyzing the causes of failure, one can gain insights and make improvements in various areas such as skills development, time management, and market understanding. 00:20:15 - Taking Action Despite Failure Taking action in spite of failure builds confidence and resilience. By embracing failure as a friend and focusing on the process rather than negative self-scrutiny, one can overcome the fear of failure and continue moving forward. 00:21:41 - Shifting Perspectives and Emotions Emotions such as anxiety and excitement have similar physical responses in the body. By reframing anxiety as excitement, one can change their mindset from a threat to a challenge. This shift in perspective can improve performance and boost confidence. 00:27:44 - Overcoming Anxiety and Building Confidence Overcoming anxiety by taking action in spite of it can lead to increased confidence. Treating anxiety as an arousal rather than a negative emotion allows one to harness it and focus on internal goals, leading to a sense of accomplishment and improved performance. 00:34:32 - The Importance of Taking Action Overcoming anxiety and fear requires taking action, even when your confidence is low. Start with small steps and gradually work towards your goals. 00:35:27 - Controlling Attention for Confidence What you pay attention to determines your motivation and emotions. Focus on future success rather than possible failure. Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins along the way. 00:37:28 - Collective Confidence in Teams A confident leader can inadvertently drain the confidence of others in a group. To build collective confidence, leaders should ensure equal participation, improve emotional intelligence, and include a diverse range of perspectives. 00:40:08 - The Role of Values in Confidence Clear values shared by a group enhance cohesion and collective confidence. Leaders should foster a sense of unity and trust by promoting a common set of values among team members. 00:44:47 - Avoiding Narcissism and Practicing Humility Success is often influenced by luck and chance factors. Leaders and parents must remain humble and grateful, avoiding narcissism, to inspire and motivate others without diminishing their confidence. 00:45:36 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Ian: His Website LinkedIn Twitter Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: How Confidence Works, by Ian Robertson The Winner Effect, by Ian Robertson Think Faster, Talk Smarter, by Matt Abrahams The Truth About Pricing, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: DOSE Brain Chemicals (ep 360) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 296) Imposter Syndrome (ep 306) Bundling Offers (ep 354) How to Pitch Your Business (ep 326) Matt Abrahams Interview (ep 327) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Priming (ep 252) Counterfactual Thinking (ep 286) Prefactual Thinking (ep 232) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) Chris Rawlinson Interview (ep 193) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer dives into the importance of choosing between quality and value when it comes to your brand strategy. She talks about how businesses can be successful with either approach, but it's crucial to pick one and stick with it. Melina shares real case studies of brands like Supreme and Costco to illustrate how they've excelled by aligning their pricing strategies with their brand messaging.  She emphasizes that understanding how customers perceive your brand is key to making informed decisions about your positioning in the market. If you're an entrepreneur looking to establish a clear brand identity and nail down consistent brand messaging and pricing strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Melina's insights and examples make a convincing case for the impact of your brand strategy on customer perception and decision-making. For those looking to elevate their branding approach and make strategic decisions, this podcast episode offers valuable takeaways and practical advice. In this episode: Understand the Importance of Choosing Brand Strategy: Uncover the critical role of brand strategy in business success. Analyze Quality vs Value in Branding: Explore the dynamic balance between quality and value within brand development. Align Pricing with Brand Values: Learn how to harmonize pricing strategies with the core values of your brand. Explore the Impact of Brand Identity on Consumer Perception: Discover the profound influence of brand identity on consumer attitudes and behaviors. Establish Consistent Brand Messaging: Master the art of crafting and maintaining a cohesive brand message across all platforms. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the critical decision every business needs to make: what type of company they are. She explains that this decision is foundational to pricing strategy and can be boiled down to two main paths: quality or value. 00:04:11 - Quality Business Melina defines quality businesses as those that set higher prices due to factors like higher quality materials, expertise, or innovative methods. These businesses focus on higher margins and making fewer sales. Melina emphasizes the importance of consistency in messaging and pricing for quality brands. 00:09:03 - Value Business Melina describes value businesses as offering bargains, great value for money, and selling by volume with smaller margins. These businesses run sales, discounts, and promotions as a key part of their strategy. She highlights the need for alignment between the brand's perception and how customers see them. 00:11:42 - Aligning Business Perception Melina shares an example of a client who faced a disconnect between their perceived quality and value brand image. She emphasizes the importance of aligning the company's identity with customer perception and the impact on brand positioning, products, services, and pricing. 00:14:52 - Holding the Line on Business Type Melina discusses the challenge of staying true to the chosen business type and making consistent decisions. She addresses the pressure to conform to other strategies, the potential damage of diluting a brand's perceived value, and the importance of getting everyone in the organization on board. 00:16:17 - Choosing Between Quality and Value Melina discusses the importance of choosing between quality and value for your brand, emphasizing the need to stick with one approach to achieve success. She urges listeners to consider their vision for their business and commit to a path. 00:19:26 - Case Study: Quality Brand - Supreme Melina shares a case study on the streetwear brand Supreme, highlighting their extreme scarcity model and the success they've achieved through high demand and resale market. She emphasizes the importance of challenging industry norms and being different in business. 00:23:59 - Case Study: Value Brand - Costco Melina presents Costco as a value brand that focuses on providing high-quality items at the best possible price. She discusses Costco's effective scarcity model and the impact of their commitment to saving members money on their overall brand strategy. 00:29:21 - Examples of Quality and Value Brands Melina introduces four case studies of quality and value brands, including Serendipity3, Hermes, Ryanair, and Old Navy. She mentions the depth and detail provided in the book and invites feedback for potential future behavioral economics analysis episodes. 00:31:41 - The Importance of Value Statement Melina discusses the vital aspect of brand identity - the value statement. It encapsulates core beliefs, creates consistency, and influences customer perceptions. 00:32:19 - Impact of Branding on Decision Making Melina explains how a precise brand message and promise are essential for making buying decisions easier for customers. The alignment of brand values and prices is crucial for creating a clear memory and influencing behavior. 00:33:51 - Priming and Brand Image Melina delves into the concept of priming, where word choice and images influence decision-making. She provides examples of how brands like Apple and Disney prime customers' behavior and perceptions through their logos. 00:35:41 - Aligning Brand Identity with Business Type Melina contrasts the mission statements of Costco and Louis Vuitton to illustrate the importance of aligning brand identity with the type of business. She encourages listeners to evaluate their own mission, vision, and values for alignment. 00:40:10 -  Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach Top Recommended Next Episode: Truth About Pricing (ep 355) Already Heard That One? Try These:  What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You (ep 225) Bundle and Stack Your Offers (ep 84) How to Raise Your Prices (ep 354) Get the Ultimate Pricing Confidence (ep 66) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey Interview (ep 353) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The Truth About Pricing Freebies

Get the first chapter of any of Melina's books for free: www.thebrainybusiness.com/ANI Buy the Book "HOW TO APPLY BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS SO CUSTOMERS BUY": https://thebrainybusiness.com/pricing-book/ https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Pricing-Behavioral-Economics/dp/1684813433 Join us for an exclusive and engaging LinkedIn Live event featuring Melina Palmer, the acclaimed author and instructor of applied behavioral economics. In this insightful session titled "The Truth About Pricing: How to Apply Behavioral Economics So Customers Buy," Melina will delve into the groundbreaking concepts from her best-selling book, joined by the dynamic Kwame for a lively Q&A session. This event is a must-attend for entrepreneurs and business professionals eager to master the art of pricing and value-based strategies. Learn how to understand the intricate dynamics of buyer behavior and set prices that resonate with customers, elevating business success. Melina Palmer, with her expertise in marketing and behavioral economics, will guide you through a step-by-step journey, unlocking the secrets of your buyers' minds. Discover how to comprehend their true needs and set irresistible prices. It's not just about numbers; it's about understanding that everything leading up to the price is what truly matters. Key Takeaways: **Psychology Behind Pricing**: Navigate the psychology of pricing to increase profitability, ease sales processes, and ensure customer satisfaction. **Uncover Hidden Desires**: Learn to discern the prices customers want but cannot articulate, giving you a competitive edge. **Value-Aligned Pricing**: Gain insights into what your customers and your business truly value, and align your pricing strategies accordingly. **Entrepreneurial Guidance**: Get practical tips for successful pricing aimed at boosting profits and enhancing client happiness. And get ready for a fun and engaging Q&A with Kwame and Melina, where your burning questions about pricing strategies will be answered. This interactive session promises to be both informative and entertaining, offering unique insights directly from the experts. This event is ideal for those who appreciate insightful business reads like "Build," "The New Model of Selling," or "What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You." If you're looking to transform your approach to pricing and drive your business to new heights, "The Truth About Pricing" LinkedIn Live event with Melina Palmer and Kwame is where your journey begins. Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/ The Ultimate Negotiation Guide: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/guides/ultimate-negotiation-guide/ Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308/ref=pd_%5B%E2%80%A6%5Df0bc9774-7975-448b-bde1-094cab455adb&pd_rd_i=1637741308&psc=1 Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PSW69L6ABTK&keywords=finding+confidence+in+conflict&qid=1667317257&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQyIiwicXNhIjoiMC4xNCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=finding+confidence+in+conflic%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1

Get the first chapter of any of Melina's books for free: www.thebrainybusiness.com/ANI Buy the Book "HOW TO APPLY BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS SO CUSTOMERS BUY": https://thebrainybusiness.com/pricing-book/ https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Pricing-Behavioral-Economics/dp/1684813433 Join us for an exclusive and engaging LinkedIn Live event featuring Melina Palmer, the acclaimed author and instructor of applied behavioral economics. In this insightful session titled "The Truth About Pricing: How to Apply Behavioral Economics So Customers Buy," Melina will delve into the groundbreaking concepts from her best-selling book, joined by the dynamic Kwame for a lively Q&A session. This event is a must-attend for entrepreneurs and business professionals eager to master the art of pricing and value-based strategies. Learn how to understand the intricate dynamics of buyer behavior and set prices that resonate with customers, elevating business success. Melina Palmer, with her expertise in marketing and behavioral economics, will guide you through a step-by-step journey, unlocking the secrets of your buyers' minds. Discover how to comprehend their true needs and set irresistible prices. It's not just about numbers; it's about understanding that everything leading up to the price is what truly matters. Key Takeaways: **Psychology Behind Pricing**: Navigate the psychology of pricing to increase profitability, ease sales processes, and ensure customer satisfaction. **Uncover Hidden Desires**: Learn to discern the prices customers want but cannot articulate, giving you a competitive edge. **Value-Aligned Pricing**: Gain insights into what your customers and your business truly value, and align your pricing strategies accordingly. **Entrepreneurial Guidance**: Get practical tips for successful pricing aimed at boosting profits and enhancing client happiness. And get ready for a fun and engaging Q&A with Kwame and Melina, where your burning questions about pricing strategies will be answered. This interactive session promises to be both informative and entertaining, offering unique insights directly from the experts. This event is ideal for those who appreciate insightful business reads like "Build," "The New Model of Selling," or "What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You." If you're looking to transform your approach to pricing and drive your business to new heights, "The Truth About Pricing" LinkedIn Live event with Melina Palmer and Kwame is where your journey begins. Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/ The Ultimate Negotiation Guide: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/guides/ultimate-negotiation-guide/ Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308/ref=pd_%5B%E2%80%A6%5Df0bc9774-7975-448b-bde1-094cab455adb&pd_rd_i=1637741308&psc=1 Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PSW69L6ABTK&keywords=finding+confidence+in+conflict&qid=1667317257&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQyIiwicXNhIjoiMC4xNCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=finding+confidence+in+conflic%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer delves into the psychology of pricing strategy, drawing from her experiences at a conference for female entrepreneurs and her expertise in behavioral economics, which also served as the foundation for her book, The Truth About Pricing. Melina emphasizes the importance of understanding the subconscious influences that drive consumer behavior and how businesses can leverage sensory cues and anticipation to shape purchasing decisions.  She shares insights on creating an irresistible introduction, utilizing the five senses, and leveraging principles of behavioral economics to capture customers' attention and drive sales. By discussing anchoring and adjustment, relativity, and the power of presenting multiple options, Melina provides practical strategies for entrepreneurs to apply in their retail businesses. Her engaging storytelling and relatable approach make this episode a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to increase consumer engagement and drive higher sales through effective pricing strategies. In this episode: Uncover the psychology behind pricing strategies to gain a competitive edge in the retail market. Craft an irresistible introduction to captivate customers and leave a lasting impression. Leverage the five senses to create a memorable and immersive shopping experience for your customers. Implement anchoring and adjustment techniques in pricing to influence consumer behavior and drive sales. Understand the importance of presenting multiple options to increase consumer engagement and boost sales. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina Palmer introduces the podcast episode and mentions that it is releasing on the same day as the launch of her third book, The Truth About Pricing. She discusses how this episode was the basis for the book and encourages listeners to order a copy. 00:02:18 - Pricing Strategy and Selling Techniques Melina talks about observing how people position their offers and discuss their services at conferences and events. She mentions that skilled presenters follow a pattern and are able to subtly make the audience want their offer. This pattern is based on the same foundation as pricing strategy. 00:07:47 - Subconscious Evaluation Melina discusses how she constantly evaluates advertisements and messaging around her, even though she may not consciously realize everything her subconscious is taking in. She emphasizes that subconscious evaluation plays a significant role in selling techniques, such as the anticipation created by the smell of freshly baked cookies. 00:11:41 - Order of Events Melina explains the importance of the order in which events occur in a selling experience. She contrasts a positive experience of smelling cookies, receiving a special offer, and enjoying a free sample with a negative experience of being interrupted by a salesperson and feeling irritated. The same offer can result in different outcomes based on the order of events. 00:17:02 - The Core Takeaway on Pricing Customers will find a way to pay for your product if it solves a real problem and is positioned effectively. Delivery and understanding behavioral economics are important factors in getting customers to take action. 00:20:08 - The Scent of the Cookies To capture your ideal client's attention, you need something nearly irresistible. Use all five senses to create an engaging and memorable experience through platforms like social media, podcasting, or visuals. 00:23:13 - Give Them Something to Keep Them Interested Offer something of value to your potential customers. For services, provide lead magnets. For physical products, allow customers to sample or experience the product to create a sense of ownership and desire. 00:24:30 - The Power of Touch and Scarcity Utilize touch to stimulate the brain's ownership response. Incorporate scarcity by creating a sense of urgency and fear of missing out. Countdowns and limited-time offers can motivate customers to take immediate action. 00:34:13 - The concept of anchoring and adjustment Anchoring and adjustment is when the brain latches onto a number and then adjusts up or down based on that initial anchor. This concept can influence our decision-making, as demonstrated in scenarios like buying Snickers bars at the grocery store. 00:36:08 - The concept of relativity Relativity plays a role in decision-making by comparing options. In an example from an advertisement for subscriptions to the Economist, removing a seemingly undesirable option led to a shift in people's choices. Understanding relativity can help marketers create effective pricing strategies. 00:39:11 - Building pricing options When setting prices, it's recommended to provide three options: the best offer, a decoy with worse value, and a third item for balance. This approach allows for value comparisons and caters to different customer preferences. The presentation and order of pricing options can influence decision-making. 00:42:22 - Mastering pricing strategy Mastering pricing strategy requires an understanding of the principles and how they work together. Each product or service may require different tweaks and adjustments. Incorporating these learnings into pricing strategies can lead to better customer engagement and profitability. 00:43:52 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein Friction, by Roger Dooley Top Recommended Next Episode: Behind the Scenes, The Truth About Pricing (ep 355) Already Heard That One? Try These:  What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You (ep 225) Bundle and Stack Your Offers (ep 84) How to Raise Your Prices (ep 354) Get the Ultimate Pricing Confidence (ep 66) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey Interview (ep 353) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer unveils the backstory of her latest book, The Truth About Pricing: How to Apply Behavioral Economics so Customers Buy. By tracing her path from book concept to publication, Melina underscores the significance of pricing confidence for businesses. The episode delves into the challenges businesses encounter in pricing and how Melina's book offers actionable advice to cultivate that essential confidence.  With a focus on unraveling the psychology and behavioral economics underpinning pricing decisions, Melina's book aims to empower businesses to enhance their sales strategies and cultivate customer loyalty. For business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their pricing acumen and drive profitability, this episode is a valuable resource. Melina's expertise and pragmatic insights make it an indispensable guide for navigating the complexities of pricing strategy. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering the Book Publishing Process: Unveiling the intricacies and essentials of publishing a book for aspiring authors and entrepreneurs. Optimizing Pricing Strategy for Businesses: Maximizing profitability and competitiveness through strategic pricing methodologies tailored to your business. Leveraging Behavioral Economics in Pricing: Harnessing consumer psychology and decision-making behaviors to drive sales and revenue. Cultivating Confidence in Pricing Decisions: Developing the expertise and assurance needed to make sound pricing choices for your products or services. Incorporating Psychology into Pricing Strategy: Understanding the psychological triggers that influence consumer purchasing decisions and using them to your advantage. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the episode, discussing the launch of her new book. She provides an overview of what listeners can expect in the episode. 00:04:16 - The Journey to Writing The Truth About Pricing Melina shares the journey of writing The Truth About Pricing, from connecting with a book agent to finalizing the contract for the book. She discusses the process of pitching the book to publishers and the serendipitous events that led to its publication. 00:09:30 - The Problem with Pricing Melina delves into the common struggles and stress associated with pricing for businesses. She highlights the pressure to get pricing perfect, the tendency to procrastinate, and the overwhelming amount of information available on pricing strategies. 00:11:33 - Gaining Confidence in Pricing Strategy Melina emphasizes the importance of confidence in pricing and its impact on customer behavior. She discusses the value of gaining confidence in pricing strategy and presents the book as a guide to achieving this confidence. 00:15:36 - Overcoming Procrastination and Setting the Right Price Melina addresses the common pitfalls of procrastination in setting prices and the cognitive biases that contribute to this behavior. She highlights the book's focus on overcoming these challenges and setting prices with confidence. 00:16:05 - Setting the Stage Melina explains that the book focuses on understanding the pricing problem and how behavioral economics is the key to success. It covers the science behind pricing and the steps to optimize pricing using behavioral economics and psychology. 00:19:25 - The Golden Octopus Melina introduces a short story about the purchase of a golden octopus to illustrate how pricing really works. This section also provides insights on pricing placement and psychology, outlining the brain tricks that impact pricing. 00:21:06 - Building a Foundation This part focuses on the importance of the factors that come before the price itself. It emphasizes the need to create a seamless buying experience for customers and highlights the significance of choice architecture in pricing strategy. 00:25:22 - Applying the Framework Melina introduces the It's Not About the Cookie framework, which consists of six categories of behavioral science to consider when applying the foundation of the pricing strategy. It also discusses the value of properly structuring a choice in pricing. 00:30:06 - Case Studies Melina discusses four case studies of well-known global businesses to inspire readers on how to apply the concepts to their specific business types. The case studies cover quality and value-based product and service businesses, offering practical insights for readers. 00:31:40 - The Importance of Pricing Strategies Melina emphasizes the importance of making pricing decisions efficiently and confidently. She offers a guide to streamline the process and highlights the value of incorporating psychology and behavioral economics into pricing strategies. 00:32:38 - Freebies and Resources Melina discusses the complimentary items available, including a virtual glossary and a pricing mastery checklist. She invites listeners to visit thebrainybusiness.com for a free sample chapter and provides links for ordering the book. 00:33:47 - Availability and Formats Melina shares that the book is available for purchase on various platforms and mentions the upcoming ebook and audible versions. She encourages preordering and assures that the audiobook is professionally narrated. 00:34:48 - Audiobook and Book Content Melina addresses the suitability of the audiobook for learning, highlighting that the book's tasks are not heavily reliant on visual aids. She provides links to order all her books and emphasizes the value of the book's content. 00:36:19 -  Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, by Melina Palmer What Your Customers Want and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Marketing Mess to Brand Success, by Scott Miller Finding Confidence in Conflict, by Kwame Christian Top Recommended Next Episode: Truth About Pricing (ep 5) Already Heard That One? Try These:  What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You (ep 225) Bundle and Stack Your Offers (ep 84) How to Raise Your Prices (ep 354) Get the Ultimate Pricing Confidence (ep 66) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey Interview (ep 353) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer dives deep into the topic of raising prices for businesses. Melina shares insights on the psychology behind pricing decisions and emphasizes the importance of understanding the value and context for customers. She provides practical strategies for overcoming mindset blocks and gaining confidence in quoting prices to potential clients. By drawing on examples from various industries, including retail and service-based businesses,  Melina offers valuable advice on how to navigate the process of raising prices effectively. Her approachable and practical guidance, combined with real-world examples, makes this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to increase profitability and overcome the fear of raising prices. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Melina's expertise and relatable storytelling style provide actionable insights that can help you take the next step in growing your business. So, grab your headphones and tune in to this episode to gain the confidence and strategies you need to successfully raise prices and drive your business forward. In this episode: Optimize your pricing strategy for profitability. Understand the key factors driving pricing decisions. Overcome mindset blocks to confidently raise prices. Target the right demographic for your pricing structure. Enhance the perception of value in your pricing. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction In this episode, Melina Palmer introduces the topic of raising prices and discusses the relevance of the fresh start effect. She also mentions her upcoming book, The Truth About Pricing, and the importance of understanding the psychology behind pricing. 00:03:05 - The Possibility of Raising Prices Melina emphasizes that raising prices is possible for any business, regardless of industry or competition. She highlights the importance of considering your own brand, costs, and goals before making any pricing changes. 00:07:09 - Overcoming Mindset Blocks Melina discusses the fears and mindset blocks that often hold business owners back from raising prices. She provides examples, such as being overbooked or not making enough profit, and suggests strategies for overcoming these blocks. 00:09:17 - Targeting a New Demographic When targeting a new demographic, Melina advises that a business may need to raise prices to appeal to the right customers. She encourages businesses to embrace the idea that not everyone will be a fit and to focus on providing value to the customers who do align with their offerings. 00:11:03 - The Value of Higher Prices Melina explains that higher prices can create a perception of higher value. Customers often derive more satisfaction and perceive greater effectiveness from products or services they pay more for. She uses examples like expensive jeans to illustrate this concept. 00:15:28 - The Variable Pricing of Soda The price of soda varies depending on the location and context of the purchase, such as in grocery stores, movie theaters, and fast-food chains. Understanding why customers are willing to pay different amounts for the same product in different locations can help businesses determine their pricing strategies. 00:16:18 - Questionstorming for Pricing Strategy Asking thought-provoking questions, such as "What would happen if I charged ten times more?" and "What would make people happy to pay ten times more for this?" can help businesses reassess their value and find ways to add more value to justify higher prices. 00:18:48 - Phased Approach to Price Increase for Service-based Businesses Service-based businesses can raise prices for new clients immediately and gradually phase in the price increase for existing clients. This allows for a smooth transition and can be done based on existing contracts or by offering pre-commitment discounts. 00:21:45 - Responding to Customer Reactions When communicating a price increase to clients, it's important to be understanding and helpful. Having a plan in place for handling discount requests or threats to leave can help maintain price integrity and ensure that the new pricing aligns with the overall brand and strategy. 00:23:46 - Context and Competition for Product-based Businesses Product-based businesses need to consider the context in which their products are priced, such as the competition and the overall shopping experience. Understanding the value and differentiation of your product can help justify the increase. 00:30:42 - The Importance of Understanding Customer Difficulty It's crucial to recognize that what may come easily to you, such as marketing or technology, can be challenging for others. To effectively sell your product or service, focus on the value you provide to customers and develop a solid pricing strategy. 00:31:10 - Role-Playing to Build Confidence Overcome the fear of stating your new price by practicing it repeatedly. Say the price out loud until it becomes second nature and visualize customers happily paying that amount. Confidence is key in pricing discussions and can influence customers' perception. 00:31:59 - The Impact of Confidence on Pricing Displaying confidence when stating your price signals to customers that others are willing to pay that amount. Conversely, hesitancy may trigger doubt in the customer's mind. Role-playing and triggering mirror neurons can help build confidence in price discussions. 00:33:24 - Pricing Communication and Confidence Always communicate pricing with confidence, even if you feel scared. The first sale at a new price point may be challenging, but once achieved, it becomes easier. Overcome mindset blocks, take a breath, and dive into raising your prices. 00:35:21 -  Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, by Melina Palmer What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Psychology of Price, by Leigh Caldwell Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Branding that Means Business, by Matt Johnson and Tessa Misiaszek Top Recommended Next Episode: Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey  Interview (ep 353) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Creating a Brainy Brand (ep 43) Analysis of Costco (ep 47) Framing (ep 16) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Herding (ep 19) Mirror Neurons (ep 31) How to stack and bundle offers (ep 84) Leigh Caldwell Interview (ep 233) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear an insightful conversation between host Melina Palmer and guests Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey. Jo and Gareth discuss the power of behavioral data in personalizing shopping experiences and nudging consumers towards more desirable choices. The conversation also delves into the impact of default options and the potential for personalization in branding. Overall, this episode highlights the potential of data-driven personalization in improving shopping experiences and pricing strategies. Whether you're an online retailer or marketer, this episode provides valuable insights on how to engage customers and increase conversions through personalized nudges. In this episode, you will: Maximize your online sales with behavioral data insights. Boost customer engagement with personalized nudges and recommendations. Increase conversions by leveraging data-driven decision-making in pricing strategies. Improve the shopping experience by understanding consumer behavior in supermarkets. Optimize your online grocery store for success with insights into online shopping trends. Discover the impact of book jacket colors on consumer purchasing decisions. Uncover the secrets to driving sales through data-driven pricing experiments. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the guests, Jo Evershed and Gareth Harvey, and discusses their work in behavioral science and consumer psychology. 00:04:34 - Gorilla Experiment Builder and Consumer Psychology Jo explains the purpose of Gorilla Experiment Builder, a platform for running behavioral research online. Gareth discusses his background in consumer psychology and how he applies academic research in the commercial sector. 00:07:07 - Applying Behavioral Insights in Grocery Stores Gareth shares his experience in designing supermarket layouts and how psychological principles can be applied to improve marketing strategies. He discusses the importance of finding the right stimuli and placement to influence consumer behavior. 00:09:40 - The Impact of Smell in Retail Gareth explains the effectiveness of using scents like chocolate in retail environments. He highlights the importance of placing the scent in the right location to maximize its impact on consumer behavior. 00:11:48 - The Truth About Pricing Melina mentions her upcoming book, The Truth About Pricing, and discusses an experiment she conducted with Jo and Gareth for the book. The experiment involved testing different pricing strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 00:14:21 - The Psychology of Supermarket Aisles The group discusses the importance of positioning items in supermarket aisles to encourage impulse buys and prolong shopping trips. They explain the strategy of making customers far enough in the aisle to see the next one and entice them to continue walking and making more purchases. 00:15:40 - Changes in Supermarket Design The group mentions how supermarkets are adapting their store layouts to cater to different types of shoppers, such as grab-and-go shoppers and those doing big stock-up shops. They discuss the need to avoid antagonizing shoppers and the potential for redesigning stores to meet changing shopping habits. 00:16:39 - Online Shopping and Impulse Buys The group explains how supermarket apps can still encourage impulse purchases and replicate the in-store experience. They mention the use of personalized advertisements and offers based on past purchases. Additionally, they discuss the importance of optimizing product images and descriptions for online shoppers. 00:18:20 - Nudging Towards Healthier Choices The group introduces the concept of "swaps" in online supermarkets, where healthier alternatives are offered as substitutes for less nutritious products. They discuss the potential for making small nudges towards healthier options and the role of personalized recommendations in influencing consumer choices. 00:20:12 - Challenges in Online Product Display The group highlights the challenges of displaying products effectively in online supermarkets. They explain how industry guidelines and mobile optimization constraints limit the amount of information and advertising that can be displayed. 00:27:42 - The Difficulty of Finding Gluten-Free Options Melina discusses the challenges of finding gluten-free options due to having celiac disease. They mention how it would be helpful if stores and online supermarkets could offer personalized recommendations based on dietary restrictions. 00:29:20 - Opting Out of Irrelevant Advertisements The group suggests that online supermarkets should have an option for users to opt out of seeing certain products, such as gluten-containing items. This would save time for both the consumer and the store, and provide valuable data for the store to make better recommendations. 00:30:05 - Data Privacy and Opt-In Options The group acknowledges the need for careful handling of shopper data and the importance of opt-in options. They discuss how consumers may feel nervous about having their data collected but might be more willing if they have control over what data is used and how it benefits them. 00:31:46 - Nudging Consumers Towards Healthier Choices The group discusses an example of a study where labels on Coca Cola products were used to nudge consumers towards healthier options. They highlight the potential for supermarkets to use data to help shoppers make better choices and become the best version of themselves. 00:35:11 - Default Options and Personalized Recommendations The conversation explores the idea of default options and personalized recommendations within online supermarkets. By offering healthier alternatives and giving shoppers the ability to customize their default options, retailers can support customers in making better choices. 00:41:22 - Setting up the Experiment Melina and her team created an online shop to test different book covers and their impact on sales. They ran a four-way between-subject experiment, including a control condition without Melina's books. They gathered data from participants, including Melina's audience and small business owners recruited through Prolific. 00:43:26 - Behavioral Decision Making Gareth explains that visual saliency is crucial in decision making, both in physical stores and online. People tend to go with what catches their attention immediately. Online shoppers spend only a few seconds reviewing multiple products. The study aimed to understand how people's decisions differ when seeing a book cover on a shelf versus in isolation. 00:44:37 - Challenges and Solutions The initial data showed a strong preference for the red book cover, but Melina and her team suspected it was due to the small sample size. To overcome this, they collaborated with Prolific to collect data from a larger and more diverse group. The final results revealed that the green book cover performed the best, aligning with both the behavioral and focus group data. 00:48:00 - Importance of Data and Uncertainty Melina values running experiments to gather data and validate her assumptions. Despite feeling uncertain about the outcomes, she is willing to follow what the data suggests. The study helped her understand that the green book cover performed well within her audience, but not necessarily among those interested in pricing books for businesses. 00:55:37 - Importance of Openness and Learning Being open to different outcomes and learning from the results is crucial. The Amazon description and keywords play a significant role, and testing and optimizing them is essential. Feedback and participation from hundreds of people have been valuable. 00:57:17 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Jo and Gareth: Jo Evershed Twitter Gareth Harvey LinkedIn Jo Evershed LinkedIn Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, Melina Palmer What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, Melina Palmer Designing for Behavior Change, Stephen Wendel Engaged, Amy Bucher   What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: The Truth About Pairing (ep 5)  Already Heard That One? Try These:  iMotions (ep 352) Jez Ripple (ep 131) Mars and KIND Project (ep 215) Dilip Soman Interview (ep 241) Behaviorally (ep 166) Michelle Niedziela Interview (ep 168) CloudArmy Interview (ep 183) Sense of Smell (ep 298) Anchoring (ep 11) Meet GAABS (ep 121) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Decide's website Prolific's website  Gorilla's website 

Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Most employees want to do a good job but they don't always know how to tell you what they need. In this episode, Melina Palmer Applied Behaviour Economist, author, and host of the podcast The Brainy Business explains the things your employees need from you that they can't always tell you. She also provides tips on how to break down barriers to change and create micro-habits that will help your team succeed. Follow Melina Palmer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ The Brainy Business https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ Buy The Book "What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You" https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Employees-Need-Cant/dp/1684810159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RMOZEWCPA28U&keywords=What+Your+Employees+Need+And+Can%27t+Tell+You&qid=1657648765&sprefix=%2Caps%2C325&sr=8-1 Buy The Book "What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0978GSMZ8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/ The Ultimate Negotiation Guide: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/guides/ultimate-negotiation-guide/ Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308/ref=pd_%5B%E2%80%A6%5Df0bc9774-7975-448b-bde1-094cab455adb&pd_rd_i=1637741308&psc=1 Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PSW69L6ABTK&keywords=finding+confidence+in+conflict&qid=1667317257&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQyIiwicXNhIjoiMC4xNCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=finding+confidence+in+conflic%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1

Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Most employees want to do a good job but they don't always know how to tell you what they need. In this episode, Melina Palmer Applied Behaviour Economist, author, and host of the podcast The Brainy Business explains the things your employees need from you that they can't always tell you. She also provides tips on how to break down barriers to change and create micro-habits that will help your team succeed. Follow Melina Palmer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ The Brainy Business https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinapalmer/ Buy The Book "What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You" https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Employees-Need-Cant/dp/1684810159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RMOZEWCPA28U&keywords=What+Your+Employees+Need+And+Can%27t+Tell+You&qid=1657648765&sprefix=%2Caps%2C325&sr=8-1 Buy The Book "What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0978GSMZ8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Contact ANI Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/services/workshops/ Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/ The Ultimate Negotiation Guide: https://www.americannegotiationinstitute.com/guides/ultimate-negotiation-guide/ Click here to buy your copy of How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race!: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308/ref=pd_%5B%E2%80%A6%5Df0bc9774-7975-448b-bde1-094cab455adb&pd_rd_i=1637741308&psc=1 Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PSW69L6ABTK&keywords=finding+confidence+in+conflict&qid=1667317257&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQyIiwicXNhIjoiMC4xNCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMjMifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=finding+confidence+in+conflic%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1

Melina Palmer invites Jessica Wilson of Imotions to discuss the fascinating world of neuroscience tools for consumer research. Jessica's in research and neuroscience led them to Imotions, a software company that offers a platform integrating various neuroscience tools. The platform includes a study builder, analysis tools, and export options, catering to both commercial and academic clients. Jessica emphasizes the importance of matching the research question with the appropriate technology, rather than being swayed by the allure of shiny gadgets.  She highlights the value of using eye tracking, facial expression analysis, and skin conductance as a powerful combination of tools, known as the "Holy Trinity." However, she also mentions the availability of other tools, such as EEG and heart rate monitoring, depending on the specific research needs. Jessica shares examples of video testing and usability studies, showcasing how these tools can provide insights into consumer behavior, attention, and emotional responses. She emphasizes the importance of using the gathered data to inform design decisions and improve consumer experiences. The conversation concludes with a discussion of real-world applications, including collaborations with universities and healthcare organizations. In this episode: Discover how neuroscience tools can revolutionize consumer research and unlock deep insights into consumer behavior. Uncover the hidden motivations behind consumer decisions using cutting-edge eye tracking and facial expression analysis techniques. Optimize your website design with confidence by leveraging user testing to identify usability issues and improve user experiences. Learn the importance of crafting clear research questions to drive effective user testing and obtain actionable insights. Boost user engagement and trust with shorter, impactful testimonials that capture attention and increase conversion rates. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the podcast and shares her excitement about conducting research and experiments with Imotions to optimize her website pages. 00:02:36 - Introduction to Imotions Jessica Wilson, the director at Imotions, shares information about the company and their platform. She discusses the wide range of applications for their neuroscience tools, including consumer insights, product testing, ad testing, and more. 00:07:43 - Types of Testing with Imotions Jessica explains the different types of testing that can be done with Imotions, including eye tracking, facial expression analysis, and skin conductance. She emphasizes the importance of using the right tools based on research questions and not getting caught up in the excitement of technology. 00:08:31 - The Holy Trinity of Eye Tracking, Facial Expression Analysis, and Skin Conductance Jessica discusses the Holy Trinity of eye tracking, facial expression analysis, and skin conductance. These three tools work well together to provide information on attention, valence, and physiological arousal. She mentions that there are additional tools available, but it's important to choose the right ones based on research questions. 00:10:42 - Consultation and Planning with Imotions Jessica highlights the importance of consultation and planning with Imotions. They offer guidance on choosing the right tools and metrics for specific research questions. The research question should dictate the technology used, rather than the other 00:15:12 - Video Testing with Biosensor Data Jessica discusses how video testing can be used with biosensor data to assess consumer preferences and improve communication. They share an example of a collaboration between the University of South Florida and BayCare Health Systems to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infomercials on consumers. 00:16:46 - Usability and Sensory Testing Jessica explains how biosensor research can be utilized in usability and sensory testing. They mention using biosensors to assess people's reactions to different food samples and how the most effective testing methods have distinct research questions and variables. 00:18:14 - Free Scrolling and Task-Based Testing Melina and Jessica discuss the different approaches to testing, including free scrolling to observe natural behavior and task-based testing to compare prototypes. They emphasize the importance of incorporating specific tasks into usability studies for websites. 00:21:08 - Redesigning a Website Melina shares her experience of redesigning her website in preparation for her book launch. They discuss the process of testing mockups of the new site against the existing site to determine if design changes were effective and if any adjustments were needed. 00:24:46 - Testing for Different Personas Jessica explains how they incorporated different personas into the testing process. They discuss the two personas targeted by the host's business, entrepreneurial types, and corporate members, and how the testing aimed to direct each persona to the most relevant products and services. 00:29:38 - Importance of Clear Tasks in Website Testing Narrowing down tasks and evaluating if they are working is crucial in website testing. Asking vague questions about users' interests and actions can reveal where they get stuck. It's important to avoid priming users and instead focus on finding potential obstacles. 00:31:13 - The Power of Focusing on One Thing in Research Research should focus on one or two variables to obtain clear answers. Avoiding distractions and confounding variables leads to stronger insights. Rushing research can result in missed opportunities for valuable insights. 00:33:20 - Effective Design Elements for Website Success Salient design elements like big buttons with clear choices greatly improve the success rate of website interactions. Eye tracking and behavioral metrics demonstrate the impact of design clarity on user engagement. 00:34:57 - Challenges with Corporate Persona Landing Page The corporate landing page proved challenging for users, leading to confusion and distributed attention. Brow furrow and lower success rates indicated a need for clearer design elements and more effective funneling of actions. 00:37:16 - Applying Insights from Testing to Website Redesign Insights from the previous tests informed the redesign of the entire website. Big buttons, clear choices, and reducing cognitive load were integrated into other areas of the site, improving user experience. 00:43:23 - Eye Tracking Results: Less is More The study found that participants spent more time looking at the short testimonials compared to the long ones. They also showed less brow furrow and had a better overall experience with the shorter testimonials. This suggests that less text is more effective in capturing attention and providing a positive user experience. 00:45:37 - Importance of Short Testimonials The research showed that shorter testimonials are more effective in capturing attention and creating anticipation for the product. Participants were able to absorb the positive feedback more easily and had a better overall experience. Short testimonials provide social proof without overwhelming the users with excessive text. 00:46:56 - Evolution of Data Collection Technology The pandemic and the shift towards collecting data in naturalistic environments have led to the development of online data collection platforms. These platforms allow researchers to record facial expression analysis and eye-tracking data using webcams, eliminating the need for specialized equipment. This opens up new possibilities for remote data collection and collaboration. 00:49:20 - Tips for Conducting Experiments When conducting experiments, it's important to keep them small, be thoughtful about what to test, and test often. Focus on the most important aspects, avoid testing too many variables at once, and have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Testing helps understand and predict human behavior. 00:52:22 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Imotions: IMOTIONS WEBSITE IMOTIONS ON TWITTER IMOTIONS ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Truth About Pricing, Melina Palmer What Your Customer Want and Can't Tell You, Melina Palmer Marketing to Mindstates, Will Leach Designing for Behavior Change, Stephen Wendel Engaged, Amy Bucher Top Recommended Next Episode: Understanding the Problem (ep 126) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Inside the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab (ep 33) Social Proof (ep 87) The Power of Metaphors with Olson Zaltman's Malcolm & Hannibal Brooks (ep 181) Cloud Army (ep 183) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) Priming (ep 18) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You: All About Melina's First Book (ep 147) What is Behavioral Baking? (ep 155) How Businesses Can Design for Behavior Change, with Dr. Amy Bucher (ep 164) Designing for Behavior Change, Interview with Dr. Steve Wendel (ep 116) Planning Fallacy (ep 114) Time Discounting (ep 51) Framing (ep 16) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear Melina Palmer interview Michael Schein, author of The Hype Handbook. This conversation delves into the power of hype in marketing and how to effectively capture attention and drive action. Michael shares his insights on the art of hype, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in making messages captivating and memorable. He explores the concept of certainty and how people are drawn to messages that offer it. The episode also discusses the significance of framing messages in impactful ways and highlights the power of simplicity in messaging.  This episode provides valuable insights for marketers and business professionals looking to enhance their communication skills and create more impactful marketing campaigns. Whether you want to understand the psychology behind effective hype or learn practical techniques for engaging your audience, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to create captivating and memorable marketing campaigns. In this episode, you will: Unleash the power of hype in your marketing to create buzz and excitement around your brand. Harness the art of storytelling to captivate your audience and make your message stick in their minds. Master the art of crafting certain messaging to build trust, credibility, and clarity in your brand communication. Learn how impactful framing can make all the difference in influencing your audience's perception and decision-making. Discover the power of simplicity in messaging to cut through the noise and ensure your marketing campaigns are memorable and effective. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the episode, celebrating the milestone of 350 episodes and over a million downloads of the show. She previews the topic of hype and introduces guest Michael. 00:02:26 - The Power of Hype Michael discusses how his company, Microfame Media, helps idea-driven businesses create hype. He emphasizes the importance of understanding mass psychology and using effective strategies and tactics to generate excitement and engagement. 00:05:15 - The Hype Handbook Michael shares his inspiration for writing his book, The Hype Handbook, which explores the principles and strategies used by propaganda artists, cult leaders, and other influential figures throughout history. He explains that these principles can be applied ethically to achieve desired outcomes. 00:07:34 - Principles over Tactics Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding psychological principles rather than relying solely on specific tactics or tools. He encourages businesses to focus on what drives human behavior and use that knowledge to create their own unique hype. 00:10:09 - The Perception of Hype Melina and Michael discuss the perception of hype and why some people may view it as sleazy or empty. They explore the origins of the term in the hip hop community and how hype has been embraced as a necessary strategy for success. 00:15:01 - Make War, Not Love The first strategy discussed is "Make War, Not Love," which is the foundation for all other strategies. The conversation explores the evolutionary basis of tribalism and how it influences our preferences and biases. 00:18:25 - Positioning Against an Idea The power of positioning yourself against a commonly accepted point of view in your industry is highlighted. By becoming the leader who challenges prevailing beliefs, you can attract like-minded individuals and build a new tribe around your ideas. 00:21:35 - Basecamp's Example The founders of Basecamp transformed their project management software into a crusade against overwork culture. By positioning their tool as a solution to the problem they were fighting against, they created a loyal following and achieved success. 00:23:45 - Authenticity and Packaging It is important to be authentic and genuinely believe in the stance you take. Cynical or surface-level attempts at packaging and branding are easily recognized. The conversation emphasizes the need to find a unique strength within your weaknesses to create a compelling persona. 00:25:49 - Uniqueness and Public Persona The discussion explores the concept of creating a public persona that is a heightened version of your true self. The key is to identify a strength buried within your weaknesses and use it to stand out in your industry. 00:29:49 - Embracing Authenticity Michael shares his journey of embracing his natural people-pleasing side and how it has helped him succeed. He highlights the power of being authentic and finding strength in who you are, rather than overcompensating for perceived weaknesses. 00:31:00 - Paradox of Confidence Michael discusses the paradox of confidence and how being confident means being confident in your natural state. He emphasizes the importance of embracing your true self and finding confidence in your own abilities, rather than trying to conform to someone else's expectations. 00:32:13 - Survivorship Bias Melina brings up the concept of survivorship bias and how it can distort our perception of success. Michael emphasizes the importance of questioning the advice and strategies of successful people, as they may be presenting a curated version of themselves for marketing purposes. 00:34:49 - Uncovering Marketing Tactics Michael delves into the strategies used by successful marketers and self-help gurus. He encourages listeners to analyze the tactics being employed to persuade them to buy products or follow advice, rather than blindly following the advice itself. He suggests creating a "swipe file" of marketing techniques instead. 00:38:07 - Making It Scientific Michael discusses the importance of using scientific language and authority to establish credibility in crowded fields. He explains how presenting ideas or services as backed by scientific research can make them appear more trustworthy and authoritative. He also highlights the use of heuristics in decision-making. 00:45:00 - The Hype Handbook and Simon Sinek Michael discusses how The Hype Handbook provides valuable insights on effective communication and the power of storytelling. He highlights Simon Sinek as a master of framing messages and using repetitive slogans to captivate audiences. 00:46:14 - The Impact of Framing and Certitude Michael emphasizes the impact of framing messages in a quotable and interesting way. He also discusses the heuristic that people often associate extreme certitude with knowledge and expertise. 00:49:13 - Connecting with Knowledge Seekers Michael shares his Hype Book Club, where he recommends books on various topics, including cult leaders and social psychology. He highlights the value of curiosity and diverse learning experiences. 00:50:54 - The Power of Storytelling and Tidbits Michael discusses the importance of weaving stories together to make a point and engage readers. He emphasizes the value of storytelling in helping people remember and apply what they've learned. 00:53:01 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Michael: Microfame Media Michael on Twitter Michael on LinkedIn Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Simply Put, Ben Guttmann The Hype Handbook, Michael Schein Rework, Jason Fried The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, Ryan Holiday Start with Why, Simon Sinek Top Recommended Next Episode: How to pitch your business Already Heard That One? Try These:  Social Proof (ep 87) Availability Bias (ep 310 Prince Ghuman Interview (344) Priscilla McKinney Interview (ep 196) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Negative Reviews (ep 163) The science of cool, with Troy Campbell (ep 169) David Paull (ep 289) Megaan Lurtz (ep 341) Herding: Come on and Listen… Everyone Else Is Doing It (ep 19) Framing: How You Say Things Matter More than What You're Saying (ep 16) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Survivorship Bias: Stop Missing What's Missing (ep 110) Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter “21 Psychology Podcasts Every Businessperson Should Listen To” Derek Sivers – “How to Start a Movement” (TED Talk) Simon Sinek – “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” (TED Talk) Simon Sinek – “Millennials in the Workplace”

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you will learn from Priscilla McKinney about the power of collaboration in business. Priscilla emphasizes the mindset shift required for successful collaborations. She highlights the importance of embracing different perspectives, being prepared for unexpected situations, and thinking on your feet. Priscilla also discusses the value of connections and networking, sharing her own collaboration with host Melina Palmer at an event. They demonstrate that collaboration can exist even among competitors, bringing unique perspectives and ideas to the table.  Priscilla's book, Collaboration is the New Competition, provides practical guidance on fostering collaboration within organizations. By shifting from competition to collaboration, businesses can thrive in today's interconnected world. Key takeaways include understanding people's behavior in marketing, the value of collaboration in business success, the power of networking, and the need for differentiation. This engaging and thought-provoking conversation highlights collaboration as a key driver of innovation, growth, and success in business. In this episode: Enhance collaboration and foster partnerships for increased business success. Unlock the power of mindset to drive effective collaboration. Build valuable connections through strategic networking. Shift from scarcity to abundance mindset for greater collaboration opportunities. Harness the power of differentiation to drive successful collaborations. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Introduction to the episode and guest, Priscilla McKinney, who is the author of Collaboration is the New Competition. 00:02:06 - Background and Expertise Priscilla shares her background as the CEO of Little Bird Marketing and her experience in anthropology. She emphasizes the importance of understanding people and culture in marketing. 00:05:01 - Personal Experiences and Cultural Anthropology Priscilla discusses how her personal experiences as a missionary's child and living in different countries shaped her understanding of collaboration, culture, and the importance of getting along. 00:07:39 - Collaboration and Marketing Priscilla explains the connection between collaboration, marketing, behavioral science, and cultural anthropology. She highlights the role of collaboration in building strong relationships and achieving success in business. 00:09:52 - Origin of Collaboration The discussion revolves around Melina's collaboration with Maru Group and Protobrand, where Will Leach connected her as the MC. They emphasize the value of collaboration and how it can overcome competition. 00:16:09 - The Value of Collaboration Priscilla discusses the value of collaboration and how her early experiences in the credit union industry taught her the importance of cooperation and sharing ideas. She emphasizes the abundance mindset and the willingness of credit unions to help each other thrive. 00:17:30 - The Power of Networking Priscilla and Melina highlight their shared experiences in the banking and credit union industry. They highlight the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people who are willing to collaborate and share knowledge. Priscilla emphasizes the cooperative nature of the market research industry. 00:18:57 - Opening Minds to Collaboration Priscilla encourages readers to open their minds to collaboration and challenges them to rethink their previous experiences with it. She suggests that what people may have considered collaboration in the past may not have been true collaboration. She invites readers to give it another try. 00:20:21 - Collaboration Gone Wrong Priscilla discusses the common pitfalls of collaboration, using the example of a group project in which one student ends up doing all the work while others take credit. She emphasizes the need for equity, transparency, and a desire to win for true collaboration to occur. 00:24:24 - The Framework for Collaboration Priscilla outlines the three essential elements for successful collaboration: having something to lose and gain, being transparent and open, and having a desire to win for the benefit of all involved. 00:30:49 - Moving from Scarcity to Abundance Mindset Priscilla discusses the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. Instead of always trying to get their way, she encourages a mindset of helping others and believing that everyone can achieve their goals. 00:31:26 - Itchy Backs - Cultivating a Helping Mindset Priscilla explains the concept of "itchy backs," where you focus on meeting the needs of others. By being aware of what others need and offering help, you can build strong relationships and collaboration opportunities. 00:34:31 - The Rule of 15 - Inspiring Collaboration Priscilla introduces the Rule of 15, which emphasizes the importance of creating content that inspires collaboration. Building relationships takes time, and it's essential to pay it forward and show genuine interest in others before expecting collaboration opportunities. 00:35:53 - LinkedIn Cocktail Party - Shifting Mindset Priscilla suggests thinking of LinkedIn as an online cocktail party rather than just a social media platform. She highlights the importance of showing up correctly, curating a great guest list, and being a good conversationalist to build meaningful connections. 00:38:59 - Avoiding Pitch Slapping - Building Relationships Priscilla discusses the negative impact of pitch-slapping, where people immediately try to sell or pitch their services without building a relationship first. She encourages being mindful of etiquette and building relationships before asking for anything. 00:44:49 - Collaboration and Feedback on the Book Priscilla discusses her book and invites Melina to read it and provide feedback for the second edition. They encourage listeners to connect with Priscilla on LinkedIn and check out her website to get a copy of the book and share it with others. 00:45:17 - Continued Collaboration and Friendship Melina expresses her enjoyment of talking with Priscilla and their ongoing collaboration. Priscilla is referred to as a friend of the podcast forever, and Melina offers her support for any future collaborations. 00:45:47 - Supporting the Podcast Priscilla encourages listeners to give an amazing rating to the Brainy Business podcast as a way to support Melina and help more people find the show. She emphasizes the importance of leading with giving and suggests this as a good deed for the day. 00:46:19 - Treating LinkedIn Like a Cocktail Party Melina recalls Priscilla's session at the IIEX Europe Conference where she talked about treating LinkedIn like a cocktail party. She mentions the relatability and engagement of the session and expresses her excitement about discussing it in Priscilla's book. 00:47:11 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Priscilla: Priscilla's Website    PRISCILLA ON LINKEDIN PRISCILLA ON TWITTER Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Collaboration is the New Competition, by Priscilla McKinney What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer You're Invited, by Jon Levy Think Faster, Talk Smarter, by Matt Abrahams Influence, by Robert Cialdini Top Recommended Next Episode: You're Invited, with Jon Levy (ep 348) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Anthropology, Behavioral Economics, and Marketing, with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) The Power of Us, with Dominic Packer (ep 304) For The Culture, with Marcus Collins (ep 305) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Anchoring (ep 11) Reciprocity (ep 238) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 312) Think Faster, Talk Smarter, with Matt Abrahams (ep 327) Marketing to Mindstates, with Will Leach (ep 88) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) Framing (ep 296) Scarcity (ep 270) The Fun Habit with Mike Rucker (ep 251) The Human Experience, with John Sills (ep 277) The Science of Connection, with Nick Epley (ep 265) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter LITTLE BIRD MARKETING WEBSITE Women In Research website LittleBirdMarketing.com/Resources

