BigHeads Network

18/10/2024

For YEARS I have been helping companies CROSS POLLINATE -- look to outside areas and fields for inspiration, ideas and strategies...and then CONNECT THE DOTS back to their business and objectives.

In fact "cross pollination" was the core mission of BigHeads Network when I started it 18 years ago (back in 2006)...and over the years we had the opportunity to work with amazing innovation, R&D, marketing and management teams at companies like AMEX, KEURIG, P&G, PEPSICO and more. We'd bring them together with the experts from the most UNEXPECTED industries and end up finding GOLD (in places their competitors never would consider looking).

When we pivoted to PRIVATE (internal) PODCASTING in 2017, cross pollination was still the focus of BigHeads. In fact, podcasting made the process more (cost and time) efficient, since we could have amazing conversations and then release them exclusively to the team...who would then build on the insights and ideas...and even go out and do their own explorations.

These days, private "Cross Pollination Podcasts" are STILL my favorite ones to produce (and even host) because the conversations are so eye-opening and inspiring. Plus the approach is much more "accepted" these days. Heck, it even has a name - "Thought Diversity"...so companies don't look at me like I'm NUTS when I recommend we speak to disparate people like beekeepers, fighter pilots, tattoo artists, dating coaches......and, of course, CHEFS (see image below).......because the truth is - you just NEVER KNOW where the next BIG IDEA will come from...or where you will find a TECHNOLOGY that you can tweak and reapply for your business...or who can teach you how to learn/master that necessary SKILL.

If you ever want to chat about doing an inexpensive, yet impactful LIMITED RUN "cross pollination" podcast for your team or employees...get in touch.

I can guarantee it'll be the most inspiring, mind-blowing and fun (yes, fun) initiative you've done in a long time.

06/09/2024

BE HUMAN...BE REAL...BE AUTHENTIC...BE VULNERABLE 🤮

Anyone else getting TIRED of all those corporate HR and COMMS folks out there who encourage leaders to "BE HUMAN"….and the second leaders finally are...those same HR/Comms people end up getting scared.

15/05/2024

If you are in a LEADERSHIP position or focused on LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, one of the CONVERSATIONS leaders need to be having (and sharing) is what I call the "Forever Skills" conversation.

In fact, this is one of the ten conversations I focus on in this (free) 3-episode PodCLASS: https://lnkd.in/e2ErwcYR

Check it out and let me know what you think!

28/03/2024

So myself, Bill Hahn (former CEO of Alcone Marketing) and Mike Nassar (former CEO of Hair Club) will soon be opening a boutique podcast production company focused on helping LEADERS have the CONVERSATIONS they need to be having.

It will be called……Talking Heads Productions (great name, right?).

If you're in a leadership role (or work in leadership development) and want to learn more about what we’re doing…and how we might work together…feel free to reach out.

(And no, BigHeads Network isn’t going anywhere.)

24/03/2024

(LEADERS and LEADER DEVELOPMENT TEAMS...this one's for you!)

HERE is a link (https://lnkd.in/eWFzCUnW) to a FREE, 3-episode YouTube "PodCLASS" I created called "TEN CONVERSATIONS LEADERS NEED TO BE HAVING AND SHARING" (and when I say "free"...I mean it - no strings attached...no cheesy sales pitch...etc.).

I hope you enjoy it...and get something out of it. I really had a blast doing it.

And if you do decide to check it out, please message me and let me know what you think........and feel free to share it.

Enjoy!

Again, here is the YouTube link: https://lnkd.in/eWFzCUnW

07/02/2024

Just about every corporate group and team out there (marketing, communications, HR, sales, L&D, talent acquisition, internal comms, employee engagement, etc. etc.) are executing some form of HOSTED INTERVIEWS including podcasts, webinars, fireside chats and more.

But here's the problem. In SO MANY cases, the people responsible for enlisting the host and guests for these initiatives focus 99% of their energy on finding the right GUESTS and hardly any effort on finding the right HOST.

And that's a mistake...because if you end up with the wrong host, all your efforts can go right out the window.

