Épisodes

  • Data-driven Marketing Strategy with Marketing Mix Modeling

    Data-driven Marketing Strategy with Marketing Mix Modeling
    Jan 24 2025
    Can data reveal which 50% of your marketing budget is actually working? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and CEO of Mix Analytics Hillary Borndahl about transforming content marketing strategy through data-driven analysis. Through their company's marketing mixed modeling approach, Mix Analytics helps businesses develop a growth strategy framework to optimize marketing investments across channels by analyzing historical data and calculating actual returns. They begin their discussion with critical findings from Mix Analytics' study of $34 billion in sales data. The data revealed that most companies invest only 2-3% in marketing when they should at least 4% to protect and grow their brand. But what might be keeping the back is not knowing what will work and what will not. Borndahl emphasizes that businesses can use this approach with niche applications like focusing on B2B buyer persona development, but that more often than not, this approach is more familiar to retail brands catering to larger, more general population consumer segments. Regardless of the segmentation, buyers rely on emotional decision-making for their marketing strategies, and in that liminal space of decision data sceince can help brands win the game. She shares how businesses of all sizes can benefit from this analytical approach, explaining that while the scale may differ, the fundamental need to understand marketing effectiveness remains constant. Another key finding Borndahl highlights is that often brands are spreading marketing budgets too thin across multiple channels, leading to diminished results. "The future CMO role is actually a future analytics role," Borndahl explains. "To be a marketer in the 2020s, you have to be comfortable with data." The conversation delves into the concept of "ad stock" as the lasting impact of marketing exposure and how understanding this metric can help businesses make more informed decisions about their marketing investments. Borndahl discusses how Mix Analytics helps companies move beyond gut feelings to identify which marketing efforts drive results, enabling them to adjust their strategies and budgets confidently. But that confidence can take time to grow. She emphasizes the importance of starting somewhere, even if you are downloading your LinkedIn data today, as building historical data is crucial for future analysis and optimization. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    39 min
  • What to Expect at QRCA 2025

    What to Expect at QRCA 2025
    Jan 17 2025
    Want to know what corn on the cob and mascara wands have in common? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and QRCA President Jeff Hecker about building community in qualitative research. As co-founder and principal of Athena Brand Wisdom, Hecker brings 15 years of experience conducting research across industries from pharmaceuticals to agriculture, using methods from focus groups to marketing semiotics. But his volunteerism in making the qualitative space is of interest in this episode. With the upcoming annual conference for the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA), they discuss how this non-profit has been instrumental in shaping careers through its commitment to open knowledge sharing and community building. The organization's emphasis on welcoming new members includes conference ambassadors and speed networking events, fostering connections that support professional growth. Hecker gives an excellent overview of what attendees can expect at this year’s event. With tracks covering fundamentals like discussion guide writing, logistics, business leadership, and emerging topics like AI integration, QRCA's upcoming conference offers practical tools for immediate implementation. "When people come in," Hecker explains, "we just share everything that we've learned with everybody because there's this notion that a rising tide lifts all boats." The QRCA conference welcomes qualitative researchers, vendors, recruiters, translators, and quantitative researchers looking to expand their skill sets. This inclusive approach reflects the mixed-method reality of modern research, where complementary tools and perspectives enhance client insights. The organization maintains a global reach, with North American and international conferences fostering worldwide connections among research professionals. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    27 min
  • Putting the Human back in Human Resources

    Putting the Human back in Human Resources
    Jan 10 2025
    Can intentional leadership transform workplace culture and employee trust? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and RADICL Work co-founder Dan Riley about the critical role of trust in organizational success and creating transformative workplace environments. As a content marketing consultant helping organizations navigate change, Riley shares that only about 20% of employees trust their leadership but believe intentional changes and consistent actions can help build stronger, more engaged teams. Riley explains how companies need to embrace a robust values-driven communication strategy in their approach to workplace transformation, especially regarding technology implementation and return-to-office policies. His growth strategy framework emphasizes that organizations must focus on the "long play"—prioritizing people and culture over short-term outcomes. Revenue and profitability are natural results of taking care of employees and building strong teams. "We don't want to just tweak things," Riley shares about RADICL's approach. "We want to fundamentally make significant changes and take some chances and risks that focus on really empowering and putting the individuals first." Riley and McKinney also discuss how HR's transformation presents unique opportunities to align individual values with organizational purpose and talk about how something as mundane as a content marketing strategy can even be aligned with company values. As organizations navigate hybrid work environments and technological advancement, Riley emphasizes that human connection remains crucial. He suggests that bringing people together should serve clear purposes like relationship building and collaborative learning rather than simply maintaining traditional office structures. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    19 min
  • 10 Mental Models for Better Marketing Strategy - Part 1

