But they still love you, I'm sure of it.
(Originally published 5.27.26)
Does anyone work at home with their significant other?
I don’t. Thank God. Not that I would mind it. But my wife wouldn’t be able to put up with me year-round. She barely has the patience to deal with me during the summer months. (She’s a teacher.)
Why am I asking? Because it’s a thing. Well, it’s being covered in Fast Company, which makes it a thing in my book.
From the number of times I would go to the fridge to how loud I crunch (“I can hear you all the way down here!”) our marriage would not make it much past its 25th year. (Which, yes, is how long we will have been married this fall!)
But what about those couples who both work remote? How’s it going? Any tips?
Let us know. Until then, thoughts and prayers.
Onto what I’ve ‘Ben Thinking’ about:
A lot of noise around the new Spotify logo. Some may say that’s a good thing because…everyone is talking about it. And as much as I believe in strong brand strategy, people aren’t going to stop listening just because they don’t like the disco ball. So maybe the strategy all along was to make people hate it?
(Or maybe Spotify is doing something right, as this humorous article in The Drum points out.)
Stop saying ‘Let me know your thoughts’ at the end of an email.
Yikes. I clicked on this one right away because I say some variation of this – let me know what you think; let me know; thoughts?
The alternatives are…better?...but the real unlock is addressing the intent/behavior you are really going for.
Your CX sux.
Well, not really. Or maybe it does. I don’t have any real way of knowing…but if reading that gave you a pit in your stomach, you’re not alone.
A lot of people are putting so much work, time and dollars into checking the CX box. But new data from Forrester shows that this isn’t moving the needle. At all, really. Unless backwards counts as moving.
The findings are showing that more brands are declining in this area. And if they continue to simply prop up dashboards and reports, they risk losing relevance or being downsized.
But why? Because despite having more data, training and channels than ever, we’re doing everything but the work that matters. Soft metrics, vanity projects and lip service don’t replace saying something + then doing that thing.
In a world where conversations, processes and meetings are seen as the default for achievement, the numbers still show it’s the basics that really matter.
Read more about this reality in Chief Executive’s lead story tackling this very thing:
It’s time to treat customer experience the same way you’d treat a product.
“Stop interrupting me!”
I’m going to be honest with you. I really struggle with interrupting. (See: the opening about things I do to annoy my wife.) I hate that I do it. Most of the time it’s just because I’m excited, want to agree with a point or have an example to share.
The second I do it I feel terrible and will catch myself. I’ll say ‘I just interrupted you. Sorry, keep going.’
Most people though? They won’t do that. So here is some advice on how to take back the conversation, politely but firmly, so you don’t let yourself and your point get steamrolled.
AI impact on work, summed up in three stories (and one image).
(Note: These articles all surfaced in the most recent edition of Workplace Intelligence, an HR newsletter I love and rely on. You can subscribe to it.)
An Akhia post worth your time:
The shift from wellness to wellbeing.
This is supposed to be fun.
Miller Lite turned a soccer ball into a 12-pack. And now I want one. (MarketingDive)
A few Cliff Clavins for ya.
Thanks for reading! I appreciate the interest and support.
-Ben
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