
No Hacks: The Mindset Behind Digital Optimization and Growth
Welcome to No Hacks, the podcast where expertise meets creativity to revolutionize digital experiences. Hosted by industry veteran Slobodan (Sani) Manić, this engaging series tackles marketing, conversion rate optimization (CRO), and user experience (UX) without relying on gimmicks or shortcuts.In each episode, join Slobodan as he engages in candid conversations with top leaders and innovators from tech, business, and design fields. Discover real stories, lessons learned, and breakthrough moments that highlight how to create impactful and transformative online experiences.No Hacks goes beyond traditional best practices, challenging the status quo by exploring the psychology behind what truly works. Delve into real-world case studies and explore innovative strategies that push the limits of possibility in the digital landscape.If you are a developer, designer, marketer, or a digital enthusiast, No Hacks provides smart, thoughtful strategies for long-term success. Learn to think differently, innovate creatively, and build meaningful digital experiences.No shortcuts, just expert insights and genuine solutions. Subscribe now to join us one episode at a time as we unravel the true elements of designing transformative digital experiences.Two Formats, One Mission:🎙️ No Hacks Podcast (long-form interviews) – In these seasonal episodes, I sit down with top experts in marketing, tech, and business to discuss the principles and stories behind successful optimization. We go beyond the surface to explore what really works—and why, on Wednesdays.🍪 No Hacks Snacks (short-form insights) – Need quick, actionable advice? These under-10-minute episodes deliver practical tips and insights from a wide range of guests, on Mondays and Fridays.Subscribe and join No Hacks on this journey to make the internet a better, more thoughtful place, one episode at a time.
Latest episodes

May 21, 2024 • 24min
The Good Experimental Design with Erin Weigel
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!This is another episode we are doing with Experimentation Elite. Experimentation Elite is the UK’s premier experimentation and CRO experience taking place on June 11th and 12th in Birmingham, so head over to experimentationelite.com and get your ticket NOW.In this episode, we have Erin Weigel, a UX expert, principal designer, and senior design manager joining us to share her unique journey from managing a toy store to becoming a leader in the field of experimentation and design. Erin reveals how her playful and inquisitive nature led her to groundbreaking design strategies, and why she believes experimentation is at the core of learning and innovation.Erin also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book and the workshop she'll be hosting at Experimentation Elite on June 11th. She goes into the importance of understanding statistical concepts, designing effective experiments, and making data-driven decisions. With over 15 years of experience, Erin’s insights are both educational and entertaining, making complex topics accessible and fun.Listen in as Erin discusses her favorite toy for budding experimenters, shares stories from her time at Booking.com, and as we come up with a fascinating new show idea. Plus, don’t miss her tips on how to stay motivated and the challenges she faced while writing her book."Be Kind and Make Things Better"Links:Erin's LinkedInErin's websiteExperimentation EliteDesign for Impact bookThe Good Experimental Design toolkit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 20, 2024 • 29min
An Experimenter’s Guide to the Galaxy with Bhavik Patel
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, I sit down with Bhavik Patel, Director of Experimentation and Analytics at LeanConvert and founder of CRAP Talks. Bhav shares his insights on the upcoming Experimentation Elite event, a premier gathering for those passionate about experimentation and CRO.We discuss Bhav's workshop, "An Experimenter's Guide to the Galaxy," where he will cover everything from hypothesis generation to post-experiment analysis. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights and practical advice from one of the industry's leading voices.Join us as Bhav discusses the unique blend of newcomers and seasoned practitioners at Experimentation Elite, and what makes it so special. He also goes into the evolution of CRO and experimentation, comparing the generalist approach of the past to today's more specialized landscape. Bhav then highlights the importance of building a strong network and shares tips on how to navigate the industry, whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting out.Links:Bhav's LinkedInExperimentation Elite---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 15, 2024 • 18min
Taming the HIPPO with Oreoluwa Akinnawo
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Oreoluwa Akinnawo, a conversion optimization expert from PrismFly, to discuss his upcoming participation at the Women in Experimentation Summit on June 6th. Ore shares how a LinkedIn post inspired him to apply for the summit and then goes into his career journey, highlighting the significant support he's received from women in the field and his desire to contribute back to the community.Our conversation explores the challenges of dealing with "HIPPOs" — high-level stakeholders who often have the final say in decision-making processes. Ore provides insights into effective strategies for aligning experimentation proposals with stakeholders' goals, ensuring a collaborative approach.Links:Oreoluwa's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 15, 2024 • 23min
Simplifying CRO with Gerda Vogt-Thomas
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, I'm excited to welcome Gerda Vogt-Thomas, a conversion optimization expert from Koalatative and one of the speakers at the upcoming Women in Experimentation Summit on June 6th. Gerda shares insights on data dictionaries, her evolving perspective on A/B testing and experimentation, and the importance of the Women in Experimentation Summit.We get into the significance of data dictionaries for marketing teams, detailing how they simplify tracking and analyzing key metrics. Gerda explains how a well-documented data dictionary can enhance experimentation programs, making them more efficient and effective. Additionally, she discusses the challenges and rewards of speaking at the summit, highlighting the event's meticulous organization and diverse speaker lineup.Gerda also reflects on her experiences with conversion rate optimization over the past seven years, discussing the pros and cons of sliders, the evolving role of CRO professionals, and the critical importance of collaboration with company leaders. She shares her thoughts on the future of CRO, envisioning a shift towards freelance and small agency roles to meet the dynamic needs of businesses.Links:Gerda's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 15, 2024 • 17min
