In an era where technology evolves at lightning speed, understanding these shifts is crucial for businesses to stay relevant and thrive. Here’s a glimpse into why updating advertising strategies is essential.

Redefining consumer behaviour

Contextual Targeting: <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">As consumers interact with content across various platforms, contextual targeting gains prominence. Brands must align their ads with relevant content to capture attention effectively.</li></ul>Programmatic Technology: <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Real-time, data-driven decision-making is now at the heart of digital media buying. Advances in programmatic technology allow brands to connect with audiences in a personalized manner.</li></ul>

Redefining Engagement Rules

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Agencies are embracing the power of curation and data execution. Leveraging internal talent and relationships, agencies strategically curate sources for content acquisition. This shift redistributes value in the ecosystem and streamlines the media-buying process.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A more intentional buying path empowers mutually beneficial relationships between agencies, media owners, and marketers.</li></ul>

Curating Supply and Data Execution

<ul><li>Environmental concerns drive change within the advertising industry. Brands are navigating toward net-zero media consumption.</li><li>Recognizing the impact of digital transformation, social media, and global trends, brands can adapt their strategies to meet evolving consumer needs.</li></ul>

Sustainability and Efficiency

With over 3 billion monthly users on these Google-owned placements, Demand Gen campaigns tap into a powerful space for influencing potential new customers before they even begin active searches, adding in new placements including the extremely popular, YouTube Shorts.

Bye Bye Discovery Ads, hello Demand Gen!

Introduced to help businesses reach consumers beyond the traditional text-heavy search engine results page. These campaigns aim to engage potential customers who might be less familiar with a brand or solution, typically falling in the “mid-funnel” stage compared to Search campaigns.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Placement: Demand Gen campaigns serve ads across Google Discovery Feed, Gmail, and YouTube (including the YouTube feed, In-Stream, and Shorts) within the same campaign.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Visual Appeal: These campaigns use visually impressive ads that swipe, look, and act like common social ad formats.</li></ul>

Meeting the needs of the mdoern consumer

Discovery Ads were designed to create demand from audiences using visually appealing ad creatives on platforms like YouTube, Google, and Gmail.Offering expanded reach on YouTube compared to Discovery Ads.

Creating more demand

Both Discovery Ads and Demand Gen campaigns reach new audiences across Gmail, YouTube, and the Google Discovery Feed.They both serve visually engaging ads that resemble common social ad formats. This is extremely valuable when designing a full-funnel below-the-line (BTL) strategy where you can cross-pollinate Meta and Google channels with high value assets.

Discovery vs Demand Gen

Demand Gen campaigns provide a greater range of ad placements, making them a natural expansion for social marketers who use similar visual creative and audience targeting settings across platforms like Facebook and TikTok.Early comparisons suggest that Demand Gen campaigns may outperform Discovery Ads in terms of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), Cost Per Acquisition (CPA), Conversion Rate (CVR), and Click-Through Rate (CTR).

Why the Transition?

While Discovery Ads paved the way, Demand Gen campaigns are poised to take center stage, offering enhanced features and broader reach across Google’s visual and entertaining properties. 🚀📈

The new cool kid on the block

To gauge the effectiveness of your Google Ads Demand Gen Campaign, consider tracking the following key metrics:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Website Traffic: Monitor the volume of visitors to your website. An increase in traffic indicates successful campaign reach and engagement.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Leads Generated: Measure the number of leads (such as form submissions, sign-ups, or inquiries) attributed to your campaign. High-quality leads demonstrate campaign effectiveness.</li></ul>

Try it, measure it

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Sales Conversions: Evaluate how many leads converted into actual sales or transactions. A positive impact on sales indicates campaign success.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Phone call conversions: Maybe your company seeks direct connection as a conversion or has a long-lead time conversion funnel, switching on and measuring phonecall conversions form ads is a win.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Brand Awareness and Consideration: Assess whether your campaign has improved brand visibility and consideration among your target audience. Metrics like brand searches, social media mentions, and engagement can provide insights.</li></ul>

Conversions and consideration

In the neon-lit corridors of cyberspace, where algorithms whisper secrets and pixels pulse with defiance, a revolution brews. Forget the old playbook; it's time to hack the matrix. Welcome to the era of unapologetic disruption, where hashtags wield more power than billboards, and memes are the currency of choice. Buckle up, fellow renegades—we're about to rewrite the rules and pixelate reality, starting with the spine to all strategies, your Google advertising strategy.

