Episodes

  • 15 – The Sound of the Universe

    15 – The Sound of the Universe
    Jul 20 2021
    Professor Mark Whittle is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Virginia and has been part of their academic team since 1986. He specialises in stars, galaxies, cosmology, solar systems, and various observation techniques. His research focuses on the nuclear activity in galaxies and uses radio and optical telescopes. Mark is also fascinated with the different sounds the universe makes, studying sound waves that were emitted billions of years ago and weaving them together to know what that part - and time - of space sounded like. Mark joins me today to discuss what space - and some of its heavenly bodies - sound like. He shares his deep fascination with the sound of the universe and how sound can be heard in space. He explains what we would hear given the opportunity to be at the centre of the sun or near a gas cloud millions of lightyears away. Mark also describes some of the recent discoveries in space sounds and what the Big Bang would have sounded like. "There’s another way of contacting the universe - and that is through sound. There are various places in space where genuine soundwaves move." Professor Mark Whittle This week on the Sound Business Podcast: ● Mark's fascination with the creation and evolution of the universe● How sound can be heard in the emptiness of space● What certain heavenly bodies sound like● The various global modes that the heavenly bodies emit● What we would hear if we were in the centre of the sun or a gas cloud● Recent discoveries in space sounds and what they sound like● What black holes sound like and why space "wiggles"● The role of sound in the Big Bang and what we would have heard● The boundaries of space and how it gives notes in the cosmic sounds● How light emits pressure and contributes to space sound waves Connect with Professor Mark Whittle: University of Virginia College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Boosting Business Success with the Power of Sound Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Sound Business. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    44 mins
  • 14 – Hanging on the Telephone

    14 – Hanging on the Telephone
    Jul 1 2021
    We’ve all been at the end of a phone call that seems to never run out of automated responses. No matter what we do, we keep getting a computer to tell us their lines are busy, which feels like their customer service representatives would rather do something else than help with our queries. Some of us have an endless thread of patience, others not so much. While the former leads to business or profits, the latter leads to losses, and companies are losing a lot of money due to customers just hanging up out of frustration. In this episode, I discuss how your robotic call handling systems may be costing your company significant amounts of money. I share the best and worst practices when it comes to utilising a call handling system and explain how to make sure your customers don’t end up feeling frustrated by the time they reach a representative. I describe some of the reasons why scripts should be thrown out the window and why you should train your agents to respond like actual human beings. I also share the risks of setting up a call centre overseas and why I don’t recommend playing music over the telephone. "Never compromise on the quality of a call."Julian Treasure This week on the Sound Business Podcast: ● Why the telephone loses more business than any other in the world● The best and worst ways to hang up phones● What call handling systems are and why are they generally bad systems● How to give people genuine service to let them feel ‘looked after’ during a phone call● Why call handling systems should always offer a human alternative● The ideal call handling system every company should have for their clients● The problems that can happen when a company uses a call centre overseas● Scripts and why you should train people to respond off-script instead● Why playing music over the telephone is a bad idea Boosting Business Success with the Power of Sound Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Sound Business. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    13 mins
  • 13 – The World’s Favourite Sound

    13 – The World’s Favourite Sound
    Jun 8 2021
    In all my years of working with sound, I’ve only ever encountered one person who disliked birdsong. The birds have been on Earth far, far longer than we have, so it’s no surprise that their songs affect us. Professor David Rothenberg is a distinguished professor of Philosophy and Music at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a world-class Jazz clarinetist, and the author of the classic international best-seller: Why Birds Sing - which has been turned into a feature-length BBC TV documentary. Dr. Eleanor Ratcliffe is a Lecturer in Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey who researches how our environment affects us from an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral viewpoint. David and Eleanor join me today to discuss the world’s favourite sound - bird song - and what the current research shows about its effects on human cognition and wellbeing. David shares his passion for creating music with the sound of nature and explains how birds make the sounds we hear from a physiological perspective. We discuss how the bird’s brain enables them to learn with sound and how even birds with small brains can produce beautiful music. We also discuss how hearing birdsongs can positively affect our mindset and how sound has enabled the evolution and survival of birds since prehistoric times. "People can build a whole world in their mind through memories and association based on just listening to one very small sound of a bird." Eleanor Ratcliffe This week on the Sound Business Podcast: The sound of birds and how they contribute to a healthy mindset The kind of birdsongs that can be pleasant without being distracting How many animals are capable of producing music How David determines which bird sound to play to Small bird brains and how they still manage to create beautiful sounds The part of the bird that allows them to make two sounds at the same time How a bird's brain allows them to learn with sound Is it only humans that perceive the harmonic series Did dinosaurs, being the ancestors of birds, also sing How sound enabled the evolution and survival of birds How birdsong affects humans Connect with Prof. David Rothenberg: Official Website Book: Why Birds Sing: A Journey Into the Mystery of Bird Song Connect with Dr. Eleanor Ratcliffe: Eleanor Ratcliffe on LinkedIn Boosting Business Success with the Power of Sound Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Sound Business. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    29 mins
  • 12 – How to achieve super-additivity with Prof. Charles Spence

    12 – How to achieve super-additivity with Prof. Charles Spence
    May 21 2021
    Professor Charles Spence is the Crossmodal Research Laboratory Head at the Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford University. He studies how the human brain manages to process and analyze external stimuli to create vibrant multisensory experiences. Charles has published over 500 articles over the last 15 years and has been recognized for his skills and contribution in cognitive science. He is also the author of the book Sensehacking: How to Use the Power of Your Senses for Happier, Healthier Living, where he writes about how everyday objects affect our wellbeing. Charles joins me today to discuss how the senses affect one another in what are called cross-modal effects, and why sound is getting more attention when it comes to branding and product design. He describes scenarios of how sound affects the way we perceive the taste of our food or our decisions throughout the day. He explains the concept of super-additivity, where adding congruent sensory messages creates a powerful multiplier effect, and shares real-world applications. He reveals how music is being used in healthcare spaces and how it aids physicians and patients. Charles also describes the importance of multisensory congruence in space design, including for our homes. "Just because you are not aware of sound, doesn't mean it's not there, going to your brain and affecting you." Charles Spence This week on the Sound Business Podcast: How many senses does the human body really have? Charles' insights on how our senses interact with each other. How overloading our senses can affect our perception of reality, especially our taste. Achieving super-additivity in our everyday lives. What Charles discovered about our senses in healthcare facilities. How music can improve medical treatment and pain relief. Why sound is not paid much attention when it comes to product design. How various industries are utilizing sound as part of their branding. Charles' tips for designing your home based on your senses. Connect with Charles Spence: Book: Sensehacking: How to Use the Power of Your Senses for Happier, Healthier Living Charles Spence on LinkedIn Boosting Business Success with the Power of Sound Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Sound Business. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    38 mins
  • 11 – Listen to the Future with Gerd Leonhard and David Houle