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you will hear an insightful conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest Jon Levy, author of You're Invited. Jon shares his expertise on using behavioral science in event design and sponsorships to create memorable experiences for attendees. Drawing from his own experiences, Jon emphasizes the power of human connection and relationships in event planning.  He discusses the importance of assembling or working together on projects to foster a sense of connection and engagement. Jon also highlights the peak-end rule, which states that people remember the peaks of experiences and how they end, and shares strategies for creating lasting impressions. He offers valuable insights on engaging high-profile individuals, building trust through vulnerability, and the significance of genuine interest in others. If you are a professional seeking to enhance your understanding of human behavior and apply behavioral science principles to create impactful and attention-grabbing events, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, you will: Enhance customer engagement and satisfaction by leveraging the power of human connection and relationships. Apply research-backed strategies to create impactful and memorable event experiences that resonate with attendees. Foster meaningful connections among attendees through shared activities, strengthening their bond and creating lasting memories. Build trust and rapport with attendees by demonstrating vulnerability and support, creating an environment where they feel safe and valued. Discover the influential impact of showing genuine interest and curiosity in others, leading to more meaningful connections and enriching event experiences. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode and her guest, Jon Levy. She mentions his work as a behavioral scientist and his book, You're Invited, which focuses on human connection, trust, and belonging. 00:03:26 - Behavioral Science and Research Jon discusses his work as a behavioral scientist, including his research studies on dating and consumer behavior. He highlights the importance of applying research findings to real-life situations. 00:07:56 - The Influencers Dinner Jon shares how he started the Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience where guests couldn't discuss their careers or give their last names. He explains how the dinners helped create connections and a sense of belonging among industry leaders. 00:09:34 - Building a Community Jon explains how the Influencers Dinner evolved into a larger community of industry leaders. He discusses the in-person and digital events they organize and emphasizes the ephemeral nature of their interactions. 00:10:57 - Impact on Society Jon discusses his objective of bringing people together to improve their lives and potentially have a larger impact on society. He talks about raising money for social issues and getting media attention to raise awareness. 00:14:43 - Building Bonds through Shared Experiences The guest discusses the importance of getting people to assemble or work together as a way to strengthen relationships and create a sense of camaraderie within a company. By engaging high-profile individuals in unique and generous activities, such as assembling flowers, it creates a memorable experience that fosters emotional connections and generates positive word-of-mouth publicity. 00:16:16 - The Value of Being an Active Partner Rather than simply being a sponsor, it is more effective to actively design or be involved in the thinking process. By ensuring that people understand the core value and proposition of a brand, partners can forge stronger connections and leave a lasting impression. Quality over quantity is emphasized, focusing on meaningful engagements rather than broad-scale reach. 00:18:55 - The Power of Invitation in Building Connections The guest shares his experience in inviting impressive individuals to his events, even without extensive connections or resources. By starting with people he knew and gradually expanding his network through recommendations and research, he was able to build relationships with Nobel laureates, Olympians, and other accomplished individuals. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the behaviors and interests of specific groups in order to make meaningful connections. 00:20:42 - The Pitfalls of Scale and Misaligned Reach The discussion highlights the importance of targeted reach rather than focusing solely on scale. Having a large number of followers or attendees does not guarantee the right audience or meaningful connections. It is crucial to consider the relevance and alignment of the target audience when seeking partnerships or sponsorships. 00:29:29 - The Power of Influence and Trust Jon discusses the influence he has as a martial arts master and reverend, emphasizing the importance of trust in building connections. He explains that trust is created through competence, honesty, and benevolence, and that vulnerability loops can accelerate the trust-building process. 00:32:08 - Building Trust through Conversations Jon shares how his dinners create an environment where guests can have more intimate and vulnerable conversations, leading to accelerated trust between individuals. He also highlights the value of connecting on a personal level beyond discussing work-related topics. 00:34:50 - The Misunderstanding of Trust Jon explains that trust is often misunderstood, with many individuals leading with competence rather than benevolence. He discusses the importance of leveraging vulnerability loops and the Ikea effect to accelerate trust-building, emphasizing the need to ask for favors and provide support to create profound trust. 00:36:39 - Overcoming Fear of Asking for Help Melina and Jon share their personal experiences of asking for help, particularly in relation to promoting their books. They discuss the discomfort and fear that comes with asking for favors but highlight the importance of understanding that rejection or non-response doesn't necessarily reflect a personal dislike. 00:39:46 - Networking vs. Making Friends Jon challenges the traditional idea of networking and suggests that making friends is a more natural and effective way to connect with others. He emphasizes that networking often feels forced and unnatural, whereas making friends allows for more genuine and meaningful connections. 00:44:03 - The Importance of Relationships Relationships define the quality of our lives, whether in business or personal settings. Being vulnerable and reaching out to others can lead to meaningful connections and impactful experiences. 00:45:27 - Be Willing to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone To expand your social circle and create an impact, it's important to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Take action, reach out to others, and engage in activities that bring people together. 00:46:29 - The Power of Social Catalysts Engaging in activities as social catalysts can make connecting with others feel less awkward. Activities like walking, playing games, or pursuing shared interests provide a natural context for conversation and connection. 00:48:07 - Embrace Anonymity and Genuine Interest By focusing on genuine interest in others, regardless of titles or achievements, deeper connections can be formed. Embrace anonymity and approach interactions with curiosity and authenticity. 00:50:15 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Jon: Jon's Website Jon on Instagram Jon on Twitter Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: You're Invited, by Jon Levy The 2AM Principle, by Jon Levy Collaboration is the New Competition, by Priscilla McKinney What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey Top Recommended Next Episode: The Speed of Trust, with Stephen M.R. Covey (ep 320) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Reciprocity (ep 238) Biases Toward Novelty and Stories (ep 54) The Power of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Peak-End Rule (ep 97) Surprise and Delight (ep 276) What is Value? (ep 234) Disney: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 292) Get Your DOSE of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Loss Aversion (ep 316) Status Quo Bias (ep 142) Framing (ep 296) Using Behavioral Science in Healthcare, with Aline Holzwarth (ep 135) Decision Fatigue (ep 244) Temptation Bundling (ep 250) The Behaviour Business, with Richard Chataway (ep 134) How To Change, with Katy Milkman (ep 151) The Fun Habit with Mike Rucker (ep 251) Happier Hour, with Cassie Holmes (ep 249) The Human Experience, with John Sills (ep 277) Anthropology, Behavioral Economics, and Marketing, with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) The Science of Connection, with Nick Epley (ep 265) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear Melina Palmer interview Nick Sonnenberg, CEO of Leverage and author of Come Up For Air. Nick's background as an algorithmic trader on Wall Street gave him a unique perspective on the value of time, efficiency, and automation. He developed the CPR business efficiency framework to address common challenges in communication, planning, and resource allocation.  Nick's expertise in optimizing operations led to the founding of Leverage, a consultancy that helps businesses increase productivity using modern technologies and tools. Throughout the episode, Nick emphasizes the importance of time optimization and information retrieval. He shares practical strategies, such as the Foundations program, which teaches teams how to use tools like email, Slack, and Asana effectively. By implementing Nick's insights, you can save time, reduce stress, and increase productivity in your business. Tune in to learn how to streamline your operations and make the most of your valuable resources. In this episode, you will: Increase operational efficiency and productivity to maximize your business's growth potential. Learn effective time management strategies to optimize your productivity and achieve your business goals. Streamline your operations and processes to eliminate bottlenecks and improve overall efficiency. Optimize information retrieval and storage to access critical data quickly and make informed business decisions. Find the balance between work and play to enhance your overall well-being and maintain sustainable productivity. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer introduces Nick Sonnenberg, CEO of Leverage and author of Come Up For Air. Nick shares his background in finance and how his experience in high-frequency trading led him to develop a passion for automation and the value of time. 00:02:30 - The Journey of Leverage Nick discusses the growth and challenges faced by Leverage, his operational efficiency consultancy. He shares how he overcame operational debt and realized that the key to success lies in saving time and maximizing efficiency. 00:05:05 - The CPR Business Efficiency Framework Nick explains the CPR framework (Communicate, Plan, Resource) and how it can help organizations improve their efficiency. He highlights the importance of effective communication, planning, and standard operating procedures in saving time and increasing productivity. 00:07:28 - Getting Started with Efficiency Nick advises listeners on where to start when seeking to make efficiency improvements. He suggests focusing on areas that offer the highest return on time and recommends starting with the Foundations program, which helps align teams on information management and retrieval. 00:15:56 - The Power of Shifting Perspective Shifting your perspective and approach can lead to increased productivity and efficiency without the need for approval or new tools. By organizing your email and having a plan, you can set yourself up for success and inspire others to do the same. 00:16:55 - The Value of Time and Cutting Meetings The book emphasizes the importance of saving and optimizing time. Not all time slots are equal, and it's crucial to identify high-value time slots. By implementing strategies like pre-reading materials and using tools like Loom, meetings can be more efficient and productive. 00:21:18 - Leveraging Loom and Asynchronous Communication Loom, a screen recording tool, can help save time by allowing for asynchronous communication. Watching recordings at an accelerated speed and having the ability to rewatch can increase efficiency. Loom also facilitates discussions and comments, even outside of meetings. 00:23:44 - Understanding Your Bandwidth with Sprint Planning Sprint planning involves determining your capacity for work and considering pre-commitments like meetings and maintenance tasks. By recognizing how much time is actually available for new initiatives, you can set realistic goals and increase productivity. 00:24:11 - The Impact of Optimizing Time Optimizing time can lead to significant improvements in productivity. By reclaiming even just a few hours a week, you can effectively double the amount of time available for new initiatives. Recognizing the value of time can drive the implementation of time-saving strategies. 00:30:43 - Introduction to GetLeverage.com Nick Sonnenberg introduces his training and consulting company, GetLeverage.com, which helps businesses train and use various tools effectively. 00:31:19 - Benefits of GetLeverage.com Nick Sonnenberg highlights how GetLeverage.com can save businesses time and money by providing training and optimizing processes. 00:32:01 - Importance of Policies and Procedures Nick Sonnenberg emphasizes the significance of having optimized procedures and processes in place to facilitate business growth and efficiency. 00:33:30 - Focus on Quick Retrieval of Information Nick Sonnenberg suggests focusing on the quick retrieval of information rather than the quick transfer of information, as it saves time and improves productivity. 00:34:51 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Nick: Follow Nick on Twitter Follow Nick on LinkedIn Leverage website Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Come Up For Air, by Nick Sonnenberg Work Well. Play More! by Marcey Rader Indistractable, by Nir Eyal Subtract, by Leidy Klotz What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: Work Well. Play More! with Marcey Rader (ep 323) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Planning Fallacy (ep 346) Indistractable, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Time Discounting (ep 328) Loss Aversion (ep 316) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) Bikeshedding (ep 99) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) How To Start and Grow a Successful Podcast (ep 108) How to Organize Your Brain with Behavioral Economics (ep 83) Expect Error, the “E” in NUDGES (ep 39) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Habits (ep 256) Good Habits, Bad Habits, with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Come Up For Air website

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll join host Melina Palmer as she dives into the fascinating topic of the planning fallacy. Melina shares her personal experiences with underestimating the time it takes to complete tasks and projects, revealing that even she, an expert in the field, is not immune to this cognitive bias. But fear not, because Melina also provides valuable strategies to combat the planning fallacy and improve your planning accuracy. From seeking external perspectives to breaking tasks into smaller steps, she offers practical advice that you can implement in your own life. Whether you struggle with accurately estimating time or simply want to enhance your productivity, this episode is a must-listen. So get ready to tackle the planning fallacy head-on and start maximizing your time and efficiency. In this episode: Maximize productivity by understanding the planning fallacy and its impact on time estimation. Learn effective strategies to combat the planning fallacy and accurately estimate project timelines. Improve planning accuracy and avoid delays caused by underestimating the time needed for tasks. Unpack complex projects into manageable tasks for more accurate time allocation. Overcome the challenges of planning fallacy when dealing with large-scale projects. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the concept of planning fallacy and explains how it affects our ability to estimate the time and effort required for tasks. She also mentions her upcoming conversation with Nick Sonnenberg and how his book, Come Up for Air, inspired her to refresh this episode. 00:02:16 - The Foundations of Planning Fallacy Melina discusses how planning fallacy was first introduced by Kahneman and Tversky in 1979. They found that errors in judgment were systematic and not random, indicating a bias in the brain. Planning fallacy affects all kinds of people, even experts, and it can be difficult to overcome. 00:05:05 - Why We Fall Victim to Planning Fallacy Melina explains that the brain is naturally inclined to focus on success and underestimate the possibility of failure. We tend to believe that things will go smoothly and that we can do it all, leading to unrealistic expectations and missed deadlines. Even having deadlines and incentives doesn't necessarily help. 00:08:54 - Biases Contributing to Planning Fallacy Melina discusses several biases and brain tricks that contribute to planning fallacy, including the focusing illusion and fundamental attribution error. The focusing illusion causes us to allocate different amounts of time based on what we're currently focused on, while fundamental attribution error leads us to attribute external or internal factors incorrectly. 00:15:57 - The Myth of 8 Hours of Writing Writing for 8 hours straight is not actually 8 hours of writing. Taking breaks and getting distracted reduces the actual writing time. A suggested technique is to write for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break, repeating this cycle. This helps to combat planning fallacy and increase productivity. 00:17:43 - The Impact of Distractions and Breaks Distractions and breaks, such as emails and unexpected projects, further decrease writing time. Considering these interruptions, a planned 8-hour writing day may result in only 4.5 hours of actual writing. This means that the anticipated 32 pages would be reduced to only 18. 00:19:47 - Planning for Worst Case Scenario To overcome planning fallacy, it is crucial to plan for the worst case scenario. By allocating a realistic amount of time for productive writing and acknowledging potential distractions, you can avoid beating yourself up over unmet expectations. Celebrate achieving your planned writing time. 00:21:51 - Urgent vs Important Tasks The urgent vs important grid helps prioritize tasks. Determine if a task is important, urgent, both, or neither. This framework helps in dismissing distractions by asking if they are truly important and urgent compared to the planned task. Planning for distractions helps stick to timelines and overcome planning fallacy. 00:31:48 - Understanding the Planning Fallacy Launching a podcast involves various tasks that may seem quick and easy on the surface. However, breaking them down into subtasks reveals the true complexity of the process. Properly allocating time and planning for each subtask can help reduce stress and ensure completion without overcommitting. 00:33:48 - The Power of Unpacking Unpacking tasks into their smallest subcomponents is essential for complex projects like launching a podcast. Simple tasks may not benefit as much from unpacking, but for larger projects, it helps in understanding the full scope and allocating sufficient time for each task. 00:34:27 - Overcoming Planning Fallacy Planning fallacy is a natural tendency that affects everyone. Being aware of this tendency and using the tips mentioned in the episode can help overcome it. Having a trusted friend or colleague to keep you in check is also crucial in avoiding overcommitment and excessive work. 00:35:11 - Personal Experience with Planning Fallacy Melina admits to constantly struggling with planning fallacy despite her knowledge of it. However, understanding its existence and finding ways to manage it can prevent continuous overcommitment and excessive work. 00:36:22 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Come Up For Air, by Nick Sonnenberg Work Well. Play More! by Marcey Rader Indistractable, by Nir Eyal Subtract, by Leidy Klotz What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: Work Well. Play More! with Marcey Rader (ep 323) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Indistractable, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Time Discounting (ep 328) Loss Aversion (ep 316) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) Bikeshedding (ep 99) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) How To Start and Grow a Successful Podcast (ep 108) How to Organize Your Brain with Behavioral Economics (ep 83) Expect Error, the “E” in NUDGES (ep 39) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The Planning Fallacy: Getting Things Done Can the outside‐view approach improve planning decisions in software development projects? The Planning Fallacy: When Plans Lead to Optimistic Forecasts Exploring the Planning Fallacy: Why People Underestimate Their Task Completion Times A Nobel Prize-Winning Psychologist Explains Why We're Always Wrong About How Long Tasks Take The Planning Fallacy: Why You Miss Your Deadlines, And What to do About it Allocating Time to Future Tasks:The Effect of Task Segmentation on Planning Fallacy Bias Intuitive Prediction: Biases and Corrective Procedures Seattle tunnel construction avoided costly mistakes of Boston's Big Dig Visualization-Mediated Alleviation of the Planning Fallacy If You Don't Want to Be Late, Enumerate: Unpacking Reduces the Planning Fallacy Planning Fallacy

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear an insightful conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest Prince Ghuman, a renowned neuromarketer and author. The discussion centers around the importance of incorporating neuroscience and psychology in marketing strategies. Prince emphasizes the need for marketers to understand human behavior and behavior science in order to create more effective campaigns and improve customer satisfaction.  He discusses concepts like pattern recognition, the mere exposure effect, and the balance between novelty and familiarity. Prince also explores the adoption curve and how different consumer segments prefer varying degrees of newness and safety. By incorporating these insights into your marketing strategies, you can better connect with consumers and optimize your marketing efforts. This episode provides valuable knowledge and practical tools for marketers seeking to enhance their marketing strategies and campaigns. In this episode, you will: Discover the untapped potential of incorporating neuroscience and psychology in your marketing strategies for more effective customer engagement. Unravel the concept of NAS (new and safe) and unlock its impact on consumer preferences, positioning your brand as a trusted choice in the market. Gain a deep understanding of the adoption curve and learn how to appeal to different consumer segments, maximizing your marketing efforts for better ROI. Harness the power of pattern recognition to identify consumer preferences and create meaningful brand connections that drive loyalty and repeat business. Explore the shared responsibility of consumers and marketers in shaping the digital landscape, ensuring ethical practices that foster trust and satisfaction in the online marketplace. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode and welcomes Prince Ghuman as the guest. They discuss the intersection of behavioral science and marketing and Prince's background in the field. 00:02:08 - Prince's Background and Playbook, Prince shares his journey into the world of behavioral science and marketing. He discusses his experience working at startups and established corporations, as well as his transition to becoming a professor. Prince highlights the importance of neuroscience and psychology in marketing and mentions the playbook he developed over the years. 00:06:12 - Principles vs. Hard Science in Neuromarketing, Prince explains the division between principles and hard science in neuromarketing. He emphasizes the significance of understanding the principles of human behavior and psychology in marketing, even if neuroimaging is not accessible to all marketers. 00:08:23 - The Importance of Principles in Neuromarketing, Prince discusses the importance of principles in neuromarketing and how they can be applied to improve marketing strategies. He mentions the lack of emphasis on neuroscience and psychology in traditional marketing curricula and highlights the need for more practical applications of behavioral science in marketing. 00:10:00 - Applying Decision-Making Science to Marketing, Prince mentions the book Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and its significance in understanding decision-making. However, he emphasizes the need for tactics and practical applications of decision-making science in marketing and customer experiences. He envisions a future where neuromarketing principles are integrated. 00:15:00 - Evolution of Marketing and A/B Testing, The conversation begins with a discussion about the evolution of marketing and the use of A/B testing. The guest emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychological underpinnings behind marketing strategies and conducting more scientifically informed tests. 00:16:30 - Why We Like What We Like, The guest introduces the concept of the mere exposure effect, which states that the more we are exposed to something, the more likely we are to prefer it. They also discuss the idea of "new and safe," where people are attracted to things that are both novel and familiar. Understanding this concept can help brands come up with better product tests and launch strategies. 00:18:16 - The Psychological Context of Product Adoption, The guest explains how the psychological context of product adoption is often overlooked. Early adopters are more accepting of imbalances between new and safe, while late adopters prefer safety. Understanding this can help brand managers tailor their launch strategies and target different segments of the market. 00:21:14 - Using Familiarity and Novelty in Product Launches, The guest uses the example of Oreo cookies to illustrate how brands can incorporate familiarity and novelty to attract mass market appeal. By sandwiching a new flavor between familiar elements, brands can grab attention and break through established patterns, even if the new flavor itself doesn't sell well. 00:24:34 - Pleasure in Pattern Recognition, Prince addresses a question about why humans derive pleasure from pattern recognition. 00:29:31 - The Use of Game Mechanics in Engagement, The guest talks about how game mechanics are being used across various genres of games to increase engagement. He gives examples of sports games like NBA, soccer, FIFA, and NFL, as well as board games like Monopoly. Unpredictability is a key factor in increasing engagement, and this is seen in social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where users are constantly scrolling to see what comes up next in their feed. 00:30:46 - Engagement 2.0 and Compulsive Behavior, The guest discusses how engagement in digital products, like social media apps, can lead to compulsive behavior. The unpredictability of what comes next on these platforms keeps users engaged and scrolling. He emphasizes that engagement is only a few steps away from compulsive behavior and explains why some apps have come under fire for exploiting this. 00:34:57 - The Role of Users in Data Science and Behavior Modeling, The guest points out that while tech companies are often criticized for using data science unethically, users also play a role in this behavior modeling. He suggests that consumers need to be willing to pay for digital products and services if they want to see a change in the way data science is used. He compares it to the organic food movement, where consumers demanded and paid a premium for healthier options. 00:36:27 - Marketers' Responsibility in Understanding Neuroscience, The guest emphasizes the importance for marketers to understand neuroscience and psychology in order to create better products and experiences for consumers. 00:43:10 - Importance of Understanding Your Customers, Understanding your customers' goals and communication preferences is crucial in business. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on meeting your customers' needs. This is the foundation of Melina Palmer's book What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You. 00:43:37 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Prince:  Follow Prince on LinkedIn  Follow Prince on Twitter  PopNeuro website Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Blindsight, by Prince Ghuman and Matt Johnson Neurobranding, by Peter Steidl Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Crossing the Chasm, by Geoffrey Moore The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell Top Recommended Next Episode: Neuroscience and Behavioral Economics, with Matt Johnson (ep 160) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Indistractable, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Branding That Means Business, with Matt Johnson (ep 231) Disney: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 292) Availability Bias (ep 310) Familiarity Bias (ep 149) Relativity (ep 12) Get Your DOSE Of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Habits (ep 256) The Power of Habit (ep 22) Non-Obvious Thinking with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Surprise & Delight (ep 276) McDonalds' Irrational Loyalty Program (ep 279) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter We Asked: Why Does Oreo Keep Releasing New Flavors?

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll gain valuable insights from Lucie Buisson, the Chief Product Officer at Contentsquare. Lucie's expertise lies in optimizing user experience on websites and mobile apps, and she shares her research and experience to provide practical tips for product managers. By understanding user behavior and identifying their real needs and problems through careful observation and analysis, businesses can create a more effective and engaging user experience.  Lucie also emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision making, testing assumptions, and balancing quick wins with long-term projects. Additionally, she discusses the challenges of scaling a company and offers valuable insights on maintaining clear communication and team cohesion during periods of growth and change. Whether you're a product manager looking to improve user experience or interested in the dynamics of scaling a company, this episode provides valuable knowledge and actionable strategies. In this episode: Uncover actionable insights from user data analysis to drive strategic decision-making and optimize user experience. Strike a balance between quick wins and long-term projects to continually improve product performance and customer satisfaction. Gain a deeper understanding of user behavior through data analysis, going beyond customer feedback alone to make informed product decisions. Navigate the challenges and considerations of scaling a tech company, unlocking opportunities for growth and success. Recognize the impact of time discounting on user behavior and explore strategies to effectively engage and retain customers. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, host Melina Palmer introduces Lucie Buisson, the Chief Product Officer at Content Square. She discusses Lucie's role in the company's growth and the mission of Contentsquare to make the digital world more human. 00:02:07 - Scaling a Company, Lucie shares her insights on scaling a company, emphasizing the importance of adaptability while staying true to the company's vision and goals. She also highlights the challenges of transitioning from a small team to a larger organization. 00:06:27 - Understanding Behavior, Content Square's technology collects anonymous user interactions to understand customer behavior and preferences. Lucie emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer intent and providing personalized online experiences that mimic the positive aspects of in-store shopping. 00:08:31 - Challenges of Scaling, Lucie discusses the challenges of scaling a company, including the need to define roles and maintain a shared vision as the organization grows. She also highlights the importance of explicit communication in a larger team. 00:11:34 - Scientific Approach to Customer Understanding, Lucie emphasizes the scientific approach to understanding customers and the importance of data-driven decision-making. She discusses the role of data analysis in product management and the need for empirical evidence rather than opinions. 00:18:06 - The Power of Contentsquare, Contentsquare allows users to gain insights and identify website performance issues without knowing exactly what they're looking for. Unlike tagging plans, Contentsquare collects every interaction on a website, providing a more exploratory approach to understanding customer behavior. 00:19:46 - Prioritizing the Most Important Problems, Contentsquare's reports provide valuable information without users having to choose what to analyze in advance. By presenting click rates on every element of a webpage, users can identify areas of improvement without bias. Solving the most pressing problems yields the greatest impact. 00:24:47 - Finding Simple Fixes with Significant Results, Customer assumptions about what needs to be fixed often lead to massive and time-consuming projects. However, Contentsquare can reveal simple fixes like optimizing a landing page's hero image or call-to-action placement, resulting in substantial improvements and revenue opportunities. 00:27:31 - Balancing Voice of Customer Feedback, While Voice of Customer (VOC) tools provide valuable feedback, it often comes from extreme ends of the satisfaction spectrum. Contentsquare helps differentiate between isolated incidents and symptomatic behavior by tying VOC feedback to session replays. This allows users to prioritize actions based on quantifiable impact. 00:30:42 - The Iterative Cycle of Innovation, Contentsquare serves as the middle piece in a cycle of innovation. By understanding why customers struggle and making changes to address those issues, users can then use experimentation tools like A/B testing to analyze the impact of their modifications. 00:34:38 - Understanding Future Behavior, People often answer questions about their future behavior based on what they hope to be, not necessarily what they will actually do. Our predictions about our future selves are often different from our current behaviors, and this should be taken into account when designing products and experiences. 00:35:36 - Customer Feedback and Implementation, When gathering customer feedback, it's important to ask the right questions. Customers may say they want a new feature, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will use it. Implementing unnecessary features can overcomplicate the user experience and deter usage. 00:37:47 - Testing and Understanding Behavior, Testing and understanding user behavior is crucial for optimizing experiences. A case study from Netflix shows that what people say they want may not align with their actual behavior. It's important to go beyond customer requests and truly understand their needs and motivations. 00:40:36 - Balancing Customer Requests and Solutions, While it's important to listen to customer feedback, it's equally important to go beyond their requests and find innovative solutions to their problems. Product managers should balance quick wins with long-term projects and use their expertise to identify the best solutions. 00:43:37 - Optimizing Website Experience, To optimize website experiences, start by listening to customers and identifying small signals of behavior. Quantify the impact of these behaviors and find a balance between quick wins and long-term improvements. Understanding the customer while also leveraging product expertise is key to success. 00:46:09 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Lucie: Follow Lucie on LinkedIn Contentsquare on Twitter Contentsquare Website Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Voltage Effect, by John LIst What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Continuous Discovery Habits, by Teresa Torres Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: The Voltage Effect, with John List (ep 190) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Peloton: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 338) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Sludge (ep 179) Choice Architecture and NUDGES (ep 35) Priming (ep 252) The Dunning-Kruger Effect (ep 266) Habits (ep 256) Your Future Self, with Hal Hershfield (ep 329) Time Discounting (ep 328) Optimism Bias (ep 34) Planning Fallacy (ep 346) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer dives into the fascinating world of behavioral economics and its application in Peloton's marketing success. As a marketing expert, Melina understands the importance of effective messaging and branding strategies, and she shares her insights on how Peloton has leveraged behavioral economics concepts to create a strong connection with their target audience.  She explores the power of storytelling, community-building, and framing offers in a way that resonates with customers. Melina also discusses the impact of social proof, herding, and anchoring in Peloton's advertising and business strategies. If you're a marketer or business owner looking to enhance your branding and advertising strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Melina's expertise and analysis of Peloton's success will inspire you to apply behavioral economics principles in your own marketing efforts and build a loyal customer base. In this episode: Enhance your branding and advertising strategies by applying behavioral economics concepts for a Peloton-like success. Discover the importance of aligning your messaging with your target audiences for more effective advertising. Uncover the power of storytelling and community-building to create a strong brand identity and engage customers. Learn how to leverage social proof and herding to enhance motivation and engagement within your community. Understand the impact of ad controversy and mixed messaging, and how to avoid it in your own advertising campaigns. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the podcast episode and explains the purpose of the Behavioral Economics Analysis series. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how companies apply behavioral economics concepts and provides ideas for implementing them in one's own business. 00:03:49 - Background on Peloton, Melina provides an overview of Peloton, a fitness company that sells workout equipment and offers streaming classes. She shares statistics on the company's membership, workout completion, and revenue. She also mentions the controversy surrounding a Peloton holiday ad and the mixed messaging in the company's marketing. 00:07:21 - Mixed Messaging in Peloton's Marketing, Melina discusses the issue of mixed messaging in Peloton's marketing. She explains that while the company aims to be inclusive, their ads primarily target wealthy individuals. This creates a disconnect with their message of building a community accessible to everyone. She suggests that Peloton should align their marketing with their target audience more clearly. 00:09:52 - Inclusivity vs. High-Income Targeting, Melina discusses the two paths Peloton could take in their marketing strategy: inclusivity or targeting high-income individuals. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and consistency in messaging and highlights the need for proper context in ads to avoid negative interpretations. 00:11:10 - Importance of Providing Context in Ads, Melina stresses the importance of providing context in ads, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like health and fitness. Without proper context, viewers may fill in the gaps. 00:15:07 - Utilizing Stories and Community in Advertising, Peloton has a wealth of stories and people that can be used in advertising to inspire others and promote the brand. They should engage their community and ask for stories to feature. 00:17:38 - Potential Benefits of Controversial Advertising, While Peloton received backlash for their controversial ad, it brought awareness to the brand and the problem they solve. Seeing the ad everywhere can increase focus on the company and prompt people to learn more. 00:19:55 - Peloton's Pricing Strategy, Peloton offers an expensive product, but they make it easier for customers to try with a 30-day trial and financing options. The 94% stay rate at the twelve month mark shows that once people have the equipment, they are likely to continue using it. 00:21:28 - Access to Content and Reciprocity, Peloton's monthly membership fee gives access to high-quality content, creating a sense of reciprocity. They bundle offers without discounting, providing additional benefits for customers who buy the bike or treadmill. 00:26:22 - Structuring Choices for Customer Satisfaction, Peloton structures their choices by allowing users to easily search and filter for classes based on their preferences. They have ten main categories to start with and provide recommended rides based on users' preferences. 00:31:08 - Herding and Social Proof on Peloton, Peloton's use of herding and social proof enhances the community experience, with features like showing how many people have taken a class before, following other users, and rating classes. This creates a sense of community without the awkwardness. 00:32:29 - Framing and Tracking Progress, Peloton's instructors guide users on what numbers to focus on during workouts, emphasizing resistance and cadence. By framing what matters and providing robust stats, Peloton makes it easy to track progress and strive for improvement. 00:35:45 - Incorporating Social Proof, Peloton creates a sense of community by incorporating social proof, such as calling out names and profiles of people hitting milestones during live workouts. Badges, achievements, and virtual high fives further enhance the feeling of being part of a larger community. 00:40:06 - The Impact of "I See You", Peloton's instructors use the phrase "I see you" when giving shout outs, creating a personal and inclusive atmosphere. This subtle phrasing adds to the social proof and makes users feel like part of a big family. Anchoring and commitments also help form good habits and keep users motivated. 00:46:20 - Key Takeaways from Peloton's Advertising Strategy, Key takeaways from Peloton's advertising strategy include knowing your target market, using real stories from your community, and making complex offerings easy for users. Context and storytelling are important, as well as anchoring and social proof to create a sense of community and connection. 00:47:46 - Importance of User Experience and Choice Structure, The user experience is crucial, especially when it comes to structuring choices. Making it easy for users to navigate and personalize their experience is key, particularly for those trying to change habits. Defaults and remembered settings can help facilitate this process. 00:48:28 - Anchoring and Social Proof for Building a Community, Anchoring with big numbers helps show what's possible and move people beyond their initial expectations. Social proof is essential for creating a sense of community, whether it's through personalized shoutouts or highlighting the presence of a larger community. 00:49:42 - Pricing Strategies and Knowing Your Audience, Pricing doesn't always have to be about discounts. Understanding your audience's mindset and what matters to them can help in setting prices. Not every business is for every person, and it's okay if some people don't resonate with your pricing. 00:51:52 - Personalized Virtual Experiences and the Potential for Business Growth, Peloton's ability to create a personalized virtual experience highlights the potential for businesses to offer virtual services with a subscription or membership model.  00:53:24 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood Purpose, by Gina Bianchini What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Atomic Habits, by James Clear Engaged, by Amy Bucher Top Recommended Next Episode: The Science of Subscriptions and Membership Models (ep 105) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Costco: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 47) Disney: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 292) Starbucks: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 278) Apple Card: A Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 42) Availability Bias (ep 310) Framing (ep 296) How to Stack and Bundle Products and Services To Sell More (ep 84) How to Raise Your Prices (ep 77) Reciprocity (ep 238) Structuring Complex Choices: The “S” in NUDGES (ep 41) Herding (ep 264) Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Habits (ep 256) How to Get (and Stay) Motivated (ep 67) The Network Effect (ep 262) Creating a Habit of Curiosity with Pique (ep 119) Precommitment (ep 120) Get Your DOSE Of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Good Habits, Bad Habits with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Find Your Purpose, with Gina Bianchini (ep 263) Surprise & Delight (ep 276) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The real lesson your credit union should learn from Peloton's ad flop (it's not what you think) The Gift That Gives Back | Peloton Bike Commercial Peloton Investor Relations Peloton's nightmare before Christmas: $1.5 billion vanished from its market value in 3 days amid holiday ad backlash