marketingandsales

Marketing & Sales

technologyandthefuture

Technology & The Future

strategy

Strategy

education

Learning & Education

artificialintelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Byte-Sized Rebellion: Unleashing the New Age of Advertising

Millennial managers are increasingly shaping the workplace culture as they move into leadership roles. They are known for their preference for teamwork, constant communication, and social responsibility. They value transparency, trust, and autonomy, and often focus on the holistic well-being of their employees. They are also comfortable with remote work arrangements, signaling their confidence in their team’s ability to perform without constant supervision. As digital natives, they are adept at using technology to facilitate collaboration and productivity.

Millennial Reign: Shaping the Future of Work with Trust, Tech, and Telecommuting

Coined by Marc Prensky in 2001, refers to individuals born into the era of ubiquitous technology, including the internet. They are comfortable with technology from an early age and see it as integral to their lives. This group, often associated with Millennials and Generation Z, is contrasted with “digital immigrants,” who had to adapt to technology. The term is contested, with some arguing for a more nuanced understanding of youth’s relationship with digital media and learning.

"Digital natives"

While the terms “digital native” and “millennial” are often used interchangeably, they aren’t synonyms. “Millennials” refers to the generation born between the 1980s and 2000s. On the other hand, “digital natives” is a broader term coined by Marc Prensky, referring to individuals born after 1980 who grew up surrounded by digital technology. This includes both Millennials and Generation Z. However, not all Millennials are digital natives, and the distinction lies in the individual’s exposure to and comfort with digital technology from an early age.

Millennials vs Digital Natives: Unraveling the Generational Tech-Tangle

Millennial managers, often digital natives, are reshaping leadership with their unique approach. They value transparency, trust, and autonomy, fostering a culture of teamwork and constant communication. Embracing technology, they effectively leverage digital tools for collaboration and productivity. Their focus on holistic employee well-being and social responsibility signals a shift towards more empathetic and purpose-driven leadership.

Millennial Mavericks: Redefining Leadership in the Digital Age

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Burnout: Millennial managers are more likely to experience burnout due to overwork and the pressure to perform12.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Lack of Support: They often report feeling overwhelmed due to lack of support and unclear communication from leadership2.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Unmanageable Workloads</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Rigid Corporate Structures: Millennials tend to be uncomfortable with rigid corporate structures and information silos.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Expectation of Rapid Progression: They expect rapid progression, a varied and interesting career, and constant feedback.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Work-Life Balance</li></ul>

Challenges of the millenial manager

As digital technology advances, the era of older, non-digital managers is fading. Their traditional methods struggle to keep pace with technological changes and the rise of remote work and digital tools. While their experience remains valuable, a lack of digital literacy can limit their effectiveness. This shift highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in today’s workplace.

Digital Darwinism: Survival of the Tech-Savviest in Today's Workplace

Post-pandemic, corporate culture has seen a shift towards flexibility, digital collaboration, and employee well-being. Remote work has become the norm, challenging traditional office structures. Companies are prioritizing mental health, fostering resilience, and encouraging continuous learning to adapt to this new normal.

Redefining Norms: The Post-Pandemic Shift in Corporate Culture

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Learning by Doing: Digital natives often prefer experiential learning over traditional instruction.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Speed and Multitasking</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Collaborative and Connected: They thrive in collaborative environments and are adept at networking.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use of Technology</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Instant Gratification: Digital natives often seek instant feedback and rewards.</li></ul>

Digital Natives: A New Learning Paradigm in the Tech Age

Millennial managers and digital natives are not just participants in the workplace evolution, they are the catalysts. Their unique approach to leadership, coupled with their inherent digital literacy, is driving a shift towards more transparent, collaborative, and flexible work environments. As they continue to ascend into leadership roles, their influence will further shape the corporate landscape, making it more adaptable, innovative, and inclusive. The digital age is here, and with these digital natives at the helm, the future of work looks promising.

Digital Pioneers: Millennial Managers and the Future of Work

By 2025, millennials are expected to make up 75% of the workforce5. Their unique approach to management is reshaping professional dynamics and has the potential to drive real change within their organizations.

corporateculture

Corporate Culture

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

The Millenial Manager: New Age Pioneers

It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?

In today’s collaborative work culture, the phrase “stay in your lane” can feel outdated and limiting. It can stifle creativity and make employees hesitant to contribute beyond their roles. This approach may hinder innovation and growth in an environment that values teamwork and diverse skills.

Archaic and counterproductive?

“Staying in your lane” can limit a team’s potential and hinder innovation by creating a compliance-focused culture. While understanding one’s role is important, encouraging stepping out of one’s lane can foster creativity, improve processes, and drive success in today’s fast-paced, interconnected business world.

Potential and innovation

Staying in your lane at work is like being a superhero with laser-focused powers. You’re not just an employee, you’re “Efficiency Man” or “Productivity Woman,” using your super skills to conquer tasks at lightning speed.Clear goals? They’re your trusty sidekick, always there to guide you on your mission. And let’s not forget about reduced conflict. Staying in your lane means you’re not stepping on Superman’s cape or borrowing Wonder Woman’s lasso without asking. It’s all about respecting boundaries and keeping the peace in your team.

The Perks of Staying in Your Lane: A Workplace Comedy

"It is better to have one person working with you than three people working for you."

Picture this: You’re at work, minding your own business, when suddenly - BAM! - you’re in the middle of a reality TV show. There’s drama, there’s tension, and yes, there’s even a fight over the last cup of coffee. Welcome to “Survivor: Office Edition,” where workplace conflict is the surprise guest star that nobody asked for. So sit back, grab your popcorn, and let’s dive into the thrilling world of office conflicts and how they can turn your productive day into an episode of “The Office.”

When the Office Turns into a Reality TV Show: Surviving Workplace Conflict

No pressure, no diamonds."

“Effective teamwork will not take the place of knowing how to do the job or how to manage the work. Poor teamwork, however, can prevent effective final performance. And it can also prevent team members from gaining satisfaction in being a member of a team and the organization."

Fighting like grown-ups

Ah, the workplace busybodies, the human equivalent of pop-up ads or maybe morethe elephant at the tea party. Just when you’re in the zone, along they come with their “quick questions” and “just checking in” interruptions. They hover around your desk like a moth to a flame, turning your productivity streak into a game of whack-a-mole. It’s like trying to run a marathon with someone constantly tying your shoelaces together. You love 'em, but boy, can they turn a smooth workday into an obstacle course!

The Busy Body

"Every action is a performance"

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Breaking the Ice: Humor can help break the ice and reduce tension in a heated situation. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Building Connections: When people laugh together, it creates a positive bond between them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Health Benefits: Laughter has been linked with both short and long-term health benefits. It stimulates the heart and lungs, increases blood flow around the body, and increases feel-good endorphins released from the brain1.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Reducing Stress: Humor in the workplace can also reduce stress by insulating against stressful factors and building greater resilience in teams.</li></ul>

Diffuse the tension with humor

Author and linguistic expert Deborah Tannen interviewed in Harvard Business Review, says, ”We have many influences on our style other than our gender. But there are tendencies that girls and boys tend to learn as kids playing in same-sex groups. Girls tend to talk in ways that downplay their authority. If they talk in ways that play up the fact that there may be a leader in the group or that they think they’re good at something, the other girls will criticize them. She’s bossy, she thinks she’s something. She’s stuck up.” (taketheleadwomen.com)

What's gender got to do with it?: Part 1

Author and linguistic expert Deborah Tannen continues, “That can press with the way boys tend to maintain their position in the group. Talk up what they’re good at; maybe even make it into a game where they’re trying to top each other. And the leader of the group is someone who tells the others what to do and gets it to stick. If we move into the workplace, a person in authority has to tell others what to do. And frequently, women will find ways to do it that doesn’t seem too bossy, that downplays their authority.” (taketheleadwomen.com)

What's gender got to do with it?: Part 2

<ol><li>Efficiency and Productivity: By focusing on their specific roles, employees can hone their skills and increase their efficiency. This can lead to higher productivity and better quality of work.</li><li>Clear Goals and Expectations: When employees stay in their lane, they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. This can help them set achievable goals and track their progress.</li><li>Reduced Conflict: Staying in one's lane can help avoid stepping on others' toes or encroaching on their responsibilities, reducing potential conflicts.</li></ol>

