No Hacks: Future-proofing your career in the age of AI

Gerda Vogt-Thomas, co-founder of Koalatative and CRO expert, shares fascinating insights on managing risk and fostering growth through experimentation. She highlights the importance of embracing failure as a key to success and the pitfalls of perfectionism for entrepreneurs. Gerda emphasizes self-awareness, suggesting that confronting personal beliefs can lead to better decision-making. With a focus on iterative testing, she advocates for launching ideas without fear, while balancing technology's impact on personal growth and well-being.

In this episode of No Hacks Podcast, Lucia van den Brink, co-founder of Increase Conversion Rate.com, takes us inside the world of advanced experimentation and shares why the best ideas aren’t always the loudest. With 800+ A/B tests under her belt and 25M+ visitors impacted, Lucia knows what it takes to elevate experimentation programs.We explore her unique “Collaboration Bonus” philosophy, where every idea—whether from an intern or the CEO—adds value, fostering a culture of diverse insights that drive real results. Lucia shares her 1-2-4 Framework for brainstorming, designed to get the best ideas from everyone, introverts and extroverts alike. We also dive into scaling CRO without sacrificing quality, common pitfalls, and how to balance speed with meaningful outcomes.If you’re ready to rethink how your team approaches experimentation, or simply looking for fresh ideas on driving innovation, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights. Tune in to discover how Lucia’s approach to inclusivity in testing can take your strategies to the next level.00:00 Welcome to No Hacks Podcast01:07 Meet Lucia van den Brink01:50 The Role of Diversity in Experimentation06:37 The One, Two, Four Framework14:25 Implementing the Framework in Real Scenarios18:22 Scaling Experimentation Programs with Diversity20:18 The Importance of Humility in Optimization20:50 Shiny New Idea Syndrome22:01 Rapid Fire Questions24:41 Overcoming Insecurity and Embracing Feedback29:28 Applying Experimentation Principles to Real Life31:31 Balancing Multiple Interests and Projects35:50 Final Advice for Aspiring CRO Professionals---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

In this episode of the No Hacks Podcast, Tim Stewart shares his wealth of knowledge from 25+ years of consultancy, breaking down what Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) really means for businesses today. Tim doesn’t just focus on the numbers—he dives into the balance between experimentation and perfection, and how making data-driven decisions can transform a business.You'll hear practical strategies for digital optimization, insights on navigating market shifts (like the rise of low-cost competitors such as Temu), and tips for mastering stakeholder communication. Plus, Tim brings his love for Star Wars into the mix, using mentors like Obi-Wan and Yoda as metaphors for personal and professional growth.Whether you’re a business owner, digital consultant, or just passionate about CRO, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and stories you won’t want to miss.00:00 Welcome to No Hacks Podcast01:47 Experimentation Elite Event03:32 The Role of CRO in Business Strategy07:24 The Pragmatic Approach to Testing09:57 Measurement and Analytics in CRO13:36 Fixing the Funnel: A Pragmatic Approach18:54 Challenges in CRO and Business Strategy19:28 Identifying Problems and Providing Solutions20:11 Delivering Hard Truths to Clients20:48 Persuasion Techniques in Business24:08 Sales Skills for Optimizers28:23 The Importance of Soft Skills30:23 Rapid Fire Questions from the Audience33:04 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

Are you passionate about user research and UX optimization? Then you won't want to miss our latest episode featuring the incredible Els Aerts, a user research legend, if there ever was one!In this episode, Els talks about her straightforward, data-driven approach to user research, tracing its evolution from the 1990s to today. With decades of experience, she offers a fresh perspective on how user research has transformed, especially with groundbreaking technologies like AI reshaping the landscape.What You'll Learn:The Evolution of User Research: Discover how methodologies have changed over the years and what that means for today’s UX professionals.The Importance of Expertise: Els stresses the need for deep knowledge and warns against the pitfalls of "research theater" – where research is done more for appearances than for real insights.Ethical Considerations: Learn about the risks of synthetic research methods and why genuine human interaction is crucial for meaningful data.Practical Tips for Beginners: Get actionable advice on crafting effective surveys and avoiding common mistakes with flawed tools and techniques.Dynamic Approaches to Personas: Explore why traditional personas might fall short and how frameworks like Jobs-to-Be-Done can offer more flexibility and accuracy.Els also shares her personal journey, focusing her career on user research and offering candid thoughts on the trend of democratizing this essential practice. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and real-world insights to elevate your user research game.🔍 Why Listen?Gain expert knowledge from a leader in user research and UX optimization.Understand the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of user experience.Get inspired by real-world stories and practical advice to enhance your professional journey.If you want to learn about user research from the best, this is the episode for you 🚀---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

In this episode of No Hacks podcast, we explore the concepts of fear, courage, and leadership with Luiza de Lange, a prominent figure in digital experimentation and CRO at LeoVegas. Luiza recounts her incredible journey of building in-house teams at major firms like Electrolux and Tele2 and working with a diverse array of clients at the award-winning agency, PrecisDigital.Luiza discusses the importance of vulnerability in leadership, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry like data analytics. She shares her experiences of making bold career transitions, traveling to 45 countries, and living in six, all driven by a blend of fear and courage. Luiza emphasizes the value of mentors and a supportive network, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.Additionally, we explore how Luiza fosters a culture of experimentation, encouraging her teams to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. She shares tactics for motivating teams and ensuring everyone feels included and valued.On a personal level, we talk about how an experimenter's mindset is applied outside of work, whether it's learning a new language, tackling fears like the fear of flying, or even engaging in activities such as gaming. Luiza's insights on leadership, self-awareness, and personal growth offer a compelling and inspiring message for anyone looking to overcome their fears and lead with courage.Join us as we unpack Luiza's powerful message about leveraging fear and courage in both professional and personal realms, offering key takeaways that resonate beyond the workplace.Experimentation Elite is on December 10th in London, get your ticket at experimentationelite.com and use code NOHACKS10 to save 10%00:00 Welcome to No Hacks Podcast00:45 Meet Luiza de Lange01:13 Experimentation Elite02:05 Luiza's Journey and Career Transitions04:43 Embracing Fear and Courage06:37 Mentorship and Networking08:04 Fostering a Culture of Experimentation12:38 Leadership Insights and Diversity17:13 Applying Experimentation Mindset to Life19:50 Travel and Personal Growth24:48 Overcoming Fear of Flying30:46 Final Thoughts and Takeaways---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

Arnout Hellemans, a renowned digital strategist, shares his unique insights on optimization fueled by his ADHD. He discusses how neurodiversity enhances pattern recognition in SEO, emphasizing the importance of mastering SEO fundamentals and debunking common misconceptions. Arnout also draws parallels between optimizing web performance and daily tasks, like cooking and parenting. With anecdotes from the Conversion Hotel conference, he illustrates holistic optimization's role in both digital strategies and personal life, making for an engaging listen.

In this episode of No Hacks, we kick off Season 2 with Stewart Ehoff, the head of an award-winning experimentation program at RS, a dynamic public speaker, and a Dragon Ball Z fan. Join us as Stewart discusses his journey from web development to leading a successful experimentation team, offering deep insights into how he transitioned from building features to building tests. Discover actionable advice for web developers, the importance of curiosity, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the benefits of adopting an experimental mindset not only in digital realms but also in daily life. Stewart shares real-life success stories from RS, inspirational thoughts on maintaining humility, and practical tips on optimizing your work environment and personal habits.00:00 Introduction to No Hacks Podcast Season 200:39 Meet Stewart Ehoff: From Web Developer to Experimentation Leader01:19 The Journey from Web Development to Experimentation02:51 Advice for Web Developers on Experimentation04:35 Mentorship and Key Advice in Experimentation07:20 Experimentation in Business: The RS Story10:55 Building a Center of Excellence for Experimentation14:58 Real-Life Experimentation Stories and Challenges17:44 Optimizing Your Physical Work Environment21:47 Listener Questions and Final Thoughts#NoHacksPodcast #Experimentation #WebDevelopment #BusinessOptimization #Curiosity #Productivity #DigitalTransformation #BusinessExperimentation #HabitBuilding #WorkLifeBalance #Patience---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, we explore the empowered teams model in experimentation with Lukas Vermeer, Director of Experimentation at Vista, advisor at AB Smartly, and an "occasional public speaker". Lukas is an experienced experimentation practitioner specializing in designing and building the infrastructure and processes required to start and scale A/B testing to drive business growth. With a rich background in online experimentation and data science, Lukas spent eight years at Booking.com, where he grew the in-house experimentation team from four to thirty people and became the first Director of Experimentation at the company.Join us as Lukas shares his insights on why the experimentation culture is so strong in the Netherlands, the challenges and benefits of the empowered teams model, and his journey from Booking.com to Vista. He also discusses his advocacy for making A/B testing accessible to people from various backgrounds. Expect to learn about building effective teams, fostering a culture of experimentation, and why sometimes, the best approach is to think outside the box. Links:Lukas on LinkedInLukas VermeerDemocratizing online controlled experiments at Booking.com paper---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

Juliana Jackson, Associate Director of Data and Digital Experience at MediaMonks, shares her journey from selling internet in Romania to becoming a digital experience expert. She dives into AI customer voice analysis, discussing how sentiment and semantic analysis can revolutionize understanding customer feedback. Juliana emphasizes the significance of segmentation, especially between iOS and Android users. With insights on embracing failure and the value of curiosity, she inspires others to stay relevant and push boundaries in the digital world.

Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I welcome Oliver Kenyon, co-founder of ConversionWise, who shares his extensive knowledge on conversion design and the intricacies of running and growing a CRO agency. Oliver discusses the importance of landing page design in driving successful online campaigns and how his journey started with "Landing Page Guys" before evolving into ConversionWise.Key highlights of this episode include:The significance of landing pages in CRO and their role in maximizing the effectiveness of paid media campaigns.Common mistakes in landing page design and how to avoid them.The differences between standard web design and conversion-focused design.Essential principles of conversion design, such as trust and credibility, social proof, and objection handling.Insights into the challenges and successes of growing a CRO agency over 12 years.The exciting recent milestone of ConversionWise's acquisition and the future plans for the agency.Don't miss out on all this knowledge!Links:Oliver's LinkedInConversionWise---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!