Brainfluence

Here's a departure from the usual Brainfluence format: Are you ready for AI podcasts? Roger does a solo introduction and explanation of NotebookLM, and then turns the show over to two AI hosts, AI Greg and AI Eva, who talk about pricing psychology. Their discussion is based on the pricing section in Roger's book, Brainfluence. Show notes, videos, resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/ai-podcasts-notebooklm/  

Discover how the airline industry is transforming and how airlines are beginning to reverse a long decline in customer experience. In this wide ranging interview, customer experience expert Mario Matulich reveals the impact of new government regulations, AI advancements, and evolving call center strategies on your future travel experiences. Learn about: New airline refund policies and what they mean for you How AI is revolutionizing customer service interactions The changing role of human agents in call centers Surprising ways airlines may compete for your loyalty Whether you're a frequent flyer or a leader focused on customer experience and call centers, this discussion offers valuable insights into the future of air travel and customer service across industries. Show notes, video, transcript, resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/airline-cx-matulich/  As President and Managing Director, Mario Matulich oversees overall business operations and strategic growth initiatives for CMP, a leader in delivering market research, events, and communities to organizations that value customer centricity. With 17+ years of experience, Mario has helped transform an events company into a leading provider of market analysis and industry connections by developing a winning culture built on confidence, innovation, poise, collaboration, and “customer first” quality standards.

In this episode of Brainfluence, host Roger Dooley welcomes back Richard Shotton, a marketing expert with 23 years of experience working with major brands like Google and Mondelez. Shotton specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing and is the author of two books, including his latest, "The Illusion of Choice: 16.5 Psychological Biases That Influence What We Buy." LIsteners will learn about the reliability of behavioral science findings in marketing, the power of precise numbers in advertising, and how to use psychological principles like the "generation effect" to make marketing messages more memorable. Shotton also discusses the importance of reducing friction in customer experiences while explaining when a little friction can actually enhance perceptions of quality. Throughout the conversation, he provides practical examples and insights that marketers can apply to improve their strategies and better understand consumer behavior. Show Notes, Audio, Text, Resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/richard-shotton-illusion-choice/ "Illusion of Choice" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WWgD2a Richard Shotton specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing. He has worked in marketing for 23 years and helps brands such as Google, Mondelez and BrewDog with their challenges. He is the author of The Choice Factory, a best-selling book available in 15 languages, which explains how behavioural science can solve business challenges. His latest book, The Illusion of Choice came out in March 2023. He's the founder of Astroten, a behavioral science consultancy. In 2021 he became an associate of the Moller Institute, Churchill College, Cambridge University.

In this Brainfluence episode, we discuss some surprising customer experience findings from a Harvard Business Review study. Our guest, Mauro Carobene, VP and Global Head of Customer Interaction Suite at Tata Communications, sponsor of the study, joins me to share insights on how enterprises are managing and improving customer interactions today. Mauro notes that despite the high priority placed on improving customer interactions—emphasized by 94-97% of global CXOs and decision-makers—only a minority feel they are doing enough. Tune in as we explore the challenges posed by data silos, the evolving landscape of AI in customer service, and how businesses can leverage technology to provide faster, more useful interactions for their customers. He discusses the important role employee experience plays in creating positive customer interactions and highlights the transformative potential of AI and chatbots in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Show notes, resources, links: https://www.rogerdooley.com/customer-interactions-hbr/  HBR Study: https://www.tatacommunications.com/press-release/nearly-6-10-say-their-businesses-arent-very-successful-at-consistently-delivering-positive-customer-experiences-finds-new-cx-survey/ Playlist - Full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWpwOpolJGdKD3qDnQ6SPuXcGSI-WBo_4 Mauro Carobene is Vice President of Customer Interactions Suite at Tata Communications. He joined Tata Communications as part of the Company’s Kaleyra acquisition, where he was the Chief Business Officer. In the last 25+ years, Mauro has held a number of executive roles in the Software/Telecom Industry in companies like DigitalRoute, Comptel and Nokia. Mauro has also served on multiple boards/advisory boards as a telecom software industry expert.

