In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, keynote speaker, author, and “Innovation Architect” Carla Johnson joins us to unpack how curiosity fuels strategy—and how teams can shift from tactical comfort zones to brave, exploratory thinking. Carla shares her “Curiosity Compass” and practical pre-work you can use to disrupt default patterns, plus facilitation moves that turn “no, because…” into “yes, and…”, creating cultures where ideas compound into real outcomes. She also explores how h...
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In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, keynote speaker, author, and “Innovation Architect” Carla Johnson joins us to unpack how curiosity fuels strategy—and how teams can shift from tactical comfort zones to brave, exploratory thinking. Carla shares her “Curiosity Compass” and practical pre-work you can use to disrupt default patterns, plus facilitation moves that turn “no, because…” into “yes, and…”, creating cultures where ideas compound into real outcomes. She also explores how h...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, keynote speaker, author, and “Innovation Architect” Carla Johnson joins us to unpack how curiosity fuels strategy—and how teams can shift from tactical comfort zones to brave, exploratory thinking. Carla shares her “Curiosity Compass” and practical pre-work you can use to disrupt default patterns, plus facilitation moves that turn “no, because…” into “yes, and…”, creating cultures where ideas compound into real outcomes. She also explores how h...
Pricing isn’t just numbers on a page—it’s psychology, strategy, and confidence. In this episode, Susan Quinn sits down with Casey Brown, engineer turned Six Sigma black belt turned pricing expert, to explore how organizations can stop leaving money on the table and start charging what their work is truly worth. Casey shares her journey from spreadsheets at GE to becoming one of the most sought-after voices in pricing strategy. She explains why most businesses make pricing decisions out of fea...
How can we make complex economic data more useful and more human? In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, Sonya Waddell, Vice President and Economist of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, is revolutionizing the way economic data is presented to the public. With a focus on clarity, empathy, and accessibility, Sonya offers a fresh perspective on how economic research can better serve real people and real decision-makers. Better Experiences by Design is a podcast series produce...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, host Susan Quinn talks with Chris Martinez, Senior Marketing Manager at KW Landscape Architects, about how his team redefined the role of marketing inside their firm and in the AEC industry at large. Chris shares how they shifted from a traditional, reactive approach to building a creative growth engine that drives business strategy, shapes client experience, and influences pursuit outcomes. He opens up about the challenges of aligning marketin...
In this episode, host Susan Quinn sits down with Pamela Slim, an award-winning author, speaker, and business strategist whose work has guided thousands of entrepreneurs in turning their expertise into scalable business models. Pamela challenges the traditional “empire” approach to growth, where one brand dominates the spotlight, and instead offers an ecosystem model that centers your client and strategically aligns you with mission-driven partners. Whether you're a founder, consultant, ...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design™, host Susan Quinn speaks with Steve Boehler, founder and partner of Mercer Island Group, about client acquisition strategies and how businesses can improve their chances of winning RFPs—not just by following the rules, but by showing up strategically, authentically, and with purpose. With decades of experience helping firms stand out in the highly competitive selection processes, Steve dives into the mindset of procurement teams and decision-ma...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, we’re joined by Steve Harvill, a renowned expert in high-performance sales and leadership, to discuss his book 21 Secrets of Million Dollar Sellers. Steve dives into the habits, mindsets, and strategies of top-performing salespeople, shedding light on the critical behaviors that set them apart and how anyone can adopt them to achieve success. From storytelling to simplifying complex ideas, Steve reveals actionable insights that can be applied i...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, host Susan Quinn speaks with Bill Coppel, a veteran financial services leader and Chief Client Growth Officer at TradePMR. With over 30 years of experience navigating market shifts, technological disruption, and evolving client expectations, Bill shares what leading through change really takes—and how to stay relevant. From the power of curiosity to the value of deep client relationships, Bill emphasizes the importance of putting people f...
In this month's episode of Better Experiences by Design, we’re joined by Laurie Barkman, a leading expert on business transitions, also known as the Business Transition Sherpa. Laurie shares her unique insights on preparing for the inevitable transition every business owner faces— leaving the company. Whether it’s succession, exit planning, or scaling your business for a future sale, Laurie dives into the important steps business owners must take to ensure a smooth transition. Through her boo...
