Growth doesn’t have to mean being everywhere at once or chasing every shiny new tactic.In this episode of No Hacks, I talk with Ward van Gasteren — one of Europe’s first growth hackers — about how to grow smarter, not louder. Ward shares his go-to method for helping early-stage startups: the 1-1-1 Framework — one audience, one channel, one message.We dig into how founders and product teams can stop spreading themselves too thin, avoid early-stage overwhelm, and finally find traction through focus. Ward explains the difference between growth and traditional marketing, how to approach experimentation, and why most companies waste time on strategies that don’t serve their stage.Whether you’re building a company, a product, or even a podcast — this conversation will help you cut through the noise and grow with clarity.Topics Covered:How to stop doing too much and focus on what worksThe 1-1-1 Framework for early-stage clarityWhy founders waste time on channels that aren’t readyThe role of experimentation beyond A/B testingChoosing the right growth metrics and north starWhy organic social is rarely a growth engineBuilding scalable systems after early tractionAI’s impact on speed (but not necessarily quality)How podcast growth follows the same principles as startup growthAbout the Guest:Ward van Gasteren is a growth consultant and one of Europe’s first professional growth hackers. Through his platform Grow with Ward, he helps early-stage startups create growth strategies that actually work — without burning out in the process.Ward has worked with companies across industries to simplify how they think about growth, run smarter experiments, and scale what’s already working. His 1-1-1 Framework has helped founders build real traction by focusing on the right things — not everything.Timestamps:00:00:00 – What does a growth consultant really do?00:06:07 – Breaking down the 1-1-1 Framework: one audience, one channel, one message00:10:27 – Brand-building vs. selling: when organic social actually helps00:15:30 – Ward’s favorite growth tool (and why he’d ditch GA4)00:20:07 – Growth vs. Marketing: different teams, different goals00:25:08 – How AI tools help with speed, but not necessarily with strategy00:30:24 – Getting honest customer feedback and applying “The Mom Test”00:35:16 – Ward’s growth program and where to follow his workConnect with Ward: → Website: https://growwithward.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardvangasteren/---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

In this discussion, Sam Barber, a senior experimentation specialist, shares insights on driving change through digital experimentation. He emphasizes the importance of building a support network within organizations to win over skeptics. Barber explains effective communication strategies to showcase the value of experimentation beyond mere test results. He introduces the 'force field' method for mapping influence and stresses the significance of aligning with other teams’ goals. His key advice? 'If you don’t shout, they won’t know you exist!'

You’ve probably heard “go-to-market” thrown around like it’s just a product launch. But it’s way more than that — and today’s guest breaks it all down with clarity, energy, and zero fluff.In this episode, I sit down with Maja Voje, an internationally recognized go-to-market strategist who’s worked with over 750 companies, including global giants like Google, Bayer, and Rocket Internet. We unpack what makes GTM actually work, why focus beats scale, how to find your earliest adopters, and how AI is changing everything — fast.Whether you’re building something from scratch or scaling a proven product, this episode will reshape how you think about launching, growing, and repeating success.About the GuestMaja Voje is a globally sought-after go-to-market strategist, best-selling author of GTM Strategist, and founder of Growth Lab. With over a decade of hands-on experience, she’s helped 750+ companies — from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 firms — build repeatable, scalable growth systems.She co-teaches one of the most popular online growth courses (used by teams at Tesla, IBM, and Booking.com), and her GTM templates and playbooks have helped thousands of businesses get to product-market fit faster. Maja is also a keynote speaker and was named Female Role Model of the Year in 2018.Key TakeawaysGo-to-market isn’t just launch day — it’s an ongoing, strategic system.Focus > Scale: Narrow, repeatable systems beat brute force and ad spend.Understand the difference between early customer profile (ECP) and ideal customer profile (ICP).Why AI is a superpower for research, messaging, and GTM — if you use it right.Common GTM mistakes that waste time, money, and team morale.How to avoid "shiny object syndrome" and stay focused on what actually moves the needle.Chapters & Timestamps[00:00:00] Welcome & Episode Start[00:00:15] Maja’s origin story in marketing and startups[00:03:06] The accidental path to growth hacking[00:04:53] What go-to-market actually means[00:08:29] Why GTM is not just a launch[00:10:19] How fast-moving markets force constant GTM updates[00:12:57] First mover advantage vs. fast follower strategy[00:19:39] Why companies resist GTM adaptability[00:25:10] Rapid-fire GTM questions[00:31:25] The role of early adopters and how to find them[00:35:17] Beachhead segment strategy (and WWII analogies)[00:39:23] AI’s impact on go-to-market — good and bad[00:48:04] Creativity, content, and where AI falls short[00:50:43] Where to find more from Maja & closing thoughtsLinks & ResourcesMaja’s Go-To-Market Power Hour TemplateSign up for her newsletterConnect with Maja on LinkedIn---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Daniël Granja Baltazar, a qualitative research expert from Vodafone Business, discusses how to uncover the 'why' behind user actions that Google Analytics can't provide. He shares fascinating insights on using user interviews and mini surveys to enhance customer experiences and improve conversion rates. Daniël emphasizes the need for collaboration between sales and marketing teams to leverage qualitative data effectively. With real-life examples, he advocates for proactive research as a means to drive ongoing optimization and better understand user behavior.