In this episode of Brainfluence, Roger Dooley sits down with Scott Rick, author of "Tightwads and Spendthrifts," to delve into the psychological forces that shape our spending behaviors. Are you a tightwad who feels pain with every purchase or a spendthrift who can't resist a good deal? Scott Rick explains how these financial tendencies are formed, their impact on our happiness, and how they affect our relationships. Listeners will learn about the "tightwad-spendthrift scale" and the psychological mechanisms driving these behaviors. Scott discusses the concept of "categorical thinking" and its influence on spending decisions, as well as the difference between frugality and tightwaddism. The conversation also covers demographic trends, the role of opportunity costs, and strategies to find a balanced approach to spending. Tune in to discover where you fall on the spectrum and gain practical tips to manage your financial habits better. Whether you're looking to understand your own spending patterns or seeking advice on achieving financial harmony, this episode offers valuable insights for everyone. Show notes, resources, links: https://www.rogerdooley.com/tightwad-spendthrift-scott-rick/ Book at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z7Ep31 Scott Rick is a renowned author and behavioral scientist specializing in consumer financial decision-making. He is the author of "Tightwads and Spendthrifts," a book that delves into the psychological drivers behind different spending behaviors. Scott holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science and Marketing from Carnegie Mellon University and is a faculty member at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. His research focuses on the emotional and cognitive factors that influence consumer behavior, offering valuable insights for both individuals and businesses.

In this episode of Brainfluence we dive into the psychological triggers that influence decisions with negotiation guru Keld Jensen. Keld brings a wealth of expertise with 25 books to his credit and a career advising top organizations worldwide. In this episode, we explore not only business negotiations but also everyday scenarios where negotiation plays a crucial role—from family life to professional interactions. Today, Keld will share his insights on the pivotal role of trust in negotiations, explaining why it's not just about the deal, but how you make the other party feel. Expect to learn how even your wardrobe can impact negotiations and why mirroring your counterpart might just build that crucial rapport. Keld also introduces us to his negotiation ethics code, emphasizing honesty and transparency—values that he believes should anchor every negotiation. Keld discusses the complexities of virtual negotiations in today's digital world, like the challenges of engagement without physical cues, and how AI tools like chat GPT can revolutionize preparation and execution in negotiations. Keld's latest book is Negotiation Essentials: The Tools You Need to Find Common Ground and Walk Away a Winner Show notes, text, audio, resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/negotiation-keld-jensen/ Negotiation Essentials: https://amzn.to/44WA6TT  Keld Jensen is an internationally recognized business and negotiation expert, advising governments and major corporations on optimized solutions for complex problems. With a background in sales and marketing and experience as a CEO of a publicly traded Scandinavian company, he teaches at top universities, including Baltic Management School, Aalborg University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. Jensen has appeared on international TV over 200 times, contributed to major publications like Forbes, and founded MarketWatch Center for Negotiation Ltd. He has consulted for clients such as Vestas, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, and UNICEF. A prolific author of 23 books available in 35 countries, he has over 2.8 million readers. In 2016, he was named one of the world's Top 100 Thought Leaders on Trust.

In this engaging episode of Brainfluence, we dive deep into the psychology of persuasion with Michael McQueen, an acclaimed speaker and author from Sydney, Australia. Michael shares invaluable insights from his latest book, "Mindstuck," exploring how we can master the art of changing minds in an ever-evolving world. He delves into why our instinctive reactions often override our rational thought, the impact of emotional and narrative-driven decision-making, and practical strategies for overcoming resistance to change. Whether you're looking to influence customer behavior, shift organizational culture, or simply understand the complexities of human psychology, this conversation will equip you with the tools to make a real impact. Tune in to learn how to navigate and reshape the way we think about change and persuasion. Resources, text, video: https://www.rogerdooley.com/mindstuck-michael-mcqueen/ Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QkrxMF YouTube: https://youtu.be/3W3OaLcJ9BQ  

In this episode of Brainfluence, we welcome guest Micah Solomon, a renowned customer service expert, to explore the nuances of "Iconic Customer Service." Micah delves into the delicate balance between providing personalized service without crossing into intrusiveness, introducing his "gold touch" method as a way to enrich customer interactions. Throughout the conversation, they tackle various challenges companies face, such as the ones Princess Cruise Lines encounters in delivering personalized service. Importantly, Micah emphasizes the significant impact of language on brand identity and the intricate relationship between customer service agents, AI, and customers. Micah describes the importance of employee happiness in creating a positive customer experience, advocating for fair compensation and thorough empathy training. Furthermore, Solomon discusses the adoption of technology to create anticipatory and seamless customer experiences, insisting on keeping it unobtrusive to maintain human-centric service. Micah Solomon's new book is, "Can Your Customer Service Do This?," which delves deeper into his principles of creating customer service that's not only responsive but also anticipatory, ensuring that loyalty lasts forever. Show notes, resources, audio, text: https://www.rogerdooley.com/micah-solomon-customer-experience/ Book: https://amzn.to/3QdhFo1  

