Podcast appearances and mentions of priscilla mckinney

What happens when a woman is the breadwinner and her husband takes the lead at home? Apparently, a lot of raised eyebrows, unsolicited opinions, and a bizarre mix of pity and praise. Entrepreneur and mother Priscilla McKinney joins me to talk about flipping the script on traditional gender roles, how she and her husband Steve made the switch, and what it really means to thrive in a setup that works for them—not society's outdated rulebook.   We get into the hilarity of watching people fumble over the idea of a stay-at-home dad (spoiler: they either worship him or assume he's unemployed), the brutal weight of being the sole financial provider, and the power of letting go—of guilt, control, and the need to know everything about your child's life.   This one is for anyone who's ever questioned the status quo, felt the pressure to do it all, or needed a reminder that you get to decide what your family dynamic looks like. Listen in and prepare to unlearn a few things.   Discover more from us: • Join PWT community on Substack • Follow us on Instagram • Connect with Danusia • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts • Advertising Inquiries here   Credits: • Hosted by Danusia Malina-Derben • Edited, Mixed + Mastered by Marie Cruz • Cover art by Anthony Oram  

On this episode, host Sima Vasa is joined by Priscilla McKinney, CEO and Founder of Little Bird Marketing, to discuss the evolving landscape of market research, the importance of digital transformation and the value of strong client relationships. Key Takeaways: (03:10) Pivoting to new verticals drives success. (03:28) Deepening relationships with existing clients is key. (04:39) CEOs must confront and manage their fears. (05:09) Entrepreneurs need to overcome fear and seize opportunities. (06:09) Branding in market research is evolving rapidly. (07:48) Demonstrating value in terms of revenue is essential. (10:09) Upskilling is crucial for staying relevant. (12:24) Digital transformation enhances team collaboration and engagement. (14:30) Visibility and relationships are vital for success. (16:42) Emotional intelligence plays a key role in business relationships. (19:54) Small favors can have a big impact in business. (20:24) Collaboration doesn't always have to be a big deal. Resources Mentioned: Little Bird MarketingSuzyDigital Transformation Success Podcast Thanks for listening to the Data Gurus podcast, brought to you by Infinity Squared. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. #Analytics #MA #Data #Strategy #Innovation #Acquisitions #MRX #Restech

In this insightful episode, host Jason Croft and his guest Priscilla McKinney dive deep into the power of collaboration. They break down the three essential elements that make true collaboration work - having something to win and lose, openly sharing goals, and a genuine desire to achieve a win-win. Priscilla shares candid stories and actionable tips on letting go of the competition mindset. She illustrates how an abundance mindset allows businesses and individuals to exponentially grow through collaboration. Jason and Priscilla discuss strategies for coaches, consultants, and small businesses to find and approach ideal collaborators. They explore creative ways to unite with competitors and companies for mutual benefit. From launching successful cross-promotions to hosting joint events, you'll discover tactics to collaborate without compromising trade secrets. Priscilla's three-step framework will shift your perspective on competitors. You'll learn to view them as potential partners in achieving grand visions neither could accomplish alone. If you're tired of competing and ready to embrace the power of collaboration, don't miss this conversation-changing episode. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.strategyactionshow.com/98

IN CLEAR FOCUS: In this week's episode, guest Priscilla McKinney, CEO of Little Bird Marketing and the author of “Collaboration is the New Competition,” shares her insights on shifting mindsets in marketing and advertising. Learn about Priscilla's proven framework for successful collaboration and the concept of "itchy backs," illustrated with real-world examples. Discover how to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and build partnerships with a transformational approach to collaboration.

Who here loves PowerPoint? Anyone… yeah, us too. On today's episode of Ponderings from the Perch, a Little Bird Marketing Podcast, host Priscilla McKinney and guest Rob Biesenbach discuss how to captivate an audience beyond tech. With backgrounds in both business and acting, the latter of which he trained for at Second City in Chicago, Biesenbach understands the power of storytelling to captivate audiences and drive meaningful change, and firmly believes that traditional presentation methods like the aforementioned Death by PowerPoint and basic info dumps are no longer effective in engaging modern audiences. Specializing in business-to-business (B2B) strategies via peer-to-peer relationships, Biesenbach encourages individuals in business to craft compelling narratives that blend engaging topics with personal experiences that resonate deeply with their audience, fostering genuine connections and driving positive outcomes. "You're doing more than presenting information,” Riesenbach explains. “You are trying to change minds... maybe even change lives." McKinney and Biesenbach also discuss his bestselling book, Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results, insider tips on his writing journey and how he equips leaders with the tools and techniques they need to become more persuasive and authoritative communicators. By doing so, individuals can build their personal brands, drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact in their organizations and beyond. SPONSORS: Hey y'all, Priscilla McKinney here, CEO and Momma Bird at Little Bird Marketing. I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book:  Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. GIVEAWAY ALERT!!! Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy.  Enter to win this exciting package of goodies to start building your influence today!

He'll admit, Shawn Nason is a lot. He's looking for leaders who are mavericks. He's the founder and CEO of MOFI, a maverick-minded, human-obsessed boutique consulting firm that uses ethnographic research, journey mapping, human-centered design, experienced-based training, and design sprints to transform organizations. Shawn believes the only way to build a sustainable and thriving business is to put people first. As an experienced evangelist and experienced ecosystem designer, he unapologetically challenges leaders to blow up outdated, siloed systems and rebuild them with an aligned, human-first approach. He states, “If you put the human experience first in business you will get the numbers you need.” He helps companies realize the tangible benefits of this commitment: employee retention staying relevant in business significant revenue growth regaining hope for what the business experience could be He and Priscilla talk about the state of leadership and how our culture creates the expectation that it will be lonely at the top. But being lonely at the top is a choice. Shawn notes that leaders are struggling to authentically be themselves and still make a difference at work. Everyone talks about things like having a growth mindset and the like, but there is not much talk about a heart mindset. At MOFI, they help leaders take that short but seemingly long journey from their head to their heart. They help leaders discover that you can be a CEO of a company and have wonderful relationships. You can be supported and understood. You can create an environment where people can be respected AND loved. As a former Disney Imagineer, he remembers how this insistence on the right environment and attitude at Disney was not an optional part of working there. In fact, this absolute drew a line in the sand - you're either with us or not. When leaders take this stance the reality is that not everyone will follow and that is ok. When leaders let people go who cannot love their co-workers, they create a place where magic can be made and real growth is not thwarted. Give a listen to his thoughts on his most recently co-authored book, Kiss Your Dragons: Radical Relationships, Bold Heartsets & Changing the World. (link: https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Your-Dragons-Relationships-Heartsets/dp/1944027866 ) In the end, they agree the secret to success means being transparent, building radical relationships and loving people. SPONSORS GIVEAWAY ALERT! Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. What will you get? A seat in her game-changing Social Influence Course, a $3,000 value. One of Priscilla's top reads Social Selling by Timothy Hughes. Priscilla's book, Collaboration is the New Competition. Your very own Ponderings from the Perch branded microphone. Little Bird Marketing branded wireless headphones. Enter to win this package of goodies to start building your influence: https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/the-ultimate-social-influence-giveaway-q1-2024  Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

ROI & KPIs, MQLs& SQLs… The acronyms in marketing never stop. But the only KPI that really matters is that feeling you get when you're exceeding revenue goals! At Little Bird Marketing, we're overtly helpful, providing amazing resources and expertise like this lead generation funnel blog to provide important benchmarks for your work. What is also immensely helpful is knowing how to bring your sales and marketing departments together for a revenue generation WIN. No more listening to marketing blame sales for not closing leads or listening to sales say marketing doesn't deliver quality leads. Instead, we'll share our expertise on how to pass the baton successfully from marketing to sales in a way that creates predictable revenue generation. Our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, hosts our very own Chief Revenue Officer, Stephanie Douglass, to discuss the important focus needed on that important hand-off that happens at the intersection of sales and marketing. Getting that baton handed off correctly and cleanly has an incredible impact on revenue and B2B lead generation success. Together, they reflect on the challenges faced by businesses, particularly regarding meeting sales quotas, dealing with churn, and the frustration over the lack of visibility into marketing ROI. Stats to know: - 97% of C-Suite have revenue growth as a priority, along with customer retention - 1/3 of B2B marketing and revenue leaders say that their marketing efforts are not aligned with their revenue budgets. Stephanie points out it doesn't matter how pretty things look; what matters is the bottom line. This is where CEOs and CROs meet and where the whole team should come together in agreement. Because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what problem you're having, the bigger problem is that your company isn't meeting the revenue goal. Priscilla and Stephanie emphasize the importance of aligning sales and marketing efforts and advocating for a shared responsibility model in the revenue marketing funnel. There are no “3 easy steps.” But there are steps you should take and KPIs you need to pay attention to. Understanding the metrics can help to predict revenue accurately. They break it down in this conversation. Get ready for actionable insights to help your business enhance revenue generation strategies through better alignment of sales and marketing efforts. Listen in for the 4 KPIs you really need to be looking at and understand. Watch How to Pass the Baton: Integrating Marketing and Sales for Predictable Revenue The acronyms explained: ROI - Return on Investment KPI - Key Performance Indicators MQL - Marketing Qualified Lead SQL - Sales Qualified Lead SPONSORS GIVEAWAY ALERT! Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. What will you get?  A seat in her game-changing Social Influence Course, a $3,000 value. One of Priscilla's top reads Social Selling by Timothy Hughes. Priscilla's book, Collaboration is the New Competition. Your very own Ponderings from the Perch branded microphone. Little Bird Marketing branded wireless headphones. Enter to win this package of goodies to start building your influence: https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/the-ultimate-social-influence-giveaway-q1-2024  Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

It's time to quit thinking inside the box you're creating for yourself. Our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, loves advocating for women in business. Today, she pulls the curtain back to show the woman (and friend of hers) behind Harvest Insights, Alisa Hamilton. Her out of box business venture is a story every aspiring leader should hear. Alisa started Harvest Insights out of a need she saw to help overwhelmed research teams be able to siphon off some of their overflow work on an as-needed basis. She went out to focus group research companies to simply offer assistance, and her business organically grew from there. With her research training, the phrase “I've been in your shoes, let me help” brought the opportunity for brand building and delivering value to others. Great moderators provide a space for empathy and curiosity while engaging an audience. They break the ice by delivering a relaxed environment to discover the most accurate insights from the face-to-face focus group. As an experienced moderator, Alisa shares how, after losing the ability to be face-to-face, her appreciation for Qualitative in-person research grew exponentially. She believes that nothing delivers like an in-person moment. You'll love their passion for Women in Research (WIRe) and hear about how they give back out of gratitude for their experience in this amazing insights industry. It's always free to join. So, what's keeping you from getting the support you need for your journey?  If you've ever wondered what the ups and downs of building a brand, listen to learn how Alisa grew a business she loves by doing what she loves. Need help on your next research project? Qual or quant, Alisa and her team are who you want to contact! SPONSORS GIVEAWAY ALERT! Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. What will you get? A seat in her game-changing Social Influence Course, a $3,000 value. One of Priscilla's top reads Social Selling by Timothy Hughes. Priscilla's book, Collaboration is the New Competition. Your very own Ponderings from the Perch branded microphone. Little Bird Marketing branded wireless headphones. Enter to win this package of goodies to start building your influence: https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/the-ultimate-social-influence-giveaway-q1-2024  Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