Most B2B founders wait too long to start building their personal brand—if they think about it at all. But those who get it right unlock a massive competitive edge. In this episode, Ognjen Bošković breaks down what founder branding actually is, why it works, and how to do it without falling into the typical LinkedIn traps.About the GuestOgnjen Bošković is the founder of Raven, a consultancy and community helping B2B founders build their brand and scale their business. He’s an expert in content strategy, positioning, and go-to-market execution, with deep experience in growth marketing.Key Takeaways✅ Founder brand ≠ personal brand. It’s a long-term strategy, not just a way to get LinkedIn likes.✅ Most B2B companies struggle with critical thinking—branding helps break through the noise.✅ The best way to build a founder brand? Market the problem, not just your product. ✅ If your LinkedIn posts look like everyone else’s, they won’t work. ✅ Balancing content strategy: Audience building vs. revenue generation. ✅ Forget going broad—nail your ideal customer profile (ICP) first, then expand. ✅ Content pillars aren’t just about organizing ideas; they help you test and refine what works.Timestamps[00:00] Intro – Why founder branding is a competitive advantage[01:46] Why most founders overlook branding until it’s too late [04:58] The shift in B2B go-to-market strategies & why traditional methods are failing [07:51] How smaller, agile teams are disrupting the market [12:20] Founder brand myths: Is it just about engagement on LinkedIn? [17:40] The secret to marketing the problem, not just the solution [21:16] Rapid-fire questions: Myths, viral content, and must-have growth tools [23:36] Defining your ICP: Why trying to appeal to everyone is a mistake [30:16] How founder branding fits into an overall content strategy [33:49] The role of content pillars & how to refine your approach over time [39:59] Where to connect with Ognjen and learn moreConnect with OgnjenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ognjenboskovic/Raven: https://www.raven.club/---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Anja Lordanić Mustać, a podcasting and personal branding expert, dives into the essentials of launching a podcast without overthinking. She emphasizes that fear and initial challenges are normal, encouraging listeners to just start. The conversation highlights the incredible networking opportunities podcasts offer, the importance of building long-term relationships over quick sales, and the benefits of various podcast formats. Anja’s straightforward tips make it clear that podcasting can save time and enhance brand visibility.

