If you think Hallmark is just about greeting cards and holiday movies, think again. In this first of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Patrick McCullough, President of Hallmark Business Connections, to explore how over 110 years of creating emotional connection can teach B2B brands how to build stronger, more meaningful relationships—with customers, employees, and even themselves.

Patrick brings years of experience helping companies foster loyalty and purpose by focusing on what really matters: relationships. You’ll hear about how trust is built over time, why meaningful interactions at work make life more fulfilling, and what B2B leaders can do today to create a culture of connection.

In a world where people are tired of being treated like transactions, this episode offers real, actionable steps on how to lead with care, create trust, and build loyalty that lasts. Whether you're a marketer, a sales leader, or an executive trying to shape a more human-centered culture—there’s something in here for you.

We all can learn from Hallmark.

👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2 next week—where we’ll dive even deeper into how emotional connection drives real business results.

For more information, visit:

• www.worldinnovators.com
• www.hallmarkbusinessconnections.com

#B2BMarketing #RelationshipMarketing #HallmarkBusiness #B2BLeadership #HumanConnection #MarketingWithHeart #IndustrialMarketing #WorldInnovators #MarketingStrategy

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we walk through practical ways manufacturing companies can generate and nurture more leads. If your team isn’t seeing enough opportunities coming in, it might be time to revisit your approach.

You’ll hear how to:
• Identify the right audience based on your best customers
• Increase visibility using trusted industry-specific channels
• Improve lead capture on your website with clear messaging and helpful resources
• Build relationships with consistent, value-based content
• Leverage tools like ChatGPT to maintain consistency and stay visible, even with a lean team

Whether you're just getting started or refining your efforts, these strategies can help your brand show up in the right places and speak to the right people.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update
• 00:33 The Importance of Leads
• 01:12 Identifying the Right Audience
• 02:47 Increasing Visibility
• 07:35 Improving Lead Capturing on Your Website
• 09:57 Building Relationships
• 13:08 Leveraging AI Tools for Consistency
• 15:15 Conclusion and Recap

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence Podcast and leave a rating so others can find it too.
Visit our YouTube channel for practical How-To videos, and explore our website at https://www.worldinnovators.com for more actionable steps to help you reach your goals.

We're here to inspire success in everyone around us.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Real Ways I Used ChatGPT to Save Time & Stay Sharp-

On my morning walk this week, I looked up the hill and stopped in my tracks — there was a bear. No warning, just a moment that forced me to change direction. And that’s exactly what business can feel like today. Things shift quickly, and we need to be ready to pivot.

That moment reminded me just how valuable a tool like ChatGPT can be — not for flashy gimmicks, but for real, day-to-day support. In this episode, I share exactly how I used ChatGPT over the past week to stay sharp, save time, and better support clients.

You’ll hear how I used ChatGPT to:
• Research prospects and uncover insights that led to more personalized outreach
• Compare LMS platforms to guide a client’s decision
• Refine an article for an industry publication to sound more helpful, not salesy
• Align branding visuals and promotions for a consistent message
• Explore topics like stem cell therapy to stay informed and sharp

3 Actionable Steps to Try This Week:

1. Use it for research: Ask ChatGPT to break down a company, audience, or trend in plain English.
2. Test it on something small: Try rewriting one email or LinkedIn post — you’ll be surprised how much time it saves.
3. Build it into your prep routine: Whether you’re heading into a meeting or presentation, let ChatGPT help you get clear and confident.

At World Innovators, we believe in sharing what actually works — not what sounds trendy. If you're ready to explore how AI can work in your world, subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you don’t miss an episode.

We also invite you to:

• Check out our YouTube Channel for step-by-step how-to videos
• Visit our website for more tactical tips and ideas
• Or email me directly at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com — if you’ve discovered a new way to use ChatGPT, I’d love to feature it!

Let’s learn together and help each other succeed — one smart strategy at a time.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Struggling to find the time to personalize your sales messages while staying authentic and relevant? Gartner reports that 72% of all emails are unopened and we are going to help you get your emails opened.

In this episode of the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI podcast, Donna Peterson shares how industrial sales teams can break through the noise using ChatGPT—not just to automate outreach, but to make it more human.