Join Priscilla McKinney, CEO, and Momma Bird here at Little Bird Marketing as she gets down to the nitty-gritty of why our expertise in market research matters for better content, lead generation, and ultimately, revenue growth. So many market research firms hire a marketing agency only to spend the next 18 months explaining the difference between qual and quant, nuances in the competitive landscape, getting familiar with insights associations and organizations, and still not being any closer to gaining traction in terms of hitting revenue goals. To be of immediate significance as a content marketer in the insight industry, it is paramount to understand the variations of the buyers in the space. Any great marketing plan starts with creating meticulously detailed buyer personas that grasp the challenges, fears, aspirations, and frustrations of their ideal customers. Generic market research personas simply won't cut it, and success hinges on gaining granular insights into the target audience. A great marketing team for the insights industry also must understand the industry itself - the social influencers, brand captains, associations, organizations, podcasters, writers, conferences, and more. Inherent in understanding this market is also a seasoned perspective on how all of those players work together, where they compete, and where there is opportunity. An added layer of complexity also requires a great marketer to understand the restech landscape and understand how platforms, SaaS, knowledge management, outsourcing of operations, and team dynamics work for all of the players involved in consumer market research. If your insights firm is considering outsourcing your marketing efforts, make sure the experts you choose are not only well-versed in marketing but also in market research. Take this actionable advice as a template for a great conversation to make a meaningful partnership that will provide short-term and long-term growth for your company. SPONSORS GIVEAWAY ALERT! Priscilla Mckinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. What will you get? A seat in her game-changing Social Influence Course, a $3,000 value. One of Priscilla's top reads, Social Selling by Timothy Hughes. Priscilla's book, Collaboration is the New Competition. Your very own, Ponderings from the Perch branded microphone. Little Bird Marketing branded wireless headphones. Enter to win this package of goodies to start building your influence: https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/the-ultimate-social-influence-giveaway-q1-2024  Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management, and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

In a world where survey respondents are basically sick and tired of doing all the work to TELL as screener about their behaviors, qualifications, demographics, and more just for the chance at participating in a survey, along comes Qrious Insight with their “always on” approach to passive data collection. In this episode, Priscilla McKinney, CEO and Momma Bird of Little Bird Marketing is joined by Andrew Moffatt, CEO and Co-Founder of Qrious Insight to discuss the future of dynamic brand tracking instead of static brand trackers. In their work with marketing and ad effectiveness, brands benefit from the aggregation of data they passively collect from panel members who opt in for continual tracking. This provides rich information about who they are, what they do, and how long they do it on their digital device in a wholly less intrusive manner than traditional survey models allow. Now, instead of searching for the potential respondent and asking them if they have, for example, seen a Domino's ad in the last 30 days, that data is already available for automatic screening with no bothersome screener question to complete. Winning brands can immediately target the right group of people to not only understand their online journeys but then create powerfully focused surveys to further understand the WHY behind the behavior already verified. They discuss the future of market research and a potential mass move away from expensive prescriptive survey writing to a more integrated approach. In this experience, the problematic cleaning of the data is now a moot issue. In the past, cleaning the data meant possibly misidentifying an anomaly, dismissing an emerging trend or missing the fact that the data was provided by a bot. Instead, this future of survey work is integrated into actual observed and recorded behaviors for richer insights in record time. SPONSORS Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today. Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

We've had DEI 101, can we advance? It's time for 201. Our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney loves advocating for women in business, and brought Kim “Kimfer” Flanery-Rye Founder & DEI and Culture Practitioner for Inclusion Equals to open the conversation for change. Inclusion Equals is a social enterprise focused on the IDEA: Inclusion = Diversity + Equity + Accessibility to build culture from the inside out. Entrepreneurial in spirit, creatively minded, and service at heart, Kimfer is a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience with a diverse background in design, digital marketing, and organizational and leadership development, just to name a few. She is also an Adjunct Professor teaching Creativity and Innovation for MBA students and has her MBA in Executive Leadership. She speaks locally, nationally, and globally and has most recently spoken at the 2022 and 2023 World Economic Forum regarding the importance of women on boards and what it means for women to have power, authority, and agency. As a spokesperson, Kim has recognized the emotional tension that arises when the topic of DEI is brought up. She notes, if we can tone down the emotional response when DEI is brought up, we can begin to approach the change just like we would an SEO strategy update. An emotional response does no good. Instead, she talks in this podcast about her approach and it's making a difference!  Change is not going to happen overnight. Just like an SEO friendly content plan doesn't happen overnight, diversity, equity, and inclusion require WORK and CONSISTENCY. If you're ready to make an impact for real change in the workplace listen to the full conversation and learn how diversity, equity, inclusion, AND accessibility go hand in hand. SPONSORS Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/  Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

So, you want to write a book? Is the idea becoming a burden because you can just see a way forward to getting it done? In the true spirit of “always be helping” (ABH), our Momma Bird and CEO of Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney pulls the curtain back and talks about her experience hiring a scribe to complete her book. The most important first step is to get clarity about WHY you MUST write your book. Are you looking for new clients? Want opportunities for public speaking? Want some street cred to increase your speaking fees? No matter what the goal is, it's important to understand how a book can support broader professional and personal goals. She gives great advice about how to take book ideas and make them a reality by looking clearly at book title ideas, evaluating the topics, goals for writing a book, the need for considering the audience and getting the right structure in place to turn that book idea into a published book. You may have a lot of great book ideas floating around in your head, but getting those out into the world could be the most important thing you do. Instead of going it alone, you might have heard of people hiring a ghostwriter. That can be an expensive proposition and it also may take some of the joy away if you're a person who wants to take part in the process in a more dynamic way. Instead, she suggests finding a scribe to provide the structure, transcription, feedback, technical editing, and full accountability for the project. Are you ready to chat with someone who has been through the experience? Click here to get on Priscilla's calendar and chat through the idea first. Maybe hiring a scribe is the right way to go to help you refine your idea and get the ball rolling! SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

Q: How did Microsoft Office get so famous? A: Word of mouth. Now, how did Microsoft Office improve its products using user experience research to satisfy customers and improve retention? No more dad jokes here. That's a serious question for Joanna Jones with InterQ Research. CEO of Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney, welcomes Joanna to this podcast episode on Ponderings from the Perch. Joanna founded InterQ Research, a full-service qualitative and quantitative research firm headquartered in San Francisco. InterQ specializes in the tech industry. She has used user experience research, in-depth interviews, ethnographies, biometrics, Jobs To Be Done, social listening, and quantitative surveys to help clients like Delta Air Lines, Audi, Microsoft, Disney, Google, and Salesforce. When tech companies need to understand what's next in B2B lead generation, product and innovation and so much more, they have tapped into this female-founded and run company. Joana shares that finding quality respondents is the key to B2B market research success and that companies must be willing to spend the majority of their research budget on recruiting alone. Equally as important as finding the best-suited respondents is creating a simulated environment for those participating to answer honestly. What good are the answers if they are not truthful and honest? Joana shares the effective strategies used by her team to create an environment for respondents that will produce the most natural feedback. Listen in to learn how you can improve your digital marketing plan with knowledge from this tech industry research expert. SPONSORS Are you an aspiring author looking to transform your ideas into a compelling book that elevates your brand and establishes your authority in your industry? If you can't seem to get that idea inside of you into book form, maybe it's time you consider hiring a professional scribe. Don't let your story remain untold. Take the first step towards becoming a published author by booking a consultation. Visit https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/meetings/priscilla18/become-a-published-author now and book a time to chat about how you can unlock the power of your words and stories. Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

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

"Reacting without a system can lead to chaos; responding with a system leads to progress." - Priscilla McKinney  -------------------------------------------------------------------   In this week's episode of "Joseph Jaffe is not Famous," I sat down with Priscilla McKinney, the author of "Collaboration is the New Competition." Together, we dove deep into the world of collaboration, sharing insights, anecdotes, and a touch of humor along the way. Priscilla's book explores why collaboration is crucial in today's world and how it can reshape the future of work. PS Don't forget to play 2 Truths and a Lie - bit.ly/2t1l_priscillamckinney  -------------------------------------------------------------------   Here are my show notes:    10m - ABH (Always Be Helping) 13m - Never be ashamed to sell; be upfront 15m - Sticky weird selling 16m - What do you need? 18m - Gain v Lose; Gain v Give 23m - Doesn't have to be fair; balanced; Long game 38m - S.O.A.R. 41m - Reacting / EOS / Ryan Halliday - The Object is the Way; Reactive v Reaction 44m - Trust your reaction; Rubric 48-52m - Scarcity and Hoarding; Zero Sum; Indigenous People 54m - Nietzsche - the Abyss 55m - Queen Bee; Busy Bee 56m - Collaboration isn't Chaos 1h - That's just geography quote (GOLD)   -------------------------------------------------------------------   Because it consists of billions of bidirectional interactions every day, Twitter can be thought of as a collective, cybernetic super-intelligence." - Elon Musk -------------------------------------------------------------------     If you like what you see, please subscribe to the show: bit.ly/subscribetotheshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Roll out the red carpet and act as paparazzi for those you admire in the business world; It's time to start collaborating! CEO of Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney, is joined by content strategy expert, and good friend, Andy Crestodina to discuss the power behind collaboration. If you know Andy, you know he is helpfulness incarnate! In this episode, he's doling out secrets to driving growth in content creation by finding ways to help others. Andy has been in the web design and interactive marketing space for more than two decades.  He has helped thousands of people get results online. He's a true evangelist for content marketing and ethical digital marketing. Together with the team at Orbit Media, Andy has put out some of the best digital marketing advice available in hundreds of practical articles, including posts on virtually all of the top marketing websites.  Andy finds success when focusing on the success of others. While business leaders must find new growth strategies, there is plenty of room for collaboration. They recently discussed their mutual agreement on the collaboration principles featured in Priscilla's new book, Collaboration is the New Competition. Want the secrets to successful content strategy? Get ready for an inspiring episode!  SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Are you an aspiring author looking to transform your ideas into a compelling book that elevates your brand and establishes your authority in your industry? If you can't seem to get that idea inside of you into book form, maybe it's time you consider hiring a professional scribe. Don't let your story remain untold. Take the first step towards becoming a published author by booking a consultation. Visit https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/meetings/priscilla18/become-a-published-author now and book a time to chat about how you can unlock the power of your words and stories.