    10 Mental Models for Better Marketing Strategy - Part 1
    Jan 3 2025
    ** Be on the lookout for Part 2 to hear mental models Six through Ten ** Stop letting outdated thinking frameworks hold back your marketing strategies. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO, Priscilla McKinney, introduces powerful mental models that revolutionize marketing strategy and professional decision-making. Drawing from her background as a cultural anthropologist and fractional CMO, she shares how these frameworks can transform both marketing initiatives and broader business decisions. McKinney discusses the first five fundamental models: map is not territory, circle of competence, second-order thinking, inversion, and availability cascade. She emphasizes how these frameworks can transform your thought leadership strategy and help avoid common pitfalls in marketing decision-making. The conversation explores how these mental models apply specifically to marketing tools and networking tools, highlighting the importance of testing conventional wisdom against real-world results rather than blindly following popular advice. "The danger comes in when we confuse our simplified understanding of something with the actual thing itself," McKinney explains about ‘map is not territory’. "It's like trying to eat the menu instead of the meal." While most marketing advice focuses on prescriptive tactics, McKinney challenges conventional wisdom by offering these helpful frameworks to help leaders think better, ask more thoughtful questions, and spot gaps in logic before they become costly mistakes. These mental models serve as cognitive tools for understanding market behavior, customer psychology, and improving campaign effectiveness. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Ever feel like your marketing plan is just... meh? You've got all the pieces, but are they really working together? We often find that even when companies are doing the right things, they may not be doing them in the right order. The result is, well, no results. Want to effectively evaluate your marketing efforts and gain clarity on your next strategic move? Take our Marketing Assessment Quiz today and discover exactly where you stand – and where you could be going – in just minutes.
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    30 min
  • Email Marketing Best Practices Straight from Santa's Workshop

    Email Marketing Best Practices Straight from Santa's Workshop
    Dec 20 2024
    Effective email list management demands a systematic approach. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney breaks down essential email marketing best practices through a creative North Pole analogy. She explains how businesses often chase new prospects while overlooking opportunities within their existing database. McKinney unveils a data-driven approach to email marketing B2B lead generation, from processing bounces to strategic database maintenance. Her framework combines analytical insights with human intelligence, bringing together email marketing KPIs and invaluable team insights about subscriber relationships. She demonstrates how face-to-face interactions inform digital strategy, transforming routine list maintenance into a powerful tool for business growth. "Just as Santa doesn't need new chimneys to deliver more presents, businesses often don't need new lists to generate more revenue," McKinney explains. "They need clean lists that are meaningful… the magic really lies in reconnecting with those who already know and love you." Through strategic nurture campaign development, McKinney shows how organizations can revitalize their email lists. Her research reveals that while 25% of email lists contain inactive contacts annually, companies can recover up to 14% of these subscribers through targeted re-engagement efforts within 12 months - proving that the real opportunity often lies within existing databases. And for more information on email marketing best practices, click here for a comprehensive guide. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. Click HERE for a chance to win this exciting package of goodies to start building your social influence today! (drawings to be held at stated dates) Ever feel like your marketing plan is just... meh? You've got all the pieces, but are they really working together? We often find that even when companies are doing the right things, they may not be doing them in the right order. The result is, well, no results. Want to effectively evaluate your marketing efforts and gain clarity on your next strategic move? Take our Marketing Assessment Quiz today and discover exactly where you stand – and where you could be going – in just minutes.
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    21 min
  • How Anthropology and Technology Can Perfect Buyer Personas

