Proofing Stage

Panning for Feedback Gold: A Strategy Bonanza

Marie Silverstrim, User Experience (UX) Designer Whether you are observing actions or directly asking, your customers and clients are telling you something. Understanding not only what that is but the why behind it... well, that's what gets you to the good stuff. And, while it's always a good time to make sure your business goals are aligned with customer needs, Q1 of 2025 continues to remind us that the behaviors we use to understand these needs might not mean what we think they do, or what they once did. Just as possible, new and wonderful opportunities might emerge from this disruption.  As we consider ways to understand existing customers and reach new ones during periods of uncertainty, our guide is Marie Silverstrim, a UX designer who is a master at breaking down concepts and delivering practical advice that is immediately actionable.  Together with Joan Kanner's love of all things survey and Michelle Bond's contextualization of business in the current moment, we wrap up Proofing Stage's third season with an honest-to-goodness bonanza of tools and anecdotes to help you meet your moment. E.g.: * Good design often goes unnoticed, making it feel invisible * Feedback from users is essential for improving products and services * Surveys and direct conversations can yield valuable insights * Stakeholder opinions can differ from user needs; balance is key * Iterative design allows for continuous improvement and adaptation * The real 'why' behind user feedback is essential for growth Links Classic UX 101 books: Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug [https://sensible.com/dont-make-me-think/] The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman [https://www.nngroup.com/books/design-everyday-things-revised/] Other books: Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab [https://www.nedratawwab.com/set-boundaries-find-peace] Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski [https://www.burnoutbook.net/] Glossary: * Institutional Review Board (IRB) [https://www.umaryland.edu/hrp/institutional-review-board-irb/] * Likert scale [https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/likert-scale/] * Personally identifiable information (PII) [https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/pii#:~:text=Personally%20identifiable%20information%20(PII)%20is,email%20address%20or%20phone%20number.] * Poll [https://zapier.com/blog/poll-vs-survey/] The following UX terms may be found here [https://www.uxdesigninstitute.com/blog/glossary-ux-terms/]: * Affordances * Minimum viable product (MVP) * Qualitative * Quantitative * Focus groups * Survey * agile UX * A/B testing Credits: Theme Music by Thorn Haze [https://thornhaze.com/] Additional music by Come On Boy by MondayHopes [https://pixabay.com/music/pop-come-on-boy-8018/] Podcast Cover Art by Lisa Ory [https://www.lisaorye.com/]e Produced by Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond Find more at proofingstage.com [http://proofingstage.com] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/proofingstage] and Threads [http://threads.net/proofingstage] @proofingstage Join Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/ProofingStage] to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes! See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy] for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here [http://proofingstage.com/].

REPRISE! Don't Say "DEI," Just Make it Mean Something

When times are shit and you need a pep talk... and strategies... and allies...  It's time to return to our Season 2 Episode with: Erin Stampp, she/her, MPP - Director, Professional Development Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis In this episode of Proofing Stage, hosts Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner are joined by DEI practitioner Erin Stampp. Together, they unpack the challenges and necessities of implementing effective DEI strategies, even for minority business owners. Erin emphasizes that true diversity goes beyond visibility; focusing on fostering an inclusive culture where diverse identities are seen and valued. The conversation also covers practical aspects like dietary restrictions in food businesses and universal design. Michelle and Joan share their experiences with integrating these practices into Bottoms Up Bagels, including staff reticence and industry norms. Erin highlights the importance of relational, equity-centered leadership, which involves creating a supportive environment through active listening and engagement. She addresses retention challenges and the truly counter-cultural work of inclusion and systemic change.  Join us for a very open conversation about our blind spots, power-sharing in leadership, and the self-compassion required to make it stick. Like: * Asking for, listening to and implementing input is where it’s at * How we can turn our exclamation points into question marks * Where the anti-racism, anti-sexism fairy dust resides * The trappings of cancel culture * Taking a sec to acknowledge what’s working and build on it * Big, sexy (self-) compliments go a long way Links Check out one of Erin’s current projects, a Desegregation History Timeline [https://desegregationhistory.med.wustl.edu/] (education aid to advance culture change) Connect with Erin Stampp LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-stampp-mpp-102b286/] Instagram [http://instagram.com/erhood23%20] Faux Sponsor, "Cartoon Mallet"  - written and performed by Joan Kanner Theme music by Thorn Haze [https://www.instagram.com/thorn.haze] Additional music: Combat Morning by Den Writeman [https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-den-writeman-combat-morning-201098/] (via Pixabay) Music for Puzzle Game by Ivantraveso [https://pixabay.com/music/video-games-music-for-puzzle-game-146738/] (via Pixabay) Executive Producers,  Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond Podcast cover art by Lisa Orye [http://www.lisaorye.com/] Find more at proofingstage.com [http://proofingstage.com] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/proofingstage] and Threads [http://threads.net/proofingstage] @proofingstage Join Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/ProofingStage] to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes! See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy] for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here [http://proofingstage.com/].

Defund, Dismiss, Delete: Business Lessons from Forgotten Radicals

Dr. Eleanor Rust and Dr. Tristra Newyear Yeager Producers, Writers & Hosts of Frances Wright: America's Forgotten Radical [https://tinyurl.com/ForgottenRadical] Women have - and do - play significant roles in shaping history, yet their stories are often never recorded in the first place or simply erased. By answering the question "Frances who?" Eleanor and Tristra provide insights into how some women-owned businesses are also forgotten - if they were acknowledged at all. Tired of battling algos? Navigating the troubled waters of modern journalism? Let's redefine success and shed light on women while they're making history.  Oyez! Oyez! Gather 'round as we discuss how: * Historical narratives should include contributions from diverse folks * Erasure doesn't have to happen, if you identify its methods and sources * Engaging with history can inspire contemporary movements for change * Frances Wright's legacy serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality * Storytelling can amplify marginalized voices... NOW Remember: unlike Vegas, whatever happened in New Harmony shouldn't stay there. Connect with Eleanor & Tristra: Eleanor’s 19th-century history writings [https://herreputationforaccomplishment.wordpress.com/] Tristra’s author website [https://newyearmedia.com/] Links: Most of the obscure references made during this episode... Charon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon] Cassandra [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassandra] Orphic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism] dresses New Harmony, Indiana [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Harmony,_Indiana] Working Men's Institute [https://workingmensinstitute.org/] First-wave feminism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-wave_feminism] Downright Gabbler cartoon [https://www.loc.gov/item/2002708975/] of Frances Wright Hegelian process [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hegel-dialectics/] Broadsides [https://www.loc.gov/collections/broadsides-and-other-printed-ephemera/articles-and-essays/introduction-to-printed-ephemera-collection/the-popularity-of-broadsides/] Kindness Tree Movement [https://kindnesstreemovement.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqL28BhCrARIsACYJvkdVn6xT5uF1-yljn0LgDMqXtEzia6-BjjHOCpqmbOHyBh8ZEKe7y8MaAjBSEALw_wcB] MDWST Fable [https://www.mdwstfable.com/] Josiah Warren [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Warren] Modern Times [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Times_(community)] Credits: Theme Music by Thorn Haze [https://thornhaze.com/] Additional music by DirectToDreams [https://tinyurl.com/PSS3Ep8music] The Dangers of Polka PSA Written by Joan Kanner Performed by Michelle Bond and Joan Kanner Music by Sonican [https://tinyurl.com/PolkaPSAmusic1]; Alana Jordan [https://tinyurl.com/PolkaPSAmusic2] Podcast Cover Art: Lisa Orye [https://www.lisaorye.com/] Produced by Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond Find more at proofingstage.com [http://proofingstage.com] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/proofingstage] and Threads [http://threads.net/proofingstage] @proofingstage Join Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/ProofingStage] to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes! See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy] for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here [http://proofingstage.com/].

