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Beau Button has been actively involved with software development since he was 11 years old. He got his start learning about computers around age 9, digging into the hardware side of things first, and eventually picked up software development at age 11.
Having spent the majority of his career as a serial entrepreneur working in the government space Beau has now transitioned into the mobile gaming space through his company Atlas Reality, Inc.
In this episode Beau discusses their unique virtual real estate platform. We explore the challenges of designing customer experiences for products that don't fit into predefined categories and the business aspects of virtual real estate.
Beau shares his journey of transitioning from software development to mobile gaming by founding his virtual real estate company, Atlas Reality. The company uses a lean approach with remote employees to build a legitimate business by Fintechifying games that provide fun and entertainment to players.
Beau also explains the value of virtual real estate, revenue generation, and how they achieve higher revenue and concurrent users compared to blockchain-based platforms. He shares interesting anecdotes about how the platform was instrumental in generating sales for brands like Speedway, Burger King and Jamba Juice. The focus of Atlas Reality is on monetization, retention, and maximizing the lifetime value of their customers.
Don't miss this episode to gain an in-depth understanding of Atlas Reality's unique approach to virtual real estate and customer experience.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:05:34] How Beau’s virtual real estate platform generates virtual rent.
[00:09:52] Virtual real estate born from gaming experience.
[00:14:19] Beau’s company, Atlas Empires pays users real money.
[00:19:01] Virtual real estate games have two types of customers: clout-seekers and income-earners.
[00:26:12] Lean gaming company focuses on social good.
[00:31:22] Playing Roblox for money-making potential.
Quotes
Connect with Beau
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaubutton
Website - https://www.atlasreality.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/thebeaubutton
Doug Brown has had a varied career and has worked in different positions for various companies.
In the year 2000, he started a small business to help his kids gain experience in the business world.
This small venture grew, and he ran an organization for over a decade that was primarily focused on employee engagement surveys.
During this time, he gained a wealth of knowledge about the concerns and challenges employees face in their work careers.
He found that there are three common categories that almost all employees seek in their careers - employee engagement, employee experience, and career development. If these three core elements are not met, there is an increased risk of losing employees.
Doug believes that managers play a critical role in meeting these elements, and without them, there is a higher risk of losing employees.
As an expert in reducing employee turnover and absenteeism, Doug equips business owners and senior executives with the tools to identify key retention risks, understand the impact of high turnover rates, and implement effective solutions.
In this episode Doug shares insights on employee retention. He stresses the importance of retaining high-performing employees and the role of managers in achieving this. He highlights the impact of personal and emotional drivers on employee career decisions and delves deeper into the "great resignation" phenomenon.
We also discuss the tools to assess employee engagement and the costs of turnover.
Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing employee experience to maintain a skilled workforce and improve customer relationships.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00:39] Employee experience, retention, and engagement discussed.
[00:04:24] "Career varied, started small biz, surveyed employees - 3 retention factors: engagement, experience, career."
[00:09:28] Emotions drive decisions in work and life.
[00:15:39] Pandemic causes career reflection and resignations.
[00:18:31] Great resignation pushed people over the edge.
[00:25:28] Retention relies on understanding employees' needs.
[00:29:47] Employee experience affects customer experience tremendously.
[00:32:42] Poor employee transition may cost industry dearly.
[00:36:33] Tools for retention: risk analyzer, ROI calculator.
Quotes
Connect with Doug
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-brown-b3740825a/
Website - https://manage2retain.com/
Elaina Zuker is the president of Elaina Zuker Associates in Montréal, Canada. She has taught seminars to hundreds of employees and managers at major corporations such as AT&T, IBM, American Express and MCI International, and is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and industry events.
She is the author of six books on leadership, management and communication.
Her best-selling book, “The Seven Secrets of Influence” (McGraw-Hill), the recent Main Selection for the Business Week Book Club, has been translated into four languages.
Elaina is an expert on influence and defines it as the effect of an idea or person on the values, attitudes, and behavior of others. She believes that anyone can learn and master the skill of influence, but it must have honorable intentions and positive effects. Elaina also notes that positive influence must be transparent and not manipulative.