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear a fascinating conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest David McRaney. They delve into the power of perception and how our minds construct reality. David shares his journey of discovering the topic of perception while researching for his book. The discussion explores how our prior experiences and brain processes influence our perception, and how our perception can vary greatly based on individual differences. By understanding the power of perception, you'll gain valuable insights that can enhance your content creation and improve your understanding of how we construct our reality. So, join Melina and David on this thought-provoking episode to expand your knowledge and gain a new perspective on perception. In this episode: Discover the science behind psychology and behavior change. Explore the power of perception and how our minds construct reality, revealing the impact it has on our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Understand the intricacies of belief change and gain practical strategies for effectively changing minds and transforming perspectives. Bonus: Learn expert tips for conducting interviews and securing interesting guests to keep your podcast episodes compelling and informative. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces this episode, featuring a conversation with David McRaney about his book "How Minds Change." She explains that the book explores the psychology of changing minds and discusses why she chose to feature this episode. 00:02:32 - David McRaney's Background, David shares his background, from owning businesses to working in journalism and local television. He talks about starting his blog, You Are Not So Smart, which led to a book deal and a successful podcast. He mentions his interest in biases, fallacies, and critical thinking. 00:05:00 - Overview of How Minds Change, David introduces his book, How Minds Change, which explores the psychology of changing opinions, persuasion, and social change. He discusses his fascination with understanding conspiratorial thinking, resistance to change, and misinformation. 00:07:59 - Advice for Discerning Pursuits, David advises against jumping into trends and suggests pursuing topics that spark a deep curiosity and obsession. He recommends exploring areas that you want to share with others and that drive you to learn more. 00:10:53 - Importance of Following an Obsession, David emphasizes the importance of following an obsession and delving deep into a topic of interest. He shares his personal experience with his blog, You Are Not So Smart, and how his curiosity led to the success of his book and podcast. 00:14:02 - The Importance of Enthusiasm and Passion in Podcasts, David discusses how he can quickly tell if a podcast is just following an algorithm, and emphasizes the importance of infectious enthusiasm and passion in keeping listeners engaged. 00:14:30 - The Need for Genuine Interest in Writing a Book, David's agent stresses the importance of genuine passion and commitment when pitching book ideas, and he agrees that he prefers to embark on a book project without all the answers, allowing the authoritative voice to emerge naturally. 00:15:17 - McRaney's Approach to Writing a Book, As a journalist, David believes that his books are better when his authoritative voice develops throughout the project, taking readers on a journey of discovery and learning alongside him. 00:18:04 - Behavioral Baking and Connecting with the Audience, David shares his experience with introducing a cookie segment on his podcast, where he would bake cookies and share them with his audience. While some loved it, others were not as enthusiastic, leading David to retire the segment after 100 episodes. Melina discusses his concept of "Behavioral Baking" and how it ties into her podcast. 00:28:08 - The Power of Networking, David shares his experience of reaching out to experts at NYU and how it led to valuable connections and collaborations for his podcast and book projects. 00:29:33 - The Fascination with the Dress, David discusses the viral phenomenon of "the dress," an image that appeared on the internet and sparked intense debate over its colors. He explains how this event became a touchstone for understanding disagreements and perception. 00:31:35 - The Importance of Curiosity, David emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking questions when networking and conducting interviews. He shares advice from a seasoned journalist on always coming back with multiple story ideas to avoid writer's block. 00:32:45 - The Dress Phenomenon Explained, McRaney delves into the psychology and neuroscience behind the dress illusion. He explains how the brain processes overexposed images and how this can lead to different color perceptions. He references the strawberries illusion as another example. 00:43:09 - Going Beyond Right and Wrong, Engaging in arguments over who is right and who is wrong prevents deeper conversations about why people hold different interpretations. This applies to various disagreements and limits our understanding of ourselves and others. 00:45:25 - The Croc Experiment, The croc experiment demonstrated the surf pad concept by showing that people's prior experiences influenced how they perceived the color of crocs and socks under different lighting conditions. This bizarre experiment highlights the complexity of perception and how it varies among individuals. 00:49:36 - Minds Changing on Same-Sex Marriage, The shift in attitudes towards same-sex marriage challenged the notion that people can't change their minds. Understanding what happens in a person's brain when they no longer agree with their past beliefs became the focus of investigation. 00:51:28 - How to Change Minds, Changing minds requires moving away from a confrontational approach and towards compassionate listening. Brute-forcing facts on others doesn't work; instead, engaging in non-judgmental conversations that allow for understanding can lead to effective persuasion. 00:55:43 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with David: DAVID'S WEBSITE DAVID ON TWITTER DAVID ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: How Minds Change, by David McRaney You Are Not So Smart, by David McRaney You Are Now Less Dumb, by David McRaney What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Look, by Christian Madsbjerg Top Recommended Next Episode: Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (ep 312) Influence Is Your Superpower with Yale's Dr. Zoe Chance (ep 189) A More Beautiful Question with Warren Berger (episode 200) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) Priming (ep 252) What is Behavioral Baking? (episode 155) Partitioning (ep 252) You Have More Influence Than You Think with Vanessa Bohns (ep 318) The Power of Us with Dr. Dominic Packer (ep 304) Reciprocity (ep 238) Sense Of Smell (ep 298) Sense of Sight (ep 24) Look, with Christian Madsbjerg (ep 325) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Negativity Bias (ep 223) The Dunning Kruger Effect (ep 266) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter You Are Not So Smart Website The Dress Strawberry Illusion

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Brian Lowery, a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, on the topic of how our behavior impacts others and vice versa. Brian emphasizes that we have agency in shaping the people we interact with, and that our behavior can have a significant impact on others. By recognizing that our sense of self is constructed through relationships, we can cultivate empathy and understanding for others. This can enhance our interpersonal relationships and lead to more effective communication and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the concept of social contagion and how emotions can be contagious in social interactions, highlighting the potential for even fleeting interactions to have significant effects. Throughout the episode, Brian provides insights and practical advice for leaders and individuals to enhance their ability to connect with others and navigate the complexities of human relationships.  In this episode: Understand the flexibility of personal identity and its profound influence on individuals. Discover the cyclical impact of individual behavior on communal dynamics and vice versa. Learn the importance of acknowledging and taking charge of your contribution to interpersonal relationships. Realize the far-reaching effects of minor social engagements on individual attitudes and office culture. Recognize the significance of empathy and perspective shift in successful communication. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Brian Lowery, Dr. Brian Lowery, author of Selfless, discusses his background and research on how people make sense of the self. He explains that our sense of self is a construction of relationships, social interactions, and culture, rather than an individual entity. 00:06:00 - Shifting Identities Throughout the Day, Brian and Melina talk about how our identities shift throughout the day in response to different relationships and social contexts. Brian emphasizes that these shifts are not just masks we put on, but rather a fundamental part of our flexibility as human beings. 00:10:15 - Influence of Others on Our Sense of Self, Lowery explores how our sense of self is influenced by others, often in ways we are not consciously aware of. He discusses studies that show how our attitudes and beliefs can change based on what we think others expect of us. This demonstrates the degree of flexibility in who we are and who we can be. 00:12:59 - Importance of Understanding the Self, Brian explains that understanding the nature of the self is fascinating and awe-inspiring, even if there is no specific action to be taken with this knowledge. Recognizing the fluidity and complexity of the self can reshape how we approach our lives and relationships. 00:14:36 - The Construction of People, Brian emphasizes that our interactions with others contribute to the construction of the people we engage with. He encourages individuals to reflect on their contribution to relationships and take responsibility for their impact on others' behavior. 00:15:38 - Shifting Perspective, Lowery challenges the conventional notion of individuals as isolated islands who can choose to listen or not. Instead, he suggests that our actions and words impose decisions on others, highlighting the power and responsibility we have in shaping their responses. 00:19:43 - The Ripple Effect, Brian discusses how seemingly small interactions can have lasting effects. Melina shares a personal experience of receiving a seemingly innocuous email from a boss that had a significant impact on her mindset and subsequent interactions. She emphasizes the importance of considering the broader impact of our actions. 00:22:26 - The Impact of Audience, Brian explores the concept of audience impact, highlighting how even imagined readers influenced his writing process. He notes that our behavior and words can have a ripple effect, influencing the emotions and actions of those around us, often in ways we may not fully comprehend. 00:25:07 - The Power of Leadership Communication, Brian and Melina discuss the heightened impact of leaders' behaviors and communications. They emphasize that leaders' actions are scrutinized for information, and even seemingly minor interactions can have significant effects on team members and office culture. 00:28:47 - The Importance of the Receiver, Communication is about influencing and changing the behavior of the person you're communicating with. The receiver is the only person that matters because if they don't understand or take what you intended, you have failed in your communication goals. 00:29:19 - Recognizing Others' Perspectives, People often struggle to recognize that others may experience a situation differently than they do. It's important to be curious and try to understand the reasoning behind someone's behavior, even if it's surprising or upsetting to you. 00:31:41 - Curiosity and Self-Reflection, Curiosity is a powerful tool for understanding others. Instead of relying on assumptions, engage with someone to understand their experiences. Additionally, ask yourself how you may be contributing to a situation and recognize your agency in it. 00:32:32 - Addressing Confirmation Bias, It's challenging to get someone to see their own confirmation bias. Instead, focus on examining your own biases and seeking self-awareness. Understanding your own biases can lead to more productive conversations. 00:36:42 - Exploring Friendship, Lowery's podcast "Know What You See" explores different themes, such as friendship, gender, and home. The upcoming episode on friendship discusses how people manage and maintain friendships in different life stages, including college, adulthood, and parenthood. 00:43:09 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Brian:  Follow Brian on Twitter  Follow Brian on LinkedIn  Know What You See podcast Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Selfless, by Brian Lowery How To Have Difficult Conversations About Race, by Kwame Christian Your Future Self, by Hal Hershfield A More Just Future, by Dolly Chugh What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: How To Have Difficult Conversations At Work, with Kwame Christian (ep 107) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Your Future Self, with Hal Hershfield (ep 329) Memory Biases (ep 280) A More Just Future, by Dolly Chugh (ep 247) For The Culture, with Marcus Collins (ep 305) Priming (ep 252) Focusing Illusion (ep 330) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Melina Palmer dives deep into the concept of the focusing illusion and its impact on our perceptions and decisions. Melina introduces the concept by explaining that the focusing illusion is a cognitive bias where we give disproportionate weight to one specific aspect of a situation while neglecting other factors that matter and may have a greater impact. This bias can lead us to make decisions based on a distorted view of reality. The discussion moves on to how the focusing illusion affects individuals and businesses alike.  Melina shares examples such as people overestimating the impact of winning the lottery on their happiness, or forming negative perceptions of a restaurant based on a single negative review about the cleanliness of the floor. These examples highlight the importance of looking beyond surface-level factors and considering the broader context. By understanding the influence of the focusing illusion, businesses can make more informed decisions that align with reality and effectively tailor their messaging to resonate with their target audience. Whether you're an individual looking to make better personal choices or a business seeking to improve your marketing strategies, this podcast episode offers help so you navigate the pitfalls of this cognitive bias.  In this episode: Explore the profound reach of the focusing illusion on your perspective and decision-making. Gain unique insights into how the focusing illusion shapes our happiness projections. Understand the danger of exaggerating the significance of certain variables on your happiness. Dive into how businesses can use the focusing illusion. Appreciate why pinpointing the focusing illusion is a necessary step in decision-making processes. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces episode 330 of The Brainy Business podcast, which focuses on the concept of the focusing illusion and its impact on our perception of happiness. 00:03:08 - The Focusing Illusion, The focusing illusion is a cognitive bias that causes us to place too much weight on certain aspects of our lives or experiences, leading us to overestimate their impact on our overall happiness. 00:07:11 - Impact on Decision Making, The focusing illusion can influence our decision-making by causing us to prioritize certain factors, even if they are not truly as important as we believe them to be. This can lead to biased perceptions and actions. 00:09:27 - The Halo Effect, The halo effect is a related cognitive bias that can be influenced by the focusing illusion. It causes us to form positive or negative impressions of someone based on limited information or initial traits. 00:12:39 - Sequence Matters, The sequence in which we observe characteristics or information about a person can heavily influence our perception and interpretation. The halo effect and the focusing illusion can both be influenced by the order in which information is presented. 00:16:27 - The Impact of Bias on Relationships, Bias can create a self-fulfilling prophecy in relationships, leading to a vicious cycle of negative interactions. It's important to step back and consider if your bias is guiding your interactions and if there may be a different perspective to consider. 00:18:13 - The Focusing Illusion and Facing Mortality, The focusing illusion causes us to focus on the potential last interactions with loved ones when facing serious illnesses or life-changing events. But the truth is, every interaction could be the last, so it's important to let go of grudges and focus on what really matters. 00:21:09 - Applying the Focusing Illusion in Business, The focusing illusion can impact our approach to projects and business decisions. By changing our filter and considering different perspectives, we can uncover hidden problems or opportunities that may have been overlooked. 00:24:57 - Narrowing Your Message for Business Success, In business, it's important to focus on what really matters to your target market. By narrowing your message and aligning it with your customer's mind state, you can create a stronger connection and motivate them to take action. 00:27:31 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Selfless, by Brian Lowery What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Top Recommended Next Episode: Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Marketing to Mindstates, with Will Leach (ep 88) Counterfactual Thinking (ep 286) Prefactual Thinking (ep 232) Loss Aversion (ep 316) How to Organize Your Brain with Behavioral Economics (ep 83) Social Proof (ep 87) Brainy Benefits of Gratitude (ep 236) How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) Avoiding Everyday Work Disasters, with Gleb Tsipursky (ep 111) Hate Being On Camera? Behavioral Economics Can Help (ep 95) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Mountain Clarity Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer?  A Focusing Illusion Does Living in California Make People Happy? A Focusing Illusion in Judgments of Life Satisfaction

Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, shares valuable insights on improving communication skills in spontaneous situations on The Brainy Business podcast hosted by Melina Palmer. In this episode, Abrahams discusses key strategies from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, which focuses on helping individuals feel more comfortable and confident in impromptu speaking scenarios. Abrahams draws from personal experiences and observations to develop his methodology. He highlights the challenges individuals face in speaking spontaneously and emphasizes the importance of confidence and commitment when responding. Through anecdotes and practical tips, Abrahams shows how anyone can enhance their communication skills in impromptu situations. Throughout the episode, Abrahams discusses the significance of active listening, reframing situations as opportunities, and effective structure in communication. He encourages individuals to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and prioritize listening over speaking. Abrahams' book offers practical steps and exercises to help listeners practice and refine their communication skills. Professionals seeking to improve their spontaneous speaking and communication skills–from presentations to job interviews to networking events–will find this episode insightful and actionable. Abrahams' expertise and relatable anecdotes make it a valuable resource for individuals looking to enhance their speaking abilities in spontaneous situations. In this episode: Explore how proficient communication in unexpected situations can give you an edge. Learn how enhancing your active listening abilities can drastically improve the quality of your communication. Delve into the significance of preparing for spontaneous conversations. Master the art of using concise structures to drive powerful communication. Get a grip on actionable strategies for honing your communication skills in unplanned situations–from speaking on a stage to job interviews to networking events and more. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer welcomes Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. They discuss Matt's new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, which focuses on speaking effectively and confidently in spontaneous speaking situations. 00:03:10 - The Need for Spontaneous Speaking Skills, Matt explains how his personal experiences and feedback from students led to the development of his methodology for speaking confidently in the moment. He emphasizes the importance of spontaneous speaking skills in everyday communication. 00:05:23 - Overcoming Spontaneous Speaking Challenges, Melina shares her own experience of struggling with spontaneous speaking during a job interview. Matt tells a story about an unexpected question he faced during an interview and how he turned it into an opportunity to showcase his skills. The lesson is, even when you are caught off guard, to connect to something and commit to your response. 00:09:31 - Confidence and Commitment in Spontaneous Speaking, Melina highlights the importance of confidence in spontaneous speaking, as people can sense if you're not confident. Matt explains that committing to your response, even if it's unexpected, is crucial and draws parallels with the world of improvisation. 00:13:25 - Lessons from Improvisation, Matt discusses the influence of improvisation on his methodology and shares the principle of "failing big." He encourages speakers to commit fully to their responses and not be afraid of failure, as it can lead to unexpected successes. 00:15:24 - The Power of Getting Lost, Matt Abrahams discusses the importance of getting lost and embracing uncertainty in order to expand what's possible in spontaneous situations. He explains how striving for control and perfection can actually limit our potential, and how cognitive bandwidth affects our performance. 00:16:25 - Striving for Mediocrity, Abrahams encourages his students to strive for mediocrity in order to achieve greatness. By focusing on getting things done rather than judging and evaluating, individuals can have more resources to perform well. He emphasizes the need to embrace uncertainty and take risks. 00:17:43 - Allowing Yourself to Get Lost, Abrahams explains the importance of allowing oneself to get lost and try new things in order to broaden what's possible and stay focused in the present moment. While it can be challenging, embracing uncertainty can lead to rewarding outcomes. 00:18:42 - Overcoming the Fear of Average, Melina shares a personal anecdote about feeling overwhelmed by being graded on a curve in college. Matt highlights the concept that from average, greatness can emerge, and emphasizes the need to focus on personal growth rather than labeling ourselves with grades. 00:20:04 - The Six Steps to Better Communication, Abrahams outlines his six-step methodology for improving communication, which includes managing anxiety, getting out of our own way, reframing spontaneous speaking as an opportunity, emphasizing the importance of listening, using structure, and maintaining focus. 00:29:22 - The Value of Listening, Matt discusses the importance of listening in conversations and the benefits it brings to the listener. He explains that listening is a muscle that needs to be strengthened and that good listeners help speakers solve their problems instead of immediately jumping in with solutions. He also emphasizes the need for space, pace, and grace in listening. 00:30:58 - The Mindset of Listening, Matt Abrahams shares insights from an interview with a listening researcher, Guy Ichakov, who highlights the mindset of a good listener. He explains that a good listener's job is to help the speaker solve their problem, rather than trying to solve it themselves. Abrahams reflects on his own tendency to jump into problem-solving mode and actively works on adopting a listening mindset. 00:32:21 - The Power of Structures in Communication, Matt Abrahams discusses the importance of using structures or frameworks in communication to help organize and prioritize information. He introduces the "Swiss Army Knife" structure of three simple questions: What? So what? Now what? This structure helps in formulating clear and concise messages that are easy for the audience to understand. 00:35:51 - Preparing for Spontaneous Conversations, Matt Abrahams explains the irony of being able to prepare for spontaneous conversations. He compares it to jazz musicians following certain chords and patterns, or athletes training specific behaviors to respond spontaneously in a game. Abrahams emphasizes the value of frameworks and structures in preparation, using an example of three simple questions. 00:40:01 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Think Faster, Talk Smarter, by Matt Abrahams A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Influence, by Robert Cialdini Presuasion, by Robert Cialdini Connect with Matt:  Think Fast Talk Smart podcast Follow Matt on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode:  Focusing Illusion (episode 330) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Framing (ep 296) How to Pitch Your Business (ep 326) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Prefactual Thinking (episode 232) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Functional Fixedness (ep 194) What is Cognitive Semiotics? (ep 259) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Habits (ep 256) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of the Centricity podcast, our host Sean Doyle meets with Cecilia Lang Ree, the Senior Product Manager at Biolinq. They discuss applying behavior science to create more effective, successful marketing strategies.  Why Apply Behavior Science to Marketing? This gives marketing professionals a science-based framework to start from when creating profiles of their prospects rather than relying on trial and error. People are often motivated by unconscious factors – even if you're surveying them and getting responses, they may not be able to tell you a complete picture of what they're experiencing and why. The transtheoretical model maps out how people experience changes in behavior. Marketers need to be familiar with the stages of behavior change in order to have targeted techniques throughout the buyer journey. The Bridge Between Awareness and Action Awareness is not enough to change people's behavior.  Understanding intrinsic motivation can help us develop a step-by-step process that can take someone from knowing about your product to choosing to purchase. Getting Started Get excited about the science. Learn it and teach it to anyone who is interested.  Cecilia lists some of her favorite resources - see below! Resources Connect with Cecilia Lang-Ree on LinkedIn!  What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You by Melina Palmer Using Behavioral Science in Marketing by Nancy Harhut Start at the End by Matt Wallaert  Changing for Good by James O. Prochaska BehavioralScientists.org Irrational Labs

A company's success nowadays is so reliant upon pitching–whether you are looking to land a new client or get quoted in the media. Having a credible source say positive things about you and your company can be pivotal when it comes to whether your brand is going to be seen or not. That is exactly why this episode of The Brainy Business is dedicated to giving you some concise tips on how to use behavioral economics to pitch your brand. Pitching yourself can feel awkward, but when you understand the brain science it doesn't have to be, especially if you follow Melina's tips! In this episode, Melina Palmer discusses different brain biases such as social proof, authority bias, familiarity bias, and availability bias. Availability bias gets a big focus because it is one of the most critical to pitching success. You can take advantage of it by predicting and paying attention to trends and finding a way to offer people a fresh perspective on them. The episode closes with three key points to keep in mind when pitching: (1) keep it short (2) be happy with your language and (3) follow directions. This is just scratching the surface of what you'll get in this episode, one of the top 10 downloaded episodes of The Brainy Business of all time. Listen now to learn how to use behavioral economics to successfully pitch yourself and your business… In this episode: Gain knowledge on crafting compelling business pitches that seize opportunities. Unearth techniques to fight self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and potential slants in your business pitches. Learn how to leverage social proof to boost business credibility, attracting a wider customer base. Learn to spot niche perspectives and fresh ideas that attract media attention for your business. Understand why it is important to plan ahead much further than you think is necessary, with tips for how to get started immediately. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the episode, which focuses on how to successfully pitch your business. She mentions that pitching can be uncomfortable and discusses the brain biases that often hold people back from pitching themselves. 00:03:12 - Overcoming Biases and Procrastination, Melina acknowledges that pitching oneself can be challenging and discusses how various brain biases, such as imposter syndrome and the focusing illusion, can hinder the pitching process. She encourages listeners to focus on the positive aspects and prioritize pitching as a goal. 00:08:27 - The Importance of Pitching, Melina explains the three main benefits of pitching the media: social proof, familiarity bias, and availability bias. She emphasizes the value of social proof and how being featured in the media can enhance credibility and trust in your brand. 00:11:50 - Availability Bias, Melina delves into the concept of availability bias and its relevance to pitching. She provides examples, such as flood insurance and crime rates, to illustrate how frequent exposure to certain topics can skew our perception of risk and importance. 00:15:18 - The Power of a Unique Perspective, Having a unique perspective can help you stand out in the media. By offering a fresh angle on a popular topic, you can become the go-to expert in your field. Melina shares a real-world example of how a handwriting expert found success by providing insights on the signatures of Prince William and Kate Middleton before their wedding. 00:17:01 - Reporters are People Too, Overcoming the fear of pitching reporters is crucial. They are just people doing a job and are constantly in need of content. By understanding their needs and offering valuable insights, you can become their solution and build a positive relationship with them. 00:18:35 - Finding Your Unique Perspective, To find your unique perspective, look at upcoming events, trends, and topics in various fields. Even if it seems unrelated to your work, there may be a niche you can carve out for yourself. By thinking outside the box, you can offer valuable insights on seemingly random topics. 00:19:44 - The Importance of Personalized Pitches, Sending generic pitches to reporters is ineffective. It's essential to do research and understand what each writer and/or outlet covers. By personalizing your pitches and showing how your expertise aligns with their audience's interests, you increase your chances of being featured in the media. 00:26:42 - Using Help a Reporter Out (HARO), HARO is a free service that connects reporters with expert sources. Signing up for HARO and responding to relevant inquiries is a great way to start getting some media coverage because it isn't a cold pitch. 00:30:10 - Tips for Pitching, Melina summarizes her tips for pitching, emphasizing that these tips can be applied to pitching anything, not just traditional news media. She advises deciding if pitching is a main goal for your business, making a list of top outlets and reporters, and practicing looking at trending topics or events. She also encourages getting out of your own way and just starting, even if it feels scary. 00:31:42 - Pitching as an Achievable Task, Melina reassures listeners that pitching is achievable and encourages them to realize their story's potential. She highlights the various opportunities for pitching, whether it's for publications, clients, promotions, or projects. Melina emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and making your own opportunities. 00:32:34 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Influence, by Robert Cialdini What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer You're Invited, by Jon Levy The Hype Handbook, by Michael F. Schein The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey Top Recommended Next Episode: Availability Bias (episode 310) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Herding (ep 264)How To Set, Achieve, and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Familiarity Bias (episode 149) Confirmation Bias (episode 260) Optimism Bias (episode 34) Social Proof (episode 87) Reciprocity (episode 238) Herding (episode 19) Focusing Illusion (episode 330) Prefactual Thinking (episode 232) Bikeshedding (episode 99) Survivorship Bias (episode 110) Dr. Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (episode 157) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter HARO – Help A Reporter Out Certificate in Applied Behavioral Economics at Texas A&M