You Can't Grow by Cutting: The 20/25 Experience

Susan Clayton, Founder of WhitePaws RunMitts  Better now or better now? Better now? Like many of you, we're entering the new year fine-tuning our vision and calling on our support systems. This includes brilliant business minds like, Susan Clayton, Founder of WhitePaws RunMitts who is hitting her stride while elevating themes for underrepresented founders with candor and joy.  How can many of these businesses are both over-mentored and under-supported? How can spending money be difficult, and asking questions be threatening? Susan commiserates with Michelle and Joan in the Proofing Stage era, with sharpened perspective and insights. Together they challenge themselves and others, discussing equity, business savvy, permission vs. forgiveness, spending capital, disrupting systems and holding mentors (aka gatekeepers) accountable.  This episode unboxes a wealth of holiday gifts and reorganizes the way we see ourselves and can operate in the world - demanding more and helping one another along the way. Run with us.  Segments include: * Building a Supportive Team and Trusting Relationships * Importance of Long-Term Strategy, Collaborations and Community * Need for Practical Support in Business and Impact of Bureaucracy on Small Businesses * Risk and Growth in Entrepreneurship * Calling out Bias and Unconscious Obstacles * Defining Effective Mentorship and Protecting Intellectual Property Connect with Susan Clayton: https://runmitts.com/ [https://runmitts.com/home-1] IG: @whitepaws_runmitts [http://instagram.com/whitepaws_runmitts] FB: @whitepawsrunmitts [http://facebook.com/whitepawsrunmitts] Blue Sky: @runmitts.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/runmitts.bsky.social] Linkedin: @Susan(RunMitts, LLC)Clayton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-clayton-63595b148/] Links: More on themes in this episode in S1: EP4, The Myth of Meritocracy/Mentorship, Schmentorship [https://proofingstage.buzzsprout.com/2283145/episodes/14271751-the-myth-of-meritocracy-mentorship-schmentorship] Scroobious' vendor marketplace [https://www.scroobious.com/partners/vendor-beta] The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer] REI Path Ahead Ventures [https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-path-ahead-ventures-announces-2023-navigate-accelerator-program-cohort] Episode Sponsor: Trash B Gone [https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/md/baltimore/trash-b-gone-reviews-332017.htm] Credits: Theme Music by Thorn Haze [https://thornhaze.com/] Additional music:  Tom Thumb - Feeling the Flow [https://pixabay.com/music/acid-jazz-tom-thumb-feeling-the-flow-200454/] (via Pixabay) take out the trash by Jacob Field [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-take-out-the-trashroyalty-free-music-8974/] (via Pixabay) Podcast Cover Art by Lisa Orye [https://www.lisaorye.com/] Produced by Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond Find more at proofingstage.com [http://proofingstage.com] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/proofingstage] and Threads [http://threads.net/proofingstage] @proofingstage Join Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/ProofingStage] to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes! See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy] for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here [http://proofingstage.com/].

BONUS: They Burned Women, Not Witches with The Human Resorceress

Tabitha? Cute, but don't mess.  Endora? Fierce. Sabrina? Work. Joanne Lakomski? Um, legend. We're here with some new, free bonus content to start off 2025. Our recording with Joanne Lakomski, The Human Resorceress, was particularly content-rich and timely as we reflect on this past year while priming us for the new one. Hey, if you're one of our Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/c/ProofingStage] Patreon subscribers, this is your second bonus with Joanne. Just a little plug for supporting us in that way. Ahem...  This bonus content highlights themes that we couldn't fit into our main episode with Joanne. Wanna know one? All right. Let me give you a hint. There are so many things we find irritating that people regularly do. One is using the word "witch" to sanitize what they really want to call someone - "bitch." Yes, it's annoying that they're unnecessarily pulling a punch. But for us, it's also about mislabeling someone as a "witch." Rude.  Don't be a Derwood! Treat yourself by listening to this bonus episode. While we're at it - shout out to the Gladys Kravitzs in your life! Connect with Joanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-lakomski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-lakomski/] humanresorceress.org [http://humanresorceress.org/] Links: Axiology [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_S._Hartman] Robert Hartman [https://www.hartmaninstitute.org/]  Hierophant [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hierophant] Credits: Theme Music by Thorn Haze [https://thornhaze.com/] Additional music: 魔女 witch [https://pixabay.com/music/video-games-witch-144292/] by nojisuma (via Pixabay) Podcast Cover Art by Lisa Orye [https://www.lisaorye.com/] Produced by Joan Kanner and Michelle Bond Find more at proofingstage.com [http://proofingstage.com] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/proofingstage] and Threads [http://threads.net/proofingstage] @proofingstage Join Proofing Stage+ [https://www.patreon.com/ProofingStage] to support us supporting you, AND access new bonus content in-between episodes! See Buzzsprout's Privacy Policy [https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy] for listener privacy and read our disclaimer here [http://proofingstage.com/].