No Hacks with Slobodan Manic

Welcome to No Hacks Snacks, your go-to series for short-form insights from innovators and industry leaders. In this episode, we look into the crucial role of employer branding with Ben Labay, CEO of Speero. We explore why a compelling employer brand is essential for attracting the right talent and fostering a vibrant company culture. Don't forget to subscribe for more episodes like this!

The Importance of Employer Branding

Employer branding is more than just a buzzword—it’s a powerful strategy to distinguish companies in a competitive marketplace. Ben LeBay emphasizes that an effective employer brand attracts "missionaries" rather than "mercenaries." These individuals align with the company’s mission and values, contributing to a cohesive and dedicated workforce. By crafting a brand narrative that resonates with both internal and external audiences, companies can drive meaningful engagement and long-term loyalty.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Navigating the landscape of employer branding can be tricky, and there are common pitfalls to avoid. One such mistake is stifling employee voices on platforms like LinkedIn. Ben shares that companies should encourage employees to share their experiences and insights, thereby enhancing the organization’s authenticity and reach. Open communication amplifies brand reputation, fostering a network of advocates who genuinely represent the company.

Creating a Culture of Engagement

The key to successful employer branding lies in creating an authentic and engaging environment. Ben suggests a "platform approach" where interaction and contribution become natural and unforced processes for employees. By simplifying these processes, companies empower employees to engage meaningfully with the brand, turning them into natural ambassadors and advocates.

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

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In this short episode, I talked to Veronika Morozová, product manager and organizer of Berlin's first CRO meetup - CROdashians (how about that for a fun name!). 

Veronika shared her insights on the future of conversion rate optimization (CRO) and its anticipated evolution towards a product-centric and MarTech-focused approach. We got into how CRO's integration into product management enhances the entire user journey, creating a better overall experience. 

Veronika also discussed the potential role of AI in CRO and contemplates whether the term 'CRO' might be replaced by 'experimentation manager.' Join us for a conversation about the future of CRO and its impact on marketing, product development, and customer experience.

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

Ready to learn about using AI in copywriting the right way?

In the latest interview, I talked to B2B SaaS copywriting expert, Chris Silvestri. Here's what you will learn from the interview:

🧠 How to create AI-driven copy that truly empathizes with your customer base?
🧠 What are the common mistakes to avoid when leveraging AI for writing?
🧠 Why is customer interaction essential for AI to generate relevant content?
🧠 How can the 'PATH framework' enhance your AI copywriting approach?
🧠 What does the future hold for AI in B2B SaaS copywriting?

To get Chris' PATH framework check out this video on his YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/dj8Qt8iA

Don't miss out, and don't forget to like and subscribe!

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

As we step into 2025, the world of product development is undergoing a seismic transformation. Join Sani and Iqbal in this thought-provoking conversation as they dive into the rise of solopreneurship and explore how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the game. Discover how small teams, or even individuals—are outpacing traditional industry giants by leveraging agility, innovation, and the power of niche markets.

In this video, you’ll hear Iqbal’s insightful take on how AI is breaking down barriers, enabling solopreneurs to build and iterate products faster than ever before. Sani shares his own experiences with Coheseo, highlighting how technology empowers entrepreneurs to tackle challenges once reserved for large corporations. From streamlining mundane tasks like authentication to filling the gaps overlooked by tech giants, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

🚀 What You'll Learn:

• How AI tools are lowering the barrier to entry for innovative product development.
• Why solopreneurship is becoming a powerful alternative to large corporations.
• The art of identifying and capitalizing on niche markets left untouched by industry leaders.
• Real-world examples of how individuals are leveraging technology to innovate and thrive.
• A glimpse into the exciting possibilities of running multiple ventures simultaneously.

About the Guest:

Iqbal Ali, a visionary in product development, shares his journey of leveraging AI to innovate and overcome personal knowledge gaps. His story is a testament to the potential of self-driven innovation and the power of technology to transform ambition into reality.

👉 Ready to take the reins of your entrepreneurial journey? Watch now and start navigating the future of product development! 💡

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

In this episode of the No Hacks Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bjarn Brunenberg, Experimentation Lead at TomTom. Bjarn has a passion for turning big ideas into actionable steps, and in this conversation, we get into the nuts and bolts of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), how they differ from KPIs, and why they’re a game-changer for teams and businesses alike.

Bjarn shares some incredible stories from his time at TomTom, where he’s been helping the company shift from their famous hardware devices to innovative software solutions. We also talk about how OKRs can help bridge the gap between ambitious company goals and the day-to-day work that teams do.

Here’s a glimpse of what we covered:

• The difference between OKRs and KPIs (and why getting this right matters).
• How to avoid common OKR mistakes, like setting vague objectives or misaligning teams.
• Practical tools like the KPI Tree and Opportunity Solution Tree that make complex goals feel achievable.
• Lessons from experimentation failures (including a pricing test with unexpected results).
• How Bjarn applies the principles of OKRs to his personal goals, like learning Portuguese and becoming a keynote speaker.

Whether you’re a leader, part of a product team, or just someone looking to bring more structure and focus to your goals, there’s something here for you. This conversation is full of relatable insights, practical advice, and a good dose of humor about the challenges we all face in trying to “get it right.”

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding OKRs and KPIs
01:33 Bjarn's Role at TomTom
03:02 Challenges with OKRs
04:01 Aligning OKRs with Business Goals
06:46 Frameworks for Clarity
10:37 Common Pitfalls in Product Development
12:54 Rapid Fire Questions
13:18 The Humor in Testing Failures
14:13 The Ethics of Pricing Tests
14:56 Lessons from Professional Mistakes
16:44 Favorite Optimization Tools
17:36 Applying OKRs to Personal Life
22:17 Real-World Applications of Product Development Strategies
25:04 Final Thoughts and Season 2 Wrap-Up

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

Unlock the secrets to effective email marketing and smarter audience engagement! 

In this episode, Tara Dinoski, CEO of Indico Digital, shares practical strategies for making email marketing work without overcomplicating it. Learn how to create meaningful segments (hint: start with customers vs. prospects), why overusing buzzwords and gimmicks won’t get results, and how integrating email with other channels like paid media can be a revenue game-changer.

Tara also debunks myths that hold brands back, including the idea that there’s a “perfect” time to send emails or that SMS marketing is always the better choice. Plus, she shares her unique perspective as a digital nomad, balancing client work while traveling the world and building a high-growth agency.

Whether you’re just starting out with email or looking to optimize your current strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply today. And for fun, we get Tara’s take on the best Greek dishes and the biggest lessons she’s learned from living abroad.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The first step to better email segmentation
• Why “testing just to test” won’t get results
• The smartest way to integrate email with other channels
• How to manage client work while living a digital nomad lifestyle
• Simple strategies to build your email list

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Tara Dinoski and Indico Digital
0:38 Strangest client call as a digital nomad
1:59 How location and time zones affect client relationships
3:40 Overcoming fear in email marketing
5:18 The basics of segmentation: customers vs. prospects
7:28 Real-world insights from segmentation (boots and colors example)
9:52 Myths about email marketing: Testing and over-segmentation
12:18 SMS vs. email: Costs, myths, and misconceptions
15:42 The perfect time to send emails is a myth
19:00 Integrating email marketing with paid media
22:55 How reviews power smarter email campaigns
28:12 Life as a digital nomad: Lessons from Greece and Medellín
32:40 Balancing work, travel, and client expectations

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

Welcome to No Hacks – the podcast where experimenters and optimizers share their secrets about CRO, experimentation, and mastering analytics to create impact! In this episode, we’re joined by Bhavik Patel, Director of Experimentation and Analytics at Lean Convert and founder of CRAP Talks, a renowned cross-discipline tech meetup. Bhavik brings years of experience leading analytics teams at companies like Hoppin, Moo, and Gusto, and today he dives deep into the art of measurement and its role in driving meaningful change.

Bhavik kicks things off by challenging the notion of measuring everything, advocating instead for purposeful tracking to focus on what truly matters. He explains the critical difference between product management and feature management, emphasizing how companies often lose sight of impact by failing to measure effectively. His mantra? “When you measure everything, you measure nothing.” This episode is a masterclass in aligning analytics with real business outcomes.

Throughout the conversation, Bhavik shares insights into building and scaling experimentation programs, the challenges of poor data quality, and the importance of connecting product metrics to revenue. He illustrates the transformative power of experimentation, both in business and in personal growth, offering relatable stories and actionable advice. From his experience launching CRAP Talks to helping organizations bridge the gap between teams, Bhavik reveals how measurement serves as the foundation for innovation and accountability.

The episode also explores Bhavik’s approach to applying analytics principles to personal life. He discusses how a simple metric tree helped him improve his health and build lasting habits, showcasing the value of measurement in achieving goals beyond work.

We wrap up with a fun rapid-fire segment, where Bhavik shares his favorite analytics tools, memorable A/B tests, and even a hilarious CRAP Talks moment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical tips, personal stories, and fresh perspectives on making data-driven decisions that matter.

00:00 Welcome to No Hacks
01:18 Measuring with Purpose: Bhavik’s Philosophy
03:42 From Product Management to Feature Management
07:14 Connecting Metrics to Revenue: Why It Matters
12:30 Scaling Experimentation Programs and Avoiding Pitfalls
16:52 The Impact of Poor Data Quality
20:14 Lessons from CRAP Talks and Building Community
23:45 Applying Analytics to Personal Growth: Bhavik’s Story
28:40 Rapid Fire Questions
32:15 Career Advice for Aspiring Experimenters
35:20 Closing Thoughts: Measurement as a Path to Impact

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

Welcome to No Hacks – the podcast where experimenters and optimizers share their secrets about CRO, business experiments, and balancing life! In this episode, we sit down with Gerda Vogt-Thomas, co-founder of a CRO agency called Koalatative. Gerda shares her insights on managing risk, growth, and using experimentation to optimize both business and life.