    11 – Listen to the Future with Gerd Leonhard and David Houle
    May 21 2021
    The future opens up to a sea of change in the way we communicate with others. As we move from visual to auditory user interfaces, from typing and peering at screens to speaking and listening to others, smart speakers like Siri and Alexa are just the first raindrops of a storm that I believe will sweep away many of the things we’ve become accustomed to. The connection between human and machine is no longer the work of science-fiction. But if you truly want a glimpse of what the future could hold, there are people you can ask who earn a living by thinking deeply about how things will be. They’re called futurists - and I happen to know a couple of rather good ones. Gerd Leonhard is recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Europe and has focused his career on the impact of technology on our humanity. He has spoken on countless stages around the world and authored several books including his most recently published book, Technology vs Humanity. David Houle specializes in mapping the future for CEOs and has helped over 4,000 CEOs to date. He played an instrumental role in the launch of MTV and has coined the phrase “the shift age” to describe the current situation we’re in. In addition to advising CEOs, David is an award-winning international speaker and the author of six books, including Brand Shift: The Future of Brands and Marketing. Gerd and David join me today to share their perspectives on the technology behind the sound revolution and how it impacts brands and organizations. We discuss the opportunities and threats of this new voice-based technological world and how we’re moving toward a world more focused on speaking and listening rather than typing. We discuss why Gerd believes AI technology is on the cusp of being as good as human understanding in terms of context, connotation, and semantics and the social-cultural changes we can expect as smart technology continues to advance. We also discuss why brands will need to be strategic when directing their focus on sound and how technology will ultimately rehumanize marketing, bringing us back to the original context of an individual conversation. “We have to embrace technology, but we should not become technology. And that difference is sometimes hard to tell.” Gerd Leonhard This week on the Sound Business Podcast: Why Gerd believes we’re moving toward a world more focused on speaking and listening, rather than typing The ‘Vocal Toolbox” and how AI technology still has room to improve in this area The social-cultural impact of AI technology advancing to understand context, connotation, and semantics Possible challenges associated with protecting user data Could mobile apps be a thing of the past The social benefits and implications of an AI technology-driven future world Understanding AGI (artificial general intelligence) and how we can avoid dehumanizing experiences related to conscious AI Being proactive and precautious regarding the use and distribution of AI technology Why brands will need to make calculated, strategic decisions when embracing audio-based intelligent agents in their marketing strategies Using branded content to ‘pass through’ future gatekeepers and the importance of creating valuable branded content Embracing the conversation aspect of humanity in your marketing efforts The three forces of The Shift Age How audio is currently the fastest growing form of marketing Lessons brand marketers can learn from audio streamers How becoming a conscious brand will impact your success in the audio-intelligent future world and what brands can do to become a conscious brand Resources mentioned: The Audio Revolution Book: Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control by Stuart Russell The Rise and Rise of Podcasting with Toby Goodman, Leo Hornak, Todd Cochrane, Jay LeBoeuf, and Brady Sadler
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    47 mins
  • 10 – Workplace secrets with Tim Oldman

    10 – Workplace secrets with Tim Oldman
    Apr 22 2021
    It seems to be common sense to create workspaces that support people in being productive, that they enjoy working in, and that they feel proud to be a part of. Sadly, that has not always been the case. To determine which aspects of a workspace matter to people and make a difference to the way they work and feel, we need an authoritative survey that analyzes everything from workstations and noise to the catering, breakout areas, and lighting - something that allows us to benchmark any workspace against global averages in every minute detail so we can identify exactly where we're succeeding and where we need to make improvements. Fortunately, one man has already thought about this. Tim Oldman is the creator and Founder of the Leesman Index, a workplace benchmarking tool based on over 800,000 identical, completed questionnaires from workspaces all over the world. Tim joins me today to share some of the key revelations revealed from the Leesman Index survey and the do’s and don’ts of current and future workspace design. We discuss what the Leesman Index is and how it helps organisation leaders determine how well their workplace supports their employees. We discuss what CEOs should consider when designing - or redesigning - their employees' workspace, and how the varying roles within an organisation often require different design needs to increase productivity. We also discuss what Tim’s newest survey reveals about at-home workspaces and the future of workplace design, how COVID-19 has allowed people to become acutely aware of their activity profile, and how employers can support and empower their employees in different activities throughout their work day. “It comes down to which activities are important to you in your workplace and how well are those activities supported.” Tim Oldman This week on the Sound Business Podcast: How the Leesman Index helps organisations determine how well their workplace supports their employees Understanding the various roles within your organisation and their different productivity needs The 21 workplace activities that the Leesman Index focuses on Why Tim created the Leesman Index How Tim is currently helping organisations measure their employees experiences while working remotely The best - and worst - things typically found in modern offices What the Leesman Index helps reveal about employee perspectives of their office environment Why the average home often supports our work better than the average office space Why Tim believes a workspace renaissance is upon us Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    32 mins
  • 09 – A Cool Reception

