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Our story tonight is called The Willow Tree, and it's a story about the first signs of spring on an open field beside a lake. It's also about stepping stones, a bench up high on the bluff, geese paddling at the shore, tall rubber boots, a breeze that blows the hat from your head and the calm quiet that comes when you stop chasing some other moment and make a home in this one. We give to a different charity each week and this week we are giving to A Home for Hooves Sanctuary. They offer a forever home for rescued farmed animals. Visit our partner page to learn about the products featured in our ads. Order your own NMH weighted pillow now! Subscribe for ad-free, bonus and extra long episodes now, as well as ad-free and early episodes of Stories from the Village of Nothing Much! Search for NMH Premium channel on Apple podcast or follow this link. Listen to our daytime show Stories from the Village of Nothing Much on your favorite podcast app. Join us tomorrow morning for a meditation.
Møt Arild Steinsland, den nye prosten i Sunnhordland! I denne episoden blir du betre kjent med mannen bak prestekragen – frå barndomens fascinasjon for ferjer til kjærleiken for softis med krokan.Arild deler historia om korleis han fann vegen inn i presteyrket, opplevingane sine som prest i Nord-Noreg, og kvifor han ein gong vart persona non grata i Romania. Han gir også eit innblikk i kva som er det beste – og mest utfordrande – med prostetenesta.Dei neste åra skal Sunnhordland prosti ha ekstra fokus på ungdom, og Arild vil gjerne høyre frå DEG om korleis det kan sjå ut i praksis. Har du gode idear? Send dei hans veg!Vi får også høyre om hobbyane hans – frå sykkel og innebandy til korleis familien lagar kreative julevideoar. Og kva skjedde eigentleg då han fekk seg ein skikkeleg trøkk på sykkel?Lytt inn for ei spennande og variert episode!
Wakey, wakey sleepyheads. Looks like someone's been enjoying their wildest fantasies a little too well. After spending the night in dreamland with Colin Bridgerton's roused subconscious, it's time to jump out of bed, refresh the sheets and begin Part 1 of our S3E3 rewatch. As Dream Polin consume our every thought, we'll be breakfasting with Benedict, falling off roofs with Greg and gulping down tea with a rather flustered thirdborn son. Once we've commiserated over a failed reconciliation, we'll be clearing our head with a promenade, glaring at mamas with Rae and diving under a willow tree to meet with a very good acquaintance of the family's. And if a time-travelling vegetarian decides to come a-courting? Worry not, dear Mr Bridgerton. We have it on very good authority that Prophet Hyacinth has already foretold your future: It is just Polin. It has only ever been Polin. * Show Notes: Crumbs Shondaland: Behind-the-scenes photos of the Season 4 table read What's On Netflix: Susan Brown cast as Mrs Crabtree PORTER: Interview with Phoebe Dynevor The Direct: Phoebe Dynevor Season 4 update Screen Actors Guild: SAG Awards 2025 nominations IFTA: IFTA Awards 2025 nominations The Hollywood Reporter: NAACP Awards 2025 nominations Art Directors Guild: ADG Awards 2025 nominations Digital Spy: Digital Spy Readers Awards 2024 The Jamie Lloyd Co.: Full casting for Much Ado About Nothing Theatre Royal Bath: A Man for All Seasons Hope Mill Theatre: Vignettes – Letters to the NHS Mrs Warren's Profession, Garrick Theatre ITVX: The Masked Singer Show Notes: Rewatch Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library "Forces of Nature." Bridgerton. Written by Eli Wilson Pelton. Unpublished manuscript (double white revisions, no draft date). Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library. “Old Friends.” Bridgerton. Written by Lauren Gamble. Unpublished manuscript (yellow revisions, no draft date). Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library. Spotify: Bridgerton The Official Podcast: 303 Forces of Nature w/ Andrew Ahn & Sam Phillips Reddit: Colin's S3 waistcoat statistics by u/bookmovietvworm HELLO! Magazine: Interview with Sam Phillips Town & Country: Interview with Sam Phillips IG: @jessie_hmua Penelope's Dream make-up breakdown IG: @jessie_hmua Penelope's Willow Tree make-up breakdown IG: @jessie_hmua Penelope's Soiree make-up breakdown IG: @faridaghwedar Penelope's Soiree hair breakdown * Follow Us Patreon Instagram TikTok YouTube
This week's free story comes from the Gratitude Stories Collection. It's called "Strong, Warm, and Grateful" In this story, 7-year old Clancy is having a difficult day in which nothing seems to go his way. The Willow Tree takes him to the forests of Siberia where he meets a group of Yakutian Cows who live in very harsh, cold conditions. But do they complain? No, they keep strong and warm by feeling gratitude for what they have. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says “Start Free Trial,” then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!
Dearest Gentle Listeners, Your favourite tangent queens are back to their old tricks for Season 3 Episode 3. In today's ep we talk all things Willow Tree from the Polin chemistry, the history and symbolism of willow tree's and finish off with surprising ourselves with our combined genius as we tie the sun and moon into our favourite duo. Enjoy the unhinged ravings of two woman who simply cannot get enough. Yours Truly, The Ladies Bridgerton
After three inspiring days at Braze Forge 2024 in Las Vegas, Billie sits down with Mitch Walden, Senior Director of Digital & Loyalty at Scooter's Coffee, to discuss the company's remarkable digital transformation journey. Scooter's Coffee, one of the nation's fastest-growing drive-thru coffee franchise companies, partnered with WillowTree to assist their rapid expansion. In just nine months, Scooter's completely overhauled their app, loyalty program, and overall technology stack. Billie and Mitch discuss how the company's strategic shift from national promotions to a more personalized, data-driven approach has had a profound impact, deepening franchise/brand collaboration and powering game-changing loyalty campaigns. Their conversation also highlights the importance of a seamless integration of technology platforms, like Braze, for achieving real-time customer engagement and driving revenue growth.Mitch walks Billie through helpful examples of how these new digital tools have leveled up his team's creativity and generated significant incremental revenue for Scooter's. Plus, he shares insights on ensuring a brand's digital experience upholds its brand promise. In the case of Scooter's Coffee, that's “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks…Amazingly Fast.”Additional ResourcesTOPICS DISCUSSEDPrioritizing real-time data and integration between platforms for loyalty campaign successUsing data to build trust and enhance communication with franchisees in the QSR spaceEnsuring tech stack sustainability and building a program that can adapt to future trendsKEEP THE GROWTH GOINGRead our report on Increasing QSR Emotional Loyalty and Customer Lifetime ValueExplore loyalty solutions for your use case: How to Select the Right Loyalty Platform for Your Business Connect with Mitch Walden on LinkedInFollow Billie Loewen on LinkedIn
Send us a textFounded in 2008, WillowTree was built on a heritage of mobile applications. While the company still engages in much of that work, it's grown into other areas in support of brands, including strategy and consulting, data and artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, loyalty program design, and more. WillowTree works alongside brands to develop successful loyalty programs and, in many cases, administers them. The company works in a variety of industries, including Financial Services, Health Care, Telecom, Travel and Hospitality, Food Service, and Retail and Consumer Goods, among others. Loyalty360 spoke with Caitlin Watson, Partner, Marketing Services, and David Shaw, VP, Business Development, at WillowTree. Watson has been with the company for the last three years, helping to develop the company's marketing services department—specifically in the areas of loyalty, strategy, and technology—while also working to build out MarTech services, CRM, lifecycle, and all elements of the customer journey. Shaw has led insight and strategy teams for his whole career. At WillowTree, he leverages his experience in strategy development to help determine how the company can go to market with individual companies and with specific vertical strategies—many of which involve loyalty.
