Ben Afia's guest appearances

Ben Afia

Speaking Business podcast

The Art of Living Proactively (Harnessing the Power of Your Choices)

GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency

Geoff Ramm

Sophie Bennett

Geoff Burch

Jacqui Taylor

John Ruhlin

Itai Sadan

John Livesay

Tom Ross

Tim Butler

Scott Harrison

Jeff Chilton

Jason Swenk

John Jantsch

Greg Sadler

Mike Robbins

OwlTail

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Ben Afia. A recognised tone of voice pioneer and global expert, Ben uses language to help companies change culture, improve performance and forge deeper connections with their customers.As one of the first people in the world to establish and manage tone of voice, he cut his teeth with Wallgreen Alliance Boots, helping them improve relationships internally and with customers.He then set up Afia and has since helped companies like Allianz Insurance to win more customers, BP to develop their employer brand and Google to help marketers understand digital better.Ben’s strategic consultancy and change programmes helped Vodafone boost their customer satisfaction to its highest ever level and took E.ON on a journey to change their culture. And his claim to fame is helping Ronseal to work out what to say on the tin.Robert and Ben discuss:How Ben got to where he isHow words matter – internally and externallyA model for creating great briefsThe doughnut modelBooks to readHow culture determines all, including brandWhat’s next for BenTo contact Ben and for some free resources on Language Strategy and the language Manifesto Click Here.This is a bitesize version of the interview. To watch the full video visit www.GYDAmemberhub.com

In this GYDA Talks, Robert interviews Ben Afia. A recognised tone of voice pioneer and global expert, Ben uses language to help companies change culture, improve performance and forge deeper connections with their customers.As one of the first people in the world to establish and manage tone of voice, he cut his teeth with Wallgreen Alliance Boots, helping them improve relationships internally and with customers.He then set up Afia and has since helped companies like Allianz Insurance to win more customers, BP to develop their employer brand and Google to help marketers understand digital better.Ben’s strategic consultancy and change programmes helped Vodafone boost their customer satisfaction to its highest ever level and took E.ON on a journey to change their culture. And his claim to fame is helping Ronseal to work out what to say on the tin.Robert and Ben discuss:<ul><li>How Ben got to where he is</li><li>How words matter – internally and externally</li><li>A model for creating great briefs</li><li>The doughnut model</li><li>Books to read</li><li>How culture determines all, including brand</li><li>What’s next for Ben</li></ul>To contact Ben and for some free resources on Language Strategy and the language Manifesto <a href="https://www.liinks.co/benafia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click Here.</a> This is a bitesize version of the interview. To watch the full video visit <a href="http://www.gydamemberhub.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.GYDAmemberhub.com</a>

GYDA Talks - Ben Afia on Brand and Tone of Voice

Happy Vs Flourishing episode 7 features Ben Afia, a man who make companies more human - in their culture, brand and communications. We learn bow changing your language, can change how people behave, help everyone connect, not just as employees with professional facades, but as humans. Which results in them being more energised, engaged and feel part of something bigger than themselves. They're confident responding to customers’ changing needs so their companies find it easier to give customers what they promised. Some items discussed:   How language is used in a uniform way across corporations The importance of tone of voice The issues that can evolve because of the differences in tone of voice of different generations and different cultures How archeology helps with communication Why some companies are turning away existing customers because of the poor language are using Language is always evolving and how that should be taken into consideration Language rules vs language styles The difference it makes to your communication in using words of Anglo Saxon, French and Latin origin How can you create communication that resonates with all generations of the age scale Encouraging debt collectors to be more human! How the situation with COVID-19 is changing communication  Links:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-afia-language-strategist/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/PwICEheA2mc Speaker Showreel: https://www.benafia.com/my-showreel-a-decade-in-the-making/ Book: https://www.benafia.com/language-manifesto-optin/ Learn how your language can transform your brand, culture and communication. https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/ Ebook: Cut The Crap - Learn how to cut the crap and write in a clear and human way. Read our 5 steps to effective writing that connects. https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/ Brand tone of voice: is it the icing on the cake, or is it the cake? https://www.benafia.com/brand-tone-voice-icing-cake-cake/ Nine steps to getting great work from copywriters  https://www.benafia.com/ever-had-trouble-getting-great-work-from-a-writer/   Happy Vs Flourishing links: www.ExceedingExpectations.me Facebook Group Twitter LinkedIn YouTube How to leave a podcast review: https://tonywinyard.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review/ Full shownotes including transcription available at: https://tonywinyard.com/hvf007-ben-afia/

