The Action Catalyst

Shamir Duverseau, co-founder of Smart Panda Labs and former marketing leader for brands including Disney, Marriott, Southwest Airlines, and NBC Universal, discusses how organizations can dramatically improve digital marketing performance by focusing on the often-overlooked post-click experience. Duverseau explains that while many companies invest heavily in advertising and customer acquisition, conversions are won or lost after consumers arrive on a website, where poor user experience, organizational silos, and misalignment between marketing, IT, product, and data teams create friction that drives potential customers away. He explores the “Bermuda Triangle” challenge of cross-functional collaboration, the growing impact of AI on customer experience, and why achieving an “Amazon-level experience” requires strategic communication, technical integration, and continuous optimization, along with insights on customer journey optimization, conversion rate improvement, digital transformation, marketing technology, and user experience strategy.

Richard Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, innovation educators from Stanford, explain how “innovation hesitation” holds people back, and explain how the tools of creativity are a lot like the ones you use to pilot an airplane. Hear Richard and Tessa's full interview in Episode 507 of The Action Catalyst.

Chris Dessi, MS., Founder & CEO of Silverback Social, is a TEDx speaker, personal branding expert, author and keynote speaker. His latest book is titled Remarkable You: Build a Personal Brand, and Take Charge of Your Career. In 2012, Chris ‘s debut book titled Your World is Exploding: How Social Media is Changing Everything and How You Need to Change with It shot to #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases. He regularly appears on CNBC, CNN, Fox News, Good Day New York, & FOX BUSINESS’s Varney & Co. He has been quoted in Mashable, & has delivered a keynote to the United States Marines aboard the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum. His event the Westchester Digital Summit has been featured in Forbes Magazine. His creative personal branding has been featured in Fortune Magazine. He’s an editorial contributor on Inc.com. Show Highlights: Personal branding is the idea of stepping out into the proverbial world and saying I’m an expert at what I do. @chrisdessiA limiting factor for me was that the only people who knew I was good at my job were my clients and my boss. @chrisdessi For me, the first step in personal branding was to create a blog. @chrisdessiWhen executives of an organization are building their personal brand properly, it can only amplify the organization. @chrisdessiPersonal brand building is about appropriate content with a strategy and definite focus on achieving something. @chrisdessiCompanies are afraid of personal branding because they don’t want to be out-shown by their executives. @chrisdessiIt is our jobs as the head of an organization to make sure we are giving our employees the tools, infrastructure and systems so they don’t leave. @chrisdessiWe all have something important to share with the world. @chrisdessi To find out more about Chris Dessi and building your personal brand or to grab your own copy of his latest book visit: christopherdessi.com The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!

DeVon Franklin—Hollywood producer, New York Times bestselling author, and leadership expert— explains how the things that make you UNcommon, are the very keys to your success....but getting comfortable with them is the challenge... Hear DeVon's full interview in Episode 214 of The Action Catalyst.

In this episode, Richard Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, co-authors and innovation educators from Stanford, challenge common myths about creativity and reveal why innovation is a skill anyone can develop, not an innate talent reserved for a select few. Drawing on cognitive science, design thinking, and real-world consulting experience, they explain how “innovation hesitation” holds people back and how adopting the right mindset can unlock creative problem-solving, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking. The conversation explores the science behind creativity, divergent and convergent thinking, neuroplasticity, team innovation, and practical strategies for overcoming uncertainty in business and life.