That said...here are some tips you can use for finding the RIGHT HOST for your next interview-based initiative......

30/01/2024

If your company is thinking about launching a PRIVATE or INTERNAL PODCAST ...you probably have lots of questions.

Well, I've been in the private podcast game for years and have developed (and even hosted) shows for AmEx, Harman, Keurig, Korn Ferry, Panasonic, PepsiCo and more.......so there isn't a question you could ask that I haven't answered.

With this in mind, I created a podcast featuring some of questions I hear all the time from marketing, HR, L&D, internal comms, talent acquisition, sales, innovation and PR teams.

Here's the Spotify link: https://lnkd.in/e-GhGKUC

And if you have a question I haven't answered...or want more information about ones I have...or just need some help getting the private/internal podcast ball rolling at your company...feel free to reach out.

09/01/2024

Is a PODCAST on your list of goals for 2024? If so, I'm more than willing to do a 30-minute "podcast jump start" call with you (free of charge).

Honestly, I LOVE having these kinds of calls...and don't worry - I won't turn it into a cheesy new business pitch (that's not my style).

Reach out if you're interested.

13/11/2023

Many of you HR and L&D leaders out there are very familiar with the 70-20-10 rule/protocol for employee learning...but you may not have considered how INTERNAL/PRIVATE PODCASTS can help support it.

20/09/2023

"One good CONVERSATION can shift the direction of change forever" - Dr Linda Lambert.

I love that quote...because I believe CONVERSATIONS ARE EVERYTHING and podcasts are a perfect vehicle to not only have conversations...but also SHARE them among whatever audience you think need to hear them - from consumers...to employees...to candidates.

18/09/2023

So many organizations talk about HUMAN LEADERSHIP...but there aren't many leaders who are willing to TRULY show their "human" side.

But Jim Farley (the CEO of Ford Motor Company) sure is!

31/08/2023

We develop and create INTERNAL/PRIVATE PODCASTS for lots of companies...and we can't even tell you how many times we run into people who LOVE to say - "We tried that but it doesn't work at our company."

Thing is...it actually WILL work if you just do these things.....

02/07/2023

A lot of HR, internal comms, L&D, etc. teams are talking about EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING at the moment and how to foster that among employees.

And one area within "well being" that is starting to get a TON of attention and buzz is INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING.

If that's a topic you are talking about or focused on...here's an approach to consider.

03/06/2023

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from companies about PRIVATE or INTERNAL PODCASTS is - do we really need a company like yours to help us...can't we just do it ourselves?

Here's what I tell them....

17/05/2023

There are a lot of internal comms, HR, L&D, marketing, etc. folks out there who would love to launch a podcast (maybe their own show or one featuring a leader at their company)...but they're HESITANT (even intimidated) for a number of reasons.

Well, if you want some approaches, tools, strategies, etc. to help you get over the hump (and hit that record button)...l can help!

30/04/2023

I moved to Wilmington NC a couple years ago and only knew a couple people...and wanted to meet more.

Now, one of my personal INTERESTS is Land Rover Defenders...and it turns out there are (surprisingly) a LOT of them here in Wilmington...so I started a meet-up/club. I call it DEFENDERS & DONUTS (my take on the popular "Cars & Coffee" meet-up event).

Little by little, more and more Defender owners started showing up...and over the past year or so I've made some great friends...and even some new BUSINESS contacts.

Turns out...using my INTEREST in Defenders was a great way to do some business NETWORKING and even hone my networking skills WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING I was doing it, since I was so comfortable with the topic and excited about doing it!

So basically, it helped me PERSONALLY and PROFESSIONALLY.

And it made my think - maybe that could be turned into a unique HACK internal comms/HR/L&D teams could mention to employees who know the importance of networking, but aren’t all that comfortable doing it.

In other words, explain how amplifying their passions, hobbies or interests can actually help them get more comfortable networking…and maybe even provide them with some approaches and ideas for how they could do it. Maybe even give them a forum to do it internally (like an internal podcast...sorry I couldn’t resist - hah!).

Anyway, I’ll leave that part to you.