A few questions from the CEO of Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney about your current marketing plan template: - When you think about your marketing efforts, is it strategic? - Have you defined and written down your goals and objectives? - How are you holding your marketing efforts accountable? - Are your marketing efforts repeatable? When we sit down to do something, it's easy to have the mindset of just getting it done. We get hung up on the daily hustle and bustle of marketing efforts. But marketing goals are not achieved with random busy work. Getting the RIGHT work done is the key to success. Leaders should ask themselves if they have been clear about the goals and objectives of their work. Tasks need to have alignment with the overall campaign and inbound marketing strategy. If a junior staff member can't explain the goals of the work in alignment with the strategy, there needs to be a shift in connecting tasks with desired outcomes. Also, you can't get where you're going if you aren't clear about your starting point. To help you, we've created a custom Marketing Assessment to determine the status of your current marketing efforts: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/marketing-assessment/ Crib our SOAR system with tips from Priscilla in this episode. If you're overwhelmed, overworked, or just would prefer professional help, let us help you with a comprehensive inbound marketing strategy. Our digital marketing services are strategic, organized, accountable, and repeatable. Learn more about our lead-generation services for predictable revenue growth: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/work/ SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her much-anticipated book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

Don't get caught sending an email to Gen Z expecting them to take your survey. They won't see it in their inbox of 5,735 unread messages. CEO of Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney, welcomes Jennifer Reid, Co-CEO and Chief Methodologist at Rival Group, to discuss how to best engage with Generation Z for market research. Jennifer is an expert in Gen Z engagement, specifically the ability to connect with younger generations for the purpose of consumer understanding and insights that move brands forward. As with any generation, trust and transparency are important frameworks from which to operate to get dynamic insights, but with this generation, they are paramount. Jennifer works with teams to help them successfully engage with this important pool of respondents. Her advice? When trying to reach GenZ to participate in market research, we should ask ourselves if we're using the wrong channel, have the wrong tone of voice, are using the wrong format or are asking the wrong question. According to Jennifer, when you're doing it right, you're letting the individual know whose research it is you're doing and what they intend to use it for. They know how to be properly suspicious about online connections, but once they have things verified and clear, they can engage beautifully. As this generation says, “TLDR (too long; didn't read) and this is what we should lean into. This is the generation of summaries and skimmable copy. But she warns against some efforts that try too hard (“try hards”) to be “one of them.” Instead, she suggests a strong commitment to staying transparent about who you are and what you're trying to do. The upside? For the Rival companies, they have done the work and find this generation to be thoughtful and passionate about the brands they use. They are native to the mobile environment and are happy to record a video about their feelings and thoughts. If you want to engage well with them, expanding your digital marketing tools is the way to go. Want to know what young people are thinking of? Wondering what lead generation strategies work with this generation?  Cut through the noise and let them know how important their voice is. They are willing to give their feedback, and that is a great way forward for better business impact! Helpful resources from Jennifer: Webinar on Gen Z communities: https://www.rivaltech.com/gen-z-communities-webinar Gen Z Brand Power Index: https://www.reach3insightstop3.com/top_brands_list/ A study from The Wharton School about why consumers are more willing to open up when using their smartphones: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/why-consumers-share-more-personal-information-on-smartphones/ SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Are you an aspiring author looking to transform your ideas into a compelling book that elevates your brand and establishes your authority in your industry? If you can't seem to get that idea inside of you into book form, maybe it's time you consider hiring a professional scribe. Don't let your story remain untold. Take the first step towards becoming a published author by booking a consultation. Visit https://info.littlebirdmarketing.com/meetings/priscilla18/become-a-published-author now to unlock the power of your words and stories.

Feel like you're becoming irrelevant and lost in the industry? In this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, CEO and Momma Bird at Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney, is joined by Nancie McDonnell Ruder, an experienced marketing strategist, branding consultant and consumer researcher. As Founder and CEO of Noetic, a Marketing and Leadership Consulting Firm, Nancie shares the issues marketers face and the steps to move past old thinking and onto new strategies. Marketers today are confronted with challenges that demand constant vigilance. The fear of losing resonance with target audiences due to evolving trends and dynamic consumer behavior is a perpetual concern.  It's easy to go at these new problems with old solutions. People get comfortable with what they are confident in and don't want things to change. We all have feelings about what we are and aren't good at. Even when we should find new digital marketing tools, reconsider our content strategy or rethink our media planning, we stay with the known processes. Repeating phrases like “jack of all trades, master of none” will do no good. Specialization is not the replacement for learning new ideas and methodologies. Striking a balance between innovative content strategy and data analytics remains a constant battle. The marketer's hope lies in decoding these challenges, seeking methods that yield genuine connections with the audience, and achieving a sustainable marketing strategy template. Learn how to leverage your strengths for innovation, seek learning opportunities, and address identified gaps in your marketing plan template. SPONSORS Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today. Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

Spending too much money on in-person events? Experiencing FOMO when you don't go to an industry conference?  Struggling to get a return on investment from your trade show booth?  You are not alone.  Today, on Ponderings from the Perch, CEO and Momma Bird at Little Bird Marketing, Priscilla McKinney, delivers the tried and true maxim for in-person events: “What you put into it is what you'll get out of it.” She outlines tips to make the most of your experience during the next conference…should you choose to go! Time and money are lost when business leaders and execs don't take full advantage of the conference season with tools for networking or when companies invest a lot of money but not enough time planning. Planning ahead seems like a simple mandate, but it is amazing how many plan a lot of details but little strategy to get the most out of the time and budget!  Also, planning HOW your team will participate is critical, and Priscilla shares networking tips and how to hold teams accountable for outcomes from this marketing spend. In this episode, you'll learn how to make the most of EVERY conference and turn an ordinary business event into an opportunity for meaningful connections. SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

On this latest episode of Now that's Significant, a Market Research Podcast, host Michael Howard, the head of marketing at Infotools was joined by Priscilla McKinney, CEO and Momma Bird at Little Bird Marketing. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise in helping market research teams maximise the ROI they have within their organizations, Priscilla provided some excellent insight and food for thought. Centred around her new book, Collaboration is the new competition, Michael and Priscilla jumped into the themes of the book - which even included a reading. Check out the book here Home - Priscilla McKinney We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we did recording it. *** Infotools Harmoni is a fit-for-purpose market research analysis, visualization, and reporting platform that gives the world's leading brands the tools they need to better understand their consumers, customers, organization, and market. Established in 1990, we work with some of the world's top brands around the world, including Coca-Cola, Orange, Samsung, and Mondelēz. Our powerful cloud-based platform, Harmoni, is purpose-built for market research. From data processing to investigation, dashboards to collaboration, Harmoni is a true "data-to-decision-making" solution for in-house corporate insights teams and agencies. While we don't facilitate market research surveys, we make it easy for to find and share compelling insights that go over-and-above what stakeholders want, inspiring them to act decisively. One of the most powerful features of Harmoni is Discover is a time-tested, time-saving, and investigative approach to data analysis. Using automated analyses to reveal patterns and trends, Discover minimizes potential research bias by removing the need for requesting and manually analyzing scores of cumbersome crosstabs – often seeing what you can't. Discover helps you easily find what differentiates groups that matter to you, uncover what makes them unique, and deliver data points that are interesting, relevant, and statistically significant, plus see things others can't. Add to all this an impending GenAI feature, and you have an extremely powerful, future-proofed tool. Feel free to check out our platform and services at www.infotools.com

Q: Who do you call if your insights are taking you to Japan?  A: Myth-busting Japanese culture expert Domonic Carter and his team. Today, our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, welcomes a good friend and experienced researcher, Dominic Carter, Representative Director and CEO of The Carter Group. Originally from Australia, where he was educated and started his career, Dominic has lived and worked in Japan since 1999. He has launched and nurtured several successful businesses in the market on his own account and worked as a key consultant on numerous large-scale launches and business expansions for his clients, which include some of the largest names in the world. His professional focus is the translation of cultural and customer insights into effective strategies for market entrants and established players. Brands looking to expand to the Japanese market need researchers and recruiters who know and understand both them and the Japanese people. The Carter Group has professionals who can bridge the gap between brands and target Japanese consumers effectively. The work is crazy interesting, and it takes serious expertise to help brands find a way forward in a culture they don't know. The worst outcomes start with assumptions, and that is what The Carter Group breaks down quickly. Too often, brands think simple translations of their ads will bring them into a new market. But not understanding the culture really backfires. Dominic says, “Localization is much more than just translation.” Even something as seemingly simple as a skincare product and the promises it makes can differ significantly and impact a marketing campaign when introduced to a new culture. These small but meaningful changes influence the reactions to brands and products every day. Their team brings real meaning to business strategy and applies cultural insights to translate the voice of the Japanese consumer. If you're into international business, you don't want to miss this episode!   SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So, this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

What level of energy is needed to produce h@!y sh!t level of insights? Let's just ask the? Verve team! Today, Priscilla McKinney chats with Alex Charlton, the SVP at Verve North America, a global insights consultancy. The conversation delved into how Verve approaches marketing, consumer insights, and market research in a rapidly changing post-pandemic world. Unlike traditional agencies, Verve boasts a team of experts from behavioral scientists to tech experts, data scientists to cultural experts, all working collaboratively. This integrated approach synthesizes complex challenges more effectively to deliver a usable understanding of how culture and other unwritten rules and beliefs are driving consumer sentiment and behavior. Alex emphasizes that technology should solve problems, not create them. The team and leaders at Verve North America know that in this digital age, it's vital to be a modern insights agency that leverages a wide range of tools and techniques to understand consumer behavior. And while there may not be an "ideal" client, Alex highlights the importance of receiving complex and challenging briefs. These briefs present opportunities for the team to use their array of skills and expertise to provide valuable solutions. By combining AI, cultural analysis, and a diverse team of experts, they are an invaluable partner for businesses navigating the evolving market landscape. They bring, well, the verve to it all, and you can too! SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

John C. Maxwell famously said, “If you're proactive, you focus on preparing. If you're reactive, you end up focusing on repairing.” True dat. In this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, our CEO, Priscilla McKinney and Tony D'Amato, a dedicated leader with over 20 years of marketing experience, discuss challenges and opportunities in the marketing ecosystem – from brand awareness to digital transformation.  Tony emphasizes the importance of understanding and valuing the customer experience, which he has plenty of experience with! As the Senior Manager of Experiential Marketing and Public Relations at 3M, he spent 21 years living and breathing all things CX in the automotive appearance industry. Now leading his own consulting firm, this expertise can guide brands looking for a deep connection to their customers.  He enters into conversations daily where companies have reached a point of reassessing marketing strategies neglected during high-growth phases. These issues can range from underinvestment in marketing to a lack of clear marketing plans. He knows from experience that a well-thought-out marketing plan aligns with the company's objectives and is built with sustainability in mind.  “It has to be sustainable, or else what we do is for nothing.” - Tony D'Amato Ready to fall in love with your own brand and help your customers do the same? Listen to gain a fresh perspective on strategic guidance and sustainable marketing plans. SPONSORS As the Transaction Experts, Behaviorally brings decades of global experience and category expertise in consumer marketing insights. They use a unique behavioral framework, cutting-edge AI technology and a digital-first approach to help brands achieve the most valuable moment in marketing. Listen to their award-winning podcast, Our Best Behavior, where they discuss how to achieve the biggest impact in marketing after a purchase is made. Find out more at www.behaviorally.com. Want to know the real intentions of survey-takers? Join CloudResearch on October 12th for their upcoming presentation, "A Deeper Dive Inside the Click Farm: What 'LIES' Behind Your Data PART II." Following their groundbreaking webinar on survey fraud, CloudResearch returns to reveal the hidden truths behind survey-taker motivations and address the presence of fraudulent participants, inattentive responders, and bots. Gain insights into the latest findings and discover new strategies to combat fraud in the market research industry. Register now at SurveyFraud.com for this invaluable event, which also includes free access to the Fraud Detection Tool to quantify fraud in your surveys. Don't miss out on securing trust in your data!

In episode 325 of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer interviews Christian Madsbjerg, author of the book Look and an expert in human observation. Madsbjerg discusses the importance of observation in understanding human behavior and helping organizations make better decisions. He emphasizes that many companies make big mistakes by not asking the right questions and relying too heavily on data abstractions and groupthink. According to Madsbjerg, companies need to constantly study the questions that are most meaningful in their industry in order to stay relevant and successful. Christian highlights the necessity of observing and describing social phenomena before forming opinions and challenges individuals and companies to question their assumptions. Madsbjerg introduces the concept of hyper-reflection, which involves analyzing how people pay attention, to gain deeper insights into human behavior. The conversation provides valuable insights into the power of observation and description in understanding the world around us and making more informed decisions. In this episode: Recognize the critical importance of keen observation in comprehending complex human behavior. Learn about the pitfalls and misleading aspects of treating the human brain like a digital interface. Delve into the influence and impact of societal constructs on human behavior. Harness the capacity of hyper-reflection to delve deeper into your own thoughts and perceptions. Appreciate the added value of integrating observational techniques into scientific enquiry. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Christian Madsbjerg and his Background Melina introduces Christian Madsbjerg, the author of the book Look, and discusses his background in utilizing observation techniques to help organizations better understand human behavior. 00:02:45 - The Importance of Asking the Right Questions Asking the right questions makes a huge difference for companies. They discuss the dangers of jumping into problem-solving mode without fully understanding the problem. Christian explains how companies that fail to constantly study meaningful questions often struggle to adapt and remain successful in their industries. 00:07:49 - The Class on Human Observation Christian shares his experience creating and teaching a class on human observation at the New School in Manhattan. The class focused on using observation techniques inspired by philosophy and anthropology to study social phenomena. He explains that the book is a reflection of that class, allowing more people to learn about observation. 00:11:50 - The Journey of Observation and Curiosity Christian discusses his natural inclination towards observation and curiosity. He reflects on how studying philosophy and different historical perspectives helped him develop a deeper understanding of the assumptions we make about the world. He emphasizes the importance of observing without preconceived opinions and describes observation as a technique for scrutinizing our own assumptions. 00:14:49 - Perception and Intuition Christian challenges the misconception that humans perceive the world as atomistic data. He explains that humans perceive things holistically, seeing things as part of a larger social context rather than as individual data points. He highlights the importance of understanding the relationship 00:18:17 - The Danger of Comparing Computers to Human Brains, Comparing computers to human brains can lead to a misunderstanding of what it means to be human. Humans are not just intellectual beings; much of our experience and understanding comes from our bodies and the spaces we inhabit. 00:19:55 - The Problem with Having Strong Opinions, Having strong opinions about everything can create a filter between us and the world. It prevents us from seeing things objectively and directly, as we interpret everything through a political or opinionated lens. 00:21:54 - The Importance of Describing Social Phenomena, In order to better understand the world and the work we do, we need to study and describe the social phenomena at the center of our work. By understanding the context and dynamics of a situation, we can provide better advice and make more informed decisions. 00:25:30 - Case Study: Observing Fundraising Strategies, By observing people in the streets trying to raise funds for the white rhinos, a student learned valuable lessons about effective fundraising. He discovered that gentle and subtle approaches were much more successful than aggressive or shaming tactics. 00:30:44 - The Power of Hyper Reflection, Hyper-reflection is a type of attention that allows us to observe how others pay attention. By practicing hyper-reflection, we can better understand the dynamics and behaviors of people and organizations, leading to innovation and positive change. 00:35:36 - The Importance of Observation and Description, Christian discusses the importance of observing and describing social phenomena in order to gain insight and break down biases and prejudices. He emphasizes the value of feeling connected to the world and having a direct relationship with it. 00:37:35 - Building Trust and Observing Humans, Melina mentions how this work reminds her of an Apple Fitness' “Time To Walk” episode with Jane Goodall she recently listened to. Christian draws a parallel between Jane Goodall's observations of chimpanzees and his own observations of humans. He highlights the need to build trust with people in order to accurately describe and understand group dynamics and assumptions. 00:40:11 - Different Perspectives on the Same Phenomena, Christian recognizes that he and Melina approach the same phenomena from different angles, with behavioral science and cognitive science on one side and philosophical perspectives on the other. They agree on the importance of diverse methods and techniques in gaining insight. 00:42:33 - Observation in Science, Christian and Melina discuss the role of observation in scientific breakthroughs and paradigm shifts. They agree that observation is at the heart of good science and that scientists should incorporate more observation into their work. 00:44:50 - 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, by Christian Madsjberg Sensemaking, by Christian Madsjberg The Moment of Clarity, by Christian Madsjberg A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Connect with Christian:  Follow Christian on LinkedIn Christian's website Top Recommended Next Episode: How Minds Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) Already Heard That One? Try These:  For The Culture, with Marcus Collins (ep 305) Survivorship Bias (ep 110) What Problem Are You Solving? (ep 126) Mental Accounting (ep 282) What is Cognitive Semiotics? (ep 259) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) Non-Obvious Thinking, with Rohit Bhargava (ep 297) Habits (ep 256) Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain (ep 237) 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) Functional Fixedness (ep 194) A More Beautiful Question, with Warren Berger (ep 200) Evolutionary Ideas, with Sam Tatam (ep 204) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Anthropology, Market Research and BE, with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Using Ethnography in Business (ep 324) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

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

What happens when mental health suffers in the workplace? What are we supposed to do? It seems like the obvious answer would be to simply ask for help. But some workplaces don't allow for it. Also, some of our own minds don't allow for it. As James Pickles says, “You've got to know you have a problem to ask for help.”  In this episode, Priscilla McKinney, our CEO of Little Bird Marketing, engages in a compelling conversation with James Pickles, Certified Performance Coach and award-winning Wellbeing Consultant. Together, they explore James's remarkable journey from the depths of a mental health crisis to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker and coach. His story began in the fast-paced world of corporate sales, where he excelled in a high-pressure role. However, beneath the façade of success, James was silently battling stress and burnout, not unlike many professionals today. It wasn't until a candid moment of vulnerability that his journey took an unexpected turn. Have you experienced the emotional turmoil of stress and burnout in the workplace? Opening up in a work environment can feel like risking your livelihood. People often avoid initiating difficult conversations about mental health due to fear or discomfort. James has a goal to openly share his story to create a safe environment for others to share their struggles. It's never too late to rediscover our true selves, reclaim our authenticity, and inspire others to do the same. Listen in to learn more about the path to mental wellness in the workplace with Priscilla and James. SPONSORS Want to know the real intentions of survey-takers? Join CloudResearch on October 12th for their upcoming presentation, "A Deeper Dive Inside the Click Farm: What 'LIES' Behind Your Data PART II." Following their groundbreaking webinar on survey fraud, CloudResearch returns to reveal the hidden truths behind survey-taker motivations and address the presence of fraudulent participants, inattentive responders, and bots. Gain insights into the latest findings and discover new strategies to combat fraud in the market research industry. Register now at SurveyFraud.com for this invaluable event, which also includes free access to the Fraud Detection Tool to quantify fraud in your surveys. Don't miss out on securing trust in your data! Are you looking for experts and tools to collect research data worldwide? Global sampling, field management and data collection are just some of the services that Gazelle Global provides. Visit gazelleglobal.com to learn more about how our expertise can help you unearth quality data that drives meaningful insights. Get your research done anywhere around the world quickly and efficiently. Visit gazelleglobal.com today.

With a demand for accuracy but an appetite for innovating with new methodologies, finding the right balance between specialization and generalization is often seen as the key to success in delivering quality consumer insights. But what if we told you that there's more to the story? We're pulling back the curtain to hear from one of the wizards orchestrating the delivery of insights into the world of finance. In this episode, Priscilla McKinney, CEO of Little Bird Marketing, welcomes Kerry Sette, VP, and Head of Consumer Insights and Research at Voya Financial, a Fortune 500 financial services company. Together, they dive into the challenges and strategies behind conducting market research in a rapidly changing industry. The wide range of areas Voya supports includes enterprise brand, media, advertising, corporate social responsibility, employee experience, product development, marketing, advertising, brand health tracking, digital product work, and more. The unique challenge lies in serving both B2B and B2C markets, requiring a deep understanding of various customer constituencies. To keep driving success, one important key to team success is to have “diversity of thought,” Kerry states. She underscores that this single fact truly “makes for a stronger team.” She finds it invaluable, in fact, as the digital transformation of how consumers access financial products continues to change and evolve at a rapid pace. Kerry shares her experience about striking the right balance between a need for both specialists and generalists on an insights team and more “behind the scenes” wisdom. Find out what it takes to build a strong team that can advocate successfully for the consumer in all circumstances.  SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Ready to advance in your profession as a client-side insights leader? The Insights Association's Corporate Researchers Conference (CRC) is scheduled for October 25-27 in Chicago. Centered around the theme "Driving Growth in Turbulent Times," the event will spotlight the essential role of insights in guiding organizations through economic, geopolitical, environmental, and social challenges to spur growth. Keynote speakers will discuss critical topics like DEI, ESG, and data quality. Attendees will have the opportunity to foster connections during various social activities, including city excursions. Secure your spot today by registering at insightsassociation.org.