    How Anthropology and Technology Can Perfect Buyer Personas
    Dec 13 2024
    Understanding consumers beyond traditional market research metrics is important. Perfecting buyer personas requires a deeper dive, and technology can help. On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and Glimpse Chief Strategy Officer + Chief Client Officer, Adam Bai about the evolution of buyer personas in marketing and how anthropology can perfect them. Traditionally, personas were simplistic stereotypes or basic demographic profiles. However, modern approaches focus on persona mapping and deeper attitudinal and emotional insights that go beyond surface-level characteristics. Bai explains how Glimpse, a groundbreaking human response platform, helps companies develop a more nuanced understanding of their ideal customers. For example, in their work with HubSpot, they created a persona called "Growth Gabby.” Using a growth strategy framework and surveys that privileged unstructured, open-ended responses, this approach allows for capturing rich, emotional data about potential customers' aspirations, career goals, and worldviews rather than relying solely on traditional segmentation methods. "We've transformed from being a better [market research] survey platform,” Bai explains. “[To where] the value is in the platform itself." Bai and McKinney also discuss emerging technologies of synthetic data and digital twins. He describes synthetic data as a method of reconstructing potential human responses without directly interviewing individuals. This hybrid approach helps reach hard-to-access audiences, address representation gaps, and provide cost-effective market research. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went. Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise. Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!
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    32 min
  • Common Misconceptions About LinkedIn

    Common Misconceptions About LinkedIn
    Dec 6 2024
    Is your LinkedIn profile working against you? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO, Priscilla McKinney, discusses how LinkedIn serves as more than just a job-hunting platform, positioning it as a powerful tool for networking and social selling at scale. The platform's evolution from a simple job board to a comprehensive professional networking space has created unprecedented opportunities for businesses and individuals to connect, share insights, and build meaningful professional relationships. As an influencer in the space she has a lot to say about it. Behold, her social proof: She explains how developing a thought leadership strategy can transform your professional presence while advocating for quality over quantity in networking. Random connections can dilute a network's relevance, and understanding your LinkedIn Social Selling Index (LinkedIn SSI) helps measure the effectiveness of your engagement efforts. McKinney emphasizes that successful networking isn't about collecting connections like baseball cards, but rather about cultivating relationships that can lead to genuine business opportunities and professional growth. "You don't sell to your network," McKinney explains. "[Rather], you sell through your network." McKinney also talks about the importance of personal storytelling on LinkedIn, challenging the notion that the platform should only feature formal corporate content. She emphasizes maintaining an updated profile with focused skills and meaningful recommendations, while encouraging users to adopt a casual yet professional tone in their communications. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information. Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. Click HERE for a chance to win this exciting package of goodies to start building your social influence today! (drawings to be held at stated dates)
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    31 min
  • How Sales and Marketing Effectiveness Turns into Revenue Generation

    How Sales and Marketing Effectiveness Turns into Revenue Generation
    Nov 22 2024
    Why are traditional market research firms getting left behind in the industry's rapid evolution? On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with Tony Brown, founder of SKAIL, about transforming revenue generation strategies beyond traditional relationship-based selling. The urgency of this transformation is evident in recent industry reports, which show traditional firms growing at just 3% while the overall industry enjoys a 7.6% expansion rate. McKinney and Brown discuss how market research firms can adapt to changing market conditions, particularly focusing on marketing effectiveness in their business development efforts. Brown, with over 25 years of experience as a fractional sales leadership consultant, shares insights on helping research firms transition from reputation-based growth to proactive business development, emphasizing the importance of measuring marketing automation ROI. "Sales is not really about sales," Brown explains. "It's truly about understanding your clients' needs and understanding that you personally have a skill set that is of value." They also discuss the evolving role of conferences in business development, the challenges of balancing "seller-doer" roles within research firms, and the importance of properly implementing CRM systems. Brown emphasizes the need for cohesive strategies that align marketing efforts with sales processes, while McKinney highlights the critical connection between customer experience and revenue growth. The conversation touches on how AI's advancement might actually increase the value of qualitative research, positioning firms for future success if they can adapt their sales and marketing approaches accordingly. Sponsors: Priscilla McKinney has taught many forward-thinking B2B professionals how to build a personal brand and create a presence on social media that advances their careers, showcases their thought leadership, and creates a dynamic relationship that expands their network. Now, she has put together a giveaway with the tools to make your social influence life easy. Click HERE for a chance to win this exciting package of goodies to start building your social influence today! (drawings to be held at stated dates) Glimpse is a next-generation market discovery platform uniting human insights and AI-enhanced performance. It empowers marketers, researchers, and creators to make effortless decisions, create powerful content, and gain a perpetual advantage. The platform allows users to ask questions, find audiences, and analyze diverse data sources, uncovering behavior, emotions, awareness, and purchasing decisions through AI. Glimpse's capabilities extend beyond surveys, offering enterprise-grade digital twins and AI personas for real-time conversations with key audiences. To learn more, visit Glimpseahead.ai.
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    28 min