Your Copy Is *Not* Your Problem with Eden Bidani
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I'm excited to welcome Eden Bidani, a conversion copywriter and messaging strategist at CAPE.agency, and one of the speakers at the upcoming Women in Experimentation Summit on June 6th. Eden shares her insights on the role of copy in conversions, the challenges faced by women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and the significance of the Women in Experimentation Summit.We discuss why copy isn't always the root cause of conversion issues and explore the broader factors that impact performance, such as UX problems and targeting the wrong audience. Eden emphasizes the importance of starting with copy when designing landing pages to ensure a seamless integration with the overall design and user experience. She also provides practical advice on how to effectively use tools like ChatGPT while maintaining a human touch in copywriting.Links:Eden's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 14, 2024 • 19min
Design for the Irrational with Line-Ariel Bretous
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, I am joined by Line-Ariel Bretous, a product consultant and behavioral scientist, as well as the founder of OneLab Consulting Group. Line-Ariel is also one of the speakers at the upcoming Women in Experimentation online event on June 6th, where she will discuss the emotional side of consumer loyalty.Throughout the episode, Line-Ariel talked about the relationship between consumer behavior and loyalty, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections in fostering long-term business success. She explained different types of loyalty—transactional, emotional, and habitual—and how businesses can cultivate these to enhance consumer engagement and satisfaction.Links:Lin-Ariel's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 13, 2024 • 25min
Your A/B Tests are Lying to You with May Chin
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, we hear from May Chin, the Head of Product Growth and Analytics at Zalora, Southeast Asia's leading fashion e-commerce platform. As she prepares for her upcoming presentation at the The Convert X Women in Experimentation Annual Summit, online event happening on June 6th, May shares valuable insights into the art and science of A/B testing, emphasizing how to evade common traps that can lead to unreliable results.May discusses her accidental journey into the world of product growth and analytics and how her experiences shaped her approach at Zalora. Links:May's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summt---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 9, 2024 • 34min
Email is Not A Checkbox with Omar Lovert
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! This week, I'm excited to have Omar Lovert on the show. Omar is a seasoned email marketing strategist and the founder of Polaris Growth, where he helps brands maximize their impact through tailored Klaviyo solutions. In this episode, Omar draws a comparison between his unique marathon training methods and efficient email marketing strategies. He discusses the importance of having a flexible yet strategic approach: "It's all about preparing and knowing what the cadence is, knowing your body, knowing what speed you can run at, knowing your heart rate that you can sustain this for a longer period, and also having some trust that the process works." Join us as Omar shares his insights on optimizing email campaigns and marketing automation to achieve extraordinary results with seemingly unconventional methods.Links:Omar's LinkedInPolaris GrowthKlaviyo Academy---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

May 6, 2024 • 38min
The Perfect Pricing Formula with Deborah O'Malley
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, we went into the fascinating world of pricing psychology with Deborah O'Malley, a top A/B testing influencer and the founder of Convert Experts. Deborah shares her insights on how pricing can influence customer perception and discusses the psychological tactics that can make or break a product's success in the market.Our discussion kicks off with an exploration of how luxury brands versus fast fashion brands use pricing strategies to shape consumer behavior. Deborah explains that the essence of pricing isn't just about the actual cost but how you present that cost to the consumers. The conversation also covers the concept of "anchoring" in pricing strategies—setting a reference price point that customers use to gauge the value of other options. Deborah provides actionable advice on how businesses can apply this to optimize their pricing tables, suggesting that presenting prices from high to low can significantly influence customer choices by making lower-priced options appear more attractive after seeing the high price first.Lastly, Deborah introduces us to her digital platform, GuestTheTest, a resource for experimenters and A/B testers looking for inspiration and validation for their test ideas. This platform offers hundreds of A/B testing case studies and analysis to anyone interested in enhancing their marketing strategies through tested and proven methodologies.Links:Deborah's LinkedInGuessTheTest---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Apr 30, 2024 • 22min
Elite Experiments at Experimentation Elite with Jonas Alves
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!This episode is done in partnership with Experimentation Elite - The UK’s premier Experimentation and CRO Experience, taking place on June 11th and 12th in Birmingham, UK. This week, we dive into the fascinating world of A/B testing and experimentation with Jonas Alves, CEO and co-founder of ABsmartly. Jonas shares his extensive experience, starting with his pioneering work at Booking.com, where he helped establish a culture of experimentation that pushed the boundaries of online user experience. He discusses the evolution of A/B testing tools, the role of AI in future experiments, and his latest venture, AB Smartly, aimed at providing sophisticated tools for elite experimenters. Join us as Jonas provides invaluable insights into building successful experimentation programs and the future of digital testing. Episode links:Experimentation EliteJonas on LinkedInABsmartly---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram