How do you set yourself apart in an ever-evolving professional landscape? In this episode of The Intuitive Customer, Colin Shaw and Ryan Hamilton dive deep into the career lessons they’ve learned over decades of navigating the twists and turns of professional life. This isn’t just another list of career tips—it's a roadmap for thriving in 2025 and beyond.

From mastering long-term planning to embracing the disruptive power of technology, Colin and Ryan unpack the strategies that make all the difference in building a fulfilling, forward-looking career. Plus, they share personal anecdotes (and a few laughs) about lessons learned the hard way.

Whether you’re just starting out, mid-career, or considering your next big move, this episode is packed with advice you won’t want to miss.

The Best Quote from the Episode

"If it’s going to be, it’s up to me. Don’t wait for someone else to drive your career—successful people create their own opportunities." – Colin Shaw

Key Takeaways

We’re only scratching the surface here—you’ll need to listen to the full episode for the stories and deeper insights behind these points!

1. Think Long-Term: The best careers are built with vision and intentionality. Treat every role as a stepping stone to something greater.

2. Leverage Technology: Generative AI and other innovations are reshaping the workforce. Learn to harness these changes instead of fearing them.

3. Understand Your Strengths: Self-awareness is key—focus on what you’re naturally great at, and let that guide your career decisions.

4. Build a Reputation That Lasts: Your reputation is your greatest currency. What do you want to be known for?

5. Deliver, Deliver, Deliver: At the end of the day, results speak louder than words. Always follow through and exceed expectations.

Why You Need to Tune In

Sure, you could take the lessons at face value, but what makes this episode unmissable are the stories behind the advice. From Colin’s father’s game-changing advice about “learning your boss’s job” to Ryan’s humorous but insightful realization about his dislike for managing people, these are the kinds of lessons you’ll want to hear straight from the source.

Plus, Colin and Ryan’s banter, humor, and candid reflections make this episode not just valuable, but downright enjoyable. You might even come away with a new mantra for your career—and a laugh or two!

🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward making 2025 your most successful year yet!

About the Hosts:

Colin Shaw is a LinkedIn 'Top Voice' with a massive 284,000 followers and 86,000 subscribers to his 'Why Customers Buy' newsletter. Shaw is named one of the world's 'Top 150 Business Influencers' by LinkedIn. His company, Beyond Philosophy LLC, has been selected four times by the Financial Times as a top management consultancy. Shaw is co-host of the top 1.5% podcast 'The Intuitive Customer'—with over 600,000 downloads—and author of eight best-sellers on customer experience, Shaw is a sought-after keynote speaker. Follow Colin on LinkedIn.

Ryan Hamilton is a Professor of Marketing at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and co-author of 'The Intuitive Customer' book. An award-winning teacher and researcher in consumer psychology, he has been named one of Poets & Quants' "World’s Best 40 B-School Profs Under 40." His research focuses on how brands, prices, and choice architecture influence shopper decision-making, and his findings have been published in top academic journals and covered by major media outlets like The New York Times and CNN. His work highlights how psychology can help firms better understand and serve their customers. Ryan has a new book launch in June 2025 called “The Growth Dilemma: Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things” Harvard Business Press Follow Ryan on LinkedIn.

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In this episode of The Intuitive Customer, Colin Shaw and Professor Ryan Hamilton delve into the fascinating world of customer habits. Colin shares his recent experiences shopping at Publix, Aldi, and Whole Foods, uncovering how deeply ingrained habits shape our decisions as customers. The discussion explores the psychology behind habit formation, the challenges businesses face when trying to change customer routines, and the critical role of segmentation in addressing diverse customer needs. From grocery stores to TSA lines and even Apple’s onboarding strategy, this episode highlights actionable insights for businesses looking to influence customer behavior effectively.

"Habits aren't unbreakable chains; they're shortcuts our brains take to save effort. If businesses want customers to change, they need to guide them gently and reward the new behavior."

1. The Habit Loop
   Habits consist of three components: cue, routine, and reward. Businesses need to understand these elements to create or change customer habits effectively.

2. Transition Requires Support
   Customers resist change when new experiences are disorienting or unclear. Offering onboarding tools, clear signage, or guidance (like Apple’s tutorials or TSA’s segmented lines) can ease the transition.

3. Segment Rewards
   Customers value different rewards. Some prioritize savings, while others value time or convenience. Understanding and tailoring offerings to these preferences can make all the difference.