Lois Lowry has written more than 40 books. As of this month, she is also featured in half of our 2021 Patreon episodes. This is incidentally very close to the total number of surviving Shakers. Just in time for spring, we read Lowry's Like the Willow Tree, a Dear America journey for the ages. Based on meticulous research at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community, this book features a young diarist named Lydia who loses her parents to the flu pandemic. Though the Shakers initially wreck her plans, Lydia eventually teach her how to bend to the wind. We discuss Shaker controversies, our varying levels of interest in intentional communities, and much more. Like to read along? You can support the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village by purchasing Lowry's book here: https://www.maineshakers.com/product/like-the-willow-tree-by-lois-lowry/ . Our next book (May 2021) is Last Night at the Telegraph Club, a novel by Malinda Lo. Original air date: April 21, 2021
On this episode, we explore the connection between brand and customer experience — and how to maintain positive customer sentiment while undergoing a rebrand.An effective rebranding strategy can serve to reposition a company, product or service to better align with customer expectations. But it's not a given; to retain existing customers and attract additional ones, brands must engage numerous stakeholders, plan meticulously and communicate clearly. Listen for the compelling insights of Billie Loewen, vice president of marketing services at WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company; and David Soberman, professor of marketing and Canadian national chair in strategic marketing at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.Hear more growth marketing insights from Billie Loewen on WillowTree's Room For Growth podcast.Visit our website to learn more about TELUS Digital.
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Michelle Avery, Group VP of AI at WillowTree, a TELUS International Company. They discuss the process of prototyping Generative AI (Gen AI) solutions and transitioning from prototypes to production-ready applications. Key points include identifying business problems, the importance of intentional prototyping, overcoming data access challenges, and ensuring user acceptance and ROI. Michelle shares insights from her work at WillowTree, emphasizing the role of strategic planning and cross-disciplinary collaboration in successful AI implementation. Highlights 01:34 Prototyping Gen AI Solutions 03:25 Identifying Business Problems for AI Solutions 06:40 Challenges in Prototyping and Data Access 07:55 From Prototype to Production 09:57 Ensuring User Acceptance and Feedback 16:01 Moving Beyond Chatbots Guest: With 17 years of experience across engineering, AI, FinTech, and Robotics, Michelle Avery is a technical leader in the Data and AI space. As the Group Vice President of AI at WillowTree, a Telus International Company, Michelle is passionate about building responsible, production-ready AI applications that address real-world business problems. She leads innovative initiatives in generative AI, oversees impactful research projects, and drives the development of data-intensive applications for Fortune 100 clients. www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-avery-63729bb7 ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)
In this episode of Room for Growth, Billie sits down with accomplished CMO Pauline Reader. With a career that includes CMO and SVP marketing leadership positions with renowned brands such as eBay, Minted, and Stitch Fix, and most recently Podium, a communication SaaS platform for SMBs and larger enterprises. Pauline now runs Reader Consulting, where she offers fractional CMO and consulting services, and in this episode, she brings valuable insights into the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in B2C and B2B marketing strategies.Pauline isn't new to AI — for years she's been actively leveraging traditional data science methodologies to enhance customer experiences (e.g., providing personalized clothing recommendations) and improve business operations. She shares pragmatic and tangible examples of interpreting data-driven insights and combining human judgment with technology for the most effective results.Throughout the discussion, Billie and Pauline explore topics including data collection, personalization strategies, maintaining customer privacy, decision-making in technology investments, and finding a balance between short-term goals and long-term AI strategy.Additional ResourcesTOPICS DISCUSSEDUsing AI and data science models to better understand customer preferences in eCommerce platformsOvercoming obstacles with data compliance and privacy in AI-driven marketing strategies.Ways of leveraging unstructured data through machine learning to extract relevant information.Key considerations for rolling out AI features or changes in customer-facing technology.Connecting and measuring customer data within brand loyalty platformsKEEP THE GROWTH GOINGLearn about WillowTree's Data & AI Consulting services Explore how WillowTree can enhance your brand's customer loyalty programConnect with Pauline Reader on LinkedInFollow Billie Loewen on LinkedIn
This week Jami is chatting with Kathryn (Katie) MacMillan. Katie educates us about the magic of colorpuncture, a new wave of healing that is growing in popularity. She explains the process and even shares how the clothes we wear affect our vibration. Kathryn (Katie) MacMillan has spent the past decade on a journey allowing her to experience the wonders of self-healing and self-discovery, which is how The Calming Willow Tree came into being. Katie's mission is to help others achieve positive, life-altering changes while on their personal journey. She believes that everyone is strong, resilient, and wise, like the Willow Tree; they just need guidance to find their inner peace. Learn more about Katie at The Calming Willow Tree Follow her on Facebook
Author of In The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology.
In this episode, David Rubinstein, editor-in-chief of SD Times, interviews Michelle Avery, group VP of AI at WillowTree, about a recent survey the company did on rude chatbots.Key talking points include: What we mean by "rude bot behavior"What goes into creating a chatbot that is politeHow organizations can measure politeness of a chatbotOn the flip side, humans can be rude to bots too
In this episode of Room for Growth, Billie is joined by two WillowTree colleagues, Kate Gallaher (Partner & VP, Head of Financial Services) and Caitlin Watson (Partner, Marketing Services), as they delve into global loyalty in financial services. Focusing on credit card payment processors and retail banks, they explore the complexities of building brand loyalty in a regulated market, discuss the impact of digitization on customer behavior, and share insights into the most effective loyalty programs in today's digital age, competing with digitally-native FinTech upstarts.Billie, Kate, and Caitlin also unpack our recent research study, authored by WillowTree Senior Product Researcher Rachel Vanderbilt, PhD. The study explores the nuances in credit card loyalty programs across five global markets — North America, South America, Europe, Middle East–Africa, and Asia–Pacific — and underscores the dangers of adopting a US-first mindset on the global stage. ADDITIONAL RESOURCESTOPICS DISCUSSEDHow digitization leads to increased product diversity and brand disloyalty.How data integrity and personalization create relevant offers and user-centric experiences.How brands can build loyalty in a B2B2C model while keeping CX at the forefront.Why considering a global perspective is essential in designing loyalty programs for diverse regional customer bases.KEEP THE GROWTH GOINGPreview WillowTree's forthcoming research study, Global Credit Card Rewards Programs: How Consumer Loyalty Preferences Differ by RegionExplore WillowTree's Loyalty Strategy & Consulting practiceExplore WillowTree's Financial Services expertiseConnect with Kate Gallaher on LinkedInConnect with Caitlin Watson on LinkedInFollow Billie Loewen on LinkedIn
On the heels of Adobe Summit, we're joined by Brightline Chief Technology and Digital Innovation Officer Kevin McAuliffe as he and Billie dive deep into brand loyalty, building trust, technology innovation, and what it means to be a leader today. Brightline partnered with WillowTree to achieve its vision of fully modernizing train travel. Tapping into our end-to-end suite of capabilities, WillowTree teams delivered a revamped website, native apps (iOS and Android), kiosks, digital signage, and a digital marketing engine fueled by Adobe Experience Cloud. By prioritizing guest experience and agility, the high-speed private rail service is delighting travelers with a best-in-class, omnichannel digital experience worthy of Brightline's premium brand. Our host and guest explore some of the integrated experiences that have launched across Brightline's digital platforms, improving travel experiences at every step of the journey — from pre-booking to post-arrival. Additional ResourcesTOPICS DISCUSSEDBuilding loyalty by meeting your users where they are, even amid ongoing tech stack evolutionActivating technology, people, and processes to inform and encourage decision-makersEvolving MVPs through data and feedback to enable controllable, scalable changesKEEP THE GROWTH GOINGRead our case study on How Brightline High-Speed Rail Increased Ridership & RevenueExplore Kevin's Adobe Summit 2024 keynote, presented with WillowTree Chief Marketing Services Officer Mike Colombo: Breaking Down Silos to Deliver an End-to-End Customer Experience Connect with Kevin McAuliffe on LinkedInFollow Billie Loewen on LinkedIn
Brad Ferland talks first with Matt Cota of Meadow Hill Consulting to discuss the latest news from the State House. Then, Brad is joined in-studio by Hillary Lindsay of Willow Tree Journeys. Hillary is a certified yoga and mat pilates teacher and Reiki Master with an additional training in yoga therapy for mental health and trauma.