What does it take to optimize one of Europe’s most impactful growth and digital experimentation conferences?In this episode, Julia Rumpf shares her insights into planning GMS—from curating high-impact speakers to leveraging AI and digital tools to enhance attendee experience. She reveals the intersection of digital and physical event elements, the behind-the-scenes challenges of running an international conference, and how research-driven optimization makes events more valuable for everyone involved.Whether you’re an event organizer, growth marketer, or digital optimization expert, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you improve your own strategies.*Key Takeaways✅ Why speaker selection is like building a sports team – balancing high-energy and deep-thought speakers for maximum engagement. ✅ How digital and physical experiences intersect – leveraging event apps, AI networking, and live feedback tools. ✅ Overcoming last-minute challenges – the 24-hour sponsor banner crisis and how staying flexible is essential. ✅ Optimizing attendee engagement – using research-driven strategies to improve networking and knowledge retention. ✅ The evolution of GMS – why removing “marketing” from the event name was a game-changer. ✅ How to maximize ROI from events – practical strategies for making connections, implementing insights, and proving event value to your company.*Attend GMS 2024📍 Where: Frankfurt, Germany 📅 When: June 18, 2024 🔗 Tickets & Info: growthmindedsuperheroes.com---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

What separates entrepreneurs who achieve extreme growth from those who don’t? According to Chris Out, it all comes down to intention, bold action, and brutal honesty. In this episode, he shares how being extreme, not just in effort, but in strategy, can be the key to scaling faster than you ever imagined.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🔥 Why extreme growth requires extreme intention – Hope won’t get you to $100M; aggressive, strategic action will.🎤 How Chris booked 63 speaking gigs in a year – A masterclass in positioning yourself for success.📈 The power of a 25-year vision – How a long-term mindset compounds into massive success.⚡ Brutal honesty in business – Are your actions really aligning with your goals?🚀 How to design your life on your own terms – The real definition of “extreme” in today’s world.Chris doesn’t believe in waiting for opportunities, he creates them. His no-BS approach to growth has helped companies scale fast, and in this episode, he breaks down exactly how you can apply the same principles to your own business and career.---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Hesh Fekry, an expert from CXL, dives into the fascinating intersection of product management and conversion rate optimization (CRO). He discusses how these fields, once viewed as separate, are merging through shared goals focused on user insights and experimentation. Hesh emphasizes the transformation of CRO into a broader concept that includes retention and monetization strategies. He also highlights how AI tools are bridging skill gaps, enabling professionals to tackle cross-functional challenges and integrating CRO principles from the very beginning of product development.

In this episode of No Hacks Podcast, host Sani chats with Kevin Henrikson, an entrepreneur and engineering leader whose journey began on a pig farm. Kevin co-founded Acompli, sold it to Microsoft in just 18 months, and helped turn it into Outlook Mobile. He explains how to move fast without sacrificing quality, why your first-time user experience (“Kleenex user”) is so crucial, and how to adopt an “advisor” mindset inside big companies. If you’re looking to master the MVP philosophy, leverage AI for higher productivity, and cultivate a curiosity-driven mindset, this is the episode for you.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Ship Early, Learn Fast“If everyone loves your MVP, you shipped too late.”Kleenex Users MatterYou only get one shot at a first impression—make it count.Advisor Mode Post-AcquisitionOffer ideas without bulldozing existing culture.AI as a ‘First Pass’Use automation to handle repetitive or initial drafts, then refine with human expertise.MEMORABLE QUOTES:“If everyone loves your MVP, you shipped too late.”“Your first-time user is like a Kleenex—you only get that fresh perspective once.”“Be an advisor, not a disruptor, when you join a big company.”SHOW NOTES & TIMESTAMPS:[00:00:00] Introduction[00:00:10] Kevin’s Background[00:00:22] Early Career in Tech[00:02:49] Rapid Decision-Making & Mindset[00:05:01] MVP Philosophy & “Kleenex Users”[00:08:21] Starting vs. Scaling[00:11:56] The Acompli Story[00:14:42] Post-Acquisition Life[00:20:14] AI, Automation & the Future[00:27:23] Rapid-Fire Q&A[00:33:00] Final Insights & Wrap-Up[00:43:42] End of EpisodeCALL TO ACTION:Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhenrikson/Subscribe to Kevin's newsletter (Founder Mode): https://foundermode.kit.com/Share Your Takeaway: Tag @nohackspod with your favorite insight!---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram