A comfort podcast that pushes you to the edge of comfort and onto the path of growth, development, and stomach-twisting laughter.
…
continue reading
The language experts from maslansky + partners take on the smartest, savviest, and sometimes stupidest messages in the market today. CEO Michael Maslansky and President Lee Carter bring their experience with words, communication, and behavioral science to the table — along with a colleague or two — and offer up a "lay of the language." Their insight helps make sense of business, life, and culture, and proves over and over again that It's Not What You Say, It's What They Hear.
…
continue reading
You’ve got a breakthrough innovation that is much better than what’s come before – why is it so hard to sell it? In this episode, CEO Michael Maslansky, Partner Keith Yazmir, and Senior Vice President Will Howard dissect the challenges of selling innovation whether you are selling enterprise technology, a new investment product, or plant-based meat…
…
continue reading
In this episode, CEO Michael Maslansky, and Partners Lee Carter and Katie Cronen delve into the pharmaceutical industry's enduring reputation struggles, tracing their origins back to pre-pandemic times and exploring the transformative impact of COVID-19. Through insightful discussions and case studies, they’ll propose strategies for reshaping the i…
…
continue reading
In this new episode of HearSay, Lee Carter and Ben Feller look at what the two presidential candidates are saying, what’s important about it – and what people should be listening for in the political months ahead. Now that President Biden and Former President Trump are officially set for a rematch, Lee and Ben will analyze their contrasting approac…
…
continue reading
Corporations think they know what they need to say but they can never say it when it comes to responsiveness, and empathy, but what is happening behind the scenes causing these crisis situations and what could they have said differently? In this episode of Hearsay, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Ben Feller explore different moments of crisis an…
…
continue reading
Join Lee Carter, Keith Yazmir, and Will Howard in this special episode of HearSay as they delve into the world of Super Bowl ads. They'll debate which ads truly stood out, not just in terms of popularity but in their messaging impact. From breaking down language to assessing brand impact, this episode explores the ads that left a lasting impression…
…
continue reading
Once something goes wrong, it’s easy to criticize the message a company uses to respond. But it's much harder to figure out what they should have said instead. In this episode of Hearsay, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and Will Howard dive into the wrongs, the rights, and how Boeing’s language will matter in the weeks and months ahead.…
…
continue reading
What’s so hard about doing the right thing? In today’s environment, it’s often met with skepticism. So how do you take an organization with a noble cause: like educating the world’s youth and ending the global education crisis and get people to both care and act about it? In today’s show, we’ll talk through the process we go through in framing an o…
…
continue reading
What were those top Language Moments of 2023? As language experts, we’re always listening for those moments that change the way we view companies, politics, business… and each other. From Bidenomics to MAGAnomics, from rainbow capitalism to Barbenheimer, this year had more than its share of new language moments, and in this new episode of Hearsay, …
…
continue reading
Congratulations, you’ve set your sustainability goals! Now you actually have to achieve them. How do you make environmental sustainability work for your business? It all comes back to people. Selling in, rolling out, and scaling up real, functional sustainability programs requires understanding your employees. It requires a thoughtful business case…
…
continue reading
How can a simple shift in language revolutionize perceptions? In this special episode of HearSay, join Pile of Scrap host John Sacco as he engages with communication expert Michael Maslansky where they explore the rebranding of the recycled materials industry. From redefining raw materials to spotlighting its vital role in iconic products, Michael'…
…
continue reading
How can companies use language to overcome fear and build trust in AI? In this episode, Michael Maslansky, Keith Yazmir, and Robert Ledniczky dive into the rapidly changing world of AI and explore how companies should be talking about it. They discuss widespread concerns and excitement surrounding AI to set the stage for recommendations on how to g…
…
continue reading
Not all actions that companies take in the name of ESG are controversial. How do some companies manage to seamlessly integrate ESG initiatives into their brand messaging while others get accused of superficial "greenwashing" or "rainbow-washing"? In this episode of Hearsay, Michael Maslansky, Will Howard, and Keith Yazmir discuss the delicate balan…
…
continue reading