Locals Rock Van Sessions Recorded at The Monarch in Ogden, Utah. ARTIST | Amanda Lynn Jones FULL SET: Song 1 - Monster Song 2 - Thick Skin Song 3 - Feel My Love Song 4 - The Willow Tree Song 5 - Crack a Beer ARTIST LINKS WEBSITE: https://amandalynnjonesmusic.com/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGN09_oZtP7ixIXtVkSkaA INATAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/amandalynnjonesmusic GUITAR LESSONS: https://amandalynnjonesmusic.com/guitar-lessons SUPPORTERS The Monarch Building: https://themonarchogden.com/ UTOG Brewing: https://www.utogbrewing.com/ Ogden City Arts: https://ogdencity.com/707/Arts Locals Rock: https://www.instagram.com/localsrock/ CREDITS Producer / Host: R. Brandon Long, The Banyan Collective Logistics / Bookings: Todd Oberndorfer, The Banyan Collective Audio Mix: Scott Rogers, The Proper Way DOP: Dixon Stoddard https://www.instagram.com/studios_d21/ FOLLOW // SUBSCRIBE Van Sessions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vansessions/ Van Sessions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevansessions Van Sessions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vansessionspod Our “Patreon,” Like what you hear, buy us beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia The drive behind Van Sessions is to create a music discovery community for Northern Utah musicians to share their work, refine their craft, and network with other artists. Van Sessions helps support local musicians, photographers, and videographers through our project. Show your support for local artists by subscribing to Van Sessions on YouTube @vansessionspod or search "Van Sessions Podcast" on your favorite podcast platform. Join us live at the Monarch in Ogden every First Friday to be a part of the free concert and video podcast recording. Bookings: todd@thebanyancollective.com #vansessions #localsrock #musicdiscovery #localmusic #podcast #music #amandalynnjones
We are just days away from Adobe Summit: our bags are packed and we are bringing an all-star crew to Las Vegas. But before we head out to one of the largest MarTech conferences in the world, we're connecting with Mike Kellner, TELUS Director - AI Data & Analytics. Mike shares win stories from the leading global telecommunications providers' recent innovations, driven by Adobe Customer Journey Analytics.We explore how Mike's team at TELUS taps into Customer Journey Analytics' powerful capabilities to optimize critical moments in the customer journey, like onboarding, billing, and opportunities to cross-sell or upsell products and services. What's unique about Customer Journey Analytics are its analytics and business intelligence capabilities: through the platform, TELUS has connected offline data from call centers and retail interactions with online data from its app, websites, chatbots, and other digital channels to create more holistic, omnichannel customer experiences.TELUS prides itself on providing a truly personalized customer care experience when and where customers need it most — whether online, by phone, or across its retail footprint. Now, other business units at TELUS are utilizing Customer Journey Analytics to enable similar use cases and, with WillowTree's help, ensure that using the platform is as cost-effective, collaborative, and efficient as possible.Additional ResourcesTOPICS DISCUSSEDResolving common customer pain points with Adobe Customer Journey Analytics' robust online and offline data activation capabilitiesFacilitating more seamless, cost-effective user adoption of new technologies across Adobe Experience CloudConnecting with WillowTree at Adobe Summit 2024 (see us at Booth 1127!)KEEP THE GROWTH GOINGConnect with Billie Loewen on LinkedInFollow Mike Kellner on LinkedIn
Tobias Dengel believes voice technology is poised to completely transform how we interact with apps, services and even entire industries. As someone who has been working with digital technology for decades, Tobias predicts a major shift from conversational assistants to devices that combine voice, visuals and more. He joins us to talk about his work developing voice technology with WillowTree and his new book: The Sounds of the Future.
Curious about what makes your prospects tick?Are you overlooking obvious needs or perhaps missing subtle cues? How does your confidence impact your sales approach? What role does fear of rejection play, and how can you transform it into a powerful tool for connection? Dive into these questions and more in the latest episode of Quantum Revenue Expansion where I unravel the mysteries of what your prospects really want to hear. This episode isn't just about selling; it's a deep dive into the psychology behind sales interactions. Are you ready to change the way you perceive and practice selling?Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Sales fears and beliefs (05:15)Effective sales techniques through active listening (09:52)Sales strategies and course options for business growth (14:24)Sales strategies for understanding prospects' needs (18:30)About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral Langemeier, Les Brown, Tom Antion, Lisa Nichols, Giuliana Rancic and many others! Her clients include Aflac, Ebenezer and Fairview Hospitals, New York Life, Paychex and more! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communication from St. Olaf College and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University.Social Links:LinkedInFacebookInstagram: @7figure_ceoTwitter: @ursulamentjesQRE Private Facebook GroupQuantum Revenue Class Sign-Up2X Your Monthly Income?YoutubeThanks for Listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that...