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Today, our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, is joined by Melanie Cortright, the Chief Executive Officer at Insights Association. Melanie is a true vanguard in shaping the future of the insights and analytics industry. With almost three decades of experience, she knows the industry inside out and is a powerful advocate for quality and excellence. As a skilled networker in the market research arena, she can teach you a thing or two about meaningful connections. Insights Association has a unique role as a service organization dedicated to the insights profession. Melanie explains that their focus is on protecting and strengthening the industry by setting standards of quality, advocating for regulations that make sense, and ensuring the profession's growth and relevance. They work to prevent overregulation and provide invaluable resources to professionals in the field. One significant aspect of their work is advocacy, led by Howard Feinberg. Howard is the SVP of Advocacy, and he tirelessly represents the profession in governmental circles. He navigates complex regulations, works to prevent over-taxation of data sales, and ensures that insights professionals aren't adversely affected by legislation. The Insights Association also offers numerous ways for professionals to get involved beyond advocacy. With six regional chapters and 12 active committees, there's a place for everyone to contribute. Whether you're interested in marketing, events, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, data quality, or various other aspects, there's a role waiting for you. The association's website provides information on how to get involved, or you can simply reach out to Melanie directly at Melanie@insightsassociation.org! Get in touch with this outstanding team: Rebekah McWain, CMP, Director, Events. Art Flanagan, Vice President, Communications. Nicole Symelidis, SVP, Members & Operations. Howard Fienberg, CAE, Senior VP, Advocacy. Jennifer Delfino, VP, IT and Event Solutions. Remember, you can be a wingman to the MRX Mavericks anytime. Let's take flight on this journey together! SPONSORS Want to know the real intentions of survey-takers? Join CloudResearch on October 12th for their upcoming presentation, "A Deeper Dive Inside the Click Farm: What 'LIES' Behind Your Data PART II." Following their groundbreaking webinar on survey fraud, CloudResearch returns to reveal the hidden truths behind survey-taker motivations and address the presence of fraudulent participants, inattentive responders, and bots. Gain insights into the latest findings and discover new strategies to combat fraud in the market research industry. Register now at SurveyFraud.com for this invaluable event, which also includes free access to the Fraud Detection Tool to quantify fraud in your surveys. Don't miss out on securing trust in your data! Ready to advance in your profession as a client-side insights leader? The Insights Association's Corporate Researchers Conference (CRC) is scheduled for October 25-27 in Chicago. Centered around the theme "Driving Growth in Turbulent Times," the event will spotlight the essential role of insights in guiding organizations through economic, geopolitical, environmental, and social challenges to spur growth. Keynote speakers will discuss critical topics like DEI, ESG, and data quality. Attendees will have the opportunity to foster connections during various social activities, including city excursions. Secure your spot today by registering at insightsassociation.org.

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Steve Schlesinger, Executive Chairman of SAGO and Kim Harrison, Founder and CEO of Focus Forward, also serve as executive board members for the Marketing Research Education Foundation. Today, they join our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, who has served on this same board, to share the message and mission of this amazing organization. Their mission is to unify, inspire and activate the marketing research community to focus its collective resources on educating children and youth worldwide. Find out more online at http://www.mrgivesback.org. Become a sponsor (https://www.mrgivesback.org/sponsors ), or participate in a fun and engaging campaign during the year. From the Race Around the World to the Backpack Challenge, there are many ways to get involved, do good and have fun while you're doing it! Get involved with the Backpack Challenge: https://www.backpackchallenge.org/ MREF: https://www.mrgivesback.org/ Race Around the World for Education: https://www.mrgivesback.org/race SPONSORS Get ready for a fantastic Insights Marketing Day! This event brings together expert speakers who are authorities in digital marketing and thought leadership, offering powerful and engaging presentations. Attendees will gain essential tips, actionable advice, and tools to improve their company's marketing. With networking opportunities, a marketing practitioners panel, delicious meals, gelato, and exciting prizes, this event promises to be both informative and enjoyable. Don't miss out on Insights Marketing Day in Chicago on September 28th. Visit littlebirdmarketing.com/insights-marketing-day for more information. Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Priscilla McKinney, call sign Momma Bird, introduces us to esteemed guest and MRX veteran Dan Quirks of Quirks Media. Dan's mission at Quirks is to expand the company's digital offerings and global presence. The day-to-day of Dan's responsibilities revolves around staying abreast of industry trends and delivering valuable information to their audience. At Quirks, they differentiate themselves by primarily catering to end clients and providing free content to support researchers' growth and knowledge. One significant challenge faced by Quirks is bridging the gap between suppliers' desired content and the information sought by end clients. To address this, they employ a team of skilled editors who ensure that the content meets the needs of both parties. As a seasoned professional in the MRX world, Dan has experienced the historical transformation of the industry. From a data collection-centric approach, the industry has evolved into a more consultative relationship between suppliers and end clients, where the focus is now on actionable data and insightful storytelling. As Dan says, “For every Coke, there's a Pepsi. For every iPhone, there's a Samsung.” There are competitors in every industry, and market research isn't exempt. But the key to standing out is BRANDING. In this episode, he provides this helpful mindset as their team comes alongside others to help them stand out from the crowd.  To learn more about the market research industry's dynamic developments and join the "MRX Mavericks" journey, be sure to tune in! Listen in closely for information about the 2023 Quirks Awards. SPONSORS Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Priscilla McKinney, call sign Momma Bird, is joined by Kristin Luck, Founder of ScaleHouse and consultant known for non-traditional growth strategies. You'll hear the backstory of how and why Kristin founded  Women in Research and the impact this has made on the industry. Since 2007 this community has focused on empowering the women inside of insights has made a difference helping many to build successful careers and increase representation in leadership roles. Various programs run by WIRe are working to include women in all spaces, such as mentorship programs, scholarship funds for women in emerging or conflict markets, and the WIRExec forum. They have made serious strides getting more female voices on stages at conferences around the world. All of these programs remain free and open to anyone. Yes, amazing men are a part of the WIRe family!  The only paid positions include the WIRexec board. This was started as a retreat where senior-level women to connect, network, and share experiences. They have achieved success enough to pay to gather and collaborate as to how to amplify the great work and continue to ensure all other programs at WIRe are free and remain so. Ready to be inspired and uplifted in the market research industry? Listen to these industry leader besties share their love for Women in Research. SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is excited to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Priscilla McKinney, call sign Momma Bird, and Lauren Isaacson took flight in their conversation about the Qualitative Research Consultants Association. The QRCA is the hot spot for qualitative researchers and UX professionals. They offer the ultimate package: support, training, and networking opportunities. The association focuses on promoting high standards and best practices in qualitative research, including techniques like UX research. Enter Lauren Isaacson, the self-diagnosed chronic volunteer from Curio Research. This superhero has donned various capes within QRCA, including chapter chair and board member. Lauren's dedication to volunteering is next-level, and she's been spreading her infectious enthusiasm throughout the association. With 77% of members based in the US and others from all corners of the globe (hello, Canada and beyond), it's like a qualitative research world tour. They don't discriminate when it comes to professionals either—consultants, vendors, recruiters, and those fancy folks from in-house corporate positions are all invited to the party. QRCA knows that diversity makes for the best kind of fiesta! If you're looking for a wingman or wing woman at QRCA events, Lauren is ready to connect and be your newfound friend. So buckle up, and get ready to soar to new qualitative research heights! SPONSORS Looking for an extension of your market research team? EMI Research Solutions delivers quality and unbiased market research data tailored to the needs of your business. With EMI, you get an agile-focused team of researchers with over 22 years of experience. Plus, their podcast Intellicast takes a look at the market research industry from a new perspective. Find out more at emi-rs.com

Strap on your headsets and fasten your seatbelts - we're taking you on a ride through the skies of market research! Welcome to the MRX Mavericks miniseries, where we'll show you how to soar above the competition like the true Top Guns of the market research industry. Priscilla McKinney, call sign Momma Bird, welcomes Karen Lynch, Head of Content at Greenbook, to the cockpit. Together, they pull back the curtain to examine industry events both as organizers and as attendees!  Karen's passion is to bring the best content to the Greenbook stage, to make sure the audience gets the ultimate experience. To do that, she has adopted the mantra “Always be Curating.” She says though Greenbook events appeal to a wide variety of industries (tech, MRX, entrepreneurs, etc.) the connecting thread between all attendees is a growth mindset. Her curation spans a multitude of sources to ensure the content honors the breadth of attendees. They discuss Karen's methodology for organizing content to span the variety of Greenbook events, both location-specific and topically themed. Karen also shares with Priscilla her three-part outline to maximize events for attendees. By dividing the event into three parts, she offers tips to build clarity and purpose.  Karen also highlights the importance of making genuine connections - a decisive shift away from the non-stop selling mentality centered around building relationships with others: “It's really quite special what you do when you just say, ‘I just want to get to know people.'” SPONSORS Priscilla McKinney, CEO at Little Bird Marketing, is thrilled to announce the release of her book, "Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind." The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

How can you effectively build your brand in a noisy market? How should you approach it? What should you avoid? Priscilla McKinney from Little Bird Marketing will help us today with all of this and more as we dig into the topic of brand building.

Calling all snackers! We love a good snack here at the Nest! But have you heard of social snacking? Your mom called and was worried your snacking might ruin your meal, but she should be worried that social snacking can lead to disconnection.  Today, our CEO and Momma Bird, Priscilla McKinney, talks with Ryan Jenkins to discuss breaking the connection barriers in the workplace. As Wall Street Journal best-selling leadership author of Connectable, Ryan has surveyed over 2,000 workers worldwide to discover the answers for quality connection and belonging and why sometimes technology that could enable connection actually thwarts it. Now don't take this the wrong way. Sending a quick text to a friend is good. But as Ryan points out, it takes intentionality to visit that friend. As humans, we follow the path of least resistance, so we choose convenience over connection if we're not intentional. We're wired for connection, and social snacking may keep our loneliness at a manageable level and keep us from reaching out for something more sustaining. Ready to give your team a sense of belonging and connection? Take a seat, grab a snack (but no social snacking) and listen in closely for the story of how Joseph Strauss, the structural engineer behind the Golden Gate Bridge, fostered a sense of connection with a net. Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/ 

Welcome to another episode of The Action and Ambition Podcast! Joining us today is Priscilla McKinney, the CEO, and Momma Bird at Little Bird Marketing, an award-winning digital marketing agency specializing in content marketing, lead generation, branding, and design. Little Bird Marketing specializes in digital marketing and the creation and distribution of quality content that directly aligns with companies' goals. Priscilla's expertise is in creating content marketing systems for B2B lead generation. Tune in to learn more!

Buyers, and their journeys, are rapidly changing. Before the pandemic, brands had more control over when consumers saw an ad or a product. Now, the script is flipped. The consumer carves a unique path to find a brand, product or service and they aren't doing it like they have in the past.  The consumer is in control of WHERE they see your brand.  The consumer is in control of WHEN they see your brand.  The consumer is in control of HOW to see your brand.  Brands need to work harder to find their consumers and to ensure that they are in the right spaces and places at the right time, engaging with them in the right way.  Janeen Hazel, VP of Business Development and Marketing at Luth Research, joins Priscilla McKinney, CEO of Little Bird Marketing, to discuss how to drill down on when consumers want to hear from a brand and wants to see the brand. Innovation is the name of the game. With the digital landscape in a constant state of evolution, brands have to innovate to still keep a pulse on their ideal consumers - Everything from iOS changing how companies can see inside apps, to Amazon shifting their categories impacts how consumers find, understand and interact with your brand and so much more.  Talk about innovation! As a woman-owned business, founded in 1977 by Janeen's mother, Roseanne Luth, paved the way for other women in the marketing research industry. Luth was at the forefront of the digital revolution in 1999 with the launch of SurveySavvy®, their patented online research panel. SurveySavvy® is a cash-incentive panel, and in 2020 Luth launched SurveyShares® which is a company shares-incentive panel.  Did you get that? They offer payment OR shares in the company to participate in surveys! Treating their panelists like GOLD is at the core of Luth's values and not lip service.  By paying panelists well or by offering them company shares, Luth's panelists are invested in the success of the brands they are sharing their data with. This makes humanity, and brands, MORE than a little bit better. To sign-up for SurveySavvy® follow this link: https://surveysavvy.com To sign-up for SurveyShares®  follow this link: https://www.savvyshares.com Unlock career-changing breakthroughs by enrolling in Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course. This personalized program delivers expert instruction and practical experience to build lasting relationships at scale. Learn how to expand your influence and establish authority. Enroll today at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/.

In today's conversation, I am joined by McDonald's Lauren Kemp and Stephen Springfield from the Aspen Center for Consumer Science. Last fall I saw them give a talk at IIEX Behavior on how they used behavioral science to create an "irrational" loyalty program at Mcdonald's. It was instantly clear they had to be on the show to talk about this project, its insights, and what you can learn from it. It is such a great case study showing how real people inside organizations (and in this case, working with a great consultant), can create a program that infuses behavioral insights in a smart way -- that is often counterintuitive – to find a win-win for the company and its customers.  You'll also hear tips from Lauren about how she did her literature review and lots of other great insights. And, do know that while we joke about not loving the term "irrational" as it is popularly used in behavioral science, if there was ever a program that proved a lot of the choices people make aren't exactly rational this would be it. You'll see what I mean as they dig in on the story in the episode… Show Notes: [00:46] In today's conversation, I am joined by Lauren Kemp and Stephen Springfield, whom I first saw while they were giving a presentation at Greenbook's IIEX Behavior last fall. [03:44] Lauren shares about herself and her background. She works in consumer insights at McDonald's on the US team. [04:41] Stephen shares about himself and his background. Stephen is the Founder and Principal at Aspen Center for Consumer Science.  [06:43] Novelty and the magic of the irrational attracted Stephen to behavioral science and behavioral economics.  [07:35] Behavioral science isn't really about the irrational and the crazy cool stuff. It is about the scientific process applied to understanding behavior.   [10:35] Irrationality is where all the profit is. [13:05] Lauren started her career with an internship at Brain Juicer. They were pioneers in the behavioral economic space. McDonald's was one of her main clients there.  [15:17] McDonald's global team created the loyalty program so the individual markets had some space to make the program work in their specific market.  [17:17] She started with a literature review since loyalty programs were not new to the industry. She wanted to learn what was most important for a loyalty program and how they could design theirs to be successful.  [19:45] Top tips for doing your own literature review? Definitely start by bookmarking Google Scholar.  [22:11] The program needed to entice customers to engage with the program. They wanted it to be consumer centric.  [24:16] They knew it was very important for the program to be transparent enough and easy to understand. Consumers don't like it when they feel they are being tricked or it is clouded. Transparency is so huge in our culture today. [25:57] They found that the value of a loyalty program is engagement with the program itself – not the reward that you get. The reward you get is transactional.  [28:27] Lauren spent a week or two on her literature review process and Stephen's team did some additional research.  [30:39] It is important to invest the time in research, but it probably doesn't need to take as long as you think.  [33:21] There is an aspect of irrationality and that is where the profit is.  You have to find a way to offer something of value that is not completely transactional.  [36:23] They wanted to find which items would drive trips because the point of the loyalty program is to get to people to visit more often.  [37:58] They tested five different point levels from 1 point to 10,000 points. They found that 100 points per dollar was easy and worked best.  [40:03] The goal is to get somebody to purchase something now with an eye toward achieving something later. Mental budgeting and being able to do the math towards a simple reward was a game changer.  [43:05] They continued coming back to the goal and objective: getting consumers to come to McDonald's because they had rewards, and they want to accumulate more rewards, and at some point they would like to redeem those rewards.  [44:56] They found there was some linearity with the value of the item and the trip driving behavior, but there were also outliers drove trips.   [46:46] If there are products on the loyalty menu that are a lower cost to produce that would still drive engagement from a customer perspective and trips are a huge win.  [49:16] Consumers can't tell you what they would do and why they would do it.  [51:35] Key Insight: The thing that drives that behavior doesn't have to be the most expensive thing.  [53:18] Science isn't really interested as much in truth as things that are reliably predictive.  [56:07] Melina's closing thoughts [57:18] It doesn't need to take eons to incorporate good behavioral science research into your projects.  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: Marketing to Mindstates, by Will Leach The Life Saving Skill of Story, by Michelle Auerbach Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely Choice Hacking, by Jennifer Clinehens The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz Connect with Lauren & Stephen:  Lauren on LinkedIn Stephen on Twitter Stephen on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Questionstorming at KIND / Mars with Beatrix Daros (ep 215) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Anthropology, Market Research & Behavioral Economics with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Marketing to Mindstates: A Discussion With Author, Will Leach (ep 88) The Power of Story, an Interview with Dr. Michelle Auerbach (ep 145) Dan Ariely Interview: Discussing Shapa, the Numberless Scale (ep 101) The Science of Cool, with Dr. Troy Campbell (ep 169) Nudging for Good at Walmart with Sarah Wilson (ep 206) Starbucks: A Behavioral Economics Analysis The Most Important Step in Applying Behavioral Economics: Understanding the Problem (ep 126) The Pain of Paying (ep 59) Framing (ep 16) Surprise and Delight (ep 276) Where CX and Behavioral Science Meet, interview with Jennifer Clinehens, author of Choice Hacking (ep 141) Paradox of Choice (ep 171) Unlocking the Power of Numbers (ep 17) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Aspen Center for Consumer Science

Today's episode is all about surprise and delight. Hopefully, the title concept of this episode already has you in a happy and delightful mood (that's priming for you!) and you are ready for some fun. I love thinking about experiences and incorporating fun, delightful moments. It can be with customers or employees and in totally unexpected places (that is the best strategy) like an error page of a website or the legaleze people agree to.  Little moments of thoughtfulness are my favorite, and they help us to have fun at work (we should!) as well as help our customers and employees to enjoy interacting with us (which will make them want to do it more). And, while I don't need much of an excuse to talk about surprise and delight, there is a specific reason I chose to refresh this episode from 2019 today, and that is as a lead into this coming Friday's conversation with John Sills on his new book The Human Experience.  His book is all about creating better experiences. He features brands that are already doing an amazing job and how companies can make big leaps by remembering their humanness. Great experiences shouldn't be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure. But it doesn't have to be this way! This episode will share why delight is so critical to companies, why surprise matters, what it all has to do with loyalty and profitability and so much more. It's a fun one and I can't wait to share it with you Friday (if you aren't already subscribed to the podcast, take a moment to do so now). And, in the meantime, let's talk about surprise and delight. Show Notes: [00:38] Today's episode is all about surprise and delight. [02:12] Great experiences shouldn't be surprising, but sadly they are as too often the experiences with brands are more of a pain than a pleasure. [04:18] If a customer has an expectation they will either be satisfied or dissatisfied by the level at which that expectation is met or not. Expectation can't lead to delight. [05:15] Ideally you are living in the satisfied territory most of the time with a few delights popping up here and there. Delighting customers takes extra work and it can be expensive, though it doesn't have to be.  [05:38] Delight is much more likely to drive loyalty than mere satisfaction. [07:31] It is important to not get stuck in the traps of false loyalty.  [10:13] A 5% increase in loyalty can increase your profit by as much as 85%.  [11:03] Loyalty is huge for businesses and delight is a big key to earning it. Loyalty isn't the only awesome thing to come out of delighting customers.  [11:57] The biggest issue is that there is no standard scale for measuring delight.  [14:14] Customers can't tell you what would cause them to be delighted because they have to be surprised. They can't be expecting it or it isn't going to hit the delight scale.  [17:46] Finding someone who is influential and loves your brand and then finding a way to work with them can both delight that person and their following.  [19:39] If your delights become standard then they become expected. Surprise is key to delight.  [22:33] Having a great first encounter helps set the relationship off on a good start. Having a dose of delight every now and then keeps customers happy.  [24:09] Empowering employees to help customers and go the extra mile can make a big difference in loyalty scores and profitability.  [26:02] Sometimes the most delightful “WoW” moments happen in the blink of an eye. If employees are not empowered and need to cross layers of approval these moments could be lost forever.  [28:27] In other businesses this could be as simple as changing the radio station on a loaner car to match the customer's vehicle when it is brought in for repairs, or knowing when a client comes to your office for a meeting drinks chai tea lattes and having one waiting on them when they arrive. Little things can make a big difference and delight your customers.  [30:01] Businesses always need to be watching the market to see what the status quo is and how expectations have changed to keep up with delight.  [32:33] Melina shares one of her favorite examples of surprise and delight.  [34:35] There are countless other ways your company can implement surprise and delight for your customers.   [36:34] Listen to customers to understand what's important to them.  [38:08] Delight is not something you do one off and hope for the best. It requires time and strategy, but it is absolutely worth it. When you give a little bit to people often they want to give back.  [40:45] Don't let herding make you feel like you have to send stuff at the same time as everyone else. That is precisely why you should send something at another time because no one else is.  [41:37] Melina's closing thoughts [43:41] It is important to take a step back and look around and disassociate from the current experience. Working with a consultant can be very helpful to bring fresh eyes to the situation.   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: What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer How Customers Think, by Gerald Zaltman Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland Engaged, by Amy Bucher Choice Hacking, by Jennifer Clinehens  Top Recommended Next Episode: Get Your D.O.S.E. of Brain Chemicals (ep 123) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Framing (ep 16) Priming (ep 18) Decision Fatigue (ep 132) Relativity (ep 12) Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) The Sense of Touch (ep 28) How To Set Up Your Own Experiments (ep 63) The Pain of Paying (ep 240) Overview of Memory Biases (ep 48) Apple Card (ep 42) Herding (ep 19) How to Create Remarkable Experiences with Dan Gingiss (ep 185) Anthropology, Market Research & Behavioral Economics with Priscilla McKinney (ep 196) Choice Hacking, with Jennifer Clinehens (ep 141) Engaged, with Amy Bucher (ep 164) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter  How to Delight Your Customers Customer Delight: Foundations, Findings, and Managerial Insight Delight by Design: The Role of Hedonic versus Utilitarian Benefits Ed Sheeran Launches Own Heinz Tomato ‘Edchup' Ed Sheeran Edchup on Instagram Ed Sheeran on Instagram @teddysphotos The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful of Employee Empowerment Turkey Talk Line

While Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman won't be joining us, Little Bird Marketing CEO, Priscilla McKinney, rises to the challenge of being the official SEO MythBuster. People have pulled Priscilla aside on numerous occasions to ask her to confirm or deny SEO rumors and gossip. Enough people were asking. It was time for her to get talking. As always, she pulls back the curtain and starts from square one, eliminating jargon and outlining what all the acronyms actually mean.  The reason people have so many legitimate questions is that in this incredibly noisy market of tons of websites, it's a struggle to be seen. How do we get your website to rank high and be optimized for search engines? It all starts with Google thumbs, and with knowing that Google wants to deliver a “wow” experience to their users.  Google Thumbs See, we left behind jargon and then created some ourselves. But this is an important acknowledgement that how anyone (your 13 yo son, or your 83 yo mom and even your most ideal client buyer) is using their thumbs on Google to find answers to life's more pressing questions (and where to get the best pizza…)  How Google Works Knowing how Google and other search engines really look at your content is absolutely vital to your SEO strategy. This comes down to the trifecta: Experience, Authority, and Trustworthiness. Expertise is Google crawling your website and taking a look at everything that you have to say. You want to talk about your key topic clusters “six ways to Sunday,” as Priscilla says. Authority deals with hyperlinks — other websites linking to your website and your own website linking to itself. Trustworthiness also deals with links, but it's about the links that you share, also called outbound links. Google checks to see if the websites you are linking to are reputable and high-quality.  Time to get myth-busting? MYTH: Google only ranks new content. TRUTH: There is a difference between new content and the “freshness” of content.  MYTH: Longer content has more value. TRUTH: More does not always equal more. MYTH: Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising helps ranking. TRUTH: False. PPC and SEO and SEM are different and we break them down.  MYTH: SEO takes at least 90 days to have an effect. TRUTH: Changes take time for the search engine bots to process, but there is no magic to day 90 of your work. We break down what happens quickly and what can take a long time.  SEO strategy is not one-size-fits-all, and there are a lot of nuances to the ever-changing, alive and kicking algorithm. Need a little help? We're happy to be of service: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/work/ Shoutout to this episode's sponsors: Fieldwork and The Insights Association 2023 Conference. We're looking forward to being in glorious Hilton Head, South Carolina, April 24th through the 26th for the Insights Association Annual Conference. Known for providing exclusive research and objective brand presented content. The agenda for this year's IA Annual has been expanded to deeply examine four important disciplines: qualitative research, experience management, data analytics and quantitative, and behavioral research. Within each, we'll explore immerging trends, quality advancements, DEI progress and tangible business impact. More information on the agenda, which includes presenters from TD Bank, Mondelez, Masonite, Delta Faucet Company, Fidelity Investments, AARP and many other leading brands can be found at insightsassociation.org Use promo code ACBird to get 15% off your registration. We hope to see you there.

Hi, I'm Priscilla McKinney, CEO and Momma Bird here at Little Bird Marketing and I'm a St. Patrick's Day birthday! Everyone wants to party on my birthday and have fun. I am a fun person - very outgoing and funny (if you agree, please call one of my kids and let them know). But people often think I am a people person. I'm really not. I'm a “my kind of people” person. What I mean by that is I like people who are overtly helpful, bring energy into the room, give without thinking of getting and don't take themselves too seriously. I love this industry and have met so many colleagues who have become friends - like really good friends. I had a lot of friends before I got into this industry, but I made room for more. Do you see how much fun I'm having and want to be a part of it? Good news! In this episode I scrap the rules, call my bestie, Sarah Kotva and gossip about people in the industry. It's all good and you'll have a great time. So grab a glass of wine with us and let us introduce you to people you HAVE TO KNOW in market research. Then, go forth and connect with them online. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be in on all the jokes! Let's do this! Cheat sheet: Sarah Kotva https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkotva/ Patrick Olszowski https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickolszowski/ Ivka Markovic https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivka-markovic/ Aryn O'Donnell https://www.linkedin.com/in/arynodonnell/ Adam Dietrich https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-dietrich/ James Endersby https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesendersby/ Adam Jolley https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjolley/ Alex Hunt https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hunt-540ba910/ Vivek Bhaskaran https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekbhaskaran/ Cynthia Harris https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdharris/ Michaela Gascon https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelagascon/ Lisa Wilding-Brown https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawildingbrown/ Bob Quesreshi https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobqureshi/ Ryan Barry https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-barry-8354036/ Dominic Carter https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiccarterjapan/ Ted Pulsifer https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedpulsifer/ Dexter Chew https://www.linkedin.com/in/dexterchewtoronto/ Pravin Shekar https://www.linkedin.com/in/pravinshekaroutliermarketer/ Tony Cheevers https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycheevers/ Jamin Brazil https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaminbrazil/ Kristin Luck https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinluck/ Sandy Casey https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-casey-a3aa702/ Leigh Caldwell https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighcaldwell/

It's time to talk about the D-word.  Disruption. Angel Bellon, Senior Director of Insights and Cultural Intelligence at Paramount, joins Little Bird Marketing's CEO, Priscilla McKinney, and divulges a deluge of facts, hacks, and insights around disruption and trend forecasting. It's a drenching downpour of mindset-shifting expertise that will change YOUR game. The truth is that business cannot go on as usual. The ever-changing digital landscape and especially *cough cough* Gen Z are disrupting the role of marketing altogether. It's the role of generations to disrupt, but we're now living in constant disruption with generational disruption on top of a fast pace of technological disruption and it's a lot to make sense of at once. It's even harder for brands to move forward in a meaningful way.  To operationalize disruption, we first need to get clear on the definition. While innovation and disruption are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Innovation is something new. Disruption is a shift in the industry or with an audience, by redefining how a category typically is perceived.  On the flip side, “a trend is a shift in consumer behavior and values,” says Angel. They discuss why trend forecasting much start with not only understanding your consumer but also being willing to look at your “anti-consumer.” You must ask difficult questions like:  Who is not buying my brand? Who does not value our category?  Who are we repelling with our marketing messages or strategies?  To tackle this holistic endeavor, Angel created a trend toolkit workshop at Paramount, and he generously reveals a significant portion of its content, providing us with valuable perspectives and strategies.  After this episode, you'll feel like you're drunk from a firehouse, but you'll at least realize you're not alone.  Angel Bellon is a Senior Director of Insights and Cultural Intelligence at Paramount. A hybrid strategist and cultural anthropologist with over 15 years of experience, Angel fuses consumer insight with cultural foresight to forecast consumer behavior. At Paramount, Angel oversees thought leadership studies to push organizational thinking both internally and externally with Paramount's advertising partners as well as inject culture-forward inspiration into the branded content creative process. Previously, Angel founded the Cultural Anthropology department at VaynerMedia, which included designing the agency's insights methodology and overseeing the department's output across all agency accounts and agency deliverables such as digital and social campaigns, audio/voice and brand strategy. Angel has presented at Advertising Week, Social Media Week, WPP Stream and the United Nations. Angel holds a Master's in Media Studies from The New School and is a frequent guest lecturer at The University of Southern California (USC). *All opinions in this episode are of Angel Bellon, not Paramount.” Shoutout to this episode's sponsor: The Insights Association 2023 Conference.  We're looking forward to being in glorious Hilton Head, South Carolina, April 24th through the 26th for the Insights Association Annual Conference. Known for providing exclusive research and objective brand-presented content. The agenda for this year's IA Annual has been expanded to deeply examine four important disciplines: qualitative research, experience management, data analytics and quantitative, and behavioral research. Within each, we'll explore immerging trends, quality advancements, DEI progress and tangible business impact. More information on the agenda, which includes presenters from TD Bank, Mondelez, Masonite, Delta Faucet Company, Fidelity Investments, AARP and many other leading brands can be found at insightsassociation.org Use promo code ACBird to get 15% off your registration. We hope to see you there.

Reality is reality and finances are finances. There's a cost and a loss for not finding the right company or the right candidate at the right time. While there is a pendulum swing between when it is a company's market or a candidate's market, the pendulum's rate is accelerating— faster than it ever has oscillated before and if you're not careful it can give you whiplash! Bob Ferro, Founder of the executive recruiting firm Trusted Talent, joins Priscilla McKinney, Little Bird Marketing's CEO, to discuss the current job market from a company and candidate perspective, as well as the pros and cons of delaying hiring. From Bob's perch, he's seeing a huge slowing down in hiring. In fact, he describes it as a pause. However, it's vital to understand that “if you don't hire a salesperson for a quarter, you've lost two quarters' worth of revenue - minimum.” They also discuss retaining talent. As Bob says, “My number one asset isn't my product and my market and my customers, it's my talent. It's the people that make this company work. We're going to see successful companies shift from recruiting to retention, from the churn of using people as commodities to focusing on them as an asset that they can retain and that those people will have the heart to continue to contribute.” If you are on the hunt for a few tips for candidates searching for jobs in this highly competitive market, you're in luck!  Manage your expectations about the timeline of hiring Accept that finding a job is a full-time job Rise to the brand-marketing challenge of having a stellar resume and carry that over to LinkedIn Get out there and network Upscale yourself and uplevel your skills - don't sit around waiting for the call back As an industry-leading sales professional, Bob Ferro's experience includes both technology and market research. Bob has worked with a variety of industry giants like Apple, Greenfield Online, SSI, Western Wats, Dapresy, Passenger, and Fulcrum. Bob founded Trusted Talent, an executive recruiting firm that specializes in helping Market Research firms find the right talent for the right jobs, and insights professionals find new opportunities.  Shoutout to this episode's sponsors: Fieldwork and The Insights Association 2023 Conference.  We're looking forward to being in glorious Hilton Head, South Carolina, April 24th through the 26th for the Insights Association Annual Conference. Known for providing exclusive research and objective brand-presented content. The agenda for this year's IA Annual has been expanded to deeply examine four important disciplines: qualitative research, experience management, data analytics and quantitative, and behavioral research. Within each, we'll explore immerging trends, quality advancements, DEI progress and tangible business impact. More information on the agenda, which includes presenters from TD Bank, Mondelez, Masonite, Delta Faucet Company, Fidelity Investments, AARP and many other leading brands can be found at insightsassociation.org Use promo code ACBird to get 15% off your registration. We hope to see you there.

