Experience-Focused Leaders Alex Shevelenko

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the Lecturer at Stanford University, Stan Christensen. Stan's reputation for teaching negotiation is more than just a series of tactics aimed at short-term gains. His philosophy centers on the idea that negotiation is about unlocking relationships and creating value for all parties involved. Stan explained that most negotiations are ongoing and involve multiple parties, making the cultivation of long-term relationships essential.
He emphasized that negotiation isn't about winning at the expense of someone else but about finding ways to expand the pie for everyone. By understanding each party's interests and seeking complementary aspects, negotiators can craft solutions that are fair and beneficial to all involved.
To learn more about Stan's work, click HERE.
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the Co-founder and Board Member of PinMeTo, Daniel Melkersson. Daniel's journey is a testament to the philosophy that one is never too old to try new things. Of the 12 companies he started, only three succeeded, but these successes were not without their share of challenges and lessons. His transition into the tech industry and his curiosity about venture capital funding led to the creation of PinMeTo, a platform designed to enhance location marketing for multi-location enterprises.
To learn more about Daniel's work, click HERE and HERE.
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CMO of Planable, Miruna Dragomir. Social media marketing is a beast that never sleeps, constantly shifting with new platform updates and demanding increased collaboration within teams. Miruna highlighted how Planable, a content collaboration tool, is designed to help marketing teams navigate these waters. With Planable, teams can create real touchpoints with customers and drive engagement, scaling their social media efforts effectively.
Planable isn't just a one-size-fits-all solution; it's tailored to the different personas within a company. Creators and approvers, for instance, have unique needs, and Planable adapts to cater to each. Miruna stressed the importance of product discovery and in-app education to facilitate adoption and habit change when rolling out new features.
Miruna touched on the recent environment's impact on marketing budgets and the challenges of churn. Miruna pointed out that agencies, in particular, face fluctuations in their client portfolios. To combat this, Planable focuses on onboarding and the initial stages of the customer journey to prevent churn and ensure customers recognize the product's value.
To learn more about Miruna's work, click HERE and HERE.
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the President and CEO of LaBov & Beyond Marketing Communication, Barry LaBov. Barry shared a powerful message with the audience: "Marry the message to the experience." This principle is the cornerstone of effective marketing. It's not just about the product or service; it's about ensuring that every customer interaction embodies the brand promise. A disconnect between marketing and the actual customer experience can tarnish a brand's reputation irreparably.
Barry introduced the concept of the "commodity monster," a trap that forces brands into a race to the bottom, slashing prices and compromising quality. Differentiation is the key to escaping this trap. It's about standing out in the marketplace and offering something unique that competitors can't easily replicate.
Echoing the wisdom of Marshall McLuhan, Barry discussed how "the experience is the message." In today's world, where mediums of communication are abundant, what truly sets a brand apart is the experience it offers. This experience begins when a customer interacts with the brand, and it must be consistent and reflect the brand's values.
To learn more about Barry's work, click HERE and HERE.
Check out RELAYTO MOJO, reviewed by Barry LaBov: https://relayto.com/relayto/the-relayto-values-contract-4wyqkv3cjoo2r
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CEO of Foundersuite and Fundingstack, Nathan Beckord. Nathan shared the importance of simplicity in your initial communications with investors. Founders often make the mistake of inundating potential investors with too much information too soon. Nathan's recommendation? Keep your intro email as short as possible. He observed that founders tend to include their entire history and attach large presentations, only to be left wondering why they're not gaining traction with fundraising. In reality, investors are inundated with pitches and will only spend a few seconds skimming an email for something that catches their eye.
Nathan suggests using a teaser deck, a concise presentation of about five slides, to pique investor interest. This should cover the essentials: the problem you're solving, your solution, market traction, and your team. If this teaser is compelling enough, it can lead to an introductory chat and, hopefully, a deeper dive into your business plan.
To learn more about Nathan's work, click HERE and HERE.
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/

Your host, Alex Shevelenko, talks with the CCO, Author, Speaker, and Advisor, Mary Poppen. Mary emphasized the often-underestimated link between how employees feel and how customers perceive a company. Organizations focusing on employee and customer experiences in parallel see remarkable results, including increased stock prices and higher retention rates. Engaged employees who feel valued are more likely to deliver value to customers, creating a virtuous cycle of satisfaction and growth.
A question that often arises is whether to prioritize employee experience or customer experience. Mary's perspective is to tackle both simultaneously. It's essential to have cross-functional discussions involving both customer-facing and non-customer-facing roles. Understanding the business context and how customers will use a product or service is crucial for creating a cohesive experience that resonates with customers and fulfills an employee's sense of purpose.
To learn more about Mary's work, click HERE.
Check out Mary's book, Goodbye, Churn. Hello, Growth!, HERE.
Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.
To learn more about RELAYTO, visit https://relayto.com/