On today’s episode Elaina and I discuss the importance of influence in business, the distinction between influence and manipulation, and the six different influence styles.
Elaina also shares her program, based on her extensive business and management experience, that teaches practical and usable influence skills to anyone.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:04:34] Influence is the effect of an idea on a person.
[00:09:27] Influence skills for success in business.
[00:16:59] 6 styles of influence; assessment reveals dominant style.
[00:22:51] Helping physicists with lobbying and influence skills.
[00:25:10] Customizable e-learning program with lifetime access.
[00:28:52] Get people in a room; training skills.
Quotes
Connect with Elaina
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaina-zuker-6173725?originalSubdomain=ca
Website - https://www.ezinfluence.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ElainaZuker
Mike Kaeding is a residential real estate builder and developer. He’s the CEO of Norhart, and aims at transforming the way apartments are built and managed by incorporating technologies and efficiencies that have revolutionized other industries, and lead to high-quality, cost-effective projects.
Mike’s parents started their family business. But just a few years after joining the business, his dad unexpectedly passed away. All of a sudden, Mike had what felt like the weight of the world on his shoulders. He had to lead this business.
He had no preconceived notion of "the way things are done" in the industry. He was struggling to the point where the city briefly shut them down. This shattered Mike’s world. But he just naively started to solve problems. And that was the magic.
Mike and his team began changing the way construction is done. Starting with an attractive culture unique to the construction industry they hired the best talent.
Together they solved chronic construction inefficiencies, applied techniques from manufacturing, and integrated traditionally unaffiliated trades. This resulted in higher quality and lower cost projects.
In this episode, we explore the current housing crisis and what can be done to address it. Mike and I discuss interesting techniques in developing apartment complexes and planning for the resident experience.
We also chat about the importance of hiring the best people, the value of employee experience, and the benefits of in-house manufacturing.
Additionally, we discuss introducing new technology to remove pain points and create a better overall experience for residents.
Listen in for an informative and eye-opening episode that offers insights into solving the affordable housing crisis in America.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00:39] "Exploring Real Estate CX with Norhart Construction"
[00:05:37] "DIY plumbing leads to innovative construction solutions"
[00:09:58] "Innovative Building Solutions: Kit of Parts Approach"
[00:10:51] "Rental Market Shortage Leaves Families Homeless"
[00:16:14] "Construction Company Creates Google-Like Culture for Employees"
[00:18:46] "Creating an Exceptional Employee Experience for Success"
[00:23:55] "Norhart's Innovative Plan to Solve Housing Affordability"
Quotes
Connect with Mike
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekaeding/
Website - https://www.norhart.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mikekaeding
Paula Courtney is the CEO of The Verde Group, a leading customer experience consultancy.
Her focus is on customer retention and how to quantify the financial risk associated with poor customer experience.
Paula’s work involves linking customer experiences with the behaviors that make organizations money, such as buying more and recommending the business to friends and family. She has developed tools and techniques to identify the specific experiences that degrade loyalty the most and cost businesses the most money.
On today’s episode, I sit down with Paula to dive into the science of customer experience and the importance of identifying and addressing pain points to boost revenue.
We also discuss the growing need for human connection in business settings and the challenges companies face in bringing employees back to the office.
Paula shares her expertise in customer experience, improvement, and retention, highlighting the three key things every business should focus on; identifying and eliminating customer friction, having a solid problem-resolution system in place, and encouraging and measuring customer engagement outside of the purchase cycle.
We also touch on the importance of involving frontline staff in the design of customer experience programs and how to avoid the common problem of projects having a slow death after the initial excitement.
