Best Andrea Belk Olson Podcasts (2025)

1
Why We Talk Ourselves Into Believing the Unbelievable 2:05

17d ago2:05

2:05

In business, facts rarely stand a chance against belief.

1
How Ideas Need the Right Moment to Flourish 3:34

29d ago3:34

3:34

History is littered with stories of trailblazers who were ahead of their time—innovators whose ideas didn’t catch on until the world was ready to hear them.

1
Why Sometimes It’s Smarter to Make Things Harder 2:15

1M ago2:15

2:15

The business world is hooked on ease. Streamlined processes. Seamless experiences. One-click solutions. It’s become the gold standard—strip out complexity, reduce friction, and assume anything hard is inherently broken. But here’s the catch: when everything is designed to be easy, people stop thinking.…

1
Seeing What Nobody Else Sees 3:23

2M ago3:23

3:23

Success isn't about being the smartest person in the room or making the perfect decision every time. If you think that, you’re probably stuck in a perpetual game of catch-up with the competition. The real secret to staying ahead? The ability to see what others can’t—those hidden opportunities, unnoticed patterns, and risks waiting to turn into cata…

1
Seeing Customer Needs Through a Different Lens 2:43

2M ago2:43

2:43

Companies often rely on buzzwords like "innovative," "game-changing," or "cutting-edge" to define their unique value proposition (UVP). While these terms may sound sexy, they lack substance. They fail to connect with customers on a meaningful level. A strong UVP, however, should be grounded in genuine customer insights and focus on solving problems…

1
The Bum Rush Strategy and Why It Fails 3:22

3M ago3:22

3:22

A new CEO enters the picture and has a laundry list of things to change. Or a new department head who wants to make a good impression and starts overhauling things. Sometimes things do need to change. But you can break more things than you fix with this approach.

1
Why Your "Clear" Communication Isn't Clear 3:21

3M ago3:21

3:21

As leaders, it's not enough to take the orders from on high and simply regurgitate them to our teams. We need to add value. We need to add insights and details. We need to help them understand how that initiative impacts them and how they can engage.

1
The Psychology of Momentum 2:38

4M ago2:38

2:38

Positive psychological momentum is a cognitive force that changes human behavior and performance. It enables people to achieve at a level not ordinarily possible. You see, when people experience success, it propels them to amplify their efforts. This positive momentum builds a greater likelihood of success in future endeavors.…

1
Don't Conflate Strategy Tools with a Strategy 2:24

4M ago2:24

2:24

Because strategy is about charting a particularly distinct path to success, thinking counterintuitively in an environment of complexity, and leveraging your advantages with ways to amplify those advantages, it’s hard to put that into a structured formula.

1
The Blueprint for Brand Differentiation 3:14

5M ago3:14

3:14

Today's consumers are bombarded with choices. Brand differentiation is no longer optional—it’s a survival strategy. But the question is how. Instead of focusing on product promotions, enable your customers to experience your brand.

1
The Difference Between Transactional and Relationship Building Answers 3:02

5M ago3:02

3:02

Ever notice how some conversations leave you with more questions than answers? That’s often the result of a reply instead of a response. While the two may sound similar, the difference is critical, especially in problem-solving, leadership, or collaborative work.

1
Can't Solve a Problem? Forget About It. 3:27

6M ago3:27

3:27

It's so frustrating when you've got a problem you need to solve, and nothing's coming to you. No ideas that will help move things forward. Maybe you talk with others to try and gather perspectives. Or you dive into the Google rabbit hole to look at how others have solved the problem. But there's nothing. You want something new, something innovative…

1
Why Operationalizing Strategy Isn't About Communicating Proclamations 2:34

7M ago2:34

2:34

Here’s a line in a corporate strategy document from a multi-billion-dollar client I was working with a few years ago: "We need to focus on better understanding the evolving needs of our current and future customers, and tailor solutions to meet those needs." What the hell? Isn’t that what the company should do as just a basic, daily, operating prin…

1
Colin and Paula Woods - Diamond Builders - Big Vision Edition 1:11:24

7M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

In this edition of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Colin and Paula Woods, owners of Diamond Builders. Building a business is like building a house, it takes hard work, persistence, and a positivity that can withstand the challenges. Join us as we learn how Colin and Paula's vision has stood the test of time.…