Uncomfortable, squirmy and guilty? Those are the common side effects when thinking about fundraising. But, fundraising isn't a dirty word. Like any other business or entity right now, non-profits are facing a dilemma:  How do you break through the noise? How do you keep up your own resilience around messaging when it feels like it's falling on deaf ears? We're in an attention economy and translating your mission and message into bite-sized pieces is more important than ever. That being said, non-profits' marketing and fundraising marketing efforts are held to a different standard. No one might complain about getting thirty emails from Lululemon about holiday sales, but getting a half-dozen messages from a non-profit about end-of-year fundraising goals can make people huff and puff and blow your email right until the dreaded trash can. Executive coach and fundraising consultant, Mallory Erickson, joins CEO and Little Bird Momma, Priscilla McKinney, on the podcast to discuss strategy work at the intersection of fundraising and marketing. Mallory Erickson is aimed at supporting non-profit leaders to change the way they lead and fundraise fundamentally. Through her signature framework, the Power Partners Formula™️, Mallory provides unique tools to help nonprofits fundraise more from foundations, corporate partners, and individuals. She has trained over 40,000 fundraisers using her unique win-win framework, which combines best practices from executive coaching, science-backed behavior design, and fundraising strategy. She is also the host of the What the Fundraising podcast.  In their conversation, Mallory and Priscilla unpack how to help people frame the idea of relevance and urgency, and how to clarify your message authentically through storytelling. Mallory also brings up human behavioral design and her studies under Dr. BJ Fogg. According to Mallory, “Fundraising, at its best, is us aligning our core identity and deep desires with the identity and mission and desires of the organization. It's a human coming together with a nonprofit and saying, ‘We both want to see this change being possible and we have different skills and assets to do that. I have some money. You have the skills to create change in the community. How do we come together and do that?'”  If there's a culture of philanthropy with your donors, then there needs to be a culture of fundraising inside of your organization. “And the very first step of that is that fundraising is not a bad word.” Positively brimming with actionable insight and fodder for a solid mindset shift, this episode is not one you want to miss!

So you want to be the top dog, or rather the top bird? How do you do that? It starts with breaking down the journey from Point A to Point B. Join Little Bird Marketing CEO, Priscilla McKinney as she guides you through organizing your marketing, proactive planning and mindset shifting needed to put your goals together T Since organized marketers are 674% more likely to report success and proactive planners are 3x more likely to report success, the proof is in the pudding. Success means planning your marketing strategy in advance. Yet you can't start planning without understanding your current marketing efforts. This is where clarity comes in. What is your “Point A”? Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix. While Little Bird Marketing won't be offering anyone a train ticket to Hogwarts, Priscilla shares tons of free resources, including the Order of the Phoenix Marketing Assessment Quiz to evaluate your brand's marketing strategy and the best way to push your efforts forward. Everyone loves a good quiz! Once you get clear about where you are currently, she offers clear steps needed to move to what you define as “Point B”.  Using the super helpful (and really crib-able) Little Bird Marketing proprietary SOAR™ System she explains how it can be done systematically. In fact, with the SOAR™ System, our team creates a sustainable lead generation system in just 90 days. Our approach is designed to confidently achieve both short-term and long-term revenue goals, without sacrificing your other priorities. Learn more about the “done for you” and “do it yourself” approaches to the SOAR™ System.  So are you a Parakeet, Parrot, Peacock, or Phoenix? Take the Marketing Assessment quiz to get the pulse on your marketing strategy. Whiz on over and take the quiz: https://littlebirdmarketing.com/marketing-assessment/ Shoutout to our episode sponsor: Fieldwork! Searching for a research partner to handle the details of your next qualitative project? When we say Fieldwork can handle it all, we mean it. From world-class facilities to low incidents recruitment, their team of experts handles the details so you can stay focused on the research. Say goodbye to traditional focus group rooms and recruitment tactics. As market research has grown from the standard focus group to incorporate other innovative methodologies and technologies, Fieldwork has expanded along with it with facilities nationwide and sophisticated global recruitment services. Their detail-oriented staff partners with you to achieve great insights. Focus on the research Fieldwork will do the rest. 

We've looked at it from all market research from all the different sides on the Ponderings from the Perch Podcast. Why is private equity interested? Why are people looking more to research technology to solve problems? How are people developing their teams in order to deal with technology?  Join Little Bird Momma and CEO, Priscilla McKinney, as she chats with CEO and Founder of Hatch Tank, and VP of Qualitative Research at Numerator, Shamsu Bhaidani about the value of human support when it comes to market research technology. With the push for better, cheaper and faster — and the word that we all have gotten sick of hearing: agile — teams were being asked to get more done with less. So what do they do? They turn to technology. Shamsu shared his observations, “​​What I see is that a lot of people get into using these platforms, do not necessarily use them to full capacity because they know what they know. They don't have time to explore more and take advantage of the different features and the different capabilities, and I just feel that the technology is underused.” Specifically, Shamsu pointed out a shift in the last two years from clients wanting DIY to clients seeking DIT (Do It Together) technology. That is a collaboration. That is partnership. “That's where the human element comes in because everybody's good at what they do. You're good at doing your research. We're good at doing our technology,” as Shamsu says. Human support eliminates a lot of stress around market research technology. It also boosts efficiency. It's even better when the so-called human support is able to speak to you at a peer level rather than a provider level. Talk about a game-changer! Let's reiterate: That's a collaboration. That's a partnership. That's the power of real human support. Ah, it's always fun when two friends get together and talk shop! Catch the full conversation on the podcast with Priscilla and Shamsu! Shoutout to our sponsor: CFR! Businesses don't need research for the sake of research. They need research that leads to a meaningful impact for their customers, their products, and their bottom line. Communications for research is the trusted insights champion to lead you to that impact. They take their ownership of the research process so you can focus on your business and your customers, whether you need quantitative or data analysis for primary research, their expert logistics team has the experience to understand your objectives. They design and execute processes to achieve research outcomes that lead to better decisions. Visit cfinc.net to learn more.

Do not get on the train to “I suck.” When fear rears its head, especially in regards to public speaking, it's too easy to get lost in the mental story of: I have nothing to say, and I'm not good at this and nobody wants to hear what I have to say. That is the train to “I suck,” and it doesn't go anywhere else. Enter: Johanna Walker.  As a speaking coach and storytelling expert, Johanna joins Little Bird Momma and CEO, Priscilla McKinney, on the Ponderings from the Perch podcast to discuss the stories that we tell ourselves, and how tapping into, owning and sharing your story can transform your business and can transform YOU. One of Johanna's mantras is: “Go before you're ready.” While there are a thousand uncomfortable feelings and thoughts that can pop up when imagining getting on stage, being vulnerable and sharing your story, you have to embrace the sensations and drop the stories. If you wait until you're ready, you may never feel ready. You have to go before you're ready. When fear arises, “Drop out of the story and into your body, into your breath, into the sensation. Lose the story, connect with the sensation.”​​  Johanna is an artful speaker, and the power of her presence and voice translates beautifully in this episode.  During Priscilla and Johanna's conversation they'll discuss: Fear is a “battery pack” Your voice is an expression of your human truth Curiosity is the best teacher Speaking is essential for business owners, especially those who want to step into thought leadership The power of dropping into the sensations that arise in your body  The process of preparing for a TEDx talk and how it has served her business Johanna Walker is the fear-blasting, storytelling maven for coaches, consultants, leaders and change-makers (also known as a public speaking coach). As a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, she's presented for corporations, non-profits, start-ups, community organizations and the TEDx stage, helping audiences develop authentic presence as speakers, find the ideas they want to be known for, and craft those ideas into compelling presentations. She's the founder of Craft Your Talk, a transformational speaker coaching program for emerging speakers, and The Speaker's Playground, an unconventional training program where entrepreneurs and community leaders become confident and memorable speakers. She is the founder and host of Boulder's Story Slam, where audience members come to the stage to tell true stories about their lives. Johanna's TEDx talk: “The stories that live in our bodies” Johanna's TED-style talk: “A Long Drink of Water: How telling the story makes anything bearable” Johanna's FREE download “Ten tips for telling more spine-tingling stories:” www.johannawalker.com/betterstories   Don't let the learning stop here. Little Bird Marketing's 12-week social selling course is a practical hands-on experience designed specifically to help you network effectively and at scale, build rapport with targeted audiences, expand your influence, and become the go-to authority in your area of expertise. So this is not a quick “tips and tricks” for LinkedIn's success flash in the pan. It's a commitment to changing the way you show up online and experience career-shifting breakthroughs. This is expert instruction in small cohorts with personalized one-on-one coaching. If you're interested, learn more at https://littlebirdmarketing.com/social-influence-course/

No matter what Little Bird Momma and CEO, Priscilla McKinney, and Executive VP, Ashley Le Blanc do, they somehow end up writing. If you're working on writing posts on LinkedIn, blogs or books, get ready for four applicable tips from these seasoned veterans to make writing that much easier for you.  You know Priscilla is a straight shooter who doesn't shy away from tackling the big issues. In this episode, she delves into the world of ChatGPT, OpenAI, and the impact of NLP and NLG on business and branding. While she sees the potential for these tools to revolutionize the way we work, she also highlights some key concerns. For example, the lack of SEO integration in these systems can harm your online visibility, and using the same generated content as others can lead to plagiarism and a drop in page ranking. Additionally, the impersonal nature of these tools can detract from your brand's unique voice and style, and raises questions about the impact on thought leadership. Tune in to hear Priscilla's candid take on these cutting-edge technologies.  Enough about ChatGPT and AI already? On to the tips! Allow yourself the gift of the shitty first draft (SFD) as coined by Ann Lamott. Have you ever heard of the SFD? That shitty first draft is exactly what you need to write to beat procrastination and beat perfectionism. Perfectionism is the leading cause of writers' block and it's the enemy of writers! Don't keep waiting for inspiration. If you wait for the day that grand ol' magnificent and majestic inspiration pays a visit, you might be waiting for a long time. Waiting a long time means wasting a lot of time. Try to draw inspiration from your everyday experiences, from the mundane, from your drive to work and from your sock drawer! You make inspiration happen. Outwrite self-doubt. What if you just started calling yourself a writer? What if you started writing every day? Rather than basking in another self-doubt party, where it's just you and a blank page… write, write, and write some more. Don't be boring. Be creative. Be descriptive. See the world with new eyes. Try to describe things in such great staggering detail that your words come to life on the page. And then, after your first few drafts, we're sure you'll be cutting nearly half of all your descriptions, but still. It's worth spending time noodling over the descriptions and breathing life into your words. Marketing and content marketing is complicated. That's why you need a system. Have you heard about our SOAR system and even about our SOAR DIY offerings? Consider it the ultimate flight plan.  What's next for you? For business professionals, mastering social media is no longer a “nice to have” set of skills, but a fundamental need in order to advance your career. You need an effective and proven system to move from social selling all the way to digital dominance. Learn more here. Books discussed on the podcast: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown  On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman Shoutout to our sponsor: Ag Access!  Uncovering insights in the agricultural industry can seem like looking for a needle in a haystack. Luckily, Ag Access has your back. From recruitment and survey design to planning and execution of custom full-service market research projects, you can count on Ag Access to deliver expertise and meaningful outcomes. Our 400,000+ member community covers the breadth of the agriculture chain, including technology, ag sales, crop growers, livestock producers, feed supply and more. With a full-time engagement center, research logistics team, and 400,000 member-strong insights community, Ag Access is an irreplaceable bridge between researchers and professionals in the agriculture industry. Visit ag-access.com to learn more.