Overall, today’s episode provides valuable insights on how to improve customer experiences and drive revenue growth.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:04:25] "Boosting Business Revenue Through Customer Retention"
[00:10:30] "Traditional Surveys Are Losing Favor Among Customers"
[00:18:31] "Involving Frontline in Customer Experience Programs"
[00:22:33] "AI not yet a threat to Frontline jobs"
[00:28:12] 2023 Predictions: More Digital, Value & Adaptability
[00:34:07] "Fundamental Business Growth Strategy: Moving Beyond Technology"
[00:39:24] "CX Stash: Your One-Stop Shop for CX Tech"
Quotes
Connect with Paula
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-courtney-3b23861/
Website - https://verdegroup.com/
Nicky Billou is a thought leader who believes in the greatness of the human soul and loves in people’s hearts.
He acknowledges that entrepreneurs are society's greatest heroes because they have big hearts and big visions to make a difference for fellow men and women.
In my interview with him, Nicky shares insights on the concept of "passionate sharing" and the importance of having a purpose beyond money in business. He shares stories of successful people and highlights their common traits such as; investing in continuous learning, prioritizing reading, and focusing on solving problems for people.
We also explore the difference between being an expert and a thought leader, and the value of charging appropriately for your services. Tune in to learn how to take your business to the next level and become a successful thought leader.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:04:36] "Thought Leadership: How to Become a Rare Gem"
[00:07:17] "From Expert to Thought Leader: Why it Matters"
[00:17:11] "Transform Your Business with These Affordable Secrets"
[00:18:46] "Charge Your Worth: How Pricing Impacts Results"
[00:23:45] "Get Your Sexy Back: The Power of Messaging"
[00:28:11] "Seven Common Habits of Ultra-Successful People"
[00:31:39] "Commit and Get Resourceful: Keys to Success"
[00:32:46] "12 Characteristics of Successful & Humble Entrepreneurs"
[00:34:49] "Easily Connect with Nicky for Change"
Quotes
Connect with Nicky
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickybillou/
Website - https://www.ecircleacademy.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickybillou/
Book a free appointment - https://www.ecircleacademy.com/appointment
Mike Wittenstein founded Storyminers in 2002, serving corporate, medium-size, and start-up organizations. His first professional CX experience was to guide the CX design for McDonald’s digital drive-thru in 1999 while eVisionary at IBM.
He earned the 31st CCXP designation and has helped hundreds of companies advance their CX initiatives and increase their ability to deliver value for clients.
A serial innovator, Mike has figured out methods and techniques to embed the power of CX stories into operations and cultures. His clients have created over $2 billion in value by applying them. He has worked extensively in Europe and the Americas and speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and (a little) Russian.
Mike’s favorite work is using CX to figure out the future. He believes that customer experience is the perfect tool for businesses to create a meaningful connection with their customers and that brands cannot succeed unless they keep their promises. He has helped many businesses to pivot and adjust their strategies, during tough times like the COVID pandemic or geopolitical unrest, by leveraging the power of their stories and creating meaningful customer experiences.
In this episode, Mike and I delve into finding the essence of a story for branding by knowing who you are and improving observation skills with mystery shops. Mike shares his experience in prototyping technology and optimizing the checkout experience.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:02:41] "Finding the essence of a story"
[00:06:48] "Aligning Customer Needs with Honest Communication Strategies"
[00:12:43] "Building Rapport & Solving Business Misalignment Challenges"
[00:18:32] "Creating a Powerful Future Story for Change"
[00:23:14] "Transforming Experiences: 3 Success Stories"
[00:25:07] "Transitions expands to retail with a new approach"
[00:27:27] "Creating a Revolutionary Brand Experience for Glasses"
[00:34:25] "Revolutionizing Eyeglass Shopping Experience Through Technology"
[00:36:46] "Storytelling Through Customer Experience Analysis"
[00:38:41] "Meet Consultant Mike Wittenstein: The Expert Guide"
Quotes
Connect with Mike
Website - https://storyminers.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewittenstein/
Email - [email protected]
Phone - 404 229 5809
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mikewittenstein?lang=en
Victoria Pelletier is a highly successful executive with a compelling story of achievement in the corporate world. In her interview on The Science of CX Podcast, she shares her insights on the changing landscape of workforces and the impact of AI.