4. Habits vs. Exploration
   While habits streamline decision-making, they can inhibit discovery. Striking a balance—like Amazon’s recommendation engine—allows businesses to support habitual purchases while encouraging new ones.

5. The Power of Familiarity
   Familiarity offers comfort and efficiency, making it a strong motivator for customers. Businesses need to weigh the risks of disrupting established habits against the potential benefits of change.

About the Hosts:

Colin Shaw is a LinkedIn 'Top Voice' with a massive 284,000 followers and 86,000 subscribers to his 'Why Customers Buy' newsletter. Shaw is named one of the world's 'Top 150 Business Influencers' by LinkedIn. His company, Beyond Philosophy LLC, has been selected four times by the Financial Times as a top management consultancy. Shaw is co-host of the top 1.5% podcast 'The Intuitive Customer'—with over 600,000 downloads—and author of eight best-sellers on customer experience, Shaw is a sought-after keynote speaker. Follow Colin on LinkedIn.

Ryan Hamilton is a Professor of Marketing at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and co-author of 'The Intuitive Customer' book. An award-winning teacher and researcher in consumer psychology, he has been named one of Poets & Quants' "World’s Best 40 B-School Profs Under 40." His research focuses on how brands, prices, and choice architecture influence shopper decision-making, and his findings have been published in top academic journals and covered by major media outlets like The New York Times and CNN. His work highlights how psychology can help firms better understand and serve their customers. Ryan has a new book launch in June 2025 called “The Growth Dilemma: Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things” Harvard Business Press Follow Ryan on LinkedIn.

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If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review and share it with your network. For more insights and resources, visit Beyond Philosophy and subscribe to never miss an episode of The Intuitive Customer!

In this episode of The Intuitive Customer, Colin Shaw and Ryan Hamilton dive into the predictions shaping 2025 and their implications for customer experience. From economic uncertainty and its emotional impacts to the rise of AI in search behavior, they explore how these trends will influence customer decisions and business strategies. The conversation also delves into the unintended consequences of tariffs, the challenges of AI implementation, and the importance of maintaining a customer-centric culture amidst technological advancements.

“Perception is reality, especially in customer experience. Customers’ feelings about the broader world—not just your product—shape their choices.”

1. Economic Uncertainty Is Emotional:
   Confidence, a powerful emotion, drives customer behavior. Economic stability is less about the numbers and more about what customers feel about the economy.\n
2. Tariffs and Customer Choices:
   Tariffs create unintended consequences for customer experience, from higher costs to reduced competition and choice. Policies that seem disconnected from customers often have profound impacts.\n
3. The Shift in Search Behavior:
   AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how customers find answers, creating new challenges and opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves in an AI-driven landscape.\n
4. AI Projects Must Prove Value:
   Without clear goals and success metrics, AI initiatives risk failure. Businesses must align AI with tangible improvements in customer experience.\n
5. Customer-Centricity Trumps Technology:
   A customer-first culture remains essential. Advanced technologies, including AI, will only deliver value when built on a foundation of empathy and understanding.

• Forbes article by Adrian Swincoe: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianswinscoe/2024/12/17/15-customer-experience-predictions-for-2025/

About the Hosts:

Colin Shaw is a LinkedIn 'Top Voice' with a massive 284,000 followers and 86,000 subscribers to his 'Why Customers Buy' newsletter. Shaw is named one of the world's 'Top 150 Business Influencers' by LinkedIn. His company, Beyond Philosophy LLC, has been selected four times by the Financial Times as a top management consultancy. Shaw is co-host of the top 1.5% podcast 'The Intuitive Customer'—with over 600,000 downloads—and author of eight best-sellers on customer experience, Shaw is a sought-after keynote speaker. Follow Colin on LinkedIn.

Ryan Hamilton is a Professor of Marketing at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and co-author of 'The Intuitive Customer' book. An award-winning teacher and researcher in consumer psychology, he has been named one of Poets & Quants' "World’s Best 40 B-School Profs Under 40." His research focuses on how brands, prices, and choice architecture influence shopper decision-making, and his findings have been published in top academic journals and covered by major media outlets like The New York Times and CNN. His work highlights how psychology can help firms better understand and serve their customers. Ryan has a new book launch in June 2025 called “The Growth Dilemma: Managing Your Brand When Different Customers Want Different Things” Harvard Business Press Follow Ryan on LinkedIn.

Subscribe & Follow

Apple Podcasts

Spotify