What’s the future for ESG now that it has become politicized? Can companies speak out on ESG without risk of being criticized as Woke Capitalists or should they really just focus on products and profits? What if the most controversial aspect of ESG is the language used to talk about? In this episode of HearSay, Michael Maslansky, Lee Carter, and gu…
…
continue reading
We all know it’s critical to understand your audience before creating any marketing, but how do you do it in an intellectually honest way? How do you make sure you are truly focused on your audience as they are, not as you want them to be? In this episode of HearSay, guest Ori Ben Yishai, a partner at Viewpoint Ventures, talks about the intellectua…
…
continue reading
Every customer communication, no matter how small, is a moment of trust. Transactional communications—like order confirmations, account updates, or payment notices—can have an outsized effect on your brand and reputation. After all, the brand customers know is the one they experience every day. What makes good customer communications? And how can t…
…
continue reading
Scientists and climate activists have been warning people that the world is ending since the 80s. The U.N. recently upped the stakes in the climate report. How do you make people care when they’ve been hearing the house is on fire for 40 years? Is this the issue that cried wolf? In this latest episode of HearSay, Will Howard and Director of Ad Net …
…
continue reading
Connecting with customers is a challenge. It has to start with finding shared goals and a shared language. In this episode, guest Bob Rowe from Northwestern Energy shares his approach to creating common ground with your audience—so you can build trust, improve relationships, and reinforce reputation.…
…
continue reading
It’s not enough to do good nowadays. In a competitive environment, you need to find the right language to distinguish your organization from the rest. In this episode, guest Brian Crimmins, CEO of Changing Our World, Global Partner of ONE HUNDRED, and co-author of The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity's Greatest C…
…
continue reading
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank kicked off a heated debate: are we headed toward a financial crisis? One thing’s for sure: we're already in a financial COMMUNICATIONS crisis. We've been watching how companies are talking—or not talking—about the state of the US financial system. And we have a few thoughts on what they're getting right and wrong…
…
continue reading
HearSay for 2022 ends with a bang, as we look at the smartest, savviest, + stupidest messages of 2022. Michael Maslansky and Lee Carter are joined by HearSay veterans Keith Yazmir and Ben Feller, sharing their takes on the top pop culture language moments of the year: from Tom Brady and Will Smith’s outbursts to Serena Williams’ retirement to Jenni…
…
continue reading
Internal company communications often is just about sharing information. Employees are busy and can skip over communications, because they feel less important. Getting internal communications right -- communications that breaks through -- especially in a virtual or hybrid workplace is particularly important. It has to be relatable, urgent, and clea…
…
continue reading
Whether it's public or private, kindergarten or college, schools and school systems today have objectives, just like any business might. They need to recruit faculty, attract students, raise funding, fight for policies, appeal to parents, win the big game, and achieve any of a dozen other essential objectives. They need to express the value of the …
…
continue reading
At its core, good language strategy finds language that motivates people to take action. It’s how business is done and how elections are won. But voters find themselves increasingly focused on more and more issues, and what we like to call “wedge” issues aren’t wedges anymore — they’re make or break issues. In the 2018 election cycle, political mes…
…
continue reading
We’re all creatures of habit, and we default to certain forms of communication without even realizing it. But what if those defaults are actually hurting your daily potential? Whether it’s in a meeting, in a customer service interaction, or even in a negotiation, the way you set yourself up and communicate in interactions changes the outcome. Lee C…
…
continue reading
When you are trying to build (or re-build) reputation, your job is to disrupt the way people think. And to disrupt, you can’t just speak louder, you need to speak smarter. Instincts tell us to correct misperceptions. And our instincts are often wrong. Leaning in to facts and data often backfires. Change the narrative and you can change minds. Lee C…
…
continue reading
Language shapes how we view the world around us. The news is no exception. A border crisis. An immigration crisis. A humanitarian crisis. All language used to describe the same story but changes how we view it. Michael and Lee are joined by m+p Partner Ben Feller to talk about the value of personalization, why keeping it simple in your messaging ge…
…
continue reading
You might think that empathy is as simple as putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. But it’s much more complicated. While most of us have empathy for people who we care about and love, we don’t have a natural ability to have empathy for people who aren’t like us. This distinction is easy to ignore until we realize that the audiences we’re focuse…
…
continue reading
You know your company or product is different. But does it sound different? Sometimes all that differentiates you from the competition is your story. The right language can change behavior, perception, and drive sales. How that story is framed matters more than you think. Using examples like “zero proof” non-alcoholic beverages, a “no hoops” reward…
…
continue reading
Language changes the way we view the world, politics, business, and products. Sometimes, it's totally intentional. Sometimes, it's not. But there is no doubt that the effective use of language can drive behavior. And that's what language strategy is all about. Finding the language that changes the game. President Lee Carter and CEO Michael Maslansk…
…
continue reading
Season One of HearSay ends with a bang: the smartest, savviest, + stupidest messages of 2021 so far. Michael and Lee are joined by HearSay veterans Keith and Katie to give their takes on the messages that have stood out: from Voltswagen, to Harry and Megan’s Oprah interview (and the royal response), to President Biden’s infrastructure plan, and the…
…
continue reading
With everyone telling their sustainability story, are you cutting through the crowd? Have you found one bold idea to center your communications around? It used to be that sustainability experts evaluated how companies were performing in this area. But now, customers and employees alike are paying attention. The old language of sustainability doesn'…
…
continue reading
Which audience is most important for your business? Many say it's clients or customers. But often the most overlooked and valuable audience is your employees. Whether it's communicating about the post-COVID return, your mission and values, or your new offerings, how you engage your employees is critical to your business success. This week on HearSa…
…
continue reading
So much is written about how important purpose is to a business especially now. But what is purpose? How do you become a purpose driven organization rather than just a company with a purpose statement? Podcast alumni Katie Cronen and Sachi Pettit join Michael and Lee to talk about identifying scalable stories, getting your purpose in front of the r…
…
continue reading
What's the difference between a glass half full and a glass half empty? A school with the most graduates and a school with the largest alumni network? Plant-based protein and synthetic meat? In this week's edition of HearSay, Michael and Lee are joined by colleagues Will Howard and Katie Cronen to talk about framing -- the heart and soul of m+p's l…
…
continue reading
maslansky + partners' Senior Vice Presidents Maria Boos and Katie Cronen join Michael and Lee to talk about the language of customer experience and why it's so important to get the language right. Especially now, what makes it harder? How can we do it right? We share what we have learned from companies in the marketplace today and work that we've d…
…
continue reading
Michael and Lee are joined by colleague Sachi Pettit in a conversation about when companies should speak out and what it takes to be a leader, especially on difficult issues. They talk about confronting racism, equality, and how to find common ground even when it seems impossible. They talk about specific case studies from Proctor & Gamble and a pr…
…
continue reading
What do the phrases white glove, high-touch, and clean have in common? They've changed meaning and use for safety precautions and standards in a global pandemic. But the language shifts we've seen go beyond safety: birthday parties, happy hour, weekend getaways, middle seats on airplanes, virtual banking. This week, Michael and Lee welcome colleagu…
…
continue reading
Is it possible to persuade folks to take the COVID-19 vaccine? In this week's edition of HearSay, Michael and Lee talk to colleague and pharma expert Sarah Hendry about the unique challenges in getting people vaccinated. They touch on cognitive biases at play, past healthcare experience that may impact today’s hesitancy, missed opportunities at som…
…
continue reading
The language experts from maslansky + partners take on the smartest, savviest, and sometimes stupidest messages in the market today. CEO Michael Maslansky and President Lee Carter bring their experience with words, communication, and behavioral science to the table — along with a colleague or two — and offer up a "lay of the language." Their insigh…
…
continue reading
Sans fancy sound effects and a spiffy intro, this pilot episode is a content test to generate reactions from our target market. We discuss a wide range of topics including: limited over-the-line dark jokes, cussing quotas, intelligence vs practice, and more. You must listen to the entire podcast to enjoy the full spectrum of smooth subject changes …
…
continue reading