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"The consumer, quite honestly, especially the younger generation, is looking for something more than just love me because I'm spending my money, they want to be connected to a brand." - Chris Gillen

This week’s theme

As the CEO and co-owner of A Closer Look, Chris brings nearly three decades of expertise from the frontlines of retail and customer service, guiding brands through the labyrinth of CX transformation.

Curious about how to leverage these insights to transform your own approach to customer experience? Tune in to hear Chris Gillen share practical strategies and visionary ideas that can help you stay ahead in this dynamic landscape. Don’t miss out—listen to the full episode now!

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Emotive loyalty vs. Transactional loyalty.
• Impact of COVID-19 and inflation on CX
• The role of AI in customer experience.
• Generational shifts in consumer behaviour.
• Proactive vs. Reactive customer service.
• The value of human connection.
• Proactive leadership in customer experience.
• Consumer empowerment and expectations.
• Innovation amid economic challenges.

Key links

• Chris Gillen LinkedIn
• A Closer Look Website
• A Closer Look Facebook Page
• A Closer Look X (Twitter ) Page
• Toys R Us Website
• Target Website
• Burning Mountain Adventures LinkedIn

About our guest

As CEO and co-owner of A Closer Look, Chris leads the team towards achieving their vision of being the ultimate partner for brands fanatical about the customer experience. He is dedicated to building brand loyalty for clients of all industries by providing robust data about the first-hand experiences of all customers who interact with their brand.

Chris’s experience in helping businesses iterate and improve their customer experience spans nearly three decades, including various leadership positions in retail companies known for phenomenal brand loyalty. His extensive expertise in leading and managing customer service programs has been instrumental in helping businesses improve their service offerings through the use of technology.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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"Improvisers don’t have time to hypothesise about the future of an idea. If you bring me an idea or a brick, I can't consider if it’s viable for the rest of the show; I just have to trust that it is and know the process will land us somewhere interesting. In businesses, leaders often assess the future of an idea instantly and may deny it, rather than just saying, 'Yes, and let’s build on this idea.' The improviser remembers the past, honours the present, and cares not for the future." - Broni Lisle

This week’s theme

Broni Lisle, a seasoned improv performer with decades of experience, shares how the art of improvisation can radically reshape the way teams communicate, collaborate, and innovate. Drawing from his work both on stage and in business settings, Broni Lisle reveals how improv helps individuals embrace spontaneity, listen deeply, and create a culture of trust and openness.

Tune in to discover how you can apply these game-changing improvisational techniques to your business. Broni’s insights are sure to spark creativity and open new doors for your team’s success. Listen now!

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Building stronger communication in your team
• Fostering trust through vulnerability
• The importance of spontaneity and playfulness
• Overcoming your inner critic and embracing innovation
• The importance of listening to connect, not to respond
• Redefining the standard 'Yes, and' to a 'Hell Yeah'

Key links

• Broni Lisle LinkedIn
• Improv Conspiracy podcast
• Growth Factory website
• Spontoon TV on YouTube

About our guest

Broni has been a professional performing artist and creative for 23 years. A theatre practitioner, writer, actor, songwriter, musician and all the et ceteras in between. Over a career of thousands of stage shows, international and national tours, radio play and countless hours in rehearsal rooms, Broni has distilled his values and passion in the performing arts down to a few things; authenticity, trust, and whimsy. These values dictate the projects and the people worth collaborating on and with.

In addition, Broni holds degrees in Theatre and Education and is an expert teacher, director and facilitator of improvisation, theatre and music.

Broni works with corporate individuals and teams on becoming better communicators, collaborators and improving their creativity, ultimately creating a happier workplace.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally.

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/

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“Your health is the only thing that's keeping you there, doing your job. ... Your body might not give you that choice. ... You keep running at such a pace and we keep expecting our body to just sustain us, which it does, to a point, but at some point it might decide that's enough and it forces you to stop." - Cailie Ford

This week’s theme

Cailie Ford, a clinical nutritionist with a background in change management, has channelled her passion for food and health into a thriving practice.

Don’t let the demands of work jeopardise your health. Tune in to this episode and discover how to nourish your body and mind, so you can thrive both at work and in life.

In this episode you’ll hear about

• Cailie’s journey from change management to nutrition.
• Key areas Cailie targets in her wellness programmes.
• Bad habits in corporate environments and how to address them.
• Strategies for managing stress through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
• Easy adjustments for improving nutrition, including managing stress.
• Balanced breakfasts and intermittent fasting for women.
• Hydration Tips.
• Balancing weight loss goals with a busy work life.
• Physical activity in sedentary jobs.
• Mindful eating and simplifying nutrition.

Key links

• Cailie Ford's Website
• Cailie Ford LinkedIn
• Cailie Ford Instagram

About our guest

Cailie is a motivational speaker, clinical nutritionist and accredited change manager. Cailie works with businesses and across the globe, providing customised workshops and programs to support employees to feel better and achieve more.

Workshops and programs focus on the relationship between physical and mental wellbeing and their impact on business performance, working towards a healthier, happier and more engaged workforce.

Cailie also runs a busy private practice, specialising in gut health, hormones, sustainable fat loss and women's health across the lifespan.

About our host

Our host, Chris Hudson, is a Teacher, Experience Designer and Founder of business transformation coaching and consultancy Company Road.

Company Road was founded by Chris Hudson, who saw over-niching and specialisation within corporates as a significant barrier to change.

Chris considers himself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the world’s most ambitious and successful companies, including Google, Mercedes-Benz, Accenture (Fjord) and Dulux, to name a small few. He continues to teach with University of Melbourne in Innovation, and Academy Xi in CX, Product Management, Design Thinking and Service Design and mentors many business leaders internationally

For weekly updates and to hear about the latest episodes, please subscribe to The Company Road Podcast at https://companyroad.co/podcast/