It's 2024 and I'm excited to guide you through turning your annual income into your monthly revenue. Reflecting on the past few years, from the unpredictability of 2020 to the growth and challenges that followed, it's become clear that our achievements are deeply rooted in our core and limiting beliefs. That's why in today's episode, we're tackling the topic of knocking out your number one limiting belief about closing sales. Whether it's the fear of being pushy or doubts about your pricing strategy, these beliefs can hold back your business significantly.In this episode, I'll share insights and real-life examples of overcoming these sales hurdles, drawing from both personal experiences and client success stories. We'll explore how changing your mindset around sales can lead to transformative growth in your business.If you're ready to challenge your limiting beliefs and elevate your sales game, this episode is for you. Join me as we embark on a journey to unlock your full sales potential and make 2024 your most successful year yet.Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Business Growth, Personal Struggles + Authenticity (04:43)Limiting Beliefs + Sales Success (09:30)Missed Revenue Opportunities In Sales (13:05)Overcoming Fear Of Being Pushy In Sales (17:54)Shifting Limiting Beliefs For Business Growth (22:04)FREE GIFT:Our FREE gift for you! The Quantum Revenue Expansion Masterclass: https://www.ursulainc.co/quantum-revenue-expansion/Ready to turn your annual revenue into your monthly revenue? Apply for the 2X Intensive here: https://www.ursulainc.co/applyAbout Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral Langemeier, Les Brown, Tom Antion, Lisa Nichols, Giuliana Rancic and many others! Her clients include Aflac, Ebenezer and Fairview Hospitals, New York Life, Paychex and more! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and...
On this episode, we explore whether voice-first experiences will be as ubiquitous as the internet and smartphones — and how brands can prepare for a voice-first future.Voice technology offers distinct advantages over other forms of inputs, allowing for lower effort customer interactions, increased efficiency and improved accessibility.With recent advancements in generative AI, voice-first experiences – the combined process of voice recognition and natural language processing – have the potential to completely transform how we interact with our devices in our everyday lives, leveraging multimodal environments to create the ultimate interface.Listen for the compelling insights of Tobias Dengel, president of WillowTree, a TELUS International Company, and Bret Kinsella, founder, CEO, and research director of Voicebot.ai.Tobias's book, The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology, is available for purchase in hardcopy, digital and audiobook formats.Visit our website to learn more about TELUS International.
Welcome to a fresh start in 2024 and a new chapter in our sales journey! As we gear up for another year of quantum revenue expansion, I'm eager to share with you the number one secret to boosting your sales success.If you don't like selling, I feel you, It can be one of the most uncomfortable conversations you ever have. In fact, reflecting back on my early days in sales, I recall the struggle and discomfort that came with selling — I hated everything about it.The thing to remember about sales and selling is that no one is born, really knowing how to sell and or sell well — and selling effectively goes beyond mere techniques; it involves a deep dive into overcoming personal blocks and reshaping how we perceive our own value and worth. If you are ready to unlock the full potential of your sales prowess, this episode is for you.Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your sales game, gain invaluable insights and start transforming your sales approach today!Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Closing More Sales With A Focus On Personal Growth (01:19)Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (03:00)Selling In Business And Life (08:47)Remembering The Impact Of A Business (12:35)Silence In Sales Conversations (17:20)Sales Techniques And Strategy (21:52)Our FREE gift for you! The Quantum Revenue Expansion Masterclass: https://www.ursulainc.co/quantum-revenue-expansion/Ready to turn your annual revenue into your monthly revenue? Apply for the 2X Intensive here: https://www.ursulainc.co/apply About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral Langemeier, Les Brown, Tom Antion, Lisa Nichols, Giuliana Rancic and many others! Her clients include Aflac, Ebenezer and Fairview Hospitals, New York Life, Paychex and more! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communication from St. Olaf College and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University.Social Links:Youtube:
As we approach the end of 2023, you may be feeling the urge to slow down and just coast through to the end of December. Hold that thought… and join me to hear my "Five Steps to Reverse Engineer Your Best Year Yet" in 2024. This roadmap I've designed will not only help you dream about what's possible, but actually work towards achieving your goals. So grab your pen, your paper, your favorite beverage, and get ready to turn this end-of-year reflection into a proactive strategy for success in 2024. Are you ready to unlock your best year yet? — Let's Go!!Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)5 Steps To Reverse Engineer Your Best Year Yet (01:19)Creating A Revenue Model For Business Growth (04:39)Focus On Revenue Models And Delegation (08:53)Setting Goals (14:32)Business Growth And Coaching (19:37)Our FREE gift for you! The Quantum Revenue Expansion Masterclass: https://www.ursulainc.co/quantum-revenue-expansion/Ready to turn your annual revenue into your monthly revenue? Apply for the 2X Intensive here: https://www.ursulainc.co/apply About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral Langemeier, Les Brown, Tom Antion, Lisa Nichols, Giuliana Rancic and many others! Her clients include Aflac, Ebenezer and Fairview Hospitals, New York Life, Paychex and more! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communication from St. Olaf College and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University.Social Links:LinkedInFacebookInstagram: @ursulaincorporated!Twitter: @ursulamentjesQRE Private Facebook Group
In today's episode, we talk about Adaptive Personalization with Tony Ferreira, currently Senior Growth Director at WillowTree, a conultancy/agency. He is primarily responsible for the growth of their Adobe Practice area. Tony has 15+ years in technology, marketing, data, strategy, ecommerce, and product ownership experience. Prior to joining WillowTree, Tony has held various leadership and management roles in agencies/consultancies and in house. He is an avid consumer of content and is always looking for ways to apply it to his current roles and teams.Tune in to hear: Tony discusses his career journey, highlighting the influence of his coaching experience at a school on his approach to Marketing Operations.He explains the concept of "Adaptive Personalization" in marketing, as discussed in his recent LinkedIn post.Tony differentiates between "Adaptive Personalization" and the often-heard term "personalization at scale," clarifying their meanings and applications in marketing.He explores the feasibility and reality of real-time personalization in both B2B and B2C sectors, leveraging tools like Adobe's suite for unified account profiles.This episode was originally inspired by this LinkedIn post by Tony.Blog posts written by Tony mentioned in this episode:Navigating Marketing Operations: Insights from a MarTech Professional.Why Marketing Ops Should Have Its Own Seat at the TableEpisode Brought to You By MO Pros The #1 Community for Marketing Operations Professionals
PREVIEW: From a longer conversation with author Jim Robbins on the gift of trees: what we do know of the aroma of the willow tree as a natural healing remedy like aspirin as well as a natural water cleaner. The Man Who Planted Trees: A Story of Lost Groves, the Science of Trees, and a Plan to Save the Planet, by Jim Robbins. https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Planted-Trees-Science/dp/0812981294/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 1868
My guest today is Tobias Dengel, the President of WillowTree, a TELUS International Company. With over 20 years of technology expertise, Tobias has been recognized by Glassdoor as a Top CEO and featured as a VOICE Summit speaker at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2022 and 2023. Prior to WillowTree, Tobias helped steward strategic partnerships and acquisitions and drive innovation on behalf of companies including AOL and Kearney. The topic is his book The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology. In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss: Growing up in Virginia Voice technology and its current limitations Implications on language translation and accessibility Search engine optimization Challenges with new voice technology Effective trust and cognitive trust Impact of human-like features Jump in! --- I'm MICHAEL COVEL, the host of TREND FOLLOWING RADIO, and I'm proud to have delivered 10+ million podcast listens since 2012. Investments, economics, psychology, politics, decision-making, human behavior, entrepreneurship and trend following are all passionately explored and debated on my show. To start? I'd like to give you a great piece of advice you can use in your life and trading journey… cut your losses! You will find much more about that philosophy here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/trend/ You can watch a free video here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/video/ Can't get enough of this episode? You can choose from my thousand plus episodes here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/podcast My social media platforms: Twitter: @covel Facebook: @trendfollowing LinkedIn: @covel Instagram: @mikecovel Hope you enjoy my never-ending podcast conversation!
