We are all looking for the turning point in a good story, and we love a story that demonstrates perseverance and resolve.Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: explaining the data in a story, sizing up your competition and 'kee

202 – Efficiency versus cost cutting

Mar 18th, 2024 15m 23s

Reducing waste increases the efficiency of raw material use. But can we all agree that scraping mould off food product prior to packaging may be a little beyond the pale?Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: understanding the

201 – Governance and accountability lose their Barings

Mar 11th, 2024 24m 8s

A governance and accountability story. Welcome to the Anecdotally Speaking podcast! Visit our website for more captivating stories and business insights! https://www.anecdote.com/ In this episode, … The post 201 – Governance and accountability

200 – Weber BBQ Australian Success

Dec 21st, 2023 20m 38s

Welcome to the Anecdotally Speaking podcast! Visit our website for more captivating stories and business insights! https://www.anecdote.com/ In this episode, our hosts Shawn Callahan and … The post 200 – Weber BBQ Australian Success appeared f

199 – Approach to the south poles apart – Amundsen Scott

Dec 6th, 2023 17m 44s

Two explorers from the northern hemisphere set out to be the first to reach the South Pole - Roald Amundsen of Norway and Robert Falconer Scott of England. Their expedition planning, team, equipment and transport selections could not have been

198 – Mayor in the monkey suit – Stuart Drummond

Nov 29th, 2023 19m 15s

People from Hartlepool UK are known colloquially as 'monkey hangers' - a moniker that stems from the Napoleonic Wars of the 1800s. But this story is about a larrikin mascot in a monkey suit making mayor and breaking records...Shawn and Mark br

197 – Atlanta Olympic swim 1996 – Kieren Perkins

Nov 23rd, 2023 14m 55s

Australian champion swimmer Kieren Perkins barely qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and only just made the final for the 1500 metre event. Shawn and Mark discuss how extraordinary 'turn-arounds', under promising and over delivering, and

196 – Better fire story – Michigan Uni

Nov 15th, 2023 19m 43s

Michigan University researchers sought to understand the 'stickiness' of stories - does factual or emotionally charged information provided 'after the fact' change how a story is told or re-told? Shawn and Mark discuss how a 'better story' migh

195 – Bullet train kingfisher nose – Eiji Nakatsu

Nov 7th, 2023 22m 51s

Bird watcher and engineer Eiji Nakatsu sped up and made Japan's bullet trains quieter by studying the kingfisher's beak.Shawn and Mark stick their noses into how a business might use this story to encourage innovation through biomimicry.The p

194 – French reverse mortgage – Jeanne Calment

Oct 30th, 2023 18m 45s

Jeanne Louise Calment lived to 122 years of age (a species record). Who would have thought such an age was achievable? How would you feel, betting against such a long life, and losing on the deal?Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use

193 – Rolling Stones songwriting – Andrew Loog Oldham

Oct 5th, 2023 16m 18s

Andrew Loog Oldham at 19 years of age was the Rolling Stones first manager. By suggesting that Keith Richards and Mick Jagger start writing original songs, a 50 year plus collaboration was born (affectionately now known as the 'Strolling Bones'

192 – Americas Cup speed focus – Peter Blake

Sep 28th, 2023 17m 27s

Sir Peter Blake suggested a single focus for New Zealand's Americas Cup challenge - only do those things that make the boat go faster - leading to two trophies. Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use this story to galvanise a team.The

190 – Infancy of the newborn test – Virginia Apgar

Sep 8th, 2023 20m 33s

The quality of a good question can create insight. Join Shawn and Mark as they discuss the life saving simplicity and humble beginnings of the Apgar Test.The post 190 – Infancy of the newborn test – Virginia Apgar appeared first on Anecdote.

189 – The last raiders of the lost ark – Harrison Ford – Gary Marshall

Jul 31st, 2023 11m 38s

Sometime we just have to throw plans out the window as circumstances change. Blistering temperatures in Tunisia caused the simplification of a now iconic fight scene.The post 189 – The last raiders of the lost ark – Harrison Ford – Gary Marsha

188 – Sydney Opera House – Jorn Utzon – Ove Arup

Jul 26th, 2023 27m 16s

Can you imagine Sydney Harbour without the Opera House? Well, without 10 years of delays and $90 million in cost overruns the bridge might have been the only feature in the skyline. Join Shawn and Mark for a discussion on podiums, persistence a

187-Privacy in the EU – Anastasia Dedyukhina – Consciously Digital

Jun 26th, 2023 44m 25s

If it doesn't feel right, maybe it's not? Do the right thing, not the easy thing. We always have the right to choose, so ask questions and resist being made to feel 'incompetent'. Join Shawn, Mark and Anastasia Dedyukhina from Consciously Digit

185 – VR headsets are coming – Ursula Llabres from Meta

Jun 20th, 2023 43m 27s

The launch of a new product is risky, but to see young people interact with ease can give lots of confidence. In this episode, we discuss this very point with Ursula Llabres product owner at Meta Reality Labs.The post 185 – VR headsets are com

186 – Never give up – Jack Ma

Jun 15th, 2023 31m 54s

The beauty and power of persistence. This is the story of Jack Ma told by Vika Abromova, the country head of Mars Poland. It's another business story to tell.The post 186 – Never give up – Jack Ma appeared first on Anecdote.

184 - Don’t push your bias onto others – Fiona Wood

May 16th, 2023 28m 11s

Opinions aren’t facts. Listen to hear how Surgeon Fiona Wood set the record straight when her son’s partner was told to reconsider her chosen career path.The post 184 – Don’t push your bias onto others – Fiona Wood appeared first on Anecdote.

183 - Show your work as much as possible – The Caillebotte Seven

Apr 17th, 2023 21m 10s

We grow to love the things we are exposed to again and again. Listen to hear how the mere exposure effect helped the Caillebotte Seven become the famous painters they are today. The post 183 – Show your work as much as possible – The Caillebot

182 - Listen to your customer – Anita Roddick

Apr 10th, 2023 20m 30s

Some of the best ideas will come from your customers. Listen to hear how The Body Shop grew from a side hustle to an international … The post 182 – Listen to your customer – Anita Roddick appeared first on Anecdote.

181 - It’s never too late – Judith Curphey

Mar 20th, 2023 20m 33s

It’s never too late; if you believe something should be different, try to change it. Listen to hear how Judith Curphey went from retirement to founding and training one of Australia’s most renowned choirs.The post 181 – It’s never too late – J

180 - Focus on your work – Christine Ha

Mar 14th, 2023 18m 22s

Don’t compare your work to that of others; focus on yourself. Listen to hear how Christine Ha’s vision impairment helped her win the third American season of Masterchef.The post 180 – Focus on your work – Christine Ha appeared first on Anecdot

Replay 164 - You don’t need to be an expert – Lisa Blair

Mar 8th, 2023 24m 37s

You don’t need to be an expert to develop expertise. On International Women’s Day, listen to hear how Lisa Blair beat the odds and went from sailing novice to record breaker.The post Replay 164 – You don’t need to be an expert – Lisa Blair app

179 - There is no average

Mar 1st, 2023 26m 9s

If you design for the average, you might find you’re designing for no one. Listen to hear how challenging an assumption held for 30 years transformed aircraft cockpit design.The post 179 – There is no average appeared first on Anecdote.