Brainfluence

Raja Rajamannar is one of the world’s top marketers, and he’s in a better position to spot trends and anticipate change than just about anyone else. Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Mastercard, as well as president of the company’s healthcare business, Raja is also president of the World Federation of Advertisers. He has been named one of the industry’s most tech-savvy CMOs by Adweek, one of the World’s Five Most Influential CMOs by Forbes, one of the World’s Ten Most Innovative CMOs by Business Insider, and Global Marketer of the Year by the World Federation of Advertisers.

In this episode, Raja shares why there is a crisis of confidence among organizations when it comes to their marketing departments, but also why the future of marketing is bright if new technologies and innovations can be adopted and implemented with the least amount of friction possible. Listen in to learn why the future of marketing is in all of the senses—including how sonic branding is becoming even more relevant with the mass adoption of smart speakers by consumers—and the key things to consider when branding for sound.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3oMzr0E

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE358.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Kevin Oakes is the is CEO and co-founder of i4cp, the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a top research firm that discovers the people practices of high-performance organizations. Previously, Kevin was CEO of the first company created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, as well as President of SumTotal Systems, one of the world’s largest providers of talent and learning solutions. He joins the show today to share insights from his new book, Culture Renovation: 18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company.

Listen in as Kevin discusses the relevant and meaningful differences between best practices and “next practices,” why structural changes in an organization are critical for creating a great culture, and the major shift that Microsoft undertook that was key to its growth. You'll hear seasoned advice for entrepreneurs who want to create a great organizational culture and the current trend that Kevin hopes will continue long after the pandemic ends.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/39tY0v4

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE357.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Adam Alter is a professor of marketing and the Stansky Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow at New York University’s Stern School of Business, as well as an affiliated professor of social psychology in NYU’s psychology department. In 2020, he was voted Professor of the Year by the student body and faculty at NYU's Stern School of Business. Also the New York Times bestselling author of two books, Adam has shared his ideas with thousands of people across dozens of audiences, including through his TED Talk, the Joe Rogan podcast, the World Economic Forum, and at dozens of companies and non-profits, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

In this episode, we’re exploring the sweet spot between marketing and psychology to uncover why people make decisions and reach the judgments that ultimately shape their lives. Listen in as Adam shares how cognitive fluency can help or hinder persuasion, how the pandemic has forced a cultural shift over how we view screen time, and why word choice is an important consideration in brand names and marketing copy.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3olqX0m

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE356.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Martin Lindstrom is the founder and chairman of Lindstrom Company, the world’s leading brand and culture transformation group. He has been named one of the “World’s 100 Most Influential People” by Time magazine, and for three years running, Thinkers50 has selected Martin to be among the world’s top 50 business thinkers. He is also a high-profile speaker and author of seven New York Times best-selling books.

In this episode, Martin explains why empathy levels are at an all-time low (thanks in part to Twitter character limits and even botox), as well as how common sense is disappearing along with it. Listen in to learn how we are increasingly falling victim to technology instead of using common sense and how the pandemic has changed the way we think about—and do—business.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3ilyACH

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE355.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Philip Shelper has extensive experience within the loyalty industry, including roles at Qantas Frequent Flyer and Vodafone. He is CEO and Founder of leading loyalty consulting agency Loyalty & Reward Co, which serves clients such as McDonald's, Klarna, NPD Group, Schneider Electric, and P&G. As a member of several hundred loyalty programs himself—and an obsessive researcher of loyalty psychology and loyalty history—Phil understands the essential dynamics of what makes a successful loyalty program.

Listen in as he discusses the benefits, challenges, and psychology behind loyalty programs, including how emotions come into play and the behavioral theories that are particularly powerful for successful programs. You'll learn why the concept of “surprise and delight” is a cornerstone and a challenge of many programs, as well as how the pandemic has not only affected loyalty programs and their offerings, but also exposed the vulnerabilities within many companies and sectors.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/2JWGqpn

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE354.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Lots of people make resolutions to start the year, but most such resolutions are abandoned quickly. Roger Dooley explains how to use the principles of behavior design and the Fogg Behavior Model to accomplish positive change and achieve major goals at the start of a year or at any other time.

He’ll give you actionable tips and real-life examples of how to apply these principles to your life and ensure that you’re not one of the 80% of people who ditch their resolutions in the first month of the year. Listen in to learn why specificity is important, resources you can use to achieve your goals, and how to use friction to your advantage.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3b7q20A

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE353.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

David Burkus is the bestselling author of four award-winning books about business and leadership. His ideas have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USA Today, Fast Company, and many other media outlets, and his TED Talk has over 2 million views. He’s worked with brands like Google, Stryker, Fidelity, Viacom, and even the US Naval Academy.

In this episode, David shares insights from his new book, Leading from Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Managing Remote Teams. Listen in to learn why the work-from-anywhere culture is here to stay, as well as how organizations can shift to embrace the change and build a cohesive team that relies less on Zoom happy hours and more on autonomy and trust. David also gives his best advice for building team cohesion when your entire team works remotely and discusses why the cost of replacing a bad employee is so high (though it’s probably not the reason you think it is!).

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3nQhA9m

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE352.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

*Original air date: Aug 3, 2017.*

When it comes to writing a book that sells year after year, Ryan Holiday definitely knows the formula. His books have all been best-sellers, and more importantly, they have continued to sell well long after their issue dates. In this episode, he discusses the principles for crafting a longstanding work, whether it's a book, a product, or even a restaurant,  from his newest book, Perennial Seller: The Art of Marketing Work that Lasts.

Ryan shares what differentiates a book that keeps selling over the years from a book that sells well initially but gradually disappears from view. He emphasizes that from the outset of creating a book, you need to be thinking ahead about what content and marketing efforts will truly make the book last. Finding the perfect balance between content that adds value and strategic marketing is crucial.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2uQftcD

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE351.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

*Original air date: Feb 21, 2019.*

Albert-László Barabási is a network scientist whose work has led to many breakthroughs, including the discovery of scale-free networks in 1999. The Robert Gray Dodge Professor of Network Science and a Distinguished University Professor at Northeastern University, he has done extensive research on success over the years, and continues to be one of the most cited scientists today.

Listen in as he shares insights from his latest book, The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success, including how to gain traction and visibility and the common misconception about creativity in youth. You'll learn the scientific measures of success, as well as what his research has shown about the key factors that help to create it.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2tlt2ze 

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE350.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Dr. Christophe Morin is passionate about decoding the relationship between the brain and human behaviors. He has received multiple speaking, publishing, and research awards during his career, and he holds an MBA from BGSU, an MA, and a Ph.D. in Media Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. In this episode, he shares insights from his latest book, The Serenity Code, including the relationship between stress and anxiety and how to respond to stress in a healthy way.

Listen in as Christophe shares how to take back control of our nervous system, as well as the importance of self-love—but not in a narcissistic way. You will learn why young people are suffering most during the pandemic, the benefit of connecting with nature, and how owning a pet can calm you down.

You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3lHxn8y 

Direct download: BRAINFLUENCE349.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT