

No Hacks: Future-proofing your career in the age of AI
Slobodan (Sani) Manić
Work is changing quickly, and AI is at the center of that shift. For many professionals, it raises tough questions: How do I stay relevant? What skills should I build? How do I make sense of the changes ahead?No Hacks is about helping you adapt with confidence. In each episode, host Slobodan Manic speaks with leaders from different fields about the real impact of AI on their industries and what it means for people working in them. The conversations are practical, grounded, and focused on the long term, offering clarity, strategies, and perspectives to help you future-proof your career without shortcuts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 3, 2024 • 27min
Hybrid One Reader with Carolyn Beaudoin
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast in which smart people talk to you about better online experiences. Today, I'm excited to be joined by Carolyn Beaudoin, co-founder of Boxcar Agency. Carolyn is here to talk about the Hybrid One Reader messaging strategy, which helps businesses connect with diverse audience segments without extensive segmentation.Tune in to hear Carolyn discuss:The concept and inspiration behind the "Hybrid One Reader" strategy.Practical applications and success stories from Boxcar Agency.Non-obvious tips for becoming a better copywriter.The importance of focusing on user experience and logical arguments in copywriting.Whether you’re a marketer, copywriter, or business owner, this episode is packed with insights on creating effective, conversion-oriented marketing strategies. Don't miss out!Links:Carolyn's LinkedInBoxcar AgencyJTBD Mapping template---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

Jun 1, 2024 • 17min
Research and Experimentation with Vulnerable Populations with Georgia Sugarman
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I'm joined by Georgia Sugarman, Head of User Research at Kooth Digital Health and a speaker at the upcoming Women in Experimentation Summit. Georgia shares her journey from being a hip hop dancer to an experience designer and finally a user researcher. She emphasizes the importance of creating safety and comfort when conducting research, especially with vulnerable populations. Georgia also discusses how being trauma-informed and incorporating creativity can enhance research outcomes. Don't forget to sign up for the Women in Experimentation Summit on June 6th, where Georgia will be opening the event with her talk on "Do No Harm: Research and Experimentation with Vulnerable Populations." Links:Georgia's LinkedInWomen in Experimentation Summit---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

May 30, 2024 • 25min
Starting a CRO Program with Haley Carpenter
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I welcome Haley Carpenter, a CRO and experimentation expert and founder of Chirpy, the not just CRO agency. Haley shares her insights on starting CRO programs and what it takes for a business to be ready for conversion rate optimization. We also discuss the importance of data volume, research methodologies, and the essential elements needed to set up a successful CRO program. Haley also discusses common misconceptions, the role of culture in CRO, and offers practical advice for businesses of all sizes. If you want to learn about the "real CRO" this episode i for you. It will help you understand how to improve your online experiences through effective CRO strategies.Links:Haley's LinkedInChirpy - Not Just CRO Agency---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

May 28, 2024 • 31min
Automate to Win with Shawn David
Welcome to nohacks.show, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I am joined by Shawn David, a systems engineer and founder of Automate to Win. Shawn shares his expertise on automating Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and provides valuable insights into how businesses can streamline their processes using a human-first approach.Shawn begins by explaining his automation blueprint. The first step is Definitions, which involves establishing clear and consistent terminology within your organization to avoid miscommunication and inefficiencies.The second step is to Identify Busy Work. This means pinpointing repetitive, manual tasks that do not require human intervention and can be automated. This step helps to free up valuable time and resources that can be better utilized elsewhere.Next, Shawn discusses Pinpointing Bottlenecks. This involves identifying input, transformation, and output bottlenecks in your processes. Understanding where these bottlenecks occur allows you to address and resolve them effectively.The fourth step is to Optimize Internal Processes. This step involves collaborating with your team to streamline and improve workflows. By working together, you can ensure that processes are as efficient and effective as possible.Finally, Shawn talks about Automation. Implementing automation solutions to handle the optimized processes can save significant time and resources, allowing your team to focus on more important tasks.Shawn then emphasizes the importance of defining terms to ensure everyone in the organization is on the same page. He shares personal anecdotes about overcoming challenges through automation and how his human-first engineering approach helps businesses optimize processes effectively.Episode links:Automate to WinShawn's LinkedInFree Automation Quiz---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!

May 21, 2024 • 37min
AI Cookbook: Practical applications for UX, CRO & Experimentation with Craig Sullivan and Iqbal Ali
Craig Sullivan, an expert in generative AI, and Iqbal Ali, a specialist in experimentation and CRO, dive into transformative applications of AI in product design and user experience. They discuss starting small with AI tools to boost creativity while emphasizing the need for human oversight. Iqbal shares insights on integrating AI into workflows responsibly, stressing the importance of maintaining a human touch. The conversation also teases an upcoming workshop to enhance practical understanding of AI in experimentation.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!