1
Strategy Requires Creativity. Creativity Requires Time and Practice. 3:09

7M ago3:09

3:09

Think back to when you were under the gun to come up with a ground-breaking idea or solution to a complex problem. How many of those instances produced something revolutionary? Likely very few. However, too many companies expect employees to spend more time looking productive than being productive. So, with limited time, those appointed to develop …

1
Why Getting Unanimous Agreement is Bad for Strategy 1:40

8M ago1:40

1:40

Leaders tend to strive for unanimous agreement – especially for large strategic decisions and situations where there’s a lot of uncertainty. If we have full commitment from our team, we must be making the right decision! Who wouldn’t want everyone to be on board? But unanimous agreement doesn’t mean there’s true agreement, no matter how many head n…

1
Understanding The Types of Non-Customers 3:42

8M ago3:42

3:42

Your sales are down. You need an influx of new customers. Great! Often the first step is segmenting your prospects into groups, whether by industry, product type, service type, or some other categorization. Then the marketing blitz begins. Maybe you create a special offer on a product. Or a discount for new customers. Or just put up some billboards…

1
Does Your Company Have Mental Shrinkage? 2:54

8M ago2:54

2:54

Every industry has shrinkage in its way. Those without inventory have shrinkage in the form of innovation atrophy. This occurs when an employee is asked for their ideas and input, and invests time and effort working through them, only to learn it’s all for naught.

1
Dave & DJ Necker - Neckers Jewelers - Big Vision Edition 1:12:02

8M ago1:12:02

1:12:02

In this episode of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Dave and DJ Necker, owners of Neckers Jewelers. How much fun can you have while designing a gem of a business? Well, the Necker brothers are about to fill us in. Join us as we learn the rough and the smooth of carving out a dazzling vision.By Elyce Billany

1
Why Strategy is Critical to Giving Goals a Structure 2:46

9M ago2:46

2:46

Success is the result of choices -- choosing to do one thing over another. This means consciously not spending time, effort, or resources on certain things. A goal is simply a target. For example, say your goal is to double revenue growth in three years. Is that a clear goal? Will that goal create success? No, because there are no clear choices.…

1
Developing Behavioral Principles To Support Your Corporate Strategy 2:57

9M ago2:57

2:57

When strategy development is complete, most executives start the rollout process. But communicating the strategy isn’t activating the strategy. Activation requires establishing guidance on how to shed old mindsets and embrace new ways of thinking. This necessitates shifting from telling to illustrating.…

1
A Simple Way To Focus Your Messaging 2:49

10M ago2:49

2:49

As a marketing leader, you want your messaging to resonate with your audience, be memorable, increase awareness, and build brand recognition. But you can't approach your team with that abstract request. You also can't simply share your 140-page corporate strategy and assume they'll glean some magic out of it. Crafting effective messaging requires s…

1
The Little Things 2:51

10M ago2:51

2:51

I'm not one for big projects. Especially those that I dread. Cleaning out a closet that's been languishing overstuffed for too long. Or reorganizing a file cabinet. It sucks. So I don't. Whether at home or work, big projects don't have to be big. They can be small if you approach them right.

1
Output versus Outcomes 2:40

11M ago2:40

2:40

Company leaders want measurable results, naturally. So they establish goals for the organization, whether a revenue growth objective or a target net promoter score. However, teams often fall short of those goals because instead of measuring outcomes, we measure the number of outputs accomplished, and in turn, overlook their connection to bigger org…

1
Chesterton's Fence and Understanding The Why Behind Decisions 2:27

12M ago2:27

2:27

Making better decisions requires understanding the rationale behind previous decisions. If you don’t understand how you got here, you run the risk of making things not better, but worse.

1
Do You Have an Employee Attrition Strategy? 2:54

12M ago2:54

2:54

Most organizations struggle with employee turnover. There are multiple reasons why this occurs, ranging from internal culture issues to simply a hot job market. But instead of being in reactionary mode when employees decide to leave, why not have an intentional attrition strategy?

