Brain Lava
By Team ODEA
Each episode of Brain Lava unpacks a different element of marketing or tech. We share our thoughts as marketers and ask for yours too.
Brain LavaApr 11, 2019
EFBC Night of Knowledge Audio White Paper
Listen to Patty Rioux discuss how to hire, motivate and retain rock star marketers and her experience with presenting at EFBC's Night of Knowledge event.
Episode 5 - BOLD Marketing We Admire Part 10
We decided to shake things up a bit and share “BOLD Marketing We Admire” in a fresh way – a podcast! This fun episode features all members of team ODEA sharing the details on their BOLD pick.
Episode 4- COVID-19
You've got questions. We've got answers. The Entrepreneur and Family Business Council hosted a free conference call, "Helping You Deal With COVID-19: Ask the Strategic Partners Conference Call". Each of the EFBC's Strategic Partners provided guidance for these difficult times in areas spanning law, finance, marketing (that's us!), IT, accounting, insurance, HR and banking. Weren't able to attend the virtual meetup? We've got you covered. Find the answers to your business related COVID-19 questions here.
Just a Slice: Keeping Your Content Digestible
There’s no better way of explaining why it’s important to keep content simple on marketing assets like a good food analogy. Check out this week’s episode where Patty is joined by ODEA graphic designer, Stephanie to talk about two things we love: keeping content digestible and Portillo’s chocolate cake.
Three Tips for Marketing in 2020: No Crystal Ball Needed
In this week’s episode, we’re excited to have Andrea Durfey, marketing and communications strategist, join ODEA President, Patty Rioux! Andrea’s been in marketing for nearly thirty years with a brain full of insights she’s ready to share. On this episode, Patty and Andrea discuss marketing in 2020 and three areas businesses should focus their marketing efforts.
Brain Lava is Back: Why It's OK to Press 'Pause'
Welcome to season two of Brain Lava! We’re so excited to be back and kicking off this week’s episode with one of our favorite “Patty-isms”, Marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. But sometimes you have to hit pause on a project and take some time to retool before you get back in the race. And that’s okay! Take a listen to this week’s episode to hear how ODEA is using this very advice to take Brain Lava to the next level.
Episode 41- Brain Lava Hot Topic - Website Accessibility, ADA and WCAG
You may be feeling the heat of uncertainty about website and mobile app accessibility after a recent court case regarding ADA and digital assets was in front of the US Supreme Court. But don’t sweat it. We're working closely with our friends at fjorge Digital, one of our dev teams, to stay up-to-date and keep you informed.
This week on Brain Lava, Joe Barsness of fjorge Digital joins us to explain the slightly confusing WCAG, share best practices and give us some tools for helping determine the accessibility of your website.
Episode 40- Living Through a Rebrand
If your organization changes its name and/or logo there are A LOT of places and items to update with the new brand. Some are more obvious like your website and email address. But what about all the little things? Voicemail box recordings. Internal documents. Office Signage. The list goes on! In Episode 40 of Brain Lava, Liz Fidanovski, Executive Director of the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council, joins ODEA President Patty Rioux to share her experience of living through a recent rebrand.
Episode 39- Our Three Requests of Conference Speakers
Conferences. Love ‘em or hate ‘em? We’ve experienced the ups and downs of educational conferences we’ve learned one thing: it’s the presenters that make or break the experience. Swanky venues and swag bags bursting with goodies can only take you so far. In Episode 39 of Brain Lava, ODEA President Patty shares her three requests of conference speakers.
Episode 38- Natural Networking: How to Approach LinkedIn Like a Human
We were recently asked how to best approach someone you don’t know on LinkedIn. Our answer is simple: act like a human! Just because you’re online, it doesn’t mean normal behaviors get tossed out the window. Be yourself and find a natural way to connect and build a relationship with a potential customer or business partner. Listen to Episode 38 of Brain Lava to learn more!
Episode 37- Intern Anna
Think you’ve got marketing all figured out? So did ODEA intern, Anna… until she started working for us. Joined by president Patty, our marketing intern discusses three things that surprised her about the marketing world in episode 37 of Brain Lava!
Episode 36- Brand Sounds
Brands have signature logos, signature taglines and, increasingly, signature sounds. Tune in to Brain Lava to hear ODEA Prez, Patty Rioux, share her thoughts on why brands need to invest in sounds even more as voice search and voice assistants keep changing in the marketing world.
Episode 35- Why You Should Start a Podcast
Podcasts are growing in popularity – fast! Edison Research found that in 2018, 26% of Americans listened to podcasts monthly. So why haven’t you started yours? If you’re on the fence about podcasting, we’re sharing three reasons you should consider getting in on the action!
Episode 34- Deep Dive into SEO
Welcome to a very special edition of Brain Lava! On this episode, we’re jazzing things up a bit. Not only can you listen to us on this podcast episode, but we’ve also created a handy-dandy “Top SEO Tips” presentation! To view the presentation while you listen, click here.
Episode 33 - Cut. It. Out
Less is more. We apply this thinking to everything from putting on cologne to driving in Chicago traffic. On this week’s episode, we’re sharing why you should keep that lesson in mind when it comes to everything from your content to your ideas to running your biz.
Episode 32- Open Source vs Proprietary CMS
Thinking about your next website and the engine that’s going to drive it? Stuck between an open source or a proprietary content management system (CMS)? You’re in luck! On this week’s episode of Brain Lava, we’re talking about the differences between the two.
Episode 31- Social Media Lessons
Social media for business can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re brand new to the social platform world. In this week’s episode of Brain Lava, we’re sharing three lessons we’ve learned at ODEA wile navigating the world of social media for B2B businesses -- including our own!
Episode 30 - Learning Styles
Learning styles are important – especially when you want to help educate your audience. Who better to talk through the big three learning styles than ODEA Project Manager, Sue Lattea? With 20 years of experience as an educator and a textbook writer, Sue knows a thing or two about learning styles and how to use and leverage them effectively.
Episode 29- Swag
Swag matters! Or does it? Listen to this week’s episode to find out from Patty, Megan and Stephanie if swag is something you should be thinking about!
Episode 28- Image Resizing
On this episode, we’re speaking out for those that don’t have a voice. Those that are stretched and skewed to their limits without complaint. We’re speaking up for images and logos and sharing how to properly resize them!
Episode 27- 9 Mind-Blowing Stats
To us, statistics are like donuts, there’s really no such thing as too many. But fear not, this week we’re only serving up nine stats that will totally blow your mind. From cold calls, to websites, to sales to the ever-growing YouTube – these nine stats run the gamut.
Episode 26- Trade Show Tips
Trade show necessities: Business cards, comfortable shoes, swag, supplies box, refreshments…the list goes on and on. But don’t sweat it because we’re sharing three tips from someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the trade show world. From designing booths, to breaking them down and setting them up, to working them, our Prez Patty has done it all!
Episode 25 - Voice Search
Welcome to the future: where you can order your favorite peanut butter through a tiny device on your counter while cooking your breakfast. On this week's episode of Brain Lava, we're discussing voice search and how it's going to change the future of marketing.
Episode 24- Respect Referrals
Think the art of referrals is dying? We think not. ODEA President, Patty Rioux, talks referrals and why we think they’re still a major key to success in B2B on this week’s episode of Brain Lava.
Episode 23- SEO Introduction
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and what does it have to do with your website? Those are two of the questions we’re answering in this week’s episode of Brain Lava, where we break down the basics of SEO and why you should be thinking about it for your website.
Episode 22- 360 Images: Taking the Online Experience to the Next Level
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could view a product online from all angles- from the top, the sides, even the bottom? Well, your wish is technologies command. More and more companies are using 360 images that allow consumers to view a product from literally any angle they choose. But is it worth the investment? We’ve got a few stats we think you’re going to want to hear.
Episode 21- Branding: Just like Peeing in The Pool
It’s Brain Lava’s 21st… 21st episode that is! But just because we’re all grown up doesn’t mean we’re getting all serious on you. In this week’s episode we’re talking about peeing in the pool (told ya we’re not growing up) and how it relates to branding!
Episode 20- Team Collaboration
This week, ODEA was separated by hundreds of miles AND a Polar Vortex but not even that could stop us. While at home, working away in our PJ’s with a team spread across four states, we were struck with inspiration. Collaboration is tough. Collaboration in the age of virtual teams (and Polar Vortexes) is even more tough! On this week’s episode of Brain Lava, we’re sharing how we stay productive no matter where in the world our team might be!
Episode 19- ODEA Show and Tell: 2018 Marketing Budget
We’ve heard about the power of open book management but what about open book marketing (we totally just made that up)? We’re laying our books open for the world to see and sharing what and how we spent our marketing budget dollars in 2018.
Episode 18 - Photography Tips to Make Your Photo Shoot a Success
ODEA birthday twins, Megan and Stephanie, sit down to talk about tips to make your photo shoot experience a success. Whether you’re investing in a photographer or taking the DIY route, these tips will help you feel prepared for whatever comes your way.
Episode 17- Feed Your Brain
Is your brain hungry? Let’s feed it! ODEA’s launching a NEW weekly email newsletter that connects you to the exciting things that are rocking the marketing and tech world. Learn more about it in this week’s episode of Brain Lava!
If your brain is hungry to learn, click the link and fill out the form to receive “Feed Your Brain” in your inbox: http://info.teamodea.com/feed-your-brain
Episode 16: Podcast 101: What We've Learned
We’ve been in the world of podcasting for four months now. With 15 published episodes on our resume, we thought it was time to reflect on what we’ve learned so far. ODEA Technical Coordinator, JJ Lattea, sat down with Patty, ODEA President, to share a few lessons that we’ve learned by experimenting through this podcast.
Episode 15- Comfort Zone
Episode 14- Creative Quiz
Episode 13- Offense vs Defense
Episode 12- Creative Outlet
Episode 11- Social Media POST Method
Episode 10- Post Post-Mortem
Episode 9- 4 Quick Tips for Presenting
Episode 8- WordPress Intro
Episode 7- There's no 'I' in Marketing. Oh wait...
Episode 6- Takeaways from HubSpot's Inbound Conference
Episode 5- Bold Branding
Episode 4 - Post Mortem
Episode 3- Treadmill Thoughts
Episode 2 - Exploring User Experience (UX) Design
Episode 1 - How to be BOLD in Your Marketing
Brain Lava Intro
If you have any suggestions for a topic or have any questions, please feel free to email us at hello@teamodea.com or visit our website, teamodea.com.