In this Brainfluence episode, we explore pricing psychology with Leigh Caldwell, a seasoned behavioral economist and pricing strategist. Leigh joins us to shed light on the true essence of pricing – it's more than just numbers; it's about crafting positive customer experiences in a profitable way. In our discussion, we delve into the relationship between cost and value, and how businesses often undervalue their offerings. Leigh reveals effective ways to appeal to diverse customer segments through varied pricing strategies. We also dive into the psychology behind discounts and negotiations, examining the trade-offs customers make for a good deal. We also discuss supermarket strategies. We'll analyze how stores like HEB, Trader Joe's and Aldi use product combinations to catch consumer attention and convey value. Leigh introduces innovative concepts in behavioral economics, including "subjectivity as a factor of production" and the "system three approach," which expands on the conventional intuitive versus conscious decision-making models. We even discuss the curious concept of a "chocolate teapot" - a concept familiar in the U.K. but that might mystify our U.S. audience. Show notes and resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/leigh-caldwell-pricing/ The Psychology of Price: https://amzn.to/3Uivbt9 The Irrational Agency: https://irrationalagency.com/ Leigh Caldwell is a behavioral economist and pricing expert with 10+ years of experience in applying behavioural science commercially. He is the creator of the System 3 methodology, author of The Psychology of Price, and a frequent speaker at academic and industry conferences.

In today's Brainfluence episode, we have the brilliant and hilarious entrepreneur, Mike Michalowicz, as our guest. Mike has built and sold multi-million dollar businesses, experienced the trials and tribulations of losing everything, and has since become a successful author, speaker, and entrepreneur. His latest book, Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself - Revised and Expanded, is all about achieving true entrepreneurial success by creating a business that can operate seamlessly without relying solely on the owner. In this episode, Mike explains the importance of taking a four week vacation as a test for a business's ability to run itself, the concept of the Queen Bee Role, and the 4 Ds of building a successful business. Whether you're an entrepreneur or part of a larger organization, this episode offers valuable insights on how to achieve true entrepreneurial success. Tune in now to learn from the brilliant mind of Mike Michalowicz! Show Notes, Resources, Transcript: https://www.rogerdooley.com/mike-michalowicz-23-clockwork/ Mike Michalowicz is a well-versed expert in business studies. He has immersed himself in studying businesses of all sizes and strongly believes in the principle that these enterprises primarily operate on monthly cycles - from revenue generation and service provision, to employee management and book closing. One interesting theory he posits is the unique ability of a business leader to take a four-week break while ensuring the business runs smoothly in their absence. He suggests that if a business runs successfully during this period, theoretically, it underscores that the leader could step away indefinitely. In Michalowicz's view, this isn't a mark of redundancy but rather an opportunity to elevate oneself to a more strategic thinking role. His business acumen and insightful theories make him a powerful resource for business leaders and owners.

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

In this fascinating episode of Brainfluence, pioneering neuromarketer Dr. Carl Marci discusses how modern technology is impacting our brains. He shares insights from his new book Rewired, explaining how excessive smartphone use and constant multitasking are reducing productivity, increasing anxiety/depression, and rewiring our neural pathways in concerning ways. Marci provides concrete examples of how tech “superstimuli” exploit the brain’s reward system, making constant distraction hard to resist. While acknowledging the benefits of technology, he advocates balancing human connection and focus. Marci offers perspective as both a neuroscientist and psychiatrist, blending the latest research with clinical insights. This is an eye-opening exploration of how we can optimize technology’s advantages while avoiding its potential mental health costs. Show notes, resources, audio, text: https://www.rogerdooley.com/carl-marci-rewired/ REWIRED book: https://amzn.to/3rSNFV9 Dr. Carl D. Marci is physician, neuroscientist, author and entrepreneur. He is currently a Chief Psychiatrist and Managing Director of Mental Health and Neuroscience at OM1, a ventured-backed health technology real-world data company. He is also part-time staff psychiatrist at MGH and part-time Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Marci has worked at multiple early stage health technology and mental health delivery companies in the past. He has extensive training health research, the use of biological measures and the neuroscience of emotion through two National Institutes of Health fellowships. He holds seven US patents, has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed science journals, gives lectures regionally, nationally, and internationally and is a leader in the fields of social & consumer neuroscience and digital health. Dr. Marci is also a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.  