1
Technology, Psychology, and Change 2:29

12M ago2:29

2:29

Over the last few years, retailers have invested a lot in self-checkout lanes. This was initially seen as a great way to reduce labor costs and challenges with hiring. They were touted to reduce waits in line, eliminate the need to interact with a checker, and get you out in no time. But it hasn't done any of that.…

1
Andrea Belk Olson - Pragmadik - Big Vision Edition 1:17:19

1y ago1:17:19

1:17:19

In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Andrea Belk-Olson, owner of Pragmadik. Managing 10 business units across 12 countries garnered Andrea the opportunity to study customer behavior across varying cultures. Now let's find out how she used her vision to become not a consultant, but a Change Expert.…

1
Is Customer Service Dead or Just a Strategic Company Decision? 3:15

1y ago3:15

3:15

Many companies are pulling back on customer service, reducing resources, training, and automating support. It's understandable to an extent. Hiring and retaining customer service staff is incredibly hard. The cost of training people is high. Customers are increasingly doing their research before they enter a store, and they don't even want to talk …

1
Marketing Shouldn't Always Sell 4:00

1y ago4:00

4:00

There's been a recent push (most likely by the bean counters) to establish a direct ROI for marketing efforts. I can understand this thinking. Advertising and marketing are expensive. The adage of "half of all marketing spend is wasted, we just don't know which half" makes sense, if you're looking at waste in an immediate return sense. You spend $X…

1
Why A Strong Brand Isn't a Luxury but a Necessity 3:01

1y ago3:01

3:01

Who invented the light bulb? Of course, you'd say Thomas Edison. But what you may not realize is that Edison did not invent the light bulb. It was actually invented by Joseph Wilson Swan and Henry Woodward. What Edison did really well was commercialize the invention. But why do we always think of Thomas Edison first? Of course, he was a prolific in…

1
Scott Ocel: Domino's - Big Vision Edition 1:05:00

1y ago1:05:00

1:05:00

In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Scott Ocel, franchise owner of Domino's. Scott started out slinging pizzas and now owns several Domino's franchises. His journey is one of grit, determination, and dough. Now let's find out how Scott put all the right toppings on his vision.By Elyce Billany

1
Asking the Right Questions 4:05

1y ago4:05

4:05

We ask questions all the time. At work, at home, amongst friends. Often, we ask questions that we already know the answer to, and other times, we ask questions that validate our existing perceptions. But in business, when we're trying to find answers to complex, layered, multi-faceted problems, we need excellent questions to get the answers and ins…

1
A Different Approach to Incentivization 2:34

1y ago2:34

2:34

There's a lot of advice out there for designing employee incentive programs. Most of it focuses on common tactics including additional vacation days, public recognition, health/wellness reimbursements, referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and monetary bonuses. Aside from the economic considerations, the bigger question…

1
Is Your Customer Feedback Used to Diagnose or Sell? 3:11

1y ago3:11

3:11

Why don't companies take more time to truly understand customer needs? In short, because it's hard, it takes time, and sometimes, we don't want to hear what they have to say. Customer feedback isn't simply about capturing data from questionnaires, reporting the top three frustrations customers have, and then deciding which one is the least costly a…

1
The One Minute "Oh Sh$%" Moment 1:06

1+ y ago1:06

1:06

Listen to Lee Garlach explain his first taste of entrepreneurship. Hear him describe that "Oh Sh$%" moment that so many entrepreneurs experience when they dive in!By Elyce Billany

1
Why Do We Separate Change From Day-To-Day Operations? 2:42

1+ y ago2:42

2:42

Say the company is having trouble with widget quality and missed deadlines. Should leadership focus on fixing the operational problems or on the strategy? Most executives would prioritize the former. They would say, “Let’s first patch the holes and then modernize the ship.” And most CEOs would say, “Ok.“ This is a big mistake.…

1
Kairos and the Art of Timing 2:45

1+ y ago2:45

2:45

We've all heard the term "Chronos" often regarding expensive watches, and the measure of time. But there's another term for time that's even more important - Kairos. In Greek, kairos represents a kind of “qualitative” time, as in “the right time”; Chronos represents a different kind of “quantitative” time, as in, “What time is it?” and “Will we hav…

1
Who's Your Brand's Rival? 2:40

1+ y ago2:40

2:40

Everyone likes a good rivalry story. They inspire, build emotional connections, and create a deep level of authenticity with the characters involved. Your brand has rivals too, and capitalizing on those rivals can help you position your identity in a way that differentiates you from the herd.