Pros of Staying in Your Lane

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Limited Perspective: Staying strictly within one's lane can limit an employee's understanding of the broader business context. This could potentially hinder their ability to contribute to strategic decisions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Stifled Innovation: Innovation often comes from cross-functional collaboration and the exchange of ideas. A strict "stay in your lane" culture might stifle such innovation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Career Development: If employees strictly stick to their roles, they may miss opportunities to learn new skills and take on new challenges. This could limit their career growth.</li></ol>

Cons of Staying in Your Lane

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">High-performing teams are groups of individuals who leverage their collective skills, diverse perspectives, specialized expertise, and complementary skills to accomplish challenging goals. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">These teams are hyper-focused on achieving clear, outstanding results. They thrive on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">By harnessing their collective talents and aligning their efforts, high performing teams consistently surpass benchmarks and set new standards of excellence.</li></ul>

Unleashing the Power of High-Performing Teams: The Magic of Collective Effort

Fostering a culture of collaboration in the workplace can be incredibly rewarding and can drive organizational goals forward. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Lead by Example: As a team leader, model the behaviors you want to see in your team.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Foster Open Communication: Encourage transparent and open communication among team members.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Establish Common Goals: Align team members towards common goals.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Team Activities and Exercises: Use team activities and exercises to practice collaboration.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Skill Development Opportunities: Provide opportunities for team members to develop their skills.</li></ul>

Building Bridges, Not Walls: Part 1

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Use Collaborative Tools: Equip your team with tools that facilitate collaboration.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Encourage Contribution: Ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Reward Collaboration: Recognize and reward collaborative efforts.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Remember, a collaborative culture values the idea that when employees bring their unique capabilities together to work collectively, they can produce higher-quality work overall.</li></ul>

Building Bridges, Not Walls: Part 2

And there you have it, folks! The rollercoaster ride of “staying in your lane” at work. It’s like a game of Frogger, dodging traffic and leaping over obstacles, all while trying to get to the other side of the road (or Friday, whichever comes first). So, whether you’re cruising in the fast lane or taking the scenic route, remember to enjoy the journey. After all, the workplace is just one big highway, and we’re all just trying to find our exit. Safe travels, everyone!

Highway to Success: The Hilarious Ups and Downs of 'Staying in Your Lane' at Work

In the high-speed highway of the corporate world, we often hear the advice, "Stay in your lane." But what does it really mean? Is it a mantra for success or a recipe for stagnation? Buckle up as we take a deep dive into the pros and cons of this widely used metaphor. From boosting productivity to potentially stifling innovation, let's explore this approach. Enjoy the ride.

productivity

Productivity

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

teamwork

Teamwork

Staying in your Lane: The Fast Lane to Success or a Roadblock in the Workplace?

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change."

"I coined the term “white space” as a way to talk about how companies need to consider new value propositions that go beyond their core business, because sooner or later, as Peter Drucker once said, “the theory of the business can no longer work."

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">A customer value proposition that fulfills an important job for the customer in a better way than competitors’ offerings do.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A profit formula that lays out how the company makes money delivering the value proposition.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Key resources needed to deliver that proposition.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Key processes needed to deliver that proposition.</li></ol>

The four key elements of a successful business model

"The biggest part of our digital transformation is changing the way we think."

To seize new growth opportunities, a company needs a strong foundation and resources like people, time, and money. Smaller companies, while resource-limited, should focus on scaling viable business models. Larger, plateauing companies need to explore new growth areas and business models. The company’s size can impact these efforts due to resource availability.Share:I work for a large organisation and to focus my work I use a mantra / saying that a previous Director shared with me "We are a large ship and we can only turn as fast as the whole ship can go."

White space vs company size

In the context of digital transformation, "white space" often refers to the unexplored or underutilized areas where new opportunities for growth or innovation can be found. It's like the blank canvas where new ideas can be painted, or the gaps in a market that a company can fill with a new product or service.

White Space

"At least 40% of all businesses will die in the next ten years… if they don’t figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies."

Nokia, once a leader in the mobile phone industry faced a sharp decline due to a series of strategic missteps:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Failure to Adapt: Nokia failed to recognize the shift in consumer interest.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ignoring Key Markets: Nokia ignored the U.S. market shifts.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"> Internal Issues: Dysfunctional organizational structures, growing bureaucracy, and deep internal rivalries.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Lack of Innovation: Focusing on incremental improvements, they were unable to innovate at scale.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Competition: The rise of new competitors.</li></ol>This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to technological changes and market shifts.

The Death of a Giant: Nokia

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Find white space</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Define your customer value proposition</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Establish a dominant design</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Design for network externalities</li></ol>

Four steps to orienting a new business model

"Less than 1% of data in businesses is analyzed and turned into benefits."

Defining your customer value proposition involves clearly articulating the unique value your product or service provides to customers.<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Identify your customer’s main problem: Understand the challenges your customers face that your product or service can solve.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Identify all the benefits your products offer: List out every product you sell and the benefits they provide.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Describe what makes your offering unique: Explain what differentiates your product or service from others in the market.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Articulate why you are the best choice: Make it clear why your offering is stronger than the competition.</li></ol>

How to define a Customer Value Proposition (CVP)

"Clearly, the thing that’s transforming is not the technology — it’s the technology that is transforming you."

Establishing a dominant design in business involves creating a product or service that becomes the standard in the industry. <ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Complete Market Research: Identify existing products in the market, analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and gather user feedback.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">User-Centric Approach: Understand your target audience, their pain points, and preferences.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Identify Patterns</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Create Dominance: Design one element to have more dominance than another by giving it more visual weight. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Design Focal Points: Every design should have a primary area of interest or focal point that serves as a way into the design.</li></ol>

Establish a dominant design

"Every industry has a unique digital transformation opportunity."

Designing for network externalities involves creating a product or service that increases in value as more users adopt it.<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Understand Your Users</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Create Value: Build a system that provides value to early users.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Leverage Network Effects: As the number of users increases, the value of your product should also increase.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Ensure Compatibility and Interoperability.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Set Standards and Protocols</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Use Strategic Approaches: Implement strategies to enhance network effects, such as offering incentives for referrals.</li></ol>

Designing for network externalities

Apple is known for its ability to identify and create white space opportunities. They have consistently introduced innovative products that have created entirely new markets.

Apple Inc.

Airbnb disrupted the traditional hospitality industry by identifying white space in the accommodation sector. They offered a unique, community-driven approach to lodging that was different from conventional hotels

Air BnB

Netflix initially disrupted the DVD rental market by offering a subscription-based streaming service, eliminating the need for physical DVDs

90% of CEOs believe the digital economy will impact their industry, but less than 15% are executing on a digital strategy (MIT Sloan & CapGemini).

The time is now

Best Buy's digital transformation journey has been ongoing for several years, driven by the need to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and compete in an increasingly online retail landscape. Here's a summary of their key initiatives:E-commerce focus:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Investing heavily in their online platform</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Omnichannel integration: Blending online and offline experiences by enabling in-store product pick-up, buy online, ship to store (BOPIS), and online order returns in stores.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Personalized recommendations via data and analytics</li></ul>

Best Buy: Down $1.5B to being up $1.5B

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Cloud migration: Partnering with Google Cloud to unify data sources and create a more scalable infrastructure.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Data analytics capabilities: Enhancing data collection, analysis, and usage to understand customer behavior and improve decision-making.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Automation and AI: Implementing solutions to streamline back-office operations, personalize marketing campaigns, and provide virtual customer assistance. </li></ul>

Best Buy - Technology Modernisation

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">In-store expertise: Expanding Geek Squad services and training sales associates to offer deeper product knowledge and personalized assistance.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Community building: Creating in-store spaces for workshops, demonstrations, and events to foster customer engagement and brand loyalty.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on passions: Shifting from simply selling products to helping customers "pursue their passions" with technology, offering expert advice and solutions tailored to specific needs.</li></ul>

Best Buy - Customer experience focus

Overall impact:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Increased online sales: E-commerce revenue has grown significantly.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Improved customer satisfaction: Initiatives like Geek Squad and personalized recommendations have led to higher customer satisfaction scores.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">More efficient operations</li></ul>Challenges and ongoing efforts:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Competing with online giants like Amazon: Best Buy continues to adapt and innovate to maintain its competitive edge.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Integrating physical and digital experiences: Seamlessly blending online and offline customer journeys key.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Employee reskilling and upskilling.</li></ul>

Best Buy - Impact and Challenges

"There is no alternative to digital transformation. Visionary companies will carve out new strategic options for themselves — those that don’t adapt, will fail."