Have you ever dreamt of achieving more with less effort, like doubling your monthly revenue while working smarter, not harder?I was in the same boat until I uncovered five game-changing strategies that we now employ with our clients at Ursula Inc to revolutionize our clients' workweeksGrab a paper and pen to take some notes because I'm convinced this is the breakthrough you've longed for.Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Doubling Monthly Revenue While Working Less (02:18)Hiring Virtual Assistants (05:01)Creating A Revenue Container (10:09)Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (13:56)Maintaining Work-Life Balance (18:03)Lead Generation And Sales Conversations (23:04)QRE Class: https://www.ursulainc.co/quantum-revenue-expansion/Apply For 2X: https://www.ursulainc.co/apply About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral Langemeier, Les Brown, Tom Antion, Lisa Nichols, Giuliana Rancic and many others! Her clients include Aflac, Ebenezer and Fairview Hospitals, New York Life, Paychex and more! She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Communication from St. Olaf College and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University.Social Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursulamentjessalescoach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrsulaSalesCoachInstagram: @ursulaincorporated!Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkRDmcQgP96A8XtWKIOwr0ATwitter: @ursulamentjesJoin Quantum Revenue...
In this insightful episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sat down with Tobias Dengel, CEO of WillowTree, a leader in the digital product industry. Our conversation revolved around the transformative potential of voice technology and its role in reshaping our interaction with devices and machines. Tobias brought a wealth of knowledge and foresight on how the latest advancements in AI and voice technology are set to revolutionize our daily lives and the business landscape. At the outset, Tobias and I explored the concept of the complete reinvention of human-device interaction. We delved into how voice technology, powered by cutting-edge AI, is not just an emerging trend but a pivotal shift towards a more intuitive, efficient, and human-centric way of engaging with technology. Tobias emphasized the evolution of digital experiences towards multimodal interfaces, which integrate spoken words, screens, keyboards, sounds, and haptics, creating a seamless connection between humans and machines. A crucial part of our discussion focused on crafting exceptional user experiences in voice technology. Tobias highlighted the need for a multimodal approach, where voice is used for input and other output forms like text or graphics. This approach, he believes, is the breakthrough we need to enhance our interaction with technology, making it more natural and effective. We then tackled the challenges inherent in creating relatable and compelling voice interactions. Tobias and I discussed the crucial balance between making voice technology relatable yet transparent about its non-human nature. We also touched upon the sensitive data collection and usage issue, underscoring the need for clear communication and ethical practices in this domain. Diversity in voice technology development was another significant topic we covered. Tobias highlighted the progress made in training systems to recognize a variety of accents and languages, underlining the importance of inclusivity in this field. He also advised businesses on implementing voice technology, advocating for a step-by-step approach that focuses on solving bounded problems and gradually building trust with users. An exciting part of our conversation was when Tobias discussed his book, which delves into the convergence of General AI and conversational AI in the voice technology sector. He shared his prediction about the future of Siri and other voice assistants, envisioning a scenario where they become integrated layers within various applications, facilitating a more fluid and natural voice interaction experience within apps. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the future trajectory of voice technology and its implications for both personal and professional realms. Join us as we unravel the complexities and explore the immense possibilities of voice technology with Tobias Dengel, a visionary in the digital product space.
Sian Gwynne Turner is a basket weaver from Antigonish, N.S., who has recently turned to a new project. She has learned to make caskets entirely out of material from willow trees. Host Jeff Douglas spoke with Turner about her craft and why these caskets could be the future of "green burials."
What new possibilities do you see emerging with voice technology? How might it influence our interactions with businesses and services in the future and what if your voice could transform the way we interact with technology? Imagine a world where your voice can effortlessly interact with devices and transform the way we navigate our surroundings.In this episode of This Anthro Life, we explore the world of future technology with guest Tobias Dengel, a leading expert in digital transformation, and discuss the power of voice technology and its potential to transform how we interact with devices and the world around us. Dengel sheds light on the reasons why integrating voice technology into existing platforms is perceived as a safer approach compared to building entirely new platforms from scratch. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging the familiarity and trust already established with these platforms, enabling a smoother transition for users. Additionally, Dengel delves into the widespread adoption of voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri, highlighting their increasing presence in our daily lives. Furthermore, the discussion extends to the role of voice technology in banking applications, where it plays a crucial role in enhancing security measures and making our lives safer. The exploration of voice technology in this episode showcases its transformative potential and the various ways it is revolutionizing our interactions with devices and services.Tune in to discover Dengel's captivating insights and expertise as we envision the transformative power of voice technology.Key takeaways:Voice technology is evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the adoption of voice assistants like Alexa and Siri skyrocketing.Adding voice to existing platforms feels safer than creating new ones altogether, as users are already familiar with the platform and trust it.Voice technology solves the problem of faster communication, as humans speak three times faster than they type.The interface of voice technology needs to be redesigned to be more efficient, as listening to machines is slower than reading or interacting with visuals.The more human-like voice assistants become, the less users trust them, as they feel like they are being tricked.Multimodality is important in voice technology, as it allows for a combination of voice, visuals, and other forms of communication to enhance the user experience.Voice technology has applications in various industries, such as law enforcement, warehouses, retail, and safety in industrial settings.The combination of generative AI and conversational AI is where the magic happens in voice technology, allowing for more accurate interpretation and response.Conversational designers will play a crucial role in designing effective voice experiences, considering factors like speed, efficiency, and user preferences.Voice technology has the potential to reshape business processes and models, such as centralized restaurants, telemedicine, and global healthcare access.Timestamps:00:00:07 Voice technology is evolving.00:05:14 Design voice experiences in multimodal.00:09:37 Voice is a powerful interface.00:18:38 Conversational AI and generative AI.00:21:08 Context is crucial for conversation.00:28:31 The blend of generative AI and conversational AI is creating a user experience breakthrough.00:29:15 Voice experiences are becoming multimodal.00:34:06 Voice technology revolutionizes business processes.00:39:03 The future of technology is voice-based.00:43:30 Spread anthropological thinking to audiences.Tobias Dengel is a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of experience in mobility, digital media, and interactive marketing. He currently holds the position of President at WillowTree, a TELUS International Company, a global leader in digital product design and development. Dengel's expertise and leadership have contributed to WillowTree's continuous growth and recognition as one of America's fastest-growing companies, as listed by Inc. magazine for 11 consecutive years. He is also the author of the book "The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of AI-Enabled Voice Technology," where he explores the transformative potential of voice technology in various aspects of business and society.About This Anthro Life This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, we unravel fascinating narratives and connect them to the wider context of our lives. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.Connect with Tobias DengelLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasdengel/ Twitter: https://x.com/TobiasDengel?s=20Website: https://www.tobiasdengel.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tobias.denge.7/ Connect with This Anthro Life:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/ This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/ Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.comThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5168968/advertisement
You may be asking the wrong question about the future – it's not what it looks like, but what it sounds like. Tobias Dengel is the President of WillowTree, a TELUS company that specializes in digital product design and development. He's also the author of “The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology.” Ricky Mulvey caught up with Dengel to discuss: What Alexa and Siri get wrong about voice interaction, Secret leaders in voice technology, And the next battle in the cybersecurity arms race. Tickers discussed: MCD, SG, AMZN, APPL, GOOG, MSFT, META, NVDA, TU Host: Ricky Mulvey Guest: Tobias Dengel Producer: Mary Long Engineer: Rick Engdahl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As big as mobile a decade ago and the internet in the late '90s, voice is the next big thing in technology, says the president of WillowTree. Host: Steve Sanduski.