In this podcast episode, Roger Dooley chats with Matt Dixon, author of The JOLT Effect and founding partner of DCM Insights, about the concept of effortful experiences and the impact of customer indecision on sales. They discuss how companies often create friction and wasted effort for customers, despite knowing it is detrimental. Matt shares examples and insights on understanding the impact of customer effort on loyalty and how to fix it. They also delve into the problem of customer indecision in sales, exploring the reasons behind it and providing strategies for salespeople to overcome it. Matt introduces the JOLT framework and discusses key behaviors that can help salespeople close the sale. Show notes, resources, audio, text: https://www.rogerdooley.com/matt-dixon-jolt/  Matt Dixon is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of three of the most important business books of the past decade: The Challenger Sale, The Effortless Experience and The Challenger Customer. He is also a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review on sales and customer experience. He is a founding partner of DCM Insights, a boutique consultancy focused on using data and research-backed frameworks to help companies attract, retain, and grow their customers. Previously, he has held numerous global leadership roles at organizations like Tethr, Korn Ferry Hay Group, as well as the research firm CEB (now Gartner).

"The last, great marketing strategy" is community... In this episode, host Roger Dooley interviews author Mark Schaefer about his new book, Belonging to the Brand. They discuss the importance of community in marketing strategies and the challenges of managing online communities. Mark explains that community involves genuine connection and communion among people, with a unifying purpose. They also touch on the impact of community on mental health, highlighting the responsibility of community managers in fostering a positive culture. They discuss the power of creating a strong brand community and the potential for businesses to create communities around related interests. They also address the question of whether there is a limit to how many communities people can participate in. Resources, video, text version: https://www.rogerdooley.com/mark-schaefer-belonging/ Mark Schaefer is a speaker, consultant, author, and teacher who helps businesses and individuals thrive in the digital world. He has a wealth of experience in marketing and organizational development, as well as seven patents and a faculty position at Rutgers University. He writes the {grow} blog and hosts The Marketing Companion podcast, which are both highly regarded in the marketing field. He has also written 10 books on topics such as influence marketing, personal branding, and social media strategy. His books are used as textbooks at many universities and have been translated into 15 languages. He has worked with global brands and governments, and has been featured in many media outlets. He is a columnist for The Harvard Business Review, and Entrepreneur Magazine. His new book is Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy.  

On this episode of Brainfluence, host Roger Dooley is joined by Paul Zak, founder of Immersion, a company that uses smartwatches and fitness devices to turn activity data into business insights. They discuss neuromarketing, the limitations of traditional metrics, and the importance of immersion for user experience testing. They also talk about the correlation between immersion and psychological safety, and how their technology can be used to predict mood and energy levels in vulnerable populations. Show notes, resources, audio, and text: https://www.rogerdooley.com/immersion-paul-zak/ Paul J. Zak is a world-renowned neuroscientist, author, and entrepreneur who has pioneered the fields of neuroeconomics, neuromanagement, and neuromarketing. He is a professor at Claremont Graduate University and a TED speaker with over 180 published papers and 19,000 citations. His latest book, Immersion: The Science of the Extraordinary and the Source of Happiness, reveals the science behind extraordinary experiences and how they can boost happiness and business success. He also co-founded Immersion Neuroscience, the first neuroscience-as-a-service company. Zak’s research has taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea, where he discovered the role of oxytocin in trust, morality, and love.