Ever wondered what lies in the unexplored corners of your business landscape? Let’s dive into the ‘white space’, a realm of untapped potential that could revolutionize your business.

Discover the world of business and economics.

economics

Economics

business

Business

Into the Void: Exploring Digital Transformation's Hidden White Space

The way to tame the monkey mind is not to fight it, but to see it clearly. When you see its true nature, you are naturally liberated from its grip.

The survival brain is the state of the brain when it is overwhelmed by stress and unable to process new ideas <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">It is focused on keeping you alive, not on helping you do great at daily life or in our relationships. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Chronic stress fuels this brain state.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Most common impacts of this state on the body include headaches, muscle tension, anxiety, depression, and digestive issues.</li></ul>Switching the "survival brain" back to "learning brain" is a process you can do (with the right intel) which will help you overcome the negative impacts of living in survival mode.

The Survival Brain

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.

When we are in survival mode, we are not connecting with the world around us.You may be aware of this by feeling irritated or annoyed when someone tries to be nice to you, or even give you a hug, when you are stressed and upset. However, forcing ourselves to override the instinct to pull away and to physically connect with another being (human or animal) can help the brain understand that the world is ok and we can come out of survival mode. Slowly, and maybe even it may take some time, the brain will relearn to lower it's barriers and allow us to feel connection and reapt its benefits.

Connection

"The mind is like a wild elephant. If you try to grab it head-on, it will only run away. But if you follow it gently, with patience and understanding, it will eventually lead you to its home."

The best way to move a brain state on is literally to get moving!Exercise boosts brain function by improving blood flow, oxygen levels, and memory formation. Any type of movement is good and lots of different kinds of movements is even better. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Walking - can help decrease stress hormones, release of endorphins (happy chemicals) and give your brain alternative visual stimuli and input.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Yoga makes us move in many different ways including the option of going upside down (inversion poses). This can help increase ciruclation and oxygen delivery to the brain which can positively affect mood.</li></ul>

Get Moving

Attention is selective and easily distracted, so the brain needs novelty, emotion, and meaning to stay focused.The brain loves to focus in on what it thinks will help us in the moment, so if we are focusing our attention on stressful thoughts the brain will lean into those for us. This is when we need to force our attention elsewhere. <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Read a research paper that takes a novel work task to a place of meaninful application.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Listen to music that feels good and makes you connect with the moment.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Movement that helps you feel your body and be aware of the space you are in</li></ul>

Where attention goes, energy flows

"If you try to control the monkey mind, it will only become more agitated. Instead, observe it with kindness and patience, and it will eventually calm down on its own."

Short-term memory is limited and fragile, so the brain needs repetition, association, and chunking to store information temporarily.Long-term memory is enhanced by elaboration, retrieval, and spacing, which help the brain consolidate and recall information over time. <ul><li>Repetition: Repeating the information you want to remember several times.</li><li>Association: Associating the information you want to remember with something that is already familiar to you.</li><li>Elaboration: Elaborating on the information you want to remember can help you deepen your understanding and make it more meaningful. </li></ul>

Memory

Sleep is essential for the brain to process, integrate, and strengthen memories, as well as to restore energy and mood.For some of us, it may take a mix of things to truly get in a state that prepares us for a deep, healing sleep. Think of this as your personal recipe card. It may take:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Exercise or a late night stretching session</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Particular eating habits and timing</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Dimming lights and lighting candles</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Turning off the TV and putting down your phone</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Reading a good book</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Playing some chill tunes</li></ul>Find the right mix for you and get those zzzz's that help our brain.

Zzzz's

Animals can be essential to positive connection with our world.

Vision is the dominant sense for the brain, which relies heavily on visual cues to interpret the world and communicate with others.If you spend your day just looking at spreadsheets on a computer screen, then switch to TV and then to bed, this may not be setting your brain up for success. Looking at nature, reading a book, watch a dog playing in a park, looking up and into the distance through a window, try anything that will switch up your sensory input to optimsie your brain state.