At World Innovators, we’ve spent over 40 years helping industrial brands build real relationships. This episode shares one of the ways we’re helping clients do that faster and more effectively—with empathy at the core.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why generic messaging is killing your sales momentum
• How to use ChatGPT to quickly tailor emails for different buyer roles
• Prompts that help uncover real industry pain points—fast
• How to ensure your messaging shows authentic empathy
• Real-world examples of how sales reps transformed their outreach in minutes

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: The chaos sales teams face
• 01:02 – Why AI tools like ChatGPT are a game-changer
• 01:49 – What makes a message resonate (and what falls flat)
• 03:29 – How to prompt ChatGPT for personalized messaging
• 05:24 – Researching your buyer’s world—without wasting hours
• 06:44 – The role of empathy in building real sales relationships
• 10:26 – Real-world examples & quick applications
• 21:47 – Wrap-up: A clear path forward for industrial sales teams

Resources:
Download the FREE worksheet: 5 Ways Brands Can Show Genuine Empathy
Watch the supporting videos: World Innovators YouTube Channel

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Episode Title: Why Is It So Hard to Instill Trust in B2B Marketing?
Host: Donna Peterson, President of World Innovators
Podcast: B2B Marketing Excellence & AI

In this powerful episode, Donna Peterson takes listeners on a personal and professional journey into one of the most important—and elusive—elements of B2B marketing: trust.

With over 30 years of experience helping industrial brands build lasting relationships, Donna opens up about the hard lessons she's learned from her own mother, the founder of World Innovators, and how those lessons continue to shape the way she approaches marketing today. From falling for perfect pitches that didn’t deliver, to understanding the emotional weight of skepticism, Donna shares how trust is slowly earned—but easily lost.

Listeners will walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of why trust is so difficult to establish in B2B
• How inconsistent branding, shallow messaging, and automation have chipped away at confidence
• Practical steps to rebuild trust through consistent branding, emotional relevance, and careful use of AI tools

If you're an industrial marketer, a business owner, or a lean marketing team looking to stand out in a noisy marketplace, this episode will give you both insight and action.

📌 Episode Highlights:
• 00:00 Introduction: Trust Issues in Business
• 00:20 Lessons from the Past: My Mother's Advice
• 01:42 Personal Experiences with Trust in Business
• 02:19 The Importance of Building Trust in B2B Brands
• 04:00 Challenges in Building Trust Today
• 05:34 The Role of Empathy and Emotion in Messaging
• 07:24 Common Pitfalls in B2B Marketing
• 13:36 Effective Strategies to Build Trust
• 20:13 Actionable Steps to Enhance Trust
• 23:10 Conclusion: The Long Road to Trust

🔗 Want help building trust with your marketing strategy? Email Donna directly: dpeterson@worldinnovators.com
🌐 Learn more at www.worldinnovators.com
🎧 Tune in now and discover how to build relationships that last—because in B2B, trust isn’t just important, it’s everything.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Episode Title: GPTs Replaced Endless File Searching

Show Notes:
In this episode of the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast, I talk about a common frustration — when your computer crashes and you're forced to transfer everything. That happened to me recently, and instead of just moving over cluttered files, I decided to create a better system.

I used this opportunity to build personalized GPTs (Generative Pretrained Transformers) inside ChatGPT to help me organize information so I could stop digging through folders, spreadsheets, and emails. Now, instead of asking “Where did I save that?” — I just ask my GPT.

These GPTs have become my go-to system for locating key client information, marketing materials, podcast outlines, and internal resources — all in seconds.

If you’re overwhelmed by digital disorganization or tired of repeating the same searches, this episode will show you how to use AI to create a centralized, accessible, and reliable system for storing and retrieving information.

You’ll learn:

• Why I decided not to keep transferring messy files across computers
• How GPTs help organize and recall key information instantly
• Real-world examples of how I use GPTs to support client work and daily operations
• Simple ways to get started creating your own GPT-based document system

At World Innovators, we’re all about helping B2B brands and Executives find smarter ways to reach the right audience — and that starts with staying organized internally. GPTs are one tool that’s helping us (and our clients) reduce clutter and increase clarity.