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Welcome to an interview with the author of The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology, Tobias Dengel. In his new book, Tobias answers why voice technology is the next big thing in technology, as big as mobile a decade ago and the internet in the late 90s, fundamentally altering the way companies do business. Tobias connects the dots about this emerging paradigm to vividly illustrate how business leaders can stay ahead of the game, rather than scrambling to catch up, as voice technology gradually reveals its power, creating a host of new winners and losers. Tobias Dengel is president of WillowTree, a TELUS International Company, a global leader in digital product design and development, with 13 offices in North America, South America, and Europe, headquartered in Charlottesville VA. The company has been named by Inc. magazine to the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies for 11 straight years. WillowTree, a TELUS International Company's clients include some of the best-known brands in the world, such as T Mobile, Mastercard, Capital One, HBO, Fox, Time Warner, PepsiCo, Regal Cinemas, Charles Schwab, Johnson & Johnson, Lidl, Wyndham Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Synchrony Bank, Edward Jones Investments, and National Geographic. These industry leaders trust WillowTree, a TELUS International Company to design and develop their websites, apps, internal systems and voice interfaces. Get Tobias' book here: https://rb.gy/y4p29 The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
Fresh off her whirlwind experience at Forge 23, Braze's annual customer conference for marketers and their tech partners, Billie highlights some of the biggest brands there, her favorite moments, and the most exciting predictions for 2024. Spoiler alert: It's an exciting time for marketing, and you'll want to listen before deep-diving into strategy season. But before diving into her key takeaways, Billie takes a moment to share some big WillowTree news: our CEO Tobias Dengel's new book is available now and already a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller. She also encourages listeners to check out Episode 4 of WillowTree's docuseries 2 Weeks To Better, which details our recent collaboration with Braze.Speaking of Braze, Billie gives a preview of the new ways marketers can save time and communicate more effectively using the engagement platform's upcoming product innovations. She also recaps lessons from the Forge panel she hosted, featuring media experts and marketing leaders like Eric Vander Voort from Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Allyson Kurth from Braze. Their fresh approaches to seasonal content strategy, newsletters, user preferences, and geolocation inspired lively discussion.Overall, the trends, expertise, and discoveries shared at Forge this year reinforced the importance of implementing best practices (especially with advancements in AI), optimizing personalization, and increasing efficiency.Hot topics discussed: New product features released by Braze, including Sage AI, Landing Pages, and Feature Flags Billie and the Growth Marketing team collaborating with Braze to enhance the sports media experience on the latest episode of WillowTree's docuseries, 2 Weeks To Better WillowTree CEO Tobias Dengel's new book, The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology Inspiring marketing campaigns from brands like Disney+, Intuit, Marvel, and more Preparing for AI implementation Investing in long-term retention and customer loyalty Keep the growth going: Connect with Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedIn Follow WillowTree on LinkedIn
Have you ever wondered why, in a world where we can speak three times faster than we type, we're still relying on outdated buttons and touchscreens? Today, we're diving deep into the revolutionary world of voice technology with none other than Tobias Dengel, the author of 'The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology,' on shelves now. As the President of WillowTree, a digital experience developer recently acquired for $1.3 billion, he's shaped digital strategies for global giants like T-Mobile, HBO, and Mastercard. We're about to uncover the potential of voice tech way past early attempts like Siri and Alexa, understand its transformative power across industries, and discover the profound shifts awaiting the financial sector and beyond. Plus, we'll touch on the key challenges, privacy concerns, and the tantalizing future of this groundbreaking technology. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation, starting right now:
Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 388, an interview with the author of The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology, Tobias Dengel. In his new book, Tobias answers why voice technology is the next big thing in technology, as big as mobile a decade ago and the internet in the late 90s, fundamentally altering the way companies do business. Tobias connects the dots about this emerging paradigm to vividly illustrate how business leaders can stay ahead of the game, rather than scrambling to catch up, as voice technology gradually reveals its power, creating a host of new winners and losers. Tobias Dengel is president of WillowTree, a TELUS International Company, a global leader in digital product design and development, with 13 offices in North America, South America, and Europe, headquartered in Charlottesville VA. The company has been named by Inc. magazine to the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing companies for 11 straight years. WillowTree, a TELUS International Company's clients include some of the best-known brands in the world, such as T Mobile, Mastercard, Capital One, HBO, Fox, Time Warner, PepsiCo, Regal Cinemas, Charles Schwab, Johnson & Johnson, Lidl, Wyndham Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Synchrony Bank, Edward Jones Investments, and National Geographic. These industry leaders trust WillowTree, a TELUS International Company to design and develop their websites, apps, internal systems and voice interfaces. Get Tobias' book here: https://rb.gy/y4p29 The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
Digital sports media offers many immersive options for fans, whether they're streaming pre-game analysis, attending games live at the stadium, or interacting with player content during their commute. But with all that noise, it can be challenging for sports media brands to break through, especially with so many gaps and roadblocks in the fan experience. Some find it challenging to locate and access online streaming options. Other segments feel ignored or receive irrelevant messages. How can sports franchises and digital networks tap fan loyalty during the off-season?Working with our tech partners at Braze, WillowTree's Growth Marketing experts (and in-house sports fans) explored these questions and many more in Episode 4 of the WillowTree docuseries, 2 Weeks To Better. Throughout a two-week sprint, our team built solutions that enhance personalization across all forms of fandom, from dormant to die-hard. On today's episode, Billie goes behind the scenes with three members of the team — Alyssa Baker, Rebecca O'Connor, and Teresa Ceballos — who share their ideas for driving business value as well as user value in the sports media landscape. Their concepts for the fictional “WillowTree Sports Network” digital experience include a robust and nuanced onboarding experience, differentiated in-stadium and at-home experiences, a streamlined approach to live event ticketing, and data capture and delivery processes that help marketers make informed decisions about relevant content. Lastly, the team shares their favorite aspects of the Braze platform, including the automation, integration, and new AI features that supercharge their marketing workflow. Hot topics discussed: Familiar pain points for sports fans How to approach complex and fragmented audience segments Creating a robust onboarding and preference center Custom player cards and personalized content WillowTree's unique sports-driven client experiences, including the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Warner Media, Fox Sports, WWE, and more Keep the growth going: Attend Braze Forge and meet the WillowTree team Book a “2 Weeks to Better” sprint with the WillowTree Marketing Services team Connect with Alyssa Baker, WillowTree Growth Marketing Director on LinkedIn Connect with Teresa Ceballos, WillowTree Growth Content Strategist on LinkedIn Connect with Rebecca O'Connor, WillowTree Senior Growth Manager on LinkedIn Connect with Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedIn Follow WillowTree on LinkedIn
Jim talks with Tobias Dengel about the ideas in his book The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology. They discuss the idea that voice tech will be the biggest shift since mobile, the problem of public babble, positives & negatives of current voice tech, changing norms around speaking to devices, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), using LLMs through a voice interface, improving communication cycles for incapacitated people, smart speakers vs smart mics, problems with the voice-to-voice paradigm, multimodal use cases, using voice interfaces for writing, finetuned LLMs in combination with voice tech, using LLMs to check each other, Jim's method for reducing LLM hallucinations, improving agent performance in customer service, the state of the art in voice-to-text, Baumol's cost disease, the Jevons paradox, a golden age of innovation, Talon hands-free input, the possibility of a pushback against public babble, coming changes in medicine, privacy issues & the industry's violation of trust, the uncanny valley, concurrent communication, a new horizon for video games, low-hanging fruit, interfaces between humans and robots, innovations in model testing & training, selecting models, an arms race between models creating content & models curating content, the info agent opportunity, the human capacity for interruptions, defending attention & flow, whether voice tech will make interruptions better or worse, and much more. Transcript The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology, by Tobias Dengel with Karl Weber Talon JRS EP123 - Jamie Wheal on Recapturing the Rapture Tobias Dengel is president of WillowTree, a TELUS International Company, a global leader in digital product design and development, with 13 offices in North America, South America and Europe, headquartered in Charlottesville VA. The company has been named by Inc. magazine to the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing companies for 11 straight years. WillowTree's clients include some of the best-known brands in the world, such as T Mobile, Mastercard, Capital One, HBO, Fox, Time Warner, PepsiCo, Regal Cinemas, Charles Schwab, Johnson & Johnson, Lidl, Wyndham Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, Synchrony Bank, Edward Jones Investments, and National Geographic. These industry leaders trust WillowTree to design and develop their websites, apps, internal systems and voice interfaces.