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer speaks with ethnographer Dr. Felicity Heathcote-Marcz about the significance of ethnographic research in understanding customer behavior and organizational culture. Ethnography, a research methodology rooted in anthropology, has found new relevance in the business world. Felicity explains that ethnographic research involves immersing oneself in the studied context, actively interacting with people, and collecting qualitative data to gain deep insights. The episode emphasizes ethnography's value in the transport industry, highlighting various projects that have uncovered valuable insights into future mobility trends and incident management. Felicity also addresses challenges such as time constraints and the Hawthorne Effect. Business professionals looking to make informed decisions and improve organizational culture will find this episode informative and practical, offering a comprehensive introduction to ethnographic research and its applications. In this episode: Uncover the profound effects that ethnographic research has on interpreting customer behavior and shaping organizational culture. Tackle the burdens of integrating ethnographic research into a business context and explore practical solutions. Gain an understanding of the longitudinal character and direct benefits of ethnographic research. Deconstruct the Hawthorne effect and its significant role in any research project you might take on. Discover the emerging role of behavioral science and nudges in revolutionizing transportation research. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the episode and the guest, Dr. Felicity Heathcote-Marcz. She mentions that ethnography is an important method for understanding customers and lays the groundwork for the upcoming episode on observation skills with Christian Madsbjerg. 00:02:21 - What is Ethnographic Research?, Dr. Felicity Heathcote-Marcz explains that ethnographic research originated in anthropology and involves studying cultures and local contexts to gain a deep understanding of people and their behaviors. She discusses how ethnography has evolved and how it is now used in business to gain insights into customers and organizational culture. 00:08:29 - Role of an Organizational Ethnographer, Dr. Felicity Heathcote-Marcz describes her role as an organizational ethnographer at Atkins, an engineering and transport consultancy. She explains that she studies the culture within organizations, conducts research on future trends in the transport industry, and collects immersive data by observing and interacting with customers in their natural environments. 00:11:05 - Impact of Ethnography on Organizations, Felicity discusses how ethnography can provide organizations with a deeper understanding of their customers and employees. She explains that ethnographers can identify opportunities for improvement, inform decision-making, and facilitate cultural change within organizations. 00:13:26 - Ethical Considerations in Ethnographic Research, Felicity emphasizes the importance of reflexivity and self-awareness in ethnographic research. 00:16:19 - Ethnographic Methodologies in Business Contexts, Felicity discusses the challenges of utilizing ethnographic methodologies in a business context, where time constraints often limit the depth and richness of the data collected. While some purist academic ethnographers may object to condensed time periods, Felicity suggests spending as much continuous time as possible with a specific group to establish rapport and gain valuable insights. 00:18:09 - Accompanied Drives and Ethical Considerations, Felicity explains her approach to conducting accompanied drives, where she sits in the passenger seat with the driver and encourages them to share their thoughts and experiences. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining participant anonymity and establishing trust to overcome suspicion and encourage open communication. 00:21:28 - Nudges and Behavioral Science in Transportation, Felicity discusses her work with local transport authorities in the UK, focusing on designing behavioral nudges to encourage residents to shift from private cars to public transport or active modes of travel. She highlights the importance of considering contextual factors, such as weather and incentives, to effectively change behavior. 00:25:10 - The Effectiveness of Nudges in Shifting Behaviors, Felicity presents findings from a study conducted in Manchester, where text message nudges were used to encourage walking, cycling, or using public transport for commuting. The results revealed that the effectiveness of nudges varied depending on contextual factors, such as weather, and suggested that larger incentives may be needed to change behaviors in unfavorable conditions. 00:31:44 - Social Pressure and Incentives for Mask-Wearing, The discussion focuses on the social pressure that exists regarding mask-wearing in different countries and contexts. In some places, there is a need to set up schemes to incentivize mask-wearing, while in others, people automatically conform and penalize those who don't. 00:33:05 - Importance of Ethnographic Research, Ethnographic research is highlighted as a valuable approach to understanding differing opinions and behaviors. By taking interlocutors seriously and stepping into their worlds, researchers can gain insights into their motivations and beliefs. This approach requires being present and observing without bias or preconceived notions. 00:34:13 - Understanding Beliefs and Motivations, Ethnographic research delves beyond surface-level behaviors and artifacts to uncover the deep-seated beliefs, cultural influences, and personal experiences that shape people's actions. By exploring these underlying factors, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of individuals and their perspectives. 00:36:22 - Immersion and Risk in Ethnographic Research, To truly understand certain contexts and realities, ethnographers may need to immerse themselves in potentially risky situations. This could involve not wearing a mask in a non-mask space or accompanying individuals into dangerous environments. Immersion allows for a more accurate and complete depiction of people's experiences and challenges. 00:38:16 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Engaged, by Amy Bucher Behavioral Science in the Wild, by Dilip Soman and Nina Mazar What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Designing for Behavior Change, by Stephen Wendel Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Connect with Felicity:  Felicity on LinkedIn Felicity on Twitter Top Recommended Next Episode: Hawthorne Effect (ep 117) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Questions or Answers? (ep 4) NUDGES & Choice Architecture (ep 35) How to Finally Change Your Behavior (So it Sticks) (ep 81) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) Colu (ep 113) The Littery (ep 75) Incentives - The “N” in Nudges (ep 272) Finding Confidence in Conflict, with Kwame Christian (ep 107) Mixed Signals with Uri Gneezy (273) Introducing the Behavioral Science Club, with Louise Ward (ep 118) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Anthropology, Market Research and BE, with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Kate Gigax, founder of Development Corps, to discuss the transition from “Act One” to “Act Two” in one's career and life. The conversation focuses on being confident in expressing what you want and the value you bring. Kate emphasizes the importance of finding time for oneself and engaging in self-reflection. She encourages listeners to break up their schedules and find small pockets of time for rejuvenation and self-discovery. Through personal examples, she demonstrates how taking risks and pursuing what feels out of the ordinary can lead to greater success and fulfillment. The episode challenges the misconception that transitioning to Act Two always means becoming an entrepreneur. Kate and Melina highlight that there are various paths to finding fulfillment and creating change, whether it's within existing structures or through entrepreneurship. They emphasize the need for self-worth and believing in one's capabilities beyond societal expectations.  Listeners of this episode will gain practical advice on navigating transitions, finding personal fulfillment, and becoming confident in expressing their value. By embracing self-reflection, taking risks, and designing their own path, individuals can create a more meaningful Act Two in their careers and lives.  In this episode: Discover the art of embracing Act Two in your professional and personal life for renewed achievement. Learn why introspection and ‘me-time' are essential for your mental health and holistic success. Unearth the thrill and potential benefits of venturing into uncharted, even taboo, territories. Grasp the courage to voice your needs and showcase your worth confidently. Explore ways to find fulfillment that extend beyond starting your own business and learn why variety is important. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer welcomes Kate Gigax to The Brainy Business podcast and introduces her as a leadership coach and facilitator with expertise in organizational psychology and neuroscience. 00:03:23 - Connection to Arizona State University, Kate discusses her connection to Arizona State University and her work with Robert Cialdini, Steve Neuberg, Doug Kenrick and Dave Lundberg-Kenrick on the Psych for Life initiative, which aims to make peer-reviewed psychological research more accessible. 00:07:42 - Psychological Contracts, Kate explains her research on psychological contracts, which are the expectations and perceptions individuals have about their relationship with their organization. She discusses the impact of breaches in these contracts and the importance of effective communication in managing change. 00:11:25 - Managing Change and Preserving Relationships, Kate emphasizes the role of managers and supervisors in preserving relationships and managing change effectively. She highlights the importance of open communication, empathy, and acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. 00:14:40 - Leadership Development and Coaching, Kate discusses her work as an executive coach and her focus on helping high-achieving individuals navigate their careers and define their own success. She emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts and rewiring old thinking habits for achieving success and fulfillment. 00:16:10 - Importance of Difficult Conversations, Melina and Kate discuss the significance of having difficult conversations in the workplace and how they contribute to building trust and maintaining a high relational psychological contract. They emphasize the need for clear communication, transparency, and addressing challenging topics in order to foster a positive work culture. 00:17:53 - Recommended Resources on Difficult Conversations, Melina suggests listening to Kwame Christian's podcast, Negotiate Anything, and watching his Ted Talk on difficult conversations. They also mention Stephen M.R. Covey's episode on The Speed of Trust and Scott Miller's book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, which provides valuable insights on setting boundaries. 00:19:08 - The Implicit Parts of Culture, Kate highlights the importance of being intentional about addressing the implicit parts of organizational culture. They discuss how implicit cultural norms around conflict and boundaries can impact relationships and collaboration. They encourage leaders to be transparent and deliberate in fostering a positive work culture. 00:23:39 - Repairing Breached Contracts, The guest advises leaders to have difficult conversations to repair breaches in the psychological contract. They emphasize the need for consistency, action, and acknowledging fault. They also discuss the importance of helping employees feel valued and recognized, as this contributes to repairing relationships and maintaining trust. 00:26:35 - The Power of Recognition and Specific Feedback, Kate emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating employees' contributions in a specific and meaningful way. She shares the SBI model and why it is one of her go-to recommendations for people to use. 00:30:18 - The Desire for Simpler Jobs, Many people daydream about having simpler jobs that are less stressful, but in reality, these jobs may not provide the fulfillment and satisfaction they think they want. High achievers often find ways to excel in any role and end up back where they started. 00:31:34 - Act Two: Middle Career, Act Two occurs in middle career when individuals go through a transition period. This often happens due to a breakdown, such as burnout or a wake-up call. Act Two is about designing a life based on personal wants and needs, rather than striving for success. 00:37:25 - Starting Act Two, Starting Act Two can be overwhelming, especially for those who have been focused on others and their careers. Starting small by identifying personal wants and needs is crucial. Developing reflective practices, clarifying values, and recognizing strengths are key steps in the transition to Act Two. 00:39:37 - The Importance of Values, Knowing one's values is essential in Act Two. Values act as guideposts for decision-making and help individuals align their actions with what truly matters to them. Values can also provide clarity when facing difficulties or making important life and career choices. 00:42:43 - Doubling Down on Strengths, Act Two is about betting on oneself and building a career around personal values and strengths. Utility players in Act One, who try to be everything for everyone, must shift their focus to double down on their unique abilities and become 00:44:26 - The Importance of Finding Time, Kate and Melina discuss the importance of finding time for oneself. Melina shares insights from Cassie Holmes' book, Happier Hour, that people are happiest when the have between two and five hours of discretionary time during the day. She shares about the need to break up the 2-hour time commitment into manageable chunks. 00:46:09 - Embracing the "Wouldn't It Be Cool If" Mindset, Kate introduces the concept of the "Wouldn't it be cool if" mindset and encourages listeners to explore their own version of what they would love to do, regardless of feasibility. 00:47:55 - Challenging Limiting Beliefs, Act Two is about challenging the belief that certain goals are impossible and pushing beyond your comfort zone to achieve even greater success. Kate encourages listeners to design their own path instead of playing within someone else's design. 00:51:44 - Selling Your Value, Kate emphasizes the importance of selling your ideas and passions with confidence to attract the right people and opportunities. It's about claiming your worth and showing the value you bring to the table. 00:54:09 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Finding Confidence in Conflict, by Kwame Christian The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, by Scott Miller Happier Hour, by Cassie Holmes Connect with Kate:  Follow Kate on LinkedIn Follow Kate on Instagram Development Corps website Top Recommended Next Episode: Happier Hour, with Cassie Holmes (ep 257) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 296) Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Habits (ep 256) Reciprocity (ep 238) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) How To Have Difficult Conversations at Work, with Kwame Christian (ep 107) Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, with Scott Miller (ep 307) The Speed of Trust, with Stephen M.R. Covey (ep 320) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 312) Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain (ep 237) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

This episode of The Brainy Business podcast features an insightful interview with Stephen M. R. Covey, author of The Speed of Trust. Covey shares his expertise on building trust through transparency and authenticity, drawing from his personal experience within Franklin Covey. He explains how trust serves as the foundation for effective relationships and collaboration within teams. Covey dives into the quantifiable value of trust, showcasing its impact on speed and cost. He shares two compelling examples to illustrate the economic benefits of trust, including the power of referrals and Warren Buffett's surprisingly successful acquisition deal. Throughout the conversation, Covey emphasizes the need for discernment in extending trust and the importance of creating a high trust culture. The episode provides practical insights and actionable strategies for leaders and managers to nurture trust within their organizations. By listening to this episode, business leaders can gain a deeper understanding of the economic and psychological benefits of trust and learn strategies to foster trust within their teams for increased productivity and success. In this episode: Realize the significant role trust plays in enhancing teamwork, productivity, and collaboration. Uncover the transformative power of transparency and authenticity within organizations, through the personal experiences of Stephen M. R. Covey. Appreciate the crucial interplay between trust and successful change management during periods of organizational transitions. Discover the foundational role of trust in boosting both speed and cost efficiency in business operations and its impact on economic outcomes. Identify the balance and discernment imperative in extending trust, a concept encapsulated as 'Smart Trust.'  Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the episode and welcomes Stephen M.R. Covey, the son of Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. They discuss Stephen's family legacy and how he has built upon his father's work with a focus on trust. 00:02:18 - The Importance of Trust, Stephen explains the concept of trust and how it impacts relationships and organizations. He shares a personal story about the Franklin Covey merger and the importance of transparency and authenticity in building trust. 00:06:11 - Trust and the Covey Legacy, Stephen discusses how his family legacy and the reputation of his father have influenced the level of trust people have in him. He emphasizes the importance of backing up trust with skills and research. 00:08:37 - The Gift of Transparency, Stephen shares a story about a meeting he had with the Franklin Covey employees after the merger. By being open, transparent, and addressing their concerns, he was able to build trust and create a stronger team. 00:13:13 - Calming the Elephant, Melina relates Stephen's story to the concept of “calming the elephant,” referring to addressing the underlying concerns and fears that people have during times of change. She shares an example of how taking the time to listen to an employee's personal stress helped improve their productivity. 00:14:44 - The Economics of Trust, Stephen discusses the economic impact of trust in organizations, and explains how his formulas for the economics of trust work. 00:15:20 - The Power of Understanding, Understanding others increases influence and builds trust, leading to better teamwork and improved outcomes. 00:17:15 - The Economics of Trust, Trust affects speed and cost in any relationship or environment. When trust decreases, speed decreases and cost increases. Conversely, when trust increases, speed increases and cost decreases. 00:20:33 - Examples of Trust in Action, Trust is a vital factor in word-of-mouth referrals, where trust leads to faster and less costly acquisitions. Stephen shares an example from Warren Buffett's handshake deal, which was completed quickly and without the traditional due diligence process due to high trust. 00:25:44 - The Cost of Distrust, Distrust leads to longer processes and higher costs, as seen in increased airport security measures and compliance rules after corporate scandals. The cost of distrust is real, while the dividends of high trust can be monetized. 00:28:22 - Balancing Trust and Caution, It is possible to be both too trusting and too suspicious. Finding the balance of smart trust involves being aware of potential risks while also recognizing the costs of not trusting enough and stifling creativity and innovation. 00:31:05 - The Importance of Smart Trust, Stephen Covey discusses the concept of smart trust, which involves assessing the likelihood, cost, and consequences of extending trust to someone. He emphasizes the importance of credibility and judgment in determining how much trust to give and acknowledges that blindly trusting someone who has proven to be untrustworthy is not wise. 00:32:33 - Building Trust and Overcoming Fear, Covey explains that extending trust can lead to great outcomes and results, as most people respond well to being trusted. He encourages leaders to focus on the 95% of trustworthy individuals and not let the 5% of untrustworthy people define their approach. Covey suggests using judgment and assessing the risk before trusting someone, but also highlights the importance of not being overly cautious and missing out on possibilities. 00:36:04 - The Power of High Trust Cultures, Covey discusses how high trust cultures can be more effective and accountable than rules-based cultures. He explains that when trust is present, people hold each other accountable and the culture itself becomes a reinforcer of trust. Covey emphasizes the need for organizations to design for the majority of trustworthy individuals rather than focusing on the few untrustworthy individuals. 00:37:29 - One More Behavior: Practicing Accountability, Covey introduces the behavior of practicing accountability, which involves creating agreements and expectations with individuals and allowing them to take responsibility for evaluating their own performance. He believes that involving people in the accountability process can build trust and lead to greater commitment and engagement. 00:46:15 - The Power of Trust, Trust is the most inspiring form of human motivation and brings out the best in people. 00:46:30 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M.R. Covey Friction, by Roger Dooley What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey Indistractable, by Nir Eyal Connect with Stephen:  Speed of Trust Website Stephen on Twitter Stephen on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Framing (ep 296) Endowment Effect (ep 139) Indistractible, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Friction with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Social Proof (ep 87) Habits (ep 256) Reciprocity (ep 238) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Biases Toward Others – Including Groups (ep 314)  Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) IKEA Effect (ep 112) How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Eden Brownell, director of behavioral science at MPulse Mobile, joins Melina Palmer on The Brainy Business podcast to discuss the application of behavioral science in healthcare delivery. The conversation, which was conducted live at Greenbook's IIEX North America conference, delves into the use of behavioral interventions to drive behavior change in healthcare. Brownell shares two case studies that highlight the power of storytelling, social influence, and understanding user experience to improve patient engagement and outcomes.  From using videos to simulate the consequences of non-compliance to leveraging loss aversion, the episode demonstrates the effectiveness of behavioral design in healthcare. Brownell emphasizes the importance of addressing real barriers to behavior change and tailoring interventions to the specific needs and motivations of the target audience. Everyone interested in implementing evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve engagement and behavior change will find this episode insightful and practical (it's not just for the healthcare industry). Delve into the cutting-edge fusion of behavioral science and healthcare, and its role in optimizing patient results. Learn about the intriguing complexities of healthcare compliance and the psychology behind procrastination and time discounting. Be intrigued by real-world examples of how behavioral science can massively up the ante when it comes to adherence of medical tests. Discover the transformative power of personalized interventions in enhancing health outcomes with the aid of technology. Understand the synergy between behavioral science and healthcare as a pivotal solution to overcoming prevalent health barriers. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the podcast episode and welcomes Eden Brownell, the Director of Behavioral Science at MPulse Mobile. This episode is a replay of the live podcast interview conducted at Greenbook's IIEX North America conference. 00:03:24 - Getting to Know Eden Brownell, Eden shares her background and how she got into the field of behavioral science, drawing on her love for understanding human behavior and psychology. 00:06:35 - The Intersection of Theater and Behavioral Science, Eden discusses how her background in theater research has influenced her love for research and understanding human behavior. 00:08:57 - The Challenges of Healthcare Compliance, Melina and Eden explore the issue of compliance in healthcare and how behavioral science can help address it. They discuss the concept of present bias and its impact on healthcare decisions. 00:12:07 - Overcoming the Say-Do Gap, The conversation dives into the say-do gap and the challenges of committing to future actions. Eden shares a case study on healthcare compliance and how behavioral science can be applied to improve outcomes. 00:15:26 - Overcoming Engagement Challenges, Eden discusses the challenges of getting people to engage with colon test kits and the importance of getting their attention. They conducted an A/B test using behavioral science messaging to create a sense of ownership (leveraging loss aversion) and found a significant increase in engagement. 00:17:33 - The Endowment Effect and Psychological Barriers, The endowment effect is discussed as a psychological factor that increases the value of something once it is owned. The guest explains how reframing the message to create a sense of ownership can overcome psychological barriers and increase the likelihood of engagement. 00:19:15 - Increasing Engagement with Colon Test Kits, The results of the A/B test showed a 10-15% increase in engagement when using behavioral science messaging and the endowment effect. Eden discusses the importance of addressing barriers and lowering the perceived effort for members to complete the test. 00:20:44 - Next Steps: Completing the Colon Test Kits, The next step is to focus on increasing completion rates for those who have opted in to receive the test kit. Eden discusses using AI and natural language processing to identify barriers and provide resources to overcome them. 00:26:22 - Using AI to Overcome Barriers, AI is used to identify common barriers mentioned by members and provide targeted responses. Eden emphasizes the importance of allowing barriers to be uncovered and addressing them in real time to increase engagement. 00:30:13 - Encouraging Behavior Change, Eden discusses the importance of using nudges and partitions to encourage people to opt in for important activities such as cancer screenings. She emphasizes the need to make the process simple and streamlined while highlighting the value of health care and preventing cancer. 00:31:29 - Successful Storytelling with Video, Eden shares a passion project that involved using video to promote diabetic eye screening. By utilizing loss aversion and creating an emotional impact, the video successfully increased the click rates for scheduling eye exams by over 200%. 00:35:01 - Using Emotion and Storytelling, Eden discusses the power of emotion and storytelling in driving behavior change. By creating videos that evoke strong emotions and resonate with the audience, it becomes easier to connect people to their future selves and encourage them to take action. 00:39:10 - Leveraging Self-Determination Theory, Eden talks about the impact of self-determination theory and social proof in healthcare. By providing real-life experiences and engaging content, such as videos of moms sharing their concerns and experiences, it becomes easier to spark engagement and provide valuable information to individuals. 00:42:19 - Simplifying the Experience, Eden emphasizes the importance of simplifying the experience for individuals. By reducing complexity and perceived effort, it becomes easier to encourage behavior change and make the overall experience more enjoyable and engaging. Examples include incorporating moments of sunshine and removing unnecessary friction. 00:45:50 - Boosting Engagement and Motivation, The discussion focuses on using social aspects and storytelling to drive engagement and motivation in healthcare. By sharing stories and creating content that can be shared with friends and family, healthcare providers can have a bigger impact on the health and well-being of their members. 00:46:51 - Presenting Health Plans to Prioritize Health, Health plans are often focused on making money, but there is an opportunity to push them to prioritize the healthcare of their members. By testing ideas like sharing messages and content that can be easily shared on social media, health plans can have a broader impact on the health of their members and their extended group. 00:47:33 - Messaging and Social Proof, The conversation highlights the importance of messaging and social proof in healthcare. Simply stating statistics like "one in four women will get breast cancer" may not have the desired impact because people often think they won't be the one affected. Finding ways to effectively communicate and simplify these statistics using images and videos is crucial. 00:48:14 - Simplifying Healthcare Information, The discussion emphasizes the need to simplify healthcare information, especially considering low literacy levels and health literacy levels. Using images, videos, and infographics can help bridge the literacy gap and make healthcare information more understandable and accessible. 00:49:16 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Engaged, by Amy Bucher Friction, by Roger Dooley Behavioral Science in the Wild, by Dilip Soman and Nina Mazar What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Designing for Behavior Change, by Stephen Wendel Connect with Eden:  Follow Eden on LinkedIn MPulse Mobile Top Recommended Next Episode: Engaged, with Amy Bucher (ep 164) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Loss Aversion (ep 316) Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Endowment Effect (ep 139) NUDGES and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Social Proof (ep 87) Partitioning (ep 254) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) Behavior Change at WW and Beyond (ep 98) Behavioral Science Testing In Real Businesses (ep 94) Behavioral Science in the Wild, with Dilip Soman (ep 241) Designing for Behavior Change with Stephen Wendel (ep 116) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

In this episode, explore the fascinating concept of loss aversion and its implications in business. Yes, it applies to marketing and sales strategies, but loss aversion is more than that. Loss aversion is the tendency for individuals to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring gains. This cognitive bias can be harnessed to increase customer engagement and conversion rates. Throughout the episode, host Melina Palmer delves into various examples and case studies to illustrate how businesses can leverage loss aversion to influence decision-making. From offering money-back guarantees to triggering the fear of regret, the key is to focus on avoiding losses rather than promoting gains. (Don't worry, it doesn't have to be negative.) By framing offers and rewards as something that has already been gained and must be maintained through specific actions, businesses can tap into the deep-rooted fear of loss within our subconscious brains. For business owners and marketers seeking to improve their marketing and sales strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Understanding the science behind loss aversion and learning how to apply it in your marketing efforts can significantly impact your bottom line. By appealing to people's fear of loss, you can increase engagement, drive conversions, and ultimately achieve greater success in your business. Throughout the episode, you'll hear real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how businesses can leverage loss aversion to influence consumer behavior. In this episode: Gain insights into the persuasive power of loss aversion in business. Identify how diverse fields such as consulting, tax, and real estate harness loss aversion. Experience how loss aversion can work within the wedding industry. Harness the potential of digital sales by applying loss aversion through creative messaging and pop-up interventions. Understand how your own loss aversion can be used to help you get more done with Melina's "Loss Aversion Jar" and more. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Introduction to the episode and the importance of loss aversion in understanding consumer behavior–regardless of industry or role. 00:03:12 - Loss Aversion Defined, Loss aversion is the concept of valuing losses more than gains. People are more averse to losing something than gaining something. Research has found again and again that it takes double the joy felt by a gain to equal the pain felt by a loss. So, if you lose $20 you need to gain $40 to feel whole. 00:06:01 - The Power of Loss, Our brains are wired to avoid losses, and this behavior is deeply ingrained. Traditional economic models that focus on gains overlook the power of loss aversion. 00:10:26 - Practical Applications, Flipping the messaging from potential gain to potential loss can be a powerful motivator. Examples include financial institutions offering money upfront and entrepreneurs using regular check-ins to hold clients accountable. 00:13:59 - Long-Term Goals and Commitments, Loss aversion can be leveraged to help clients stay committed to long-term goals. Regular check-ins and accountability help prevent procrastination and maintain focus. 00:17:07 - Loss Aversion Jar, Melina's loss aversion jar technique and how it can help people keep themselves and their clients on track. 00:18:14 - Applied Example for Accountants, Melina explains how people are more motivated to seek help with taxes if they anticipate owing money rather than expecting a refund. Highlights the fear of being audited and suggests messaging that emphasizes reducing the amount owed instead of the potential return someone might receive. 00:20:21 - Visualizing Product Ownership, Melina explores the concept of perceived ownership and loss aversion in relation to physical products. She recommends strategies such as allowing customers to touch and interact with products to increase their attachment and desire to own them. 00:23:33 - Applied Examples from the Wedding Industry, When Melina bought her wedding dress, there was an ingenious loss aversion technique that helped her to buy her dress (and feel great about it) on the first visit to the first shop she went to. This was a big win for all involved. Learn how they did it and what this might look like in your business. 00:26:25 - Over-the-Top Online Sales Tactics, Melina critiques an extreme example of using loss aversion in online sales, where customers are presented with a long and exaggerated paragraph highlighting the potential loss of not purchasing. She emphasizes the importance of subtlety and avoiding tactics that may turn customers away. 00:33:43 - Overcoming the Fear of Change, Melina encourages listeners to embrace change and work to let go of their own loss aversion, familiarity bias, and status quo bias. Taking risks and trying new things can lead to growth and success. 00:34:39 - Embracing Change for Growth, Melina emphasizes the importance of making space for new opportunities by letting go of things that no longer serve us. She invites listeners to share their experiences and changes with her. 00:35:10 - Feedback and Continuous Improvement, Melina values listener feedback and wants to know what resonates with them. She mentions the need for businesses to adapt and evolve to stay successful. 00:36:24 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Subtract, by Leidy Klotz Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo Top Recommended Next Episode: Framing (ep 296) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Herding (ep 264) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Unlocking Employee Motivation with Kurt Nelson (ep 295) Secrets of Incentives and Motivation, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Why Less is Not a Loss, with Leidy Klotz (ep 162) The Power of Touch (ep 302) Booms, Bubbles, and Busts (ep 30) Status Quo Bias (ep 142) Endowment Effect (ep 139) How To Set, Achieve, and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Econometrica What Is Loss Aversion? What Is Loss Aversion? Losses attract more attention than comparable gains. Loss aversion These Are the People Who Are Most Likely to Get Audited

In this podcast episode, host Roger Dooley interviews Melina Palmer, author of What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, about change initiatives in companies. They discuss the misconception that 70% of change initiatives fail and the importance of approaching change thoughtfully. Melina emphasizes the significance of small, everyday changes and micro-decisions that influence employees' reactions to change. They also explore the impact of employee engagement on successful change, the importance of creating the right environment for change, and the barriers to employee engagement. They touch on Elon Musk's approach to change at Twitter and the power of small steps in achieving change. The conversation also delves into cognitive biases and their impact on the change process, as well as conflicts and stereotypes between different departments within organizations. Melina suggests building connections across departments and fostering a sense of unity to overcome these challenges. Show notes, video, text, resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/melina-palmer-employees/ Video: https://youtu.be/v_X5Cg6MniA Book: https://amzn.to/3YHPJvb Melina Palmer is the founder and CEO of The Brainy Business, which provides behavioral economics consulting to businesses of all sizes from around the world. She has contributed research to the Association for Consumer Research, Filene Research Institute, and runs the Behavioral Economics & Business column for Inc Magazine. Her podcast, The Brainy Business: Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy, has downloads in over 170 countries and was named the #1 psychology podcast people in business should listen to by Psychology. Melina's first book is What Your Customer Wants (And Can't Tell You).

The principle of unity, now featured as Robert Cialdini's 7th Principle of Persuasion in the New and Expanded version of Influence, is important for anyone in business to understand. Fundamentally, it is about fostering a communal sentiment between the communicator and the audience, making them feel as if they are part of the same group. This unity transcends mere similarities and taps into shared identities such as nationality, family, or political affiliation. More than being an effective tool for persuasion, creating a sense of unity also helps build stronger, more meaningful connections with others. Throughout the interview, Dr. Cialdini explains all seven principles of persuasion: reciprocity, authority, liking, consistency/commitment, social proof, scarcity, and unity. He provides thought-provoking examples and tips that anyone in business can learn from and start being more influential (and persuasive) immediately! Don't miss this one. In this episode: Uncover the basic principles of persuasion and their impressive influence on human behavior. Learn about the (now) 7 Principles of Persuasion from the godfather of influence himself. Hear some questions from listeners like you, that Melina asked Dr. Cialdini! Embrace ethical persuasion and the responsible handling of influence strategies. Discover a little about what Bob is doing now, as Melina mentions the Cialdini Institute, a new initiative that has launched since this refreshed episode originally aired. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, The episode introduces Dr. Robert Cialdini, a renowned persuasion scientist, and discusses his iconic book "Influence" and its new and expanded version, which includes the seventh principle of persuasion, Unity. 00:03:15 - Cialdini's Background and Research, Dr. Cialdini shares his background as a persuasion scientist and his early research, which involved immersive observational studies of various professions that rely on influencing others. He emphasizes the importance of studying naturally occurring environments and the common principles of persuasion he discovered. 00:06:41 - The Original Six Principles of Persuasion, Bob presents the six original principles of persuasion: reciprocity, liking, social proof, authority, commitment and consistency, and scarcity. He explains each principle and how they influence people's decision-making processes. 00:15:55 - The Seventh Principle: Unity, Dr. Cialdini introduces the seventh principle of persuasion, Unity, which focuses on creating a sense of shared identity between the communicator and the audience. He explains how unity can break down barriers to influence and strengthen the impact of persuasive messages. 00:19:45 - The Cuban Missile Crisis and Reciprocity, The conversation begins with a discussion of the Cuban Missile Crisis and how the commonly held belief that Kennedy stood firm against Khrushchev was not entirely accurate. It was actually a reciprocal exchange of concessions, with Kennedy promising to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey in exchange for Khrushchev removing missiles from Cuba. 00:23:05 - Problem-Free vs. Problem-Freed Experience, The conversation shifts to the importance of resolving problems for customers in business. It is argued that a problem-freed experience, where a problem is resolved in favor of the customer, can lead to increased loyalty and advocacy. Customers appreciate when problems are quickly and effectively addressed. 00:29:40 - Principles of Influence in a Digital World, The conversation explores how the principles of influence adapt to a digital world, such as social media. While the platforms may change, the principles themselves remain consistent. Social proof, in particular, has gained traction with the availability of online reviews and testimonials. 00:33:53 - The Effectiveness of Persuasion Principles, Melina asks a question from a listener on whether or not the principles are less effective now that people are aware of them and the landscape is changing. Dr. Cialdini explains his thoughts on this question. 00:39:32 - Reader Letters and Social Proof, The inclusion of reader letters in the book was not initially intended as a social proof strategy, but rather as a way to engage with readers. However, the readers' reports became a popular feature, providing social proof of the principles of the book in everyday situations. 00:41:46 - Future Book Plans, Dr. Cialdini mentions his plan to write his next book as a collection of readers' reports, with his thoughts on each. This format has been well-received by readers and provides valuable insights into how the principles of persuasion work in various contexts, so he thinks it could make a good full book. 00:42:41 - The Power of Unity, Dr. Cialdini shares a personal story of how the principle of Unity helped him obtain data for a grant application from a colleague who is known to be less-than-helpful. By emphasizing their shared history and belonging to the same department, he was able to persuade his colleague to provide the necessary data. 00:45:30 - Learning More from Dr. Cialdini, To learn more from Dr. Cialdini, listeners can visit the Influence At Work website, where they can access his other books and also find information on training programs. Dr. Cialdini emphasizes the importance of ethical persuasion and offers resources to help individuals become effective and ethical persuaders. 00:45:57 - Reflecting on Influence, Melina reflects on her conversation with Dr. Cialdini and highlights the power of reciprocity, liking, and social proof and how they can all be achieved in one act – in this case, the endorsement he provided for her second book, What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You. Melina also shares a bit of what Dr. Cialdini is up to now, including the newly launched Cialdini Institute (links below). 00:46:54 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Influence, by Robert Cialdini Presuasion, by Robert Cialdini Influence Is Your Superpower, by Zoe Chance You Have More Influence Than You Think, by Vanessa Bohns What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Robert:  Robert Cialdini on Twitter Follow Robert Cialdini on LinkedIn Cialdini Institute Website Top Recommended Next Episode: The Unity Principle (ep 216) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Reciprocity (ep 238) Social Proof (ep 87) Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) Framing (ep 296) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Priming (ep 252) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) 5 Years, 299 Episodes, These Are Your Favorites (ep 299) The Power of Scarcity, with Mindy Weinstein (ep 271) Precommitment (ep 120) Scarcity (ep 270) Familiarity Bias (ep 149) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Negative Reviews and How to Deal with Them (ep 163) Episode 76: The Brainy Benefits of Gratitude What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You (ep 225) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Influence At Work, Cialdini's website

Do you want people to be more likely to follow whatever rules, policies, or procedures you create? It's time to make them more human. Understanding and empathizing with the perspectives of others plays a crucial role in effective rule adherence. Comprehending the dynamics of rules can lead to beneficial outcomes in various aspects of life, from lessening conflicts to fostering compliance within organizational settings. Those who understand and communicate the reasons behind their rules are more likely to gain cooperation from those affected. It also helps reduce misunderstanding and resistance, promoting a smoother and more efficient implementation of rules or policies. Guest Christian Hunt, during his conversation with Melina Palmer, explained his thoughts on this matter, drawing on his experience as the founder of Human Risk, host of the Human Risk podcast and author of Humanizing Rules. Hunt believes that, to instill rule adherence, it is important to understand the perspectives of individuals subjected to those rules. He also iterated the need for effective communication, emphasizing that rules are more likely to be accepted and adhered to when individuals understand the rationale behind them. Christian introduces his HUMANS framework during the conversation, and shares interesting, real-world examples from transportation, Netflix, and more. In this episode: Understand the relevance of emotional intelligence and empathy in compliance with rules. Acquire knowledge about the role of clear communication in improving rule compliance. Analyze the issues linked with changing speed limits and the crucial role of enlightenment. Appreciate the need to present regulatory efforts as advantageous and pertinent to the workforce. Learn Christian's HUMANS framework and how to start using it in your business. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces Christian Hunt, the founder of Human Risk, a company that specializes in using behavioral science to manage the risks of human decision-making. Christian shares his background in financial services and regulation, which led him to focus on the human side of compliance and ethics. 00:02:20 - Unique Perspective from Regulation to Compliance, Christian discusses his unique experience of transitioning from a regulator to a compliance professional, allowing him to see both sides of the problem when he had to enforce his own rules (and realized they didn't align properly). He emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind rules and regulations in order to effectively manage them. 00:05:57 - Applying Behavioral Science to Ethics and Compliance, Christian explains how his experience in risk and compliance led him to realize the relevance of behavioral science in influencing human decision-making. He shares his mission to help organizations use behavioral science to get the best out of their people while mitigating risks. 00:08:03 - Navigating "Weird" Rules, Christian provides advice for individuals who find themselves dealing with rules that seem strange or unnecessary. He suggests understanding the reasons behind the rules and considering whether they serve a genuine purpose. Having a dialogue and presenting alternative perspectives can be helpful in managing such rules. 00:11:41 - Balancing Compliance with Dialogue, Christian acknowledges that in tightly regulated industries, dialogue may not always be possible. However, for those who can engage in discussions, he emphasizes the importance of approaching the conversation with empathy and understanding of the other party's perspective. 00:12:37 - Understanding the Fundamental Attribution Error, Christian Hunt discusses the difficulty of putting oneself in someone else's shoes and the tendency to blame others instead of seeking to understand their rationale. He emphasizes the importance of pausing and considering where others may be coming from in order to find better solutions. 00:13:30 - The Importance of Questioning What is Normal, Christian highlights the concept of "normal" and how rules and expectations are often based on extreme, non-common examples. He shares a story about his train journey and the importance of understanding the rationale behind rules. He initially dismissed the need for bag labels, but a staff member explained that they were necessary in case of train evacuation. This experience taught him the importance of not making presumptions and considering the reasoning behind rules. 00:18:25 - Learning from Mistakes and the Dunning-Kruger Effect, Christian discusses the Dunning-Kruger effect and admits to falling victim to it himself. He shares a story about a rule regarding variable speed limits on roads, where drivers often question the need to slow down. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that rules are often in place for valid reasons, even if they may not be immediately apparent. 00:24:53 - The Frustration with Rules, Christian discusses how rules can be frustrating when they are imposed due to the actions of others. He highlights the need for clear communication and understanding between authorities and the people being controlled. 00:25:49 - Societal Reasons for Rules, Christian acknowledges that some rules are put in place for the greater good, such as slowing down traffic for the safety of elderly drivers. He emphasizes the importance of considering the rationale behind rules and whether they apply to specific subsets of the population. 00:26:39 - The Challenge of Communicating Rules, Christian recognizes the challenge that authorities face in communicating the reasons behind certain rules. He believes that authorities should be more transparent and ethical in their communication, especially in democratic societies. 00:28:00 - The Employment Contract Fallacy, Christian discusses the fallacy of relying solely on the employment contract as a reason for imposing rules. He argues that just because authorities have the power to enforce rules doesn't mean they should, and they should consider the perspective of those being controlled. 00:31:02 - Differentiating Between Rules, Christian explains the importance of distinguishing between rules that are irrecoverable (serious violations) and rules that are recoverable (less serious violations). He uses Netflix's approach of focusing efforts on irrecoverable actions as an example of effective rule implementation. 00:37:23 - Understanding Requirements and Imposing Tasks, The importance of understanding requirements and tasks from both the perspective of the person giving the task and the person receiving it. It is crucial to ensure that the person giving the task understands what they are asking for and the potential challenges involved. Imposing tasks without understanding can lead to frustration and inefficiency. 00:38:09 - Recognizing Risk and Impact on Employees, It is essential to recognize the potential risks and impact of imposing tasks on employees. If a task is likely to be unhelpful and difficult for the employee to understand, it poses a higher risk. Employers should consider whether the benefits outweigh the potential negative impact on employee relationships and trust. 00:39:30 - Using Behavioral Science as a Design Tool, Behavioral science can be used as a design or diagnostic tool to improve task implementation. If reality cannot be changed, the perception of a task can be altered through framing or breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Understanding the impact and finding ways to make tasks more user-friendly is crucial. 00:40:43 - The Pitfalls of Compliance Training, Compliance training exercises often fall short in effectively teaching and assessing employee understanding. Testing employees on obscure information that is unlikely to be relevant to their job can lead to frustration and a sense of wasted time. Employers should reconsider the purpose and effectiveness of compliance training exercises. 00:49:38 - Introduction to Incentives, Companies often use incentives, such as prize drawings, to encourage customers to fill out surveys. The same principle applies to employees in the workplace. Incentives can increase compliance and the quality of work. 00:50:22 - Importance of Incentives, Incentives are crucial for tasks that require a high standard of work. If people don't see the value in doing something, they are less likely to do it. Consider what's in it for them as an individual and find ways to make tasks feel worth doing. 00:51:11 - Feasibility of Compliance, Consider whether it is feasible for individuals to comply with a rule or task. If something is too difficult or requires significant effort, compliance is less likely. Make tasks easier to increase compliance. 00:52:02 - Acceptability of Rules, Just because a rule can be imposed doesn't mean it will be accepted. Consider whether employees find a rule acceptable based on their specific circumstances and employment. Overreach can lead to resistance. 00:53:44 - Social Proof and Normalcy, The perception of what is normal and acceptable plays a role in compliance. Consider social proof and whether other people in similar circumstances are being asked to do the same thing. Make rules salient and relevant to increase compliance. 00:56:04 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Humanizing Rules, by Christian Hunt Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Friction, by Roger Dooley Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Christian:  Christian on Twitter Follow Christian on LinkedIn Human Risk Podcast Top Recommended Next Episode: What Problem Are You Solving? (ep 126) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Dunning-Kruger Effect (ep 266) Adam Hansen and the Curse of Knowledge (ep 176) Inequity Aversion (ep 224) Behavioral Science in the Wild, with Dilip Soman (ep 241) Framing (ep 296) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) Design for Decision, with Sam Evans (ep 291) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 157) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Good Habits, Bad Habits with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Overwhelm and Decision Making (ep 32) Reciprocity (ep 238) Social Proof (ep 87) Friction, with Roger Dooley (ep 274) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Melina as a guest on the Human Risk podcast 

Dr. Vanessa Patrick, a respected marketing professor at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business, is revered for her notable research on the psychology of saying no. This research acts as the foundation of her book, The Power of Saying No. The seemingly simple act can be a strenuous inner struggle, but Vanessa insists it's an essential skill for preserving personal dignity and establishing a balanced life. Understanding the psychology behind our hesitance to refuse can liberate individuals from overcommitment and enable them to set healthier boundaries. In her conversation with Melina Palmer, Vanessa articulated that the challenge of saying no often stems from our fear of negatively impacting relationships or tarnishing our reputation. However, people's constant attempt to please others leads them to become a pushover, gradually erasing their individuality. Vanessa conveyed that saying no (using her method of empowered refusal) allows you to not just create and uphold your unique identity but also to avoid turning into a person who mindlessly accepts every request. In this episode: Discover the influence of saying no and how it enhances the quality of relationships and life. Learn actionable strategies to establish personal boundaries and become uncompromisingly committed to them. Recognize the primary function of personal motivations and beliefs in setting energized refusal. Grasp the dilemma of saying no in contrasting situations and the art of diluting social pressure. Acquaint yourself with the principle of opportunity cost and its immense relevance to making mindful trade-offs. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Dr. Vanessa Patrick is the author of The Power of Saying No and a professor of marketing. Her research focuses on understanding why people struggle with saying no and the importance of setting boundaries. In this episode, she discusses the dual drivers behind saying yes when we want to say no. 00:05:39 - The Fear of Saying No, Dr. Patrick explains that the fear of saying no stems from our desire to be liked and our concern for our reputation. We often say yes to maintain relationships and be seen as competent. However, saying no strategically can actually help us develop our unique skills and be known for our expertise. 00:07:50 - The Motivation Behind Studying Saying No, Dr. Patrick shares that her initial research focused on self-discipline and resisting temptation through self-talk. After publishing her findings, she realized the widespread struggle with saying no and the importance of understanding how to say no effectively. This led her to further explore the topic and eventually write her book. 00:11:25 - The Power of "Don't" vs. "Can't" Dr. Patrick introduces the concept of using "don't" instead of "can't" when saying no. By saying "I don't" instead of "I can't," we appear more empowered and in control. This small shift in language can make a significant difference in how others perceive our refusal. 00:16:05 - Building Personal Policies, Vanessa Patrick discusses the importance of reflecting on our beliefs and values to establish personal policies that guide our actions and decisions. These policies, similar to mental budgets, help us stick to our desired goals and make it easier to say no in various situations. 00:18:04 - Being the "Kind of Person" Who Says No, Vanessa emphasizes the power of framing our decisions as reflections of our identity. By saying "I'm the kind of person who..." we can effectively communicate our boundaries and say no more effectively. 00:19:26 - Navigating Asks in the Workplace, Vanessa provides a framework for deciphering asks in the workplace. She distinguishes between urgent and important tasks that require immediate action, and non-promotable tasks that may distract from our main responsibilities. She highlights the importance of balancing participation in non-promotable tasks and ensuring fairness in task distribution. 00:23:24 - Finding Value in Non-Promotable Tasks, Vanessa acknowledges that some individuals may find value in non-promotable tasks, such as party planning, as it aligns with their personal interests or provides visibility. However, she encourages individuals to ensure they are not solely responsible for these tasks and to create an environment where everyone's strengths are leveraged. 00:27:28 - Reframing Saying No, Vanessa reminds us that saying no is not a rejection of the person making the request, but a refusal of the ask. By reframing our mindset, saying no can become much easier. 00:32:25 - Is It A Salt or Lasagna Ask?, Vanessa explains the concept of "pass the salt" asks, which are easy and low-cost requests that can have a high benefit for the person asking. She also introduces the idea of "bake your famous lasagna" asks, which are requests that are costly for the person asked but have no real impact. Vanessa emphasizes the importance of saying no to these types of asks and prioritizing the "Hero's Journey" asks that make a difference in the world. 00:35:13 - Opportunity Cost and Saying No, Vanessa discusses the concept of opportunity cost and how every time we say yes to something, we are saying no to other opportunities. She highlights the need to intentionally consider the opportunity cost of our decisions and the importance of saying no to things that don't align with our values and goals. 00:37:10 - The (Non)Selfishness of Saying No, Vanessa challenges the notion that saying no is selfish, explaining that it is actually selfish for someone to ask us to do something that doesn't matter to us or leverage our strengths. She encourages individuals to recognize their right to say no and not feel guilty about it. 00:38:02 - Tips and Resources for Saying No, Melina mentions that Vanessa's book provides valuable tips and strategies for saying no, especially in different situations such as with bosses. Vanessa emphasizes the power of an empowered refusal, which effectively conveys your stance based on your values and priorities. She encourages individuals to own their no's and not make excuses or be wishy washy -- own those nos! 00:39:04 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Power of Saying No, by Vanessa Patrick Influence Is Your Superpower, by Zoe Chance You Have More Influence Than You Think, by Vanessa Bohns Magic Words, by Jonah Berger What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Vanessa:  Vanessa on Twitter Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn Vanessa's Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Influence Is Your Superpower, with Zoe Chance (ep 308) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Behavioral Science in the Wild, with Dilip Soman (ep 241) Framing (ep 296) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 157) Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) Game Theory (ep 228) Inequity Aversion (ep 224) Mental Accounting (ep 282) Get It Done, with Ayelet Fishbach (ep 186) Defaults (ep 38) Subtract, with Leidy Klotz (ep 162) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Dr. Zoe Chance emphasizes the importance of examining problems from different perspectives and setting long-term goals for success. Approaching problem-solving differently can result in innovative solutions that others might overlook. By aligning these objectives with Zoe's "magic question," individuals can foster a sense of collaboration and create opportunities for progress. Throughout the podcast, Dr. Chance shares stories of how people have successfully applied the magic question in various situations. For instance, she recounts the story of Gloria Steinem, who addressed the issue of sex trafficking in a Zambian village by asking the magic question, leading to a revelation that an electric fence was required to protect crops from elephants. Such examples reinforce the importance of aligning long-term goals with the magic question in order to effectively influence and create meaningful change. This episode, which features many insights from Zoe's book, Influence is Your Superpower, also highlights the importance of saying "No" (with a challenge to do so to every request for 24 hours) and the interesting way she set up her book chapters (along with some tips for aspiring authors). In this episode, you will be able to: Enhance your connections and communication through the strength of influence. Achieve better work-life balance by saying 'no' and outlining clear-cut boundaries. Embrace an innovative way of addressing problems and designing future targets. Comprehend the workings of decision-making and how to convince others with competence. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces Zoe Chance and her book Influence Is Your Superpower. She highlights the relevance of the topic to the upcoming guest, Vanessa Patrick's book, The Power of Saying No. 00:03:24 - From Theater to Sales, Zoe talks about her experience in theater and how it helped her develop the skills to communicate, move, and connect with people. She also narrates her experience in sales, door-to-door sales, telemarketing, and marketing, where she learned about rejection and the importance of being comfortable with saying (and hearing) no. 00:06:44 - The Power of No, Zoe introduces her 24-hour no challenge, which she did for a whole month one November, and the 24-hour no challenge she gives her students. She explains how saying no can help build healthy relationships and create space in one's life. She also emphasizes the importance of not justifying one's no and the need to disentangle the request from the relationship. 00:10:23 - Handling Objections, Zoe talks about handling objections in sales training, addressing all the different kinds of objections that someone might have. She reveals that most sales training is about handling objections. She adds that it is often a good idea not to justify one's no because it can create a way for them to convince you to change your mind. 00:13:00 - The Worst Thing They Can Say is No, Zoe explains the mindset that "the worst thing they can say is no," -- how this is both helpful and harmful. 00:15:33 - Framing and Half Chapters, Zoe discusses her use of framing in her book, Influence Is Your Superpower, and how she structured the chapters to include shorter chapters between longer ones to create more momentum and ease of reading. She also shares her love for Harry Potter and how she used references to create a little magic for readers. 00:19:16 - The Magic of Harry Potter, Melina and Zoe bond over their love for Harry Potter and share their experiences visiting the Harry Potter Studios outside London. They discuss the level of thoughtfulness and detail that went into creating the world of Harry Potter and how it inspires them in their own work. 00:23:49 - The Power of Framing, Zoe explains the concept of framing and shares an example from her idol, Derren Brown, a mind reader and illusionist who is a master at directing attention. She discusses how framing works to focus our attention on one thing and make us ignore everything else, and how this is a metaphor for how our brain makes decisions. 00:29:22 - The Influence of Derren Brown, Melina and Zoe discuss the work of Derren Brown and how he is an expert in influence, even though he is not an academic. They share examples of how he uses questioning techniques to get people to believe certain things and how he can get them to choose something different from what they originally wanted. 00:31:38 - The Importance of Experimentation, Zoe emphasizes the importance of experimentation in behavioral science and how it is critical to test and iterate on things. 00:31:31 - Setting Goals and The Magic Question, Dr. Zoe Chance shares tips on setting long-term goals and using the magic question to collaborate and problem-solve with others. The magic question involves asking "What it would take...?" to achieve a specific goal or overcome an obstacle. By doing this, it shifts the mindset from resistance to collaboration, and the other person becomes committed to supporting the outcome. 00:35:20 - Personal Journey of Transformation, The book Influence Is Your Superpower is a personal journey of transformation to becoming someone that people want to say yes to. It provides readers with the tools needed to gain influence through personal and professional relationships. The book is focused on collaboration and problem-solving to achieve goals. 00:37:06 - Connecting with Zoe Chance, The best way to get the book Influence Is Your Superpower is through Zoe Chance's website, Zoechance.com. You can connect with her on Twitter, where she shares tips and engages with readers. She encourages readers to share how they use the tips from the book. 00:38:39 - Using the Magic Question, The magic question "What would it take?" is a simple yet powerful tool that can be used to achieve goals and overcome obstacles. It involves asking the other person what it would take to achieve a specific goal or overcome an obstacle. This approach shifts the mindset from resistance to collaboration and helps to identify the roadmap needed to achieve the desired outcome. 00:39:14 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Influence Is Your Superpower, by Zoe Chance You Have More Influence Than You Think, by Vanessa Bohns Magic Words, by Jonah Berger The Power of Saying No, by Vanessa Patrick What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Zoe:  Zoe on Twitter Follow Zoe on LinkedIn Zoe's Website Top Recommended Next Episode: A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 296) You Have More Influence Than You Think, with Vanessa Bohns (ep 197) Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 157) 5 Years, 299 Episodes, These Are Your Favorites (ep 299) Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) What is Questionstorming? (ep 215) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Leveraging Metaphor, with Olson Zaltman (ep 181)  Magic Words, with Jonah Berger (ep 301) The Sense of Sight (episode 24) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Zoe's Yale Faculty Page How to Make a Behavior Addictive: Zoë Chance at TEDxMillRiver Derren Brown, The Apocalypse Derren Brown, Perfect Present