1
Finding Your Big Small 2:37

1+ y ago2:37

2:37

Small things can have big, lasting impacts. For example, 60% of the fish food that organisms living in coral reefs eat comes from the tiny larvae of tiny fish. Coral reefs could not survive without them. We often don't consider the small - especially in business. Small changes are typically overlooked, and the big changes usually get all the attent…

1
What IS NOT Strategy and What IS 2:03

1+ y ago2:03

2:03

Recruit and retain top talent. Increase market share. Improve customer satisfaction. Expand into new geographic markets. Diversity product offerings. Are these actually strategies or not?

1
Do You Have Information Rot? 3:19

1+ y ago3:19

3:19

Every organization we've worked with has reams of consumer feedback. Often it is utilized to make critical decisions. Sometimes, it's not. Sometimes, the feedback itself becomes the exercise, where study after study is created multiple times a year, and the insights are simply shared across the organization - nothing more. While customer insight co…

1
Strategy is also about People and Culture Dynamics 3:54

1+ y ago3:54

3:54

When organizations design strategies, the focus is typically on crafting an approach to achieve key organizational goals. These plans usually take hundreds of hours collectively, and once complete, are presented to the organization in a series of town halls, beautifully illustrated documents, and leadership meetings. Yet while we believe the strate…

1
Eliminating Waste Over Increasing Efficiency 4:20

1+ y ago4:20

4:20

Efficiency is fundamentally about using less input and getting more output. When CEOs talk about increasing "worker efficiency", it usually means getting fewer workers to do more work. You can have the most efficient workforce in the world, but if the company, the system, and the process they’re working in are wasteful, none of it really matters. E…

1
Sorcerer's Apprentice Theory 3:00

1+ y ago3:00

3:00

You likely remember Mickey Mouse and the Sorcerer's Apprentice. It's a story that revolves around an apprentice of a great sorcerer who has grown tired from repetitive manual labor and decides to automate his chores with a bit of help from his departed master's hat. There are multiple interpretations of lessons from this story. The one most frequen…

1
Tackle the Big Things First 2:27

1+ y ago2:27

2:27

Let’s say you’re trying to teach an elephant how to recite poetry while balancing on a soccer ball. How should you allocate your time and money between training the elephant and designing the soccer ball? The right answer, of course, is to spend zero time thinking about the ball. But most people will rush off and start designing a really great socc…

1
It's Not Enough To Launch a New Product. You Need To Consider the Bigger Picture. 3:11

1+ y ago3:11

3:11

Innovation can change industries and systems, but real innovation causes a change in how people behave. Consider technologies like Slack, iPhones, or even the Cloud. For these large innovations and the organizations that adopt them, there is a dramatic shift in how time is spent, how communication happens, how team members relate to one another, an…

1
Laquanda Hoskins & Letisha Randle - PRH Group - Big Vision Edition 1:04:02

1+ y ago1:04:02

1:04:02

In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Tish Randle and Laquanda Hoskins of PRH Group. A business partnership built on friendship might sound like stormy weather, but this electrical construction company make it look like blue skies. Now let's find out how they rebuild our communities one storm restoration project at a time.…

1
Jake Gervase - NFL, Stay Tiny TX, & Rally for Reid - Big Vision Edition 54:11

1+ y ago54:11

54:11

In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Jake Gervase of Stay Tiny Texas. Jake's NFL career may have led him to the Superbowl and his brother Sam may have led him into a real estate adventure, but a sweet little boy named Reed led him into a rally. With a family business, a football team, and a philanthropic goal on his plate he has a…

1
Why Terminology Matters 3:43

1+ y ago3:43

3:43

Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly vs. Explosion. Pre-Owned vs. Used. We've seen a lot of terminology changes over the years, and it's because words matter. How you communicate and frame something has been a technique used by marketers for decades. Yet as organization leaders, we often make terminology more abstract and complicated instead of simple, co…

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Andrea Belk Olson Podcasts

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