On this episode of Brainfluence, we explore how behavioral science can be utilized in both B2C and B2B marketing. Guest Nancy Harhut shares how campaigns that focus on emotional impact over product features can increase purchase intent. Video, text, and resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/nancy-harhut-behavioral/ We also discuss information gap theory and how marketers can use it to pique interest, availability bias, and autonomy bias. We dive into how giving people choices can increase the likelihood of a buying decision, and how the use of the word "because" can increase compliance. In addition, we cover temporal landmarks, guiding customer choice, and the importance of coming off as engaged and interested in clients' work. Join us as we dive into these fascinating behavioral science principles and their applications in marketing. [00:00:00] Intro [00:00:44] Acceptance of Behavioral Science in Marketing [00:01:20] Skepticism in B2B Marketing [00:06:04] Autonomy Bias in Marketing [00:06:42] The Power of Choices [00:10:05] Temporal Landmarks and Discounting [00:12:36] Retirement Age Progression Tool [00:14:07] Information Gap Theory [00:18:17] Availability Bias [00:18:53] Availability Bias [00:21:18] Overcoming Bias in B2B Purchases [00:24:08] Automatic Compliance Triggers [00:24:43] The Power of "Because" [00:25:26] The Credibility of Charts and Graphs [00:27:39] Using Behavioral Science Principles in Marketing Nancy Harhut is the Chief Creative Officer at HBT Marketing. She specializes in blending creative with decision science to prompt responses and has spoken at industry conferences around the world. Prior to co-founding HBT Marketing, she held senior creative management positions with Hill Holliday, Mullen, and Digitas, and has won over 175 awards for digital and direct marketing effectiveness.

In this episode of Brainfluence, host Roger Dooley interviews Sam Tatam, Global Principal and Head of Behavioral Science at Ogilvy Growth and Innovation. Show notes, transcript & resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/sam-tatam-evolutionary/ Tatam discusses his background in organizational and industrial psychology and advertising strategy, as well as his work at Ogilvy, where he and his team develop interventions and shape communications for some of the world's biggest brands and organizations. They also talk about Tatam's new book, Evolutionary Ideas: Unlocking Ancient Innovation to Solve Tomorrow's Challenges. The conversation covers various topics related to behavioral science and marketing interventions, including the power of quantity anchoring, the TRIZ framework, operational transparency, and the concept of choice.

In this episode of Brainfluence, host Roger Dooley interviews AJ Harper, an editor and publishing strategist, about her career as a developmental editor and ghostwriter, her new book, and the importance of understanding the reader as a character in non-fiction writing. AJ shares her insights and experiences in the world of writing and publishing, providing valuable tips for aspiring authors. Show notes & resources: https://www.rogerdooley.com/aj-harper-must-read/ During the interview, AJ and Roger discuss their intertwined book origin stories and their experience at a writer's retreat co-hosted by Mike Michalowicz and Michael Port. AJ emphasizes the importance of a transformational core message in non-fiction writing and marketing, and discusses editing for a deeper reader connection. She also encourages authors to do their own developmental editing before handing it off to a professional editor. AJ's expertise in developmental editing and ghostwriting shines through as she provides valuable advice for writers looking to improve their craft. Her new book and her insights on the importance of understanding the reader as a character in non-fiction writing make this interview a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of writing and publishing

Tom Peters is an author and legendary business thinker who has written 19 books. His new title is Tom Peters' Compact Guide to Excellence. It's a small book packed with short bites of wisdom curated by Tom to encourage a humanistic approach to business. In this episode, he explains why the most important decisions in business are promotions, and that often managers don't spend enough time on them or know how to do them correctly. He shares a technique for choosing the best candidate he learned in a conversation with an Indian general. The entire episode is packed with Tom's plain-spoken, hard-hitting wisdom. You'll learn why a company's front-line managers are the most important group in the firm. He explains why big companies rarely do things right, and that mid-sized companies are often the most valuable contributors to society and the economy. Show notes, resources, text and video: https://www.rogerdooley.com/tom-peters-compact-excellence/ 

In business, we have a bias for busyness. Doing something is always better than doing nothing, to most of us. Indeed, Brainfluence guest and management expert Tom Peters famously proclaimed "a bias for action" to be a key component of excellence. But, is it possible that doing nothing could sometimes be the best strategy? In today's episode, we welcome Jinny Uppal, who has studied the science of action-taking and discovered that constantly being busy can be counter-productive. Jinny has compiled her research into a book called IN/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results, in which she argues that taking breaks and being mindful can lead to more sustainable growth than constantly striving for progress. As a business consultant, investor, author, and speaker, Jinny now helps others achieve their goals without burning out. In this conversation, Jinny shares her own experience of shedding the busyness bias and embracing a more strategic approach to success, and explains the science behind the action bias and how we can motivate ourselves to overcome it.