Mentorship is a critical component of personal and professional growth. A supportive mentor enables mentees to develop critical skills, make better decisions, and achieve their goals faster by providing guidance, perspective, and encouragement along their journey. Furthermore, mentors benefit by expanding their network, reinforcing their knowledge, and deriving satisfaction from contributing to the success of others. Mentorship is a valuable, reciprocal relationship that fosters learning, development, and change for both the mentor and mentee. In the podcast, Scott Miller shares his insight into how mentorship can impact individuals in various aspects of life. He offers personal stories and experiences, highlighting the importance of recognizing the potential mentorship opportunities that exist beyond traditional boundaries. By emphasizing the powerful and transformative effects of mentorship, Miller encourages listeners to actively pursue mentoring relationships that enrich personal and professional lives, and explains the 13 roles mentors play, based on information in his book The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship. In this episode: Unveil the importance of mentorship and why anyone can be a mentor. Decode the 13 essential roles of mentors in guiding their mentees. Realize the value of genuine feedback and vulnerability in fostering strong mentor-mentee connections. Examine the lifelong benefits that mentorship can provide for you and your career. Identify how everything from setting boundaries to celebrating matters in the mentor-mentee relationship (and some language to help you along your way!) Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Scott Miller is a multi best-selling author, special advisor on thought leadership for the Franklin Covey Company, and a globally celebrated keynote speaker. He has previously been a guest on The Brainy Business podcast to discuss his books Marketing Mess to Brand Success and Management Mess to Leadership Success. In today's episode, he talks about his new book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship. 00:06:42 - Importance of Mentorship, Mentorship is a key part of companies' employee development plans. However, most people don't know what to do as a mentor. Scott wrote The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship to help people become better mentors. The book outlines 13 roles that all mentors can play, which will help them ask better questions, be more patient, and be more thoughtful. 00:10:16 - Informal Mentorship, Scott shares the story of how Bruce Williams, a radio host who has since passed away, became a mentor to him without ever knowing it. This highlights the importance of informal mentorship and how people can redefine what mentorship looks like. For example, by following favorite bloggers or podcasts, those thought leaders can be a mentor to you (even if you never talk to them and they don't know your name). 00:14:21 - The Power of Mentorship, Scott and Melina discuss the impact of mentorship on individuals and society, highlighting the importance of having a framework for effective mentorship. Scott introduces his book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, and introduces the 13 roles a mentor can play. 00:17:32 - The 13 Roles of Great Mentorship, Scott discusses the 13 roles a mentor can play outlined in his book, emphasizing that a mentor may not necessarily play all 13 roles and why they need to adapt their role depending on the mentee's situation (you aren't just one “type” of mentor, you need to wear multiple hats during your time as a mentor). He highlights the importance of having an awareness of these roles and how they can be used to support a mentee effectively. 00:21:01 - The Importance of Validation in Mentorship, Scott shares his personal story of being validated by a stranger at a young age, which had a profound impact on his life. He emphasizes the role of the Validator in mentorship and the power of validating a mentee's genius, skill, and talent. He provides tips for how to effectively validate a mentee and how this can be a transition point for them to move towards more effective mindsets. 00:23:05 - Scott's Six-Step Closing Process, Scott introduces his six-step closing process, which includes naming what has been learned from the mentee, validating their genius, and setting them on their way. He emphasizes the importance of taking away something from each mentor session and using it to improve oneself. 00:28:34 - Caution for the Validator, The Validator role in mentoring should be used with care. Rather than validating mentees for small actions, acknowledge their genius, and give them lifelong courage to retrieve it when they need it. 00:32:41 - The Flagger Role, The Flagger is the challenger on steroids, who stops a conversation in its tracks to challenge an idea. Diplomatically flagging issues prevents potential conflict in the future. 00:37:57 - The Boundary Setter, Setting boundaries is an uncomfortable yet essential conversation that every mentor needs to have. Mismatched or unfulfilled expectations cause most conflicts in life, and setting clear boundaries is key to avoiding any potential issues. Scott provides some sample language the listener can use in their own mentoring sessions immediately. 00:41:24 - Honing in on Boundaries, It's important to have a clear understanding of each other's boundaries in mentorship. Starting with an uncomfortable conversation about boundaries can prevent future awkwardness and allow for a more productive relationship. 00:42:53 - Importance of Situational Mentorship, Scott emphasizes the importance of situational mentorship and tailoring conversations to the mentee's needs. He suggests checking out greatmentorship.com for videos and tools, and invites people to connect with him on social media. 00:44:27 - Scott's Impact on Melina, Melina thanks Scott for being a mentor to her, and Scott reflects on how anyone can be a mentor (with or without realizing it). They encourage listeners to reflect on who has impacted their lives and consider sharing their gratitude with them. 00:45:00 - What is Mentorship?, Melina and Scott discuss the meaning of mentorship and how it can be informal and brief. They encourage listeners to reflect on the mentors in their lives and consider sharing their impact with them. 00:46:19 - Reflecting on Impactful Moments, Melina encourages listeners to reflect on small or big moments that were impactful and consider who was part of them. She suggests telling mentors how they have impacted their lives and invites listeners to connect with her and Scott on social media. 00:46:30 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, by Scott Miller Management Mess to Leadership Success, by Scott Miller Marketing Mess to Brand Success, by Scott Miller Fierce Conversations, by Susan Scott What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Scott:  Scott on Instagram Follow Scott on LinkedIn Scott's Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Management Mess to Leadership Success, with Scott Miller (ep 69) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Marketing Mess to Brand Success, with Scott Miller (ep 156) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (ep 306) Change Management: It's Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Anchoring and Adjustment (ep 11) Relativity (ep 12) On-Air Coaching Call with Mariel Court (ep 10) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) The Brainy Benefits of Gratitude (ep 248) Celebrate! It's More Important Than You Think (ep 236) Stressed and Overcommitted? Tips to Overcome Planning Fallacy (ep 114) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Scott's Site: GreatMentorship.com

To build authentic brand connections with customers, it is essential for marketing professionals to understand the unique cultural context within which their target audience exists. This encompasses not only the cultural values and beliefs of the intended market but also the broader societal context within which these individuals reside. By accurately identifying their congregation (NOT target market) and their specific cultural attributes, marketers can create tailored messaging that communicates more effectively with the intended consumer base. In the podcast, Dr. Marcus Collins discusses his experience working with various brands, such as Beyoncé, Budweiser, and the Brooklyn Nets, that have built authentic connections with their customers by leveraging behavioral science. As a marketing professor and industry professional, Collins emphasizes the importance of finding a "congregation" of like-minded individuals who share the same beliefs, values, and attitudes as the brand. By focusing on these shared attributes, companies can create more genuine and meaningful relationships with their customers, fostering loyalty and a sense of real connection. In this episode, you will: Understand the significance of culture in crafting effective marketing campaigns. Realize the potential of focusing on a congregation over a target market for greater influence. Grasp the art of blending brand values with cultural norms to create authentic connections. Appreciate the benefits of a humble approach in navigating the ever-changing societal landscape. Analyze successful implementations of cultural marketing by leading companies. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Host Melina Palmer introduces Dr. Marcus Collins, an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and author of For the Culture. 00:02:21 - Dr. Marcus Collins' Background, Dr. Collins talks about his background, growing up in Detroit, studying engineering, and his journey into marketing, including working at Apple and running digital strategy for Beyoncé. 00:06:29 - Importance of Culture, Dr. Collins explains the importance of culture and how it influences people's behavior and decision-making. He believes that understanding and respecting culture is crucial for businesses to effectively connect with their audiences. 00:09:40 - Learning About People, Marcus shares a pivotal moment in his career when he realized that his understanding of social media was limited because he didn't understand people. This realization led him to study human behavior and psychology, which has been instrumental in his work as a marketer. 00:14:13 - Marketing to Diverse Audiences, Dr. Collins discusses the importance of marketing to diverse audiences and the challenges that come with it. He emphasizes the need for businesses to go beyond surface-level diversity and truly understand different cultures and communities. 00:14:22 - The Power of Influence, Marcus Collins talks about the power of influence and how he became a better practitioner by studying network theory and the social sciences. He also shares how theory helped him launch campaigns for the Brooklyn Nets and Budweiser. 00:15:45 - Career Journey, Marcus Collins shares his journey from wanting to study musical theater to becoming a marketer and eventually pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology. He also talks about the importance of having mentors. 00:19:13 - Learning from Dan Ariely, Marcus shares his experience of being connected to Dan Ariely. Melina also shares about the kind nature of Dan. They collectively agree on the power of asking questions and being generous with others. 00:22:06 - Consumer Culture Theory, Marcus Collins talks about his doctoral research on consumer culture theory and how he became interested in the role of culture in understanding consumer behavior. He also discusses the evolution of marketing, from using psychology to sociology to culture to better understand people. 00:27:21 - Find a Congregation, Marcus discusses the importance of finding a congregation – or a group of people who share your values and beliefs – rather than a generic target market. He emphasizes the need for brands to focus on building a community and connecting with their audience on a deeper level. 00:28:37 - Understanding People and Business, People are at the core of business. Culture is anchored in our identity, and our identity is the character in the story we tell ourselves. Therefore, companies should target people who see the world the way they do, and those people will not only consume but also tell other people like them. 00:31:23 - Finding the Congregation, The biggest cheat code for understanding the underlying physics of humanity is behavioral sciences. Consumption is a cultural act, and our consumption is a product of our cultural subscription. Therefore, companies should focus on finding the congregation of people who see the world the way they do, and those people will do the marketing and communication for them. 00:35:01 - Relating it to Nike's Core Belief, Nike believes that every human body is an athlete, and they exist to help people realize their best athletic self. Nike talks to athletes, not people who just buy sneakers. They preach the gospel to their congregation, which is made up of many tribes who see the world the way they do. And those people not only consume but also share the gospel with other people. 00:38:55 - Consumption is a Cultural Act, Understanding the underlying physics of humanity is the biggest cheat code for any profession, whether you're an accountant, finance person, marketer, HR, leader, or C-suite. Consumption is a cultural act, and our consumption is a product of our cultural subscription. Therefore, companies should leverage the behavioral sciences to segment, target, and activate the market. 00:44:06 - Theoretical vs. Practical, Marcus Collins discusses how everything is theoretical in social sciences and how he spends more time contextualizing his explanations than teaching theories. He talks about how he breaks down complex ideas for students, and this approach has helped him socialize thinking within organizations. 00:45:16 - Humility in Academia, Collins talks about approaching academia from a humble place and realizing that everything is based on what is known at present. He believes that looking at the world from a more humble state has helped him be a better corporate citizen and partner. 00:47:53 - Melina's Closing Thoughts, Palmer discusses the idea of building a congregation of listeners and how understanding identities and tribalism can help businesses connect with consumers. She encourages listeners to consider what their brand could do to embrace culture and create a mutual benefit for everyone involved. 00:49:20 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: For The Culture, by Marcus Collins Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Influence, by Robert Cialdini What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Marcus:  Marcus on Twitter Follow Marcus on LinkedIn Marcus' Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Dan Ariely – What is Shapa? (ep 101) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Social Proof (ep 87)  Neuroscience and Psychology in business, with Matt Johnson (ep 160) Branding That Means Business, with Matt Johnson (ep 231) Why We Like The Things We Like, with Prince Ghuman (ep 172) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Habits (ep 256) Dr. Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (episode 157) The Network Effect (ep 262) The Endowment Effect (ep 139) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Multinarrative Storytelling, with Troy Campbell (ep 293) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Effective leadership involves being aware of and managing one's social identities within the workplace. To foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, leaders should focus on building an environment where employees feel heard, understood, and valued. This not only strengthens group dynamics but also reduces the instances of us-versus-them mentalities. Packer shared insights on how leaders can better manage their social identities, emphasizing the need to validate group identities continually based on his research and book, The Power of Us. He warned against potential pitfalls when employees get promoted, urging them to be cautious of their friendships at lower organizational levels. Packer underscored the importance of ensuring actions don't alienate leaders from the rest of the group, as this can negatively impact their ability to lead effectively. In this episode, you will: Discover how group identity influences individual behavior and decision-making. Explore strategies for maintaining unity while encouraging constructive dissent within teams. Uncover the nuances of identity shifts, allowing you to better understand and predict consumer behavior. Learn about the critical role diversity and inclusion play in collaborative environments. Gain insights on translating group behavior principles to foster a thriving organizational culture. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina welcomes Dr. Dominic Packer to the podcast and introduces the topic of the power of group identity and collective behavior, as featured in Dominic's book, The Power of Us. 00:02:22 - Shifting Identities, Melina and Dominic discuss the multiple aspects of identity and how individuals shift between different identities based on context and group membership. 00:05:16 - Writing Through the Pandemic, The conversation shifts to the challenges of writing a book with a co-author during the pandemic, including the need for accountability and social support. (With lessons any aspiring author can use today.) 00:08:41 - Influence of Group Norms, Dominic explains how group norms can influence behavior through social pressure, informational influence, and signaling of group identity. 00:10:12 - Types of Identity, The three types of identity – personal, relational, and collective – are discussed, with a focus on how collective identities can become emotionally important and drive decision-making. 00:14:59 - The Flexibility of Identity, Identity is not only discerning, but also flexible, malleable, and adaptive to current circumstances. People have a readiness to identify, and a new way of categorizing ourselves can create a new identity. The story of two brothers who split their shoe making business in Germany during WWII divided a town into a fierce rivalry. This shows how categorizing the world can produce identities and group-based differences. 00:19:43 - Cooperating Opportunities with Others, Groups are fundamental to human survival, and we tend to band together for collective achievements. A thing we have in common with others is an opportunity to cooperate. By extending a little more trust to others and receiving a little more trust from them in return, it facilitates collaboration and allows groups to achieve things that they couldn't achieve on their own. 00:23:13 - Multileveled Identities, Lower-level identities in company corporate situations like different divisions or units are not necessarily bad. One solution to reduce tensions and rivalries between the lower-level identities is to shift people's focus from their lower level identity to their higher level identity, the superordinate identity, which is the company as a whole. Companies need to create conditions that bring people together through common goals and shift people's focus from their lower-level identity to their higher-level identity. 00:25:45 - Incentive Structures and Resource Allocation, Leaders need to create conditions by which people can see themselves as part of something larger than just their immediate experience. 00:29:56 - The Importance of Divergent Opinions in Groups, It is important for groups to have divergent opinions and new ideas to innovate and become more productive in the long term. Dissenting behavior is often seen as annoying or slowing down the group, which could be a threat, but that isn't the whole story. The most identified group members are the most likely to dissent because they care a lot about the group. It is important for leaders to create a psychologically safe environment where people feel comfortable speaking up and being critical. 00:35:59 - Tips for Creating a Culture of Dissent, It is important to distinguish between dissenters who are trying to change the group in a positive way and troublemakers who stir up trouble just to be difficult. Leaders should encourage a culture where dissenters who are positively motivated feel comfortable speaking up, engage in behaviors themselves that validate the group's identity, and make sure they embody it. Leaders should avoid behaviors that differentiate them too much from the rest of the group and reduce large-scale pay discrepancies between people at the top of an organization and the average employee. 00:39:15 - Leadership and Managing Social Identities, Leaders need to manage the social identities of the people they are leading, foster it, build it, and help people experience it and see it. A fundamental idea that arises from this is that followers are much more likely to be inspired and motivated by leaders who they see as one of us, that they see as possessing an identity in common. Leaders need to engage in behaviors themselves that are continually validating of an identity, reduce things that can work against that, 00:45:10 - Balancing Identity and Groups, Dominic Packer discusses the importance of balancing identity and groups, how our identities shift throughout the day, and how it affects what we buy and consume. He emphasizes the need for leaders to understand their roles within different groups and how they can be more effective members of the global collective. 00:46:28 - Key Takeaways, Melina reflects on the importance of understanding how easily we can be influenced by our identities and group affiliations. She highlights the concept of the "Town of Bent Necks" and sibling rivalries that can change what we buy and wear. She encourages listeners to read both The Power of Us and For the Culture, two books that teach valuable lessons for anyone in business. 00:48:14 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Power of Us, by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel Magic Words, by Jonah Berger For The Culture, by Marcus Collins How Minds Change, by David McRaney What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Jonah:  Dominic on Twitter Follow Dominic on LinkedIn The Power of Us Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Social Proof (ep 87)  Already Heard That One? Try These:  Biases Toward Others – Including Groups (episode 46) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Leveraging Metaphor, with Olson Zaltman (ep 181)  Multinarrative Storytelling, with Troy Campbell (ep 293) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Overview of Personal Biases (episode 45) Herding (episode 264) The Science of Opinions, with Dr. Andy Luttrell (episode 173) Dr. Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (episode 157) Incentives – The “N” In NUDGES (episode 272) Only 1% of People Blow the Whistle at Work—How to Fix That, with Nuala Walsh (episode 153) Priming (episode 252) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The Power of Us Newsletter

The importance of data visualization cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in making complex data accessible, engaging, and actionable. Presenting data in a way that clearly communicates an underlying narrative or message can lead to more effective decision-making and a deeper understanding of data-driven insights. Additionally, data visualization assists in conveying these messages to different audiences, ensuring that the information is received and interpreted accurately. In her conversation with Melina Palmer, Sarah Kay Miller discusses the importance of crafting a narrative with data visualization and how it can effectively communicate complex information. She notes that data visualization is not merely about producing visually appealing designs but also about presenting data in such a way that resonates with the intended audience. Throughout their discussion, Miller emphasizes the importance of thoughtfulness and creativity in creating meaningful data art. In this episode: Delve into the captivating realm of data visualization and data art to transform information processing. Understand the difference between data visualization and data art. Appreciate the critical connection between narrative and impactful data visualization and data art. Obtain key pointers to design compelling data visuals that resonate with diverse audiences. Identify the value of thought-provoking comparisons for maximum effectiveness in data presentations. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina introduces the Brainy Business podcast and welcomes Sarah Kay Miller, a data visualization designer, to the show. She also announces the 5-year anniversary of the podcast and the data art created by Sarah Kay to celebrate the milestone. 00:02:29 - About Sarah Kay Miller, Sarah Kay Miller is an independent data visualization designer with a background in graphic design. She defines data visualization as the process of visualizing data, making it more intuitive for humans to understand patterns, trends, and comparisons. Data art, on the other hand, is a broader category of creative endeavors that draw inspiration from or are touched by data. 00:05:00 - Data Visualization vs. Data Art, The line between data visualization and data art is blurry. Data visualization involves creating charts and graphs that help people understand data more intuitively, while data art is a creative endeavor that draws inspiration from data sets. Both are necessary and can be used in different contexts. 00:08:00 - Process of Data Visualization, Sarah Kay Miller spends a lot of time investigating data sets and collaborating with clients to understand domain expertise. Data visualization involves threading a narrative through the data to make it more interesting and engaging. It allows people to communicate messages, insights, or ideas more effectively. 00:13:21 - Sarah Kay's Process, Sarah Kay Miller's process involves three main phases: groundwork, design, and iteration. She elaborates on each phase and how she approaches them. 00:15:37 - Designing Data Visualizations, Sarah Kay Miller talks about her process of designing data visualizations. She discusses how she dives into the data and visualizes it in many ways -- everything from basic charts to the more elaborate and artistic. She also talks about the importance of understanding brand identity and color palettes when designing. 00:17:08 - Insights from Data Visualization, Miller shares her insights from visualizing data from The Brainy Business podcast. She talks about the upward trend in podcast downloads since 2018 and the number of downloads per episode. Melina and Sarah Kay also discuss the impact of the first two episodes on listeners, and how people tend to go back and listen to the earlier episodes. 00:22:49 - Design Ideas & Brand Identity, Miller talks about her design ideas for The Brainy Business podcast. She discusses the importance of staying within the brand identity of the podcast and how she used inspiration from the typography of the logo to create a groovy and energetic design. 00:27:03 - Final Product & Data Art, Miller shares the final product of her data visualization for The Brainy Business podcast. She talks about how she played with the layout of the circles to give it more movement and how she used a brighter blue to make it pop on thumbnails. She also talks about the importance of showcasing the global reach of the podcast and how everyone matters. 00:30:49 - Data Visualization as Data Art, Sarah discusses the importance of representing data in a visually appealing way and the power of data art to convey information. She talks about her love for creating unique and unusual chart types and how they can help tell a story. 00:34:05 - Fun Project on Architecture, Sarah shares details of a project she worked on for Space 10, a subsidiary of IKEA. She talks about how they created a data set for a visualization of the history of tools architects use and how digital tools have impacted building design. The end result was a comprehensive and beautiful data visualization that straddled both data visualization and data art. 00:40:53 - Data Visualization for Social Media, Sarah talks about the challenges of creating data visualizations for social media, where attention spans are shorter and space is limited. She discusses the importance of video and motion design in creating engaging and informative data stories for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. 00:43:51 - Time Required for Projects, Sarah explains that the timeline for a data visualization project varies depending on the scope, and collecting data can add time to the process. She suggests that two to three months is doable for a small to medium-sized project, but larger or more complex projects can take longer. 00:46:44 - The Importance of Data Visualization, The value of data art and visualization in effectively communicating data to viewers. She emphasizes the need to understand numbers and find meaningful comparisons to make data more relatable to humans. 00:47:25 - Impactful Data Visualization Examples, Melina shares about an article in The New York Times on vacant office spaces in New York City as an excellent example of impactful data visualization. The comparison of the number of vacant spaces to the Empire State Building makes the data more memorable and understandable. 00:48:01 - Pareto Principle in Data Visualization, The Pareto principle or 80/20 rule is discussed for data visualization. Melina recommends spending 80% of the time on the 20% of data that's most important or interesting to make the visualization more impactful. 00:48:34 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Magic Words, by Jonah Berger Getting Along, by Amy Gallo A More Just Future, by Dolly Chugh The Future Normal, by Rohit Bhargava What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Jonah:  Sarah Kay on Instagram Follow Sarah Kay on LinkedIn Sarah Kay's Website Top Recommended Next Episode: A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Sight or Vision? (ep 24) Power of Touch (ep 302) NUDGES and Choice Architecture (ep 35) What is Questionstorming? (ep 215) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Social Proof (ep 87)  Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Leveraging Metaphor, with Olson Zaltman (ep 181)  The Power of Us, with Dominic Packer (ep 178) Multinarrative Storytelling, with Troy Campbell (ep 293) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Sarah's work on Mindworks: The Science of Thinking

In the context of business, the sense of touch plays a crucial role in building emotional connections with consumers and driving their purchasing behavior. Understanding and harnessing the power of touch can significantly improve the perceived quality of products and services, strengthening the brand image and fostering customer loyalty. By integrating touch into marketing and branding efforts, entrepreneurs can create a multisensory experience that has a lasting impact on their target audience.  Melina Palmer emphasizes the importance of touch in business, discussing how it is directly connected to emotional language and can influence both our perceptions and actions. Throughout the podcast, she explores the science behind touch and how it can be strategically employed by businesses to engage consumers on a deeper level. Melina highlights the need for businesses to consider the various ways they can incorporate touch, ensuring it is utilized effectively and appropriately to deliver the desired effect. In this episode, you'll: Discover the secrets behind utilizing touch in business for better connections and results. Learn why investing in thoughtful materials that align with your message boosts your brand image and customer satisfaction. Uncover the powerful connection between emotional and visual touch in material choices. Explore innovative ways to incorporate touch into service-based and virtual businesses. Get a sneak peek at Friday's enlightening interview on the art of data visualization. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina welcomes listeners to a special episode on the sense of touch, which celebrates the five-year anniversary of The Brainy Business podcast. She talks about the importance of touch in our lives and how it is directly linked to emotional language. Melina also thanks listeners for their support and explains the purpose of the episode. 00:04:44 - How Touch Works, Melina explains that the skin has many nerve endings, and they all have different jobs of being receptive to temperature, pressure, or pain. She also discusses the concept of relativity and how it impacts our sense of touch. Melina compares the subconscious brain to a small child and how emotional touch and sensation are closely linked. 00:09:06 - Touch and Teamwork, Melina discusses the importance of human contact, especially touch, on our development throughout our lives. She explains how touch impacts the overall effectiveness of teams and cites a study from UC Berkeley that found NBA teams who engaged in more celebratory touch won more games and played better together. 00:14:22 - The Power of Touch in Business, Melina talks about the impact of touch in business, including the endowment effect, perceived ownership, and loss aversion. She explains how touch triggers these concepts and increases the value of products. Melina also discusses how touch impacts customer experience and how businesses can use it to their advantage. 00:19:34 - Touch Without Touch, Melina talks about the power of touch without touch, which is how even service-based businesses and those entirely online can leverage the sense of touch. Hint: your eyes are amazing! 00:16:32 - Incorporating Touch Appropriately, HR departments should be consulted to ensure touch is incorporated appropriately. Touch is a powerful tool for creating impressions, so it's important to be mindful of the message being conveyed through touch. 00:17:37 - The Power of Texture in Print, Texture plays a crucial role in creating a favorable impression in print materials. The texture of paper can say a lot about a business, and investing in high-quality materials can reflect positively on the brand. 00:20:14 - The Importance of Touch in Sales, Touch is a crucial element in sales, as it increases the sense of ownership that a person feels over an item. Even online sales can benefit from the power of touch, as images and descriptions can trigger perceived ownership and lead to buying. 00:23:11 - The Impact of Touch in Personal Interactions, Touch plays a significant role in personal interactions. Service businesses should consider how they interact with clients and what impression they are leaving, as touch is one of the key senses that people use to interpret others. 00:31:40 - How Touch Influences Perception, Touch influences perception, and people tend to associate touch terms with the way they interpret brands and people. It's important to consider the impression being left on others in interactions and what it means in touch terms. 00:34:04 - The Value of Touch and Concrete Concepts, Melina discusses the importance of touch and how it can make something feel real even when it's just words or an idea. She highlights the value of metaphors and concrete concepts in making ideas more relatable and actionable. This sets the foundation for the upcoming conversation with data artist Sarah K. Miller. 00:35:16 - Celebrating Five Years of The Brainy Business, Melina announces the upcoming five-year anniversary episode with data artist Sarah K. Miller. She encourages listeners to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help spread the word about making business more brain-friendly. She also highlights her book, What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, which features the sense of touch in the priming chapter. 00:36:27 - Building Your Knowledge on the Sense of Touch, Melina encourages listeners to dig deeper into the sense of touch by exploring related past episodes, books, and articles. She emphasizes the importance of applying the senses in business and how they can help to drive action. 00:37:13 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Evolutionary Ideas, by Sam Tatam What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Magic Words, by Jonah Berger Top Recommended Next Episode: What is Cognitive Semiotics? (ep 257) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Sight (ep 24) Hearing (ep 300) Taste (ep 26) Smell (ep 298) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Herding (ep 264) Change Management: It's Still Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Your Guide to Create a Brainy Brand (ep 230) Rebrand, Refresh, or Reinforce? (ep 44) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Evolutionary Ideas with Sam Tatam (ep 203) Mirror Neurons (ep 31) Endowment Effect (ep 139) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter The Science of Touching and Feeling | David Linden | TEDxUNC Grinch's Heart Grows Sense of Touch New Study: When NBA Players Touch Teammates More, They and Their Teams Play Better Tactile Communication, Cooperation, and Performance: An Ethological Study of the NBA The Effect of Mere Touch on Perceived Ownership Visual Perception of Texture of Textiles