It's a bittersweet 50th episode of Room For Growth as Billy Fischer announces his departure from the podcast and from WillowTree. In this, their last episode as co-hosts of Room For Growth, Billy and Billie discuss their top 5 reflections, their favorite projects, and other rewarding experiences they've shared working together over the past 12 years developing WillowTree's Growth Marketing practice. They touch on their appreciation for the rich client and partner relationships they've built and the priceless insights and friendships they've gained while cultivating an enriching work life. As we wish Billy Fischer a fond farewell, our co-hosts acknowledge the exciting future of the martech landscape.Hot topics discussed: Embracing new opportunities beyond your usual scope The value of partnerships (and some favorite RFG episodes) with tech platforms like Braze, Adobe, mParticle, Amplitude, and more How to balance friendship with professionalism Growing investment in martech, even and especially during challenging macroeconomic conditions Unique and varied client experiences, including the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Dairy Queen, and many more. Keep the growth going:Connect with Billy Fischer on LinkedInConnect with Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedInFollow WillowTree on LinkedIn
Recently, I was thrilled to join my close friend, Mary Barnett on her incredible podcast, "The Brilliant Marketing With Mary".In this episode we dove deep into the world of business growth through economic challenges. We explored the art of getting clear on your goals, scaling with small teams and implementing systems and processes for increased productivity for making more while working less.Tune in to uncover the power of conquering your limiting beliefs and breaking down the barriers that obstruct your path to success. Start your journey to overcoming these obstacles today!If you're looking for actionable advice and a dose of motivation, this episode is a must-listen!Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Business Growth And Momentum (4:09) Goal Setting And Clarity For Small Business Growth (9:00)Limiting Beliefs And Their Impact On Business Growth (14:15)Business Growth And Scaling During Economic Challenges (18:31)Scaling Businesses With Small Teams (23:03)Scaling A Business Through Virtual Teams And Systematization (27:14)Documenting Processes (30:37)Business Growth And Marketing Strategies (37:20)About Mary BarnettMary “MobileMary” Barnett, has over 32 years of promotional marketing expertise. She is known as an industry leader known for her innovative and effective solutions and has produced award winning results for her clients around the world.“MobileMary” hosted a weekly radio show called the ‘Brilliant Mobile Marketing Radio Show' for almost 3 years — and currently streams educational content aimed at helping small businesses convert more human conversations into sales conversions regularly on various social media platforms.Mary also can be found speaking in small business venues and larger stages across the country. Often, she speaks on one of her favorite topics – Mobile and Social Marketing Technology.Connect with MaryWebsite: https://anotherbrilliantidea.com/about-us/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.barnett1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilemary/About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary...
The days of companies announcing core values and automatically earning public trust are over. Authenticity and proof through action are crucial, and in designing loyalty programs and growth campaigns for clients, WillowTree's Design practice works with clients to leverage more than technology and data as growth drivers — they're leveraging the brand itself. As Director of Brand & Content Strategy at WillowTree, Adam Nemett shares how positive brand reputation and personal, substantial storytelling can have powerful business implications in engaging internal and external audiences. Adam speaks about the importance of retaining ownership of your brand story while producing original content showcasing the real human challenges and triumphs within an organization. He and Billie also discuss the benefits of AI in streamlining workflow and the pitfalls of allowing AI to create a sea of homogenous, vanilla content. This episode ultimately explores how branding transcends traditional logos, taglines, and visual identity and delves into what truly connects a brand with the market — authenticity, personality, and relatable human experience. Hot topics discussed: How to achieve brand differentiation through authentic storytelling How AI will impact content quality and quantity How brands can show up differently across channels The power of employee advocacy in brand ambassadorship Keep the growth going: Connect with Adam Nemett, WillowTree Director of Brand & Content Strategy on LinkedIn and visit his website View WillowTree's Insights content, including video and podcast series Connect with Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedIn Connect with Billy Fischer, WillowTree Partner & VP of Business Development on LinkedIn Follow WillowTree on LinkedIn
Earning a competitive edge through customer experience is vital to building consumer trust and loyalty. But often this responsibility is shared across multiple departments with different motivations and communication styles. Another challenge many companies face is adapting to emerging trends in the MarTech landscape, including AI, personalization at scale, and changing customer needs.Adobe Experience Cloud expert and WillowTree Senior Growth Director Tony Ferreira worked in diverse industries and roles — including marketing, data analytics, web development, eCommerce, and UX design — before making a name for himself in the Adobe space. He shares his philosophy on where Adobe is a good fit and the key factors to consider, including affordability, team capabilities, systems integration, and adopting Adobe Real-Time CDP and Adobe Journey Optimizer for automation and engagement. Though the Adobe ecosystem may not work for every organization, Tony shares this robust solution's strategic imperatives and potential tradeoffs.Hot topics discussed: Martech platform recommendations for different use cases When is Adobe the right choice? The four most important integration considerations Exploring how to adapt to current MarTech trends Keep the growth going: Connect with Tony Ferreira, WillowTree Senior Growth Director (Adobe) on LinkedIn Read Tony's Guidebook, 10 Steps to Launching Adobe CDP Connect with Billie Loewen, WillowTree Partner & VP of Growth Marketing on LinkedIn Follow WillowTree on LinkedIn
Did you know that the simple act of jotting down your goals significantly increases your chances of achieving them?This powerful process not only helps you to get clear on what it is you want, it guides you towards both your personal and professional dreams.If you are ready to step up your game and make your dreams a reality, join me this week over on Heather Hansen O'Neill's podcast “From Fear to Fire” where we'll delve into the topic of upleveling, and you'll discover how goal setting and clarity are essential components for achieving what you set out to do.Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Make A Decision To Up Level Now (3:02) How To Set Goals And Achieve Them (6:19)How To Release Limiting Beliefs (10:55)The Number One Secret To Scaling Your Business (16:48)The Importance Of Having A Revenue Model (19:27)How To Keep Your Energy Going (23:39)About Host:Heather Hansen O'Neill is an award-winning speaker and author who fires up organizations and corporations on leadership, team development, and change management.For over 18 years Heather's company has helped clients from entrepreneurs of new businesses to Fortune 100 companies improve their relationships and lead more effectively in a rapidly changing corporate environment. She has helped her clients create deeper more meaningful relationships in sales and customer service resulting in increased customer loyalty and overall profit. In addition, the work she does to enhance understanding within and between departments has shown a better flow of productivity as well as higher ratings in employee satisfaction.Connect with HeatherWebsite: https://heatherhansenoneill.com/2022/11/25/uplevel-with-ursula-mentjes/Podcast: https://heatherhansenoneill.com/2022/11/25/uplevel-with-ursula-mentjes/About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime...
I went to the mall with Willow from the willow tree, because we are besties outside of just podcasting so here's a Vlog for you all --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thehoneypot/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thehoneypot/support
Sophie Burkhardt joins me to talk about the nature of Tolkien's Shire and its role in his work. (No long episode description this time--I am on vacation. Enjoy, though!) If you have additional thoughts about the Shire, or ideas about other places we should explore, drop us a line at inklingsvarietyhour@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you. I think it would be half worth it to do a second episode somewhere down the line on the Shire, as there is so much else to talk about. Let me know your thoughts. Give us a rating on iTunes if you can spare a minute. A kind review would mean a great deal to us. Sophie's podcast, Beneath the Willow Tree, can be found here. Next time, we'll be talking about Sørina Higgins' developing short story collection, Shall These Bones Breathe? Check it out and support her work here.
Willow tree bark is a fantastic herb for natural pain relief! Backaches, muscular soreness, headaches, arthritis…these are just some of the complaints willow can help you with. But, as with any herb, you need to know how to work with it safely and effectively. Join me in this episode to find out how you can work with willow tree bark when inflammatory and musculoskeletal pain is bringing you (or a loved one) down. I'm sharing a recipe for willow bark tea so you can easily have your own willow bark medicine right at your fingertips. (Don't miss downloading your free, printable recipe card with all the details!) I'll also show you a great way to apply this powerful tea topically… it's wonderful for cooling and soothing itchy rashes like poison ivy, poison oak, and eczema! After listening in, you'll know:► Why willow is safer than aspirin► How to choose the willow you make medicine with► Who should avoid taking willow barkShow snippet: “Willow is one of our most generous plants, offering us pain relief, digestive and skin support, baskets, and even a bit of shade to rest under.”----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal and co-author of the bestselling book Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in her full story here.
From unemployment to a thriving, highly profitable photography business, Luci Dumas joins me to talk about taking on the role of trusted advisor and how it helped her achieve Quantum Revenue Expansion.Join us as she shares invaluable tips on envisioning success, building trust, and understanding the true value of what it is you have to offer. Be inspired to embrace change, grow both personally and professionally, and ultimately thrive in any industry you are being called to. Tune in now and unlock the secrets to a fulfilling and prosperous entrepreneurial journey!"Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)The Recession & Digital Revolution Changed Everything (8:40)The Key To A Thriving Business (10:42)Courage To Take The Next Step (15:16)Money Conversation (22:25)Scarcity Mentality (27:07)Best Piece Of Advice (32:30)About Luci DumasLuci Dumas is a Master Photographer, Business Coach, and Podcast Host of "The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas". With over 40 years as a full time photographer and trainer, she is known as the Baby Whisperer, creating portraits her clients use as art in their homes. She is passionate about coaching and inspiring new and seasoned professional photographers (and creatives) on how to have thriving and highly profitable business. Connect with Luci DumasWebsite: www.Lucidumascoaching.com Website: www.lucidumas.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/luci.dumas.9/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theprofitablephotographerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luci-dumas-56328811/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprofitablephotographer_pod/FREE GIFT:A Complimentary strategy session called "Photography Business of Your Dreams" for the first 8 people to email Luci Dumas - luci@lucidumas.com About Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage with bestselling author Loral...
Feeling overwhelmed and wondering what it really takes to make it to the top? Join us for our latest episode with returning guest and my friend, Andrea Jenson and hear her share her journey to success and explain why knowing your numbers is the key to clarity and peace of mind.Andrea, a mother of two, highlights how understanding the financial aspects of your business can help you set clear goals and ultimately reach the goals you have set.Tune in now and discover how understanding the numbers can empower you on your path to success.Ursula's Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Helping My Clients (5:39)Married Myth (10:39)Building With A Team (13:15)Variance In Marketing Metrics (17:56)Your Business Is An Asset (20:33)About Andrea JensonAndrea Jenson is the Founder of The Cash Flow CFO - the 7-Figure Entrepreneur's Solution to Scaling a PROFITABLE business, and the creator of the Predictable Profits Accelerator - a five (5) step holistic approach to creating predictable business profits. The Cash Flow CFO team provides fractional CFO Services, Fully Outsourced Accounting Teams and Financial Training Programs.Connect with Andrea JensonWebsite: https://thecashflowcfo.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashflowcfoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamjenson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FREE GIFT: https://calendly.com/thecashflowcfo/cfcfopodcastAbout Ursula Mentjes Ursula Mentjes is an award-winning Entrepreneur and Sales Expert. She will transform the way you think about selling so you can reach your revenue goals with less anxiety and less effort! Ursula specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and other performance modalities to help clients double and triple their sales fast. Honing her skills at an international technical training company, where she began her career in her early twenties, Ursula increased sales by 90% in just one year. Just 5 years later, when the company's annual revenue was in the tens of millions, Ursula advanced to the position of President at just 27. Sales guru Brian Tracy endorsed her first book, Selling with Intention, saying, “This powerful, practical book shows you how to connect with customers by fully understanding the sales process from the inside out. It really works!” Ursula is also the author of One Great Goal, Selling with Synchronicity and The Belief Zone, which received the Beverly Hills President's Choice award. Her Podcast, Double Your Sales NOW, is available on iTunes, iHeartRadio and other outlets. Ursula also serves as Past Statewide Chairperson of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund and Past President of NAWBO-CA. She is the recipient of the SBA's Women in Business Champion and a recipient of the Willow Tree's Extraordinary Example and Extraordinary Entrepreneur Awards, the NAWBO-IE ANITA Award, chosen as PDP's Extraordinary Speaker, PDP's Business Woman of the Year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award from two Presidents. She has shared the stage...