Watch the Bonus Video: How to Create Your Own GPT- https://youtu.be/2NNt4f88qNw?si=KniJVppBV3CSuafp

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 A Rough Week with Technology
• 03:21 Setting Up Your Own GPT
• 04:58 Practical Applications of GPTs
• 08:27 Training and Optimizing Your GPT
• 12:50 Benefits of GPTs for Teams
• 15:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

👉 If you’re ready to stop wasting time hunting down documents and start using AI to keep everything organized, this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes, and visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Cold to Connected: Making Your Email Marketing Meaningful

B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast with Donna Peterson

Are your emails building real relationships—or just filling inboxes?

In this episode, I share how to create meaningful connections through email marketing that actually resonate with your audience. I’ll walk you through why industry-specific lists from trusted publishers make all the difference, and how segmenting those lists can lead to better engagement.

You’ll hear how I use AI tools like ChatGPT to craft personalized, value-focused messages that speak directly to the recipient’s needs—not just their job titles. Plus, we’ll talk about list maintenance, branding consistency, and simple nurturing strategies that build trust and make life easier for your sales team.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your current efforts, this episode is full of practical tips to help you create emails people actually want to read.

Timestamps:
• 00:00 – Welcome: The Real Purpose Behind Your Emails
• 00:52 – Why Industry-Specific Lists Matter So Much
• 02:45 – Segmenting for Relevance and Respect
• 05:04 – How AI Can Help Personalize (Without Sounding Robotic)
• 06:47 – Messaging That Builds Trust and Adds Value
• 08:26 – Using Industry Knowledge to Cut Through the Noise
• 10:43 – Quick Recap: What You Can Start Doing Today
• 15:10 – Final Thoughts & A Gentle Challenge

👉 Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? If you’re looking for tailored strategies or help finding the right audience lists, reach out—I’d love to help you build connections that actually move the needle.

Let’s work together to inspire success in everything we do and with everyone around us.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes, and visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of the B2B Marketing Excellence and AI podcast, Donna Peterson addresses the real challenges facing B2B marketers today — being asked to achieve more with fewer resources, leading to burnout and avoidable mistakes.

Donna shares her personal experience with reevaluating and improving her workflow, focusing on practical steps she took to streamline processes using tools like ChatGPT, HubSpot, Dropbox, and Asana. She explains how documenting workflows and providing clear, detailed inputs into AI tools leads to better outcomes, and why critical thinking remains essential even when incorporating technology.

Listeners will hear specific strategies Donna implemented, such as setting up client intake forms and automating task reminders to create a more efficient and organized system. She also emphasizes the need for regular review of processes to ensure technology supports goals rather than adding unnecessary complexity.

The episode encourages marketers to start with small improvements, focus on one system at a time, and take a thoughtful approach to integrating technology into daily work. Donna reminds listeners that success comes from building strong, sustainable client relationships, supported — not replaced — by AI.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 Introduction to B2B Marketing Excellence and AI
• 00:23 Challenges of Modern B2B Marketing
• 00:46 Donna’s Personal Workflow Struggles
• 01:54 Leveraging AI for Workflow Improvements
• 03:40 Creating a Paperless Workflow
• 08:36 The Importance of Client Follow-Up
• 10:21 Streamlining Processes with AI
• 12:53 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
• 15:28 How to Get Further Assistance

If you are looking for ways to streamline your marketing processes and better integrate AI into your daily work, we invite you to visit www.worldinnovators.com.

There you can sign up for a one-hour AI Strategy Session, schedule an in-office presentation, or organize a customized workshop for your team.

Together, we can help you create a system that works — so you can focus on what matters most: building strong client relationships and achieving lasting success.

🎧 Thank you for listening. Please continue to follow the B2B Marketing Excellence and AI Podcast and help us spread the word to other marketers who can benefit from practical, relationship-centered strategies.

🎧 Visit www.worldinnovators.com to learn how we can help you build marketing that connects.

👉 Have questions or want Donna to present this topic to your team? Reach out at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the B2B Marketing Excellence & AI Podcast so you never miss an episode!