The power of language is paramount in any form of communication. How one utilizes language can significantly impact the outcome of conversations and the ability to persuade others. By understanding the intricacies of language and the psychology behind it, communicators can craft more effective messages that resonate with their target audience. With a focus on desired identities, motivations, and subtle shifts in language that can encourage or discourage behavior, communicators can directly influence the consumption and sharing of content.  During Jonah Berger's discussion with Melina Palmer, he stressed the importance of language and provided insights from his book, Magic Words. Dr. Berger highlighted the difference between nouns and verbs and how a slight modification in language, such as changing from "help" to "helper," could significantly alter the perception of the task at hand. By diving into the psychology behind language, Jonah offers practical tips to enhance communication, ensuring messages are better received and understood. He also briefly discusses one of his other books, Contagious (a favorite of Melina's!), and the SPEACC framework in Magic Words. Hone your ability to communicate powerfully through thoughtful language choices. Explore the influence of converting verbs into nouns in shaping personal and professional identities. Recognize the effect linguistic similarity has on building rapport and attaining success. Examine the role of cutting-edge technology in unbiased research and in-depth analysis. Understand the vital importance of concrete language in creating compelling marketing and communication tactics. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces Dr. Jonah Berger, Wharton professor and author of the new book Magic Words. 00:05:24 - Tips for Making Content Viral, To make content stand out, communicators need to think less about the product or service they are selling and more about the audience and why they might want to share it. Understanding why people share is key to making word-of-mouth marketing effective. 00:08:28 - The Power of Language, Subtle shifts in language can have a big impact on persuasion. For example, calling someone a "helper" instead of asking them to "help" can increase the likelihood of them taking the action you want. Turning actions into identities can make people more likely to claim desired identities. 00:17:26 - The Power of Stories, Stories are powerful because they activate different parts of the brain and help people remember information better. To make a story more effective, focus on the emotions and how the story relates to the audience's experience. 00:24:31 - The Power of Social Influence, Social influence is powerful because people are more likely to take action if they see others doing it. To make social influence work for you, focus on the early adopters and influencers and make it easy for them to share your message. 00:12:52 - The Value of Metaphor and Concrete Language, Jonah discusses the importance of using concrete language to show others that we have heard them, and how this can lead to increased customer satisfaction. For example, saying “Your refund will be there soon” feels very different from “Your money will be in your account tomorrow.” The latter (which is more concrete) had increased customer satisfaction scores. He also explains the difference between concrete and abstract language and how it can be applied in different contexts. 00:16:13 - The SPEACC Framework, Jonah breaks down the six key types of language covered in his book and provides an overview of each one. These include the language of Similarity and difference, Posing questions, Emotion, Agency and identity, Concreteness, and Confidence. 00:18:12 - Linguistic Similarity, Jonah explains how linguistic similarity can be used to build relationships and connections in the workplace, and how it can even predict future outcomes such as promotions or employee turnover. He also discusses the benefits of being both similar and different in terms of content and language design. 00:19:40 - When to Use Concrete Language, Jonah discusses the research that shows when it is beneficial to use more abstract language, such as in the case of entrepreneurs pitching a business idea. He also explains the importance of adapting to the linguistic culture of a workplace and how it can impact career success. 00:21:34 - Language Similarity and Affiliation, Jonah provides examples of how linguistic similarity can impact personal relationships, such as speed dating or building friendships in the workplace. He also discusses the importance of linguistic cues like pauses and intonation in building trust and increasing positive perceptions. 00:25:47 - Making Your Brand an Identity, The importance of making your brand an identity for your customers, highlighting the significance of transitioning from a verb to a noun. By finding opportunities for customers to be a part of the brand, or the brand to be a part of them, companies can create a stronger connection with their audience. 00:27:13 - The Power of AI, Melina mentions how Jonah and his team use technology, including AI and machine learning, to analyze large amounts of data, which allows them to remove human bias and get results much faster. By using technology to their advantage, businesses can unlock valuable insights that may have been missed or too costly to produce. 00:28:47 - Insights from Magic Words, Jonah's book, Magic Words, provides insight into how language affects business outcomes. From using concrete language in pitches to predicting employee retention based on the language used in emails, businesses can use language as a tool for success. 00:29:31 - Finding Insights in Data, The insights found in Magic Words and Jonah's research demonstrate the power of analyzing data to uncover valuable insights. By asking great questions and using technology to analyze data, businesses can make informed decisions and achieve success. 00:29:44 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Magic Words, by Jonah Berger Contagious, by Jonah Berger The Catalyst, by Jonah Berger Invisible Influence, by Jonah Berger What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Jonah:  Jonah on Twitter Follow Jonah on LinkedIn Jonah's Website Resources Top Recommended Next Episode: What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Already Heard That One? Try These:  A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Social Proof (ep 87)  Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) Leveraging Metaphor, with Olson Zaltman (ep 181)  The Power of Us, with Dominic Packer (ep 178) Multinarrative Storytelling, with Troy Campbell (ep 293) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Get Jonah's Resources

The ability to identify and interpret sounds is a vital aspect of human existence, shaping how individuals interact with the world around them. Sound can be both comforting and distracting, encompassing a wide spectrum of experiences. For this reason, understanding the impact of sound in marketing can be a game-changer, as it allows businesses to create more immersive experiences for customers and foster an emotional connection. Moreover, sound can help guide consumer behavior, enhancing their experience with a brand or product. Melina Palmer emphasizes the significance of sound on human emotions and interactions, and how it can be harnessed in marketing to influence buying behavior. Analyzing the journey of sound waves as they travel from the eardrum to the brain, she identifies music as a particularly powerful element of sound, with the unique ability to provoke strong physical and emotional reactions. Discover the crucial role of hearing in successful marketing campaigns. Learn how music can effectively steer consumer choices. Uncover the remarkable influence of jingles on brand loyalty. Find out why sound can create different perceptions of price. Celebrate the milestone 300th episode and show appreciation to our loyal listeners. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer celebrates the podcast's 300 episode milestone (woo!) and explains about these refreshed episodes on senses. This episode discusses the sense of hearing and complements Melina's conversation with Jonah Berger (coming this Friday in episode 301), where they talk about his new book, Magic Words. 00:03:22 - How We Hear, Melina explains how sound waves turn into physical vibrations, which then stimulate tiny hairs in the ear that move molecules around and send signals to the brain for interpretation. The brain interprets the signals and determines what we're hearing. 00:08:12 - The Power of Sound, Sound has a significant impact on our ability to focus and perform. Noise-canceling headphones can help block out distractions, allowing people to focus better. Music is also powerful and can impact our bodies physically and emotionally. 00:11:14 - Music and the Brain, Humans are unique in their ability to understand, predict and interpret music. Music releases chemicals in the brain that can make people feel good or bad. It can also help people heal, as seen in studies with Parkinson's patients and those with brain injuries. 00:15:38 - Sound in Business, Atmospherics, including sounds, can be used in marketing to trigger emotional states that influence buying behavior. Restaurants can play faster music to turn over more clientele, while slower music can make people stay longer and buy more. 00:17:20 - Importance of Music in Stores, Studies show that stores need to carefully select brand-matching music to encourage shoppers to stay longer. Music that fit the brand persona increased time in store and the amount purchased. Familiar music may seem to make people stay longer, but in reality, it's the unknown music that has the increase. 00:19:31 - The Power of Jingles, Sound has a strong connection to memory, emotion, and behavior. Jingles associate brands into our brains in a different way than words or images. Little changes in sound can make a big difference. 00:23:06 - The Impact of Sound on Podcasts, The sound on the podcast intro and outro helps people relate to the host. The right voice, vocal inflection, and even smiling while talking can change the podcast experience. Sound is everything leading up to the sale conversation. 00:25:00 - Sound Impact on Pricing, The way a number is sounded out can impact the perception of price size. Some vowels give off the perception of being bigger than others, and this translates to a bigger price in the brain. This impact can happen even when prices are not heard or spoken. 00:29:48 - Thank You and Resources, Melina thanks listeners for 300 episodes and celebrates the mostly audio show with an episode on The Sense of Hearing. Resources, related past episodes, books, and articles are available in the show notes. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Evolutionary Ideas, by Sam Tatam What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Magic Words, by Jonah Berger Top Recommended Next Episode: The Top 5 Wording Mistakes Businesses Make (ep 2) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Sight (ep 24) Touch (ep 28) Taste (ep 26) Smell (ep 298) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Herding (ep 264) Change Management: It's Still Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Your Guide to Create a Brainy Brand (ep 230) Rebrand, Refresh, or Reinforce? (ep 44) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Evolutionary Ideas with Sam Tatam (ep 203) Mirror Neurons (ep 31) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter How Do We Hear? Hearing & Balance: Crash Course A&P #17 Beats by Dre goes ‘Above the Noise' with Olympic athletes in latest campaign Beats by Dre x Colin Kaepernick Hear What You Want Commercial Explained Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You – Loop Pedal Version Atmospherics as a Marketing Tool The Effects of Background Music on Consumer Responses in a High-end Supermarket The Impact of Music on Consumers' Reactions to Waiting for Services 10 Iconic Horror Theme Songs Are Emotionally Different with a Major Key Change Mrs Doubtfire Recut as a Horror Movie The Shining (happy version) Small Sounds, Big Deals: Phonetic Symbolism Effects in Pricing

Incorporating the sense of smell in branding is an effective way to create emotional connections with customers. By utilizing scents that evoke positive memories and emotions, businesses can foster a sense of familiarity and trust, directly influencing consumers' perception of a brand's value. The appropriate application of scent marketing can significantly impact customer behavior and sales performance. Melina Palmer delves into the strategic use of scent in branding and shares examples of successful scent marketing in action. She discusses how a powerful scent can have surprising consequences on a consumer, with a personal story about Lush. Her insights provide a powerful blueprint for marketers and business owners to successfully integrate scent into their branding strategies, leading to enhanced customer experiences and brand loyalty. Discover the fascinating impact of scent marketing on consumer behavior and decision-making. Uncover the deep connections between smell, memory, and emotion and their role in guiding customer choices. Learn how businesses create unforgettable experiences and associations through strategic scent implementation. Explore real-life examples of successful scent marketing across diverse industries and contexts. Grasp the significance of selecting the right scents to create a cohesive customer journey and achieve your objectives. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction,  Melina introduces the episode and explains why she has started doing a refresh of earlier episodes each week. She discusses the upcoming special episodes and show milestones, and gives a brief overview of the topics that will be covered. 00:05:22 - How Smell Works, Melina explains how the sense of smell works and how it is closely linked to memories and emotions. She discusses the evolution of smell and how it has helped humans survive. 00:09:23 - The Power of Memories, Melina talks about how smell is linked to memories and how it can trigger vivid emotions that “take you back” to an earlier time. She explains how childhood memories are the most powerful and discusses the association between scent and physical attraction. 00:12:10 - Using Smell in Branding, Melina discusses how businesses can use scent to create positive associations with their brand and products. She talks about how the sense of smell can be used in real estate to sell homes and gives examples of brands that use scent marketing and scent logos. 00:15:58 - Signature Scents, Melina talks about how signature scents for brands and colognes are complex and often contain a mix of different smells. She provides a link for listeners to find out the ingredients in their favorite perfume or cologne and discusses the power of scent in branding. 00:17:25 - The Power of Scent in Business, Scent has the ability to impact the way customers interact with a business. Studies have shown that pleasant ambient odors can increase sales and improve behavior. Companies can hire experts to help them choose the best signature scent for their brand, because the associations made in the brain matter. 00:21:47 - The Impact of Different Scents, Different scents can trigger different emotions and behaviors. For example, a feminine scent in a women's clothing store can increase sales, while the scent of lemon can encourage people to order seafood at a restaurant. The context is important, and brands need to be strategic and intentional with their scent choices. 00:25:49 - The Importance of Scent in Branding, Scent is closely related to our memories and nostalgia, which can have a significant impact on buying behavior. Good smells can improve recall of brands, while bad smells can make it difficult to focus. Brands need to understand their customers and the context to choose scents that align with their brand experience. 00:28:27 - Mirror Neurons and Scent Memory, Mirror neurons are one reason why our brain reacts to certain words or images and can trigger scent memory. This is why the Food Network carefully chooses trigger words to influence food memories and make people hungry. Even if a business doesn't sell food, they can still use scent to prime behavior and trigger emotions. 00:32:07 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Evolutionary Ideas, by Sam Tatam What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Top Recommended Next Episode: The Top 5 Wording Mistakes Businesses Make (ep 2) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Sight (ep 24) Hearing (ep 27) Touch (ep 28) Taste (ep 26) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Herding (ep 264) Change Management: It's Still Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Your Guide to Create a Brainy Brand (ep 230) Rebrand, Refresh, or Reinforce? (ep 44) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Evolutionary Ideas with Sam Tatam (ep 203) Mirror Neurons (ep 31) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Let Them Sniff, Customers Will Buy More The Science of Smell: How Retailers Can Use Scent Marketing to Influence Shoppers Good Smells are Good Marketing: How to Use Scent to Your Advantage Making Sense of the Hotel Guestroom The Impact of Ambient Scent on Evaluation, Attention, and Memory for Familiar and Unfamiliar Brands Smells Like Psychology The Smell of Commerce: How Companies Use Scents to Sell Their Products The Science of Sensory Marketing Productivity Hack Of The Week: Use Aromatherapy To Improve Your Work Inside the Invisible but Influential World of Scent Branding The Art of Scent Marketing 2-Minute Neuroscience: Limbic System How Do We Smell? – Rose Eveleth The Power of Scent Hippocampal Projections to the Anterior Olfactory Nucleus Differentially Convey Spatiotemporal Information During Episodic Odour Memory The Neuroscience of Smell Memories Linked to Place and Time Smells Ring Bells: How Smell Triggers Memories and Emotions How Does Scent Drive Human Behavior? Fragrant Flashbacks Perfume Directory

Non-obvious thinking is an essential skill for marketers who want to innovate and stay ahead in their respective industries. By being open to new ideas, recognizing patterns between seemingly unrelated things, and fostering a curiosity-driven mindset, marketers can unlock significant opportunities that others may overlook. Non-obvious thinking enables individuals to explore new territories and challenge conventional wisdom, leading to breakthroughs in marketing strategies and business growth.  During the conversation, Rohit Bhargava discusses this crucial aspect of thinking and its relevance in today's rapidly changing world. He shares his journey of developing the non-obvious platform through his books and thinking, emphasizing the importance of intersection thinking and breaking away from media bias. By adopting non-obvious thinking, marketers can effectively navigate the ever-changing landscape and consistently deliver exceptional value to their audiences. In this episode: Tap into the significance of non-obvious thinking for exceptional marketing and business approaches. Discover the magic of storytelling as a powerful method for resonating with and engaging audiences. Develop a savvy mindset to detect non-obvious trends within data to stay ahead of the game. Embrace the indispensable roles curiosity and observation play in cultivating trailblazing ideas. Transform your perspectives to see a brighter and more promising outlook on the future. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina welcomes Rohit Bhargava: a bestselling author and speaker on trends, innovation, and marketing. Rohit talks about his background and expertise in non-obvious thinking and behavioral economics. 00:06:30 - Non-Obvious Thinking, Rohit talks about his platform, Non-Obvious, which emphasizes the importance of being a non-obvious thinker and finding ideas in unusual places. Melina talks about combinatorial thinking, and Rohit shares his framework for intersectional thinking, which involves seeing connections between seemingly unrelated things. 00:09:00 - Importance of Diverse Perspectives, Rohit emphasizes the importance of exposing oneself to diverse perspectives and media to avoid being manipulated or outraged. He notes that this approach can also lead to creativity and innovation. 00:14:45 - Non-Obvious Examples, Rohit shares the example of Starbucks and how Howard Schultz's visit to Milan led him to discover the importance of coffee shops as community spaces. (An idea he would have missed if he had been looking down at a phone.) He also talks about the importance of non-obvious thinking in marketing and advertising to creatively solve problems and understand people's behavior. 00:20:25 - The Future Normal, Rohit discusses his latest book, The Future Normal, which offers insights into what the future may hold. He emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and open-minded in a rapidly changing world. 00:15:03 - Importance of Being Observant, Rohit Bhargava shares the story of how Howard Schultz's observant nature led to the creation of Starbucks. He emphasizes the importance of being observant and paying attention to the things around us instead of being distracted by technology. 00:17:01 - The Five Habits of Non-Obvious Thinkers, Bhargava talks about the five habits of non-obvious thinkers, which include being observant, curious, thoughtful, fickle, and saying things elegantly. He explains that these habits can be learned and practiced to improve communication skills. 00:21:24 - The Importance of Understanding People, Bhargava emphasizes that people who understand people will always win, even in the age of technology. He explains that emotions play a big role in decision-making and that understanding how to connect with people is crucial in many fields, including marketing, advertising, and leadership. 00:25:32 - The Power of Storytelling, Bhargava discusses the importance of storytelling in communicating ideas and engaging with people. He shares the story of Dick Fosbury, the Olympic athlete who revolutionized the high jump with his unconventional technique (now known as the Fosbury Flop), and explains how stories can help people understand complex concepts in a relatable way. 00:28:27 - Using Analogies in Storytelling, Bhargava suggests that storytelling doesn't always have to be long and drawn out, but can also be as simple as using an analogy. 00:30:00 - The Importance of Storytelling in Presentations, Rohit emphasizes the importance of storytelling in presentations and how it can take the audience on a journey. He also stresses the need to read the room and adjust the storytelling approach accordingly. 00:31:07 - Storyboarding for Presentations, Bhargava talks about storyboarding, a process of outlining the flow of the presentation, which he compares to scene planning in screenwriting. He suggests watching master storytellers or reading books on screenwriting to learn the techniques used in creating engaging stories. 00:34:19 - Becoming a Great Presenter, Bhargava shares his journey of becoming a great presenter, emphasizing that natural talent is not the only factor in achieving this goal. He recommends finding what you are good at and honing your skills, investing time and effort into learning new ones, and practicing. 00:35:44 - Tips for Writing a Book, Bhargava suggests being honest with oneself about their relationship with writing and finding joy in it. He stresses that there is no one right way to write a book, and one should choose a method that works for them. Bhargava also talks about the different experiences he's had in writing his nine books. 00:39:00 - The Future Normal, Bhargava's latest book, "Future Normal," showcases trends that will shape the future, spanning topics such as space tourism, virtual relationships, weather control, and artificial intelligence. 00:44:39 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Future Normal, by Rohit Bhargava and Henry Coutinho-Mason Personality Not Included, by Rohit Bhargava Evolutionary Ideas, by Sam Tatam Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Rohit:  Rohit on Twitter Non-Obvious Nation on LinkedIn Get the Non-Obvious Newsletter Top Recommended Next Episode: Evolutionary Ideas, with Sam Tatam (ep 204) Already Heard That One? Try These:  A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Behavioral Storytelling, with David Paull (ep 289) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Starbucks: Behavioral Economics Analysis (ep 278) Design for Decisions, with Sam Evans (ep 291) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Get the Non-Obvious Newsletter

In the context of business messaging, frames play a crucial role in shaping the way potential customers perceive products and services. Different frames can evoke distinct emotions or reactions, as well as influence the customers' decision-making process. When applied effectively, framing can make a product or service more appealing, inspiring curiosity and generating positive associations in the minds of potential buyers. Framing can also demonstrate the benefits and value provided by a particular offering, ultimately increasing the chances of conversion.  In the podcast, Melina Palmer discusses the importance of framing in marketing and advertising. She emphasizes that the presentation of a message, including the choice of words and phrasing, can have a significant impact on the way it is received and acted upon by the target audience. As such, marketers should carefully consider the use of frames, always taking into account the context in which they communicate their offering. By doing so, they can maximize their chances of resonating with potential customers and increase sales. Insights in this episode will help you to: Grasp the power of framing and its influence on people's perception and communication. Master the art of employing framing tactfully in advertising and marketing campaigns. Adopt ethical framing practices to genuinely benefit consumers. Implement insightful techniques for effective framing in your business messaging. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Melina Palmer introduces the topic of framing and explains why it's essential for anyone looking to apply behavioral economics to their business. 00:03:24 - The Power of Frames, Melina explains how frames impact the way we perceive the world around us and how our subconscious brain evaluates everything very quickly. 00:09:23 - The Nail Salon Example, Melina uses the nail salon example from episode 2 to illustrate how framing can make a difference in how people perceive your business. 00:12:51 - Loss Aversion and Framing, Melina discusses how framing can impact loss aversion and how losses are actually twice as powerful a motivator as gains according to research by Kahneman and Tversky. 00:14:44 - Examples of Framing, Melina provides examples of how framing impacts the way we perceive things, such as labeling food as "90% fat-free" vs. "10% fat" or saying "Serena lost" vs. "Osaka won" in the context of the US Open. 00:17:16 - Importance of Context in Framing, The way a message is framed can impact how someone reacts to it, based on their individual context. For example, promoting a credit card bonus offer may annoy existing cardholders who are not eligible. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the context and placement of messaging when developing marketing strategies. 00:18:15 - Tversky's Studies on Framing, Tversky conducted several studies on framing, including one on the impact of framing on doctors' decisions about lung cancer treatment options. The study showed that framing the same information differently can lead to significantly different outcomes. 00:20:07 - The Disease Problem, The Disease Problem is a classic example of the impact of framing on decision-making. In the study, participants were more likely to choose a risky option when the information was framed positively, as opposed to when it was framed negatively. 00:25:33 - Examples of Verbiage Using Framing, Verbiage such as "Chevron with Techron" or "America's best selling brand" are examples of framing in marketing. The way a message is presented can impact how it's received by the audience, and it's crucial to choose the right framing to achieve desired outcomes. 00:29:43 - The Impact of Naming on Framing, Choosing the right name for a business can impact its success. A poorly framed name such as "Avg Daycare" can negatively impact business, whereas a well-framed name can have a big positive impact. 00:35:39 - The Impact of Framing on Consumer Behavior, Framing can impact the way consumers feel about a product or service. A well-worded frame can help someone appreciate a product or service, while a poorly worded frame can repel them from it. It's important to use framing in a way that helps people see the benefits of a product or service without tricking them. 00:39:27 - The Power of Claiming Ownership, When a company makes a claim, even if it's something their competitors could also claim, it becomes associated with their brand. The power of claiming ownership is evident in BECU's marketing campaign, which made it difficult for other credit unions to use similar messaging (even though it was true for them as well). 00:43:38 - Implementing Framing Strategies, Melina's top three framing strategies to try right now: replacing "if" with "when," using "everyone" instead of "anyone," and ending with a question. Curious why? Listen in... 00:47:22 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: How Minds Change, by David McRaney What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Getting Along, by Amy Gallo Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Top Recommended Next Episode: The Top 5 Wording Mistakes Businesses Make (ep 2) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Loss Aversion (ep 9) Herding (ep 264) Unlocking the Power of Numbers (ep 17) The Truth About Pricing (ep 5) Change Management: It's Still Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Your Guide to Create a Brainy Brand (ep 230) Rebrand, Refresh, or Reinforce? (ep 44) Present vs Future Biases (ep 246) Counterfactual Thinking (ep 286) Prefactual Thinking (ep 232) The Littery (ep 75) How To Become Indistractable, with Nir Eyal (ep 290) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Confirmation Bias (ep 260) The Hype Handbook, with Michael F. Schein (ep 143) What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You (ep 147) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Dr. Kurt Nelson is a behavioral scientist and founder of the Lantern Group. His expertise involves helping businesses align incentives and motivation to improve sales, productivity, and employee happiness. With a strong focus on incorporating behavioral science principles into goal-setting and motivation strategies, Kurt offers valuable insights for individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their overall success. During the podcast, Melina and Kurt discuss the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, keystone goals, incentives, priming, framing, and so much more. Want to reduce turnover rates in your organization? Kurt explains why this requires a holistic approach that addresses multiple aspects of employee engagement and satisfaction. These might include clear communication of goals and expectations, a strong organizational vision, appropriate incentives, a psychologically safe environment, and acknowledging employee contributions. Implementing these elements effectively within the organization can result in a considerable reduction in turnover rates and a more motivated workforce. He shares a case study of a client company that initially had a 42% turnover rate, which is now under 5%. They achieved this by improving communication and creating a clear vision, which involved offering incentives designed to promote desired behaviors rather than instilling fear. Regular town hall meetings and a national employee meeting facilitated better communication and helped everyone stay informed. Additionally, they worked with managers to enhance their communication skills and foster better relationships with their teams. Learn all about this fascinating example and more in this episode, including: Elevate employee engagement through comprehensive strategies for lasting retention. Manage workload effectively and prioritize tasks to minimize burnout. Infuse meaning, purpose, and creativity into your work culture for a thriving environment. Enhance communication, vision, and incentives to diminish staff turnover. Employ behavioral science techniques for successful goal-setting and motivation. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Dr. Kurt Nelson, co-host of Behavioral Grooves and CEO of the Lantern Group, discusses his expertise in employee incentives and motivation in the workplace. 00:03:35 - Employee Experience, Organizations are refocusing on the employee experience and how they can ensure they are doing right by their employees to increase engagement and motivation. 00:08:34 - Human Complexity, Organizations need to understand that humans are complex and are driven by various factors, such as their external environment, social environment, and managerial challenges at work. Employees want a psychologically safe environment where they feel respected and fulfilled. 00:11:23 - Quiet Quitting, Employees are pushing back against the expectation to give 150% effort every day. Organizations should not expect employees to go above and beyond all the time, but they need to create jobs that allow employees to be creative and bring passion into their work. 00:14:22 - Full Self in Work, Employees who bring their full selves into work find more meaning and purpose in their jobs. Organizations need to make sure they are creating an environment that allows employees to find fulfillment at work. 00:15:58 - The Importance of Frontline Managers, Frontline managers are often promoted for their individual job skills rather than their ability to manage. This can lead to a lack of understanding of how to engage and work with employees, causing turnover and "quiet quitting." 00:18:23 - Case Study: Decreasing Turnover Rates, Working with a company that had a 42% turnover rate, Kurt and his team's focus was on improving communication from executive leadership to employees, setting a clear vision and incentives, and training managers on how to communicate and engage with their team. The result was a decrease in salesforce turnover rate to under 5%. 00:22:23 - Priming and Framing, Changing 12 words in an email to incorporate qualified achievement words increased performance by 15% and decreased the need for escalation by 30%. Framing incentives in a gain or loss context can also impact behavior. Psychological safety is important for employees to feel valued and heard. 00:28:46 - How to Be a Better Organization, Align incentives with desired behaviors, create a psychologically safe environment where employees feel valued and heard, and provide tools for managers and employees to break down goals and understand how to engage and motivate teams. Changing behavior is key to achieving success, and incentives are key to that. 00:30:29 - Summary, To decrease turnover rates and create a better organization, focus on aligning incentives, creating a psychologically safe environment, and providing tools for managers and employees. Changing behavior is key to achieving success. 00:31:03 - Lantern Group's Tools, Dr Kurt Nelson talks about the Lantern Group's tools that help employees set and achieve their goals. He introduces the Brain/Shift Journal, a 13-week guided journal with daily prompts based on behavioral science insights. The journal helps users create keystone goals, break them down into milestones, track progress, and cultivate gratitude. 00:32:46 - Keystone Goals, Keystone goals are those that have a larger-than-life impact, which align with keystone habits. The journal helps users determine the right goal and break it down into milestones. It includes prompts like priming, gratitude, and progress tracking to keep users motivated and on track. 00:35:02 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Influence, by Robert Cialdini What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Getting Along, by Amy Gallo Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Connect with Kurt:  Kurt on Twitter Lantern Group's Website Kurt on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Secrets of Motivation and Incentives, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 157) Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 16) iNcentives: The “N” in NUDGES (ep 272) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) The Human Experience, with John Sills (ep 277) Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) The Microstress Effect, with Rob Cross (ep 287) I Human, with Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic (ep 267) Cobra Effect (ep 220) Inequity Aversion (ep 224) Avoiding Everyday Disasters at Work, with Gleb Tsipursky (ep 111) Motivation and Incentives at Work, with Kurt Nelson (ep 187) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Smart Behavioral Economics Secrets Every Marketer Needs, with Melina Palmer Using Behavioral Economics to Help Businesses, with Melina Palmer