Victoria is recognized across North America as a dynamic, captivating keynote speaker, published author, and dynamic executive. Her story of overcoming unspeakable odds to live a life of no excuses is both moving and incredibly inspiring.
She draws from her 20+ years in corporate senior leadership at companies like IBM and American Express to deliver engaging, inspiring keynotes to audiences across North America.
With her impressive rise to the top of companies early in her career, Victoria offers valuable lessons on leadership and personal and corporate branding. Her experience is a great resource for anyone looking to navigate the future of work and succeed in their professional life.
In this episode, she shares key lessons from her personal branding experiences and advises listeners on essential traits of successful leadership, namely; relevance, resilience, and transparency. We also discuss the importance of building trusted relationships with clients and understanding the B2B landscape, as well as the HR role becoming more strategic in terms of skills development and diversity and inclusion.
Listen to this episode to learn from Victoria's journey and gain insights into modern leadership practices.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction: focusing on a different approach to leadership
- Victoria Pelletier's background in corporate leadership
- Overcoming adversity in youth
- Advancement through work ethic and skills
- Lessons learned: staying relevant, building a strong personal brand, and resilience
- The importance of transparency and relationship building in business
- Why it’s important to avoid a political culture of empire building
- The need for adaptation and using our brains
- Victoria shares a personal branding exercise and suggests resources you can use for this
- Successful relationship building
- Managing change and transformation
- How poor communication and management lead to failure
- The hybrid model of remote and in-office work
- Connection to purpose and alignment with values
- Strategic hr role in skills development and planning
- The importance of diversity and inclusion
- Productivity and culture in the workplace
- The need for education and focus on clear deliverables
- Compensation based on experience and productivity
- Implementing policies and procedures that prioritize engagement and productivity
- Victoria Pelletier's achievements and inspirational speaking career
Quotes
Connect with Victoria
Website - https://victoria-pelletier.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PelletierV29
Rick Elmore is an entrepreneur, sales, and marketing expert.
As the Founder and CEO of Simply Noted, Rick developed a proprietary technology that puts real pen and ink to paper to scale handwritten communication, helping businesses of all industries scale this unique marketing platform to stand out from their competition and build meaningful relationships with clients, customers, and employees.
Founded in 2018 and based in Tempe, Arizona, Simply Noted has grown into a thriving company with clients of various sizes across the country including in hospitality, real estate, insurance, nonprofit, franchise, B2B, and others.
Rick has served as the company’s CEO since its founding, for more than four years, and has over a decade of sales and marketing industry experience. In his own words, Rick helps businesses of all industries to stand out from their competition & build meaningful relationships by using unique marketing platforms.
Key Takeaways
Connect with Rick
Website - https://simplynoted.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-elmore
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RickyElmore44
David Fradin has trained thousands of managers throughout the world. He infuses his workshops with insights and experiences gained as a product leader at companies like Apple & HP.
He was classically trained as an HP Product Manager and was then recruited by Apple to bring the first hard disk drive on a PC to market. As a result of his leadership & management skills, Apple promoted David first to Apple Group Product Manager & later Business Unit Manager at the same organizational level at the same time as Steve Jobs.
Based upon his over five decades of experience, David is the author of the Wiley Book "Successful Product Design and Management Toolkit", "Building Insanely Great Products" and "Organizing and Managing Insanely Great Products" all available on Amazon worldwide.
Over the years, David has been responsible for 75+ products representing over $250M in revenue. In addition to all these, he is also a Distinguished Professor of Practice and Advisor in Product Management Programs.
Key Takeaways
Connect with David
Website - https://spicecatalyst.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfradin/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidFradin1
From the publisher's feed
CX Connoisseur, Steve Pappas, shares his insights on how to turn your customers into loyal brand ambassadors.
Known for his relentless pursuit of all things 'customer', Steve knows how to help your business and create experiences that customers respond to.
Listen to Steve's insights. Learn to grow and accelerate your business.
Learn more: www.scienceofcx.com