I see, I do

Get grounded in the physical world

Exploration is the brain’s natural tendency to seek new experiences, test hypotheses, and learn from mistakes, which fosters curiosity and creativity.By living with a belief that the world is here to explore, taking a sense of curiosity to the work place with us and into our personal and professional relationships, can help us leverage our brains natural desire to deepen it's connection with the stimuli of the world. Remind your brain just how big and interesting your world is, and by doing so you will in turn get the most back from your personal power station, the brain.

Play and explore

Your brain. Your life. Your way.

For anyone that suffers from "monkey mind" this is a book for you. John Medina, your friendly neighborhood brain scientist, explodes the myths and lays bare the 12 fundamental principles that actually govern this marvelous, messy thing between your ears. Unlock the secrets to remembering anything, conquering stress, improving concentration, and boosting brainpower. 

An updated and expanded edition of the international bestseller Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details that every business leader, parent, and teacher should know — for instance, that physical activity helps to get your brain working at its best. How do we learn? What do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multitasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget — and so important to repeat new information? In Brain Rules, Dr John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in brain science, and how it can influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule — what scientists know for sure about how our brains work — and offers transformative ideas for our daily lives. In this expanded edition — which includes additional information on the brain rules and a new chapter on music — you will discover how every brain is wired differently, why memories are volatile, and how stress and sleep can influence learning. By the end, you’ll understand how your brain really works — and how to get the most out of it.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

mentalhealth

Mental Health

problemsolving

Problem Solving

DR. JOHN J. MEDINA, a developmental molecular biologist, has a lifelong fascination with how the mind reacts to and organizes information. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School" -- a provocative book that takes on the way our schools and work environments are designed. His latest book is a must-read for parents and early-childhood educators: "Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five."Medina is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife and two boys.

John Medina

Brain Rules

"The Hidden Life of Trees" isn't just a fascinating exploration of nature's secrets; it's a seismic shift in how we perceive the world around us. This book dismantles the illusion of silent, solitary giants and reveals a vibrant, interconnected society pulsating beneath our feet. It's a powerful awakening, urging us to abandon outdated views of nature as a passive resource and embrace a new understanding of ourselves as part of a living, breathing tapestry. Prepare to be humbled, captivated, and irrevocably changed by the hidden symphony orchestrated within the whispering leaves.

The Hidden Life of Trees

"If a tree falls in the forest other trees are listening" (Peter Wohlleban)

Trees are intelligent, social beings that communicate and form communities.<ul><li>We have much to learn from observing and respecting their interconnectedness.</li></ul>

Much more than just plants in the ground

<ul><li>Roots: Trees share resources and information through a fungal network beneath the soil.</li><li>Mother trees: Older trees care for their offspring, sending them nutrients and warning them of dangers.</li><li>Friendships: Some trees, like beech and fir, form symbiotic relationships with other species.</li></ul>

The Social Network

Trees can learn and adapt to their environment, adjusting their growth patterns and defenses.They have memory, storing information about past threats and beneficial conditions.They even count, regulating light and nutrient distribution among their offspring.

The Intelligence of Plants

Trees communicate through chemical signals sent through their root network.These signals warn of dangers, share resources, and coordinate responses to threats.They even "eavesdrop" on other trees' messages to gain information.

The Language of Trees

Trees "feel" with their leaves, roots, and bark, detecting light, touch, and chemical changes.They perceive temperature, humidity, and wind, adjusting their defenses accordingly.They even respond to human touch and emotion, showing signs of stress when damaged.

The Forest Senses Everything

Death is not an end but a part of the forest cycle, providing nutrients for new growth.Dying trees support a network of decomposers and create new habitats for other species.Even decaying wood plays a vital role in forest health and resilience.

Death in the Forest

"The Hidden Life of Trees" isn't just a fascinating exploration of nature's secrets; it's a seismic shift in how we perceive the world around us. 

Byte-Sized Rebellion: Unleashing the New Age of Advertising

The Millenial Manager: New Age Pioneers

Staying in your Lane: The Fast Lane to Success or a Roadblock in the Workplace?

Into the Void: Exploring Digital Transformation's Hidden White Space

Brain Rules

Kate Creevey