Point is - it’s definitely a different way to build a necessary professional skill...and employees might appreciate you mentioning it since it will also help them personally.

21/04/2023

Whenever I speak to companies about starting an INTERNAL PODCAST (one that's released exclusively to employees or specific teams/departments/groups...many of them share the same FEAR about launching a show, which is they're worried they won't have the content or time or resources to sustain it.....and it will flop.

Now...when I hear that...I immediately take the pressure off by introducing them to this LOOPHOLE.....

23/03/2023

Sometimes you just gotta roll with the realities of a home podcast studio.

20/03/2023

So what is a PRIVATE PODCAST?

Obviously it's a unique INTERNAL COMMS and EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT approach...but it goes well beyond that!

27/02/2023

Many HR leaders and groups I cross paths with are aware of the obvious/expected ways they can leverage PODCASTS, but they're surprised to learn about all the unique (even unexpected) ways they can use them.

15/02/2023

When you're INTERVIEWING a candidate don't just dismiss their skills, hobbies and jobs that don't seem relevant to the role they are applying for. Start CONNECTING THE DOTS and look for unexpected connections.

07/02/2023

Here's an approach you might want to STEAL because it could possibly help the employees and different groups in your organization better understand and more effectively communicate your BRAND (or company or product) STORY.

Of course, when many of us hear the term “Brand Story,” we immediately think, "Well that's a marketing group function"...but that's NOT TRUE. Telling the brand story is an EVERY GROUP FUNCTION. From sales...to finance...to customer service...to talent acquisition...etc. Simply put, EVERYONE needs to know (and be able to tell) the brand story.

The problem is, many companies don't help them do it.

So, maybe consider producing a limited-run PRIVATE/INTERNAL PODCAST your employees and/or groups ONLY that focuses on helping them better understand the story...know when to tell the story...know how to personalize the story...and so on.

Personally, I think this will be one of the most appreciated internal communications you could do!

26/01/2023

ROOM...meet the latest ELEPHANT

If you are a company leader (especially in areas like HR or Internal Comms) and you are not addressing the AI "elephant in the room"...you are out of your mind. Your employees are petrified right now and you cannot bury your head in the sand and hope this all goes away. You need to address it HEAD ON....and FAST!

Here's a strategy to do it......

10/05/2022

There seems to be a little confusion out there in business land about what a PRIVATE PODCAST actually is. You see...many people think that these kinds of podcasts are for EMPLOYEES ONLY. In other words, that they are an internal comms strategy.

And yes, they are...BUT "private" doesn't only mean "internal." Private means EXCLUSIVE (or locked-down)...which means you can release a private podcasts to ANY audience you choose.

For example, you could release a series exclusively to your CUSTOMERS or CLIENTS as a unique B-2-B strategy to build relationships, etc.

You could release a series exclusively to COLLEGE STUDENTS that you want to recruit. Talk about a unique (and current) talent acquisition strategy!

You could even release a podcast exclusively to CONSUMERS who purchase your product (even as an NFT podcast).

Simply put, there are TONS of opportunities to use private podcasts (beyond using them just for employees).

So start thinking about audiences you'd like to inspire, educate, inform and impact...and then produce a podcast exclusively for them!

22/01/2022

"Many people already listen to at least one podcast. If you create an e-learning podcast for your employees, it is a concept most will understand be comfortable with, and that leads to better engagement."

We've always loved that line from this article "THE VALUE OF USING PODCASTS FOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING." https://lnkd.in/dczV2SXf

Over the years we have developed and produced everything from comprehensive private (for employee ears only) podcast trainings...to private podcast "extensions" designed to support/complement existing training curriculums...and we think every client we've worked with would agree with that article and say, "Using private podcasts for training works!"

And let's face it...wouldn't you rather be the company that uses a RELEVANT, CURRENT, EFFECTIVE and ENGAGING format like podcasts to train employees vs. the company that uses the OLD, STALE, INEFFECTIVE and downright BOOOOORING formats everyone has been using forever? Yeah, we thought so....

Podcasts have exploded in popularity and risen to become a mainstream form of media which is familiar to just about everyone. You can find podcasts