    09 – A Cool Reception
    Apr 22 2021
    Over the course of my career, I’ve seen (or more accurately, heard) many businesses and organizations miss the mark and make mistakes when trying to apply sounds in their business. One of the most common audio clangers I’ve come across is the reception space. Many corporate reception areas today are designed to impress the people that enter their business - instead of welcoming them. Their primary focus is often on boosting their company’s success, status, or ‘power’ instead of forming a relationship and making visitors feel welcomed. In this episode, I discuss why organization leaders need to consider the people they serve when designing their reception areas. I explain how to think about the acoustics and noise level of your reception area and how they impact the way your customers and clients feel when entering your business. I share how the type of content you display on your reception’s screens can have a positive - or negative - impact on your customers and clients. I also explain how you can audit your reception area’s auditory journey to transform your customer’s experience from the moment they open your door. “There’s a huge missed opportunity for almost all organizations to welcome people, to inform them, and to communicate the brand or the character of the organization.” Julian Treasure This week on the Sound Business Podcast: How hard surfaces impact your reception area’s acoustics Choosing the right soundscapes to properly represent your brand Debunking the theory that sharing local or national news in your waiting area suggests your company is current and relevant Considering the content you display on the televisions and sound systems How to audit your reception area’s auditory journey Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    6 mins
  • 08 – Making sense with Dr. Sally Augustin

    08 – Making sense with Dr. Sally Augustin
    Apr 22 2021
    Design awards are handed out all over the world - for how things look. Yet we experience the world in at least five senses and they all affect how we feel, think, and act. There's a great deal of scientific research on the impact of all these inputs, so it’s time now to start designing spaces with a real understanding of how to make all the sensory inputs point in the same direction, instead of clashing with one another. Dr. Sally Augustin is doing just that. She is an Environmental and Design Psychologist and the author of several books, including Designology: How to Find Your PlaceType & Align Your Life with Design. She is a Principal at Design With Science where she applies scientific findings to advise clients worldwide on the design of places, objects, and services to create specific cognitive, emotional, and physical experiences by considering and integrating all the human senses. Dr. Augustin’s work has been featured widely in the media from The New York Times and Psychology Today to the Harvard Business Review. She also holds leadership positions at the American Psychological Association and the Environmental Design Research Association. Dr. Augustin joins me today to discuss why the eyes are so dominant when we think about design and how we can integrate our other senses when designing a living or working environment. We discuss how the things we consider when designing an area or environment have shifted over time and why it’s crucial for designers to remember that people absorb information through all the senses, not just our eyes. We highlight the role that space and workplace design plays on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and the ‘universal standards’ designers can implement when designing a sensory-focused shared space, like an office. We also explain how our personality traits can influence our design preferences and what designers should consider when working with neurodiverse personalities like people with depression, ADHD, and autism. “We have different goals for different sorts of spaces. Considering the full range of sensory experiences can make achieving those goals more likely.” Dr Sally Augustin This week on the Sound Business Podcast: Why the eyes have been more dominant in work space design Why designers need to consider the way people absorb information when designing spaces How different spaces fundamentally impact our thoughts, feelings, and behavior The three different attributes of color and how they impact our moods, thoughts, expectations, and cultural interpretations Incorporating the sense of smell into your room designs How designers can cater to varied preferences when designing a shared space Implementing biophilic sounds when designing a public space Striking a balance between varying personality types Creating spaces for people with ADHD, depression, autism, and sensory disabilities Connect with Dr. Sally Augustin: Design With Science Book: Designology: How to Find Your PlaceType & Align Your Life with Design Dr. Sally Augustin on LinkedIn Be sure to share your favourite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
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    34 mins