In this episode, host Susan Quinn sits down with Steven Robertson, author of Aliens Among Us, to dive deep into the unique characteristics of Gen Z and how leaders can connect with and retain this powerful generation in the workforce. Steven explores how the “perfect storm” of technology, world news, social media, and shifting leadership styles has created a generation that is fundamentally wired differently. He shares insights into the challenges and opportunities this presents for leaders a...
Welcome to a special episode of Better Experiences by Design! In this episode, we revisit some of the most impactful moments from the past year, featuring seven remarkable leaders across various industries. Together, these thought leaders share invaluable insights into key themes like understanding your audience, building a strong company culture, mastering effective communication, achieving personal excellence, and driving growth through adaptability and leadership. Whether you’re looking to...
In this inspiring episode, host Susan Quinn sits down with Jeff Salzenstein, a former professional tennis player turned executive coach. Jeff shares his journey from the tennis courts to the boardroom, revealing how his concept of the “Zone of Excellence” — which integrates the mind, body, and soul — can help individuals and organizations perform at their highest levels. From overcoming limiting beliefs to embracing health and wellness, Jeff explores the keys to thriving under pressure and li...
Nancy Eberhardt is a seasoned business consultant with extensive experience serving on various boards. In this episode, Nancy shares her insights into the crucial role of boards in organizations, discussing when a business needs to form one, the different types of boards, and best practices for effective governance. With her wealth of experience, Nancy offers valuable perspectives on driving growth and ensuring alignment with a company's mission and goals. "A board's responsibility is t...
In this insightful episode, host Susan Quinn sits down with marketing strategist and research expert Susan Baier, Founder and CEO of Audience Audit, who shares her unique approach to understanding your audience. Through attitudinal segmentation, she gets to the core of what’s most important and how organizations can use this information to better serve their clients. In this episode, you’ll hear: The power of research in demonstrating your firm’s thought leadership.The significance of attitu...
Join host Susan Quinn as she sits down with Elise Foster, co-author of “The Multiplier Effect,” for an engaging conversation about transformative leadership. Discover how some leaders inspire and elevate their teams while others unintentionally hold them back. Elise shares her unique journey from engineering to executive coaching and reveals powerful strategies for cultivating curiosity, intentionality, and self-awareness. Tune in to learn how you can become a multiplier and create a thriving...
Does your business development team seem to be constantly chasing prospects? Join us as Drew McLellan, one of the top ten bloggers every entrepreneur should follow according to the Wall Street Journal, guides us on the power of building new business through a thought leadership strategy that will keep prospects and clients interested and always coming back for more. "The way we have to sell today is to be a subject matter expert that freely and generously teaches their expertise and helps pe...
Being a good communicator may seem straightforward, but according to research from Leadership IQ, 93% of leaders think they are great at it, and only 11% of their employees agree. That’s because effective communication is a set of learned skills that requires incredible self-awareness, continuous development, and an improvement mindset. Our guest, Lena Sisco, is a former Navy Intelligence Officer who is blowing up the international speaking stage as a Body Language and Communications Expert. ...
In today’s episode, guest Hunter Lansing, President & Chief Executive Officer of Lansing Building Products shares insights on how they created a strategic business plan around the Jim Collins “flywheel effect” that has led to growth for their company and a greater alignment on their core values. At Lansing our success is first and foremost our people—who always, always make the difference.In this episode, you’ll hear: How the flywheel concept creates powerful momentum for all associatesTh...
Attracting new talent and keeping them engaged in your organization is no easy feat—and Benesch, an Engineering News-Record Top 100 U.S. Design Firm, has created a culture with single-digit turnover rates. Part of this success lies with their premier Leadership Development program. In today’s episode, guest Kevin Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Benesch, shares insights into the creation of their educational program which is proving to be a powerful return on investment for the firm. Better ...
In this episode of Better Experiences by Design, keynote speaker, author, and “Innovation Architect” Carla Johnson joins us to unpack how curiosity fuels strategy—and how teams can shift from tactical comfort zones to brave, exploratory thinking. Carla shares her “Curiosity Compass” and practical pre-work you can use to disrupt default patterns, plus facilitation moves that turn “no, because…” into “yes, and…”, creating cultures where ideas compound into real outcomes. She also explores how h...