Gerda starts by sharing her surprising journey into skiing, moving from a passionate dislike to a newfound love, which she compares to her career in CRO. Just as she learned to tackle steep slopes, she talks about how experimentation in business is often an uphill journey but one worth taking. Her mantra? Perfect isn’t necessary; progress is. This mindset shift is essential for anyone looking to grow personally or professionally while managing risk thoughtfully.

Throughout the episode, Gerda emphasizes the importance of testing ideas in real-world conditions. She discusses the pitfalls of perfectionism, particularly for entrepreneurs who obsess over perfecting a product before ever seeking customer feedback. Her advice is clear: don’t let the fear of imperfection keep you from launching. Testing and iterating are not only practical strategies for CRO but also essential life skills.

In a fascinating deep dive, Gerda talks about human biases and the impact of belief systems, suggesting that many of us are held back by unexamined thoughts and assumptions. By confronting these beliefs, she argues, we can make better decisions and achieve greater outcomes, both in business and in life. For those new to CRO, she also breaks down the essentials of experimentation, encouraging small steps and incremental testing, especially when working with limited data.

The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire segment, where Gerda shares her thoughts on balancing high-energy activities with calm routines to find a truly balanced life. From skiing to needlepoint, she believes variety and seasonality keep life engaging. Tune in for an insightful episode filled with practical advice, personal stories, and a fresh perspective on embracing experimentation as a path to growth and fulfillment.

00:00 Welcome to No Hacks 
01:30 Skiing Adventures and Life Lessons
03:42 Risk Management and Experimentation
05:47 Human Biases and Risk Assessment
07:14 The Importance of Experimentation in Business
10:12 Launching Products and Overcoming Fear
14:32 Balancing Gut Feel and Data in Business
17:39 Rapid Fire Questions
19:22 Applying CRO Principles to Personal Growth
24:10 Living a Balanced Life in a Digital World
26:54 Career Advice for Aspiring CRO Professionals

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

In this episode of No Hacks Podcast, Lucia van den Brink, co-founder of Increase Conversion Rate.com, takes us inside the world of advanced experimentation and shares why the best ideas aren’t always the loudest. With 800+ A/B tests under her belt and 25M+ visitors impacted, Lucia knows what it takes to elevate experimentation programs.

We explore her unique “Collaboration Bonus” philosophy, where every idea—whether from an intern or the CEO—adds value, fostering a culture of diverse insights that drive real results. Lucia shares her 1-2-4 Framework for brainstorming, designed to get the best ideas from everyone, introverts and extroverts alike. We also dive into scaling CRO without sacrificing quality, common pitfalls, and how to balance speed with meaningful outcomes.

If you’re ready to rethink how your team approaches experimentation, or simply looking for fresh ideas on driving innovation, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights. Tune in to discover how Lucia’s approach to inclusivity in testing can take your strategies to the next level.

00:00 Welcome to No Hacks Podcast
01:07 Meet Lucia van den Brink
01:50 The Role of Diversity in Experimentation
06:37 The One, Two, Four Framework
14:25 Implementing the Framework in Real Scenarios
18:22 Scaling Experimentation Programs with Diversity
20:18 The Importance of Humility in Optimization
20:50 Shiny New Idea Syndrome
22:01 Rapid Fire Questions
24:41 Overcoming Insecurity and Embracing Feedback
29:28 Applying Experimentation Principles to Real Life
31:31 Balancing Multiple Interests and Projects
35:50 Final Advice for Aspiring CRO Professionals

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit

In this episode of the No Hacks Podcast, Tim Stewart shares his wealth of knowledge from 25+ years of consultancy, breaking down what Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) really means for businesses today. Tim doesn’t just focus on the numbers—he dives into the balance between experimentation and perfection, and how making data-driven decisions can transform a business.

You'll hear practical strategies for digital optimization, insights on navigating market shifts (like the rise of low-cost competitors such as Temu), and tips for mastering stakeholder communication. Plus, Tim brings his love for Star Wars into the mix, using mentors like Obi-Wan and Yoda as metaphors for personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re a business owner, digital consultant, or just passionate about CRO, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and stories you won’t want to miss.

00:00 Welcome to No Hacks Podcast
01:47 Experimentation Elite Event
03:32 The Role of CRO in Business Strategy
07:24 The Pragmatic Approach to Testing
09:57 Measurement and Analytics in CRO
13:36 Fixing the Funnel: A Pragmatic Approach
18:54 Challenges in CRO and Business Strategy
19:28 Identifying Problems and Providing Solutions
20:11 Delivering Hard Truths to Clients
20:48 Persuasion Techniques in Business
24:08 Sales Skills for Optimizers
28:23 The Importance of Soft Skills
30:23 Rapid Fire Questions from the Audience
33:04 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

No Hacks runs no sponsorships and is funded by advisory and audit work. 

If your website needs to work for machines as well as people, start with a fixed-scope Machine-First Architecture audit: https://nohacks.co/audit