Happy Vs Flourishing episode 7 features Ben Afia, a man who make companies more human - in their culture, brand and communications. We learn bow changing your language, can change how people behave, help everyone connect, not just as employees with professional facades, but as humans. Which results in them being more energised, engaged and feel part of something bigger than themselves. They're confident responding to customers’ changing needs so their companies find it easier to give customers what they promised. Some items discussed: <ul> <li>How language is used in a uniform way across corporations</li> <li>The importance of tone of voice</li> <li>The issues that can evolve because of the differences in tone of voice of different generations and different cultures</li> <li>How archeology helps with communication</li> <li>Why some companies are turning away existing customers because of the poor language are using</li> <li>Language is always evolving and how that should be taken into consideration</li> <li>Language rules vs language styles</li> <li>The difference it makes to your communication in using words of Anglo Saxon, French and Latin origin</li> <li>How can you create communication that resonates with all generations of the age scale</li> <li>Encouraging debt collectors to be more human!</li> <li>How the situation with COVID-19 is changing communication</li> </ul> Links:   LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-afia-language-strategist/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-afia-language-strategist/</a> YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/PwICEheA2mc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/PwICEheA2mc</a> Speaker Showreel: <a href="https://www.benafia.com/my-showreel-a-decade-in-the-making/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.benafia.com/my-showreel-a-decade-in-the-making/</a> Book: <a href="https://www.benafia.com/language-manifesto-optin/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.benafia.com/language-manifesto-optin/</a> Learn how your language can transform your brand, culture and communication. <a href="https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/</a> Ebook: Cut The Crap - Learn how to cut the crap and write in a clear and human way. Read our 5 steps to effective writing that connects. <a href="https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.benafia.com/write-so-people-buy/</a> Brand tone of voice: is it the icing on the cake, or is it the cake? <a href="https://www.benafia.com/brand-tone-voice-icing-cake-cake/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.benafia.com/brand-tone-voice-icing-cake-cake/</a> Nine steps to getting great work from copywriters <a href="https://www.benafia.com/ever-had-trouble-getting-great-work-from-a-writer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://www.benafia.com/ever-had-trouble-getting-great-work-from-a-writer/</a>   Happy Vs Flourishing links: <a href="http://www.ExceedingExpectations.me" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.ExceedingExpectations.me</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExceedingExpectationsPodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/TonyWinyard" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonywinyard" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4fdNYycZQD_SzPO2TbV0Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YouTube</a> <a href="https://tonywinyard.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to leave a podcast review</a>: <a href="https://tonywinyard.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://tonywinyard.com/how-to-leave-a-podcast-review/</a> Full shownotes including transcription available at: <a href="https://tonywinyard.com/?p=50284&amp;preview=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://tonywinyard.com/hvf007-ben-afia/</a>

This week we are talking about language, but first let me give you a little bit of context. Most organisations don't connect with their customers and staff half as well as they could and as a result, they're losing customers and employees at a shocking rate.    My guest is the Language Strategist, he's helped companies like Vodafone, Allianz and Google to be more human and make that connection.  He's going to reveal how language is the key that'll unlock the door to a more authentic brand and happier customers.   My guest is Ben Afia. Bio Ben Afia is a consultant, writer and speaker, specialising in brand strategy and language. His claim to fame is helping Ronseal work out what to say on the tin. He’s helped companies manage their brand and tone of voice longer than most, starting in 2001 at Boots, when managing language was only just becoming a thing. He created a new tone and went on to help people across the business to get better results from agencies and freelancers. In 2005, with a first baby on the way and a week from exchanging contracts on a new house, Boots made Ben redundant. Which seemed like the perfect moment to set up Afia. Afia is turning the world of “corporate speak” on its head by helping companies to be more human. He is always looking for the easiest way to get something done. It’s the same thinking he’s brought to successfully changing the culture of companies like Aviva, E.ON, Legal &amp; General and Boots. ‘If we make this easy for anyone to grasp, they’re far more likely to adopt it.’ Hence the straightforward, memorable tone of voice structure. Afia’s tone of voice structure uses a language format the same as people do when they’re talking to each other face to face. Of course the tone will vary depending on who you’re talking to and what you want to say, but Afia has found it helps organisations to build stronger relationships with their customers and for the people who work there to get on better with each other. Through his work at Afia he has helped companies like Allianz Insurance win more customers, BP to develop their employer brand and Google to help people understand digital marketing better. In the travel sector he’s helped BCD get in touch with what their customers need, and companies like Haven Holidays create a wonderful customer experience that starts the minute they open a brochure.  He’s also helped Twinings to harmonise their packaging around the world, Vodafone build better relationships with their customers, and AirBP to get in touch with their heartbeat. That work was so effective they were still using Ben Afia’s words 5 years later. Recorded: 8th October 2019 Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook To book any of the speakers featured on the Speaking Business podcast, click here Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Soundcloud Stitcher Spotify

This week we are talking about language, but first let me give you a little bit of context. Most organisations don't connect with their customers and staff half as well as they could and as a result, they're losing customers and employees at a shocking rate.    My guest is the Language Strategist, he's helped companies like Vodafone, Allianz and Google to be more human and make that connection.  He's going to reveal how language is the key that'll unlock the door to a more authentic brand and happier customers.   My guest is Ben Afia. Bio Ben Afia is a consultant, writer and speaker, specialising in brand strategy and language. His claim to fame is helping Ronseal work out what to say on the tin. He’s helped companies manage their brand and tone of voice longer than most, starting in 2001 at Boots, when managing language was only just becoming a thing. He created a new tone and went on to help people across the business to get better results from agencies and freelancers. In 2005, with a first baby on the way and a week from exchanging contracts on a new house, Boots made Ben redundant. Which seemed like the perfect moment to set up Afia. Afia is turning the world of “corporate speak” on its head by helping companies to be more human. He is always looking for the easiest way to get something done. It’s the same thinking he’s brought to successfully changing the culture of companies like Aviva, E.ON, Legal &amp; General and Boots. ‘If we make this easy for anyone to grasp, they’re far more likely to adopt it.’ Hence the straightforward, memorable tone of voice structure. Afia’s tone of voice structure uses a language format the same as people do when they’re talking to each other face to face. Of course the tone will vary depending on who you’re talking to and what you want to say, but Afia has found it helps organisations to build stronger relationships with their customers and for the people who work there to get on better with each other. Through his work at Afia he has helped companies like Allianz Insurance win more customers, BP to develop their employer brand and Google to help people understand digital marketing better. In the travel sector he’s helped BCD get in touch with what their customers need, and companies like Haven Holidays create a wonderful customer experience that starts the minute they open a brochure.  He’s also helped Twinings to harmonise their packaging around the world, Vodafone build better relationships with their customers, and AirBP to get in touch with their heartbeat. That work was so effective they were still using Ben Afia’s words 5 years later. Recorded: 8th October 2019 Links: <a href="https://mfl.global/about-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More about Maria Franzoni Ltd</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-franzoni-6361aa14/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Maria on Linkedin</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/speakingbusiness.co" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connect with Maria on FaceBook</a> To book any of the speakers featured on the Speaking Business podcast, <a href="https://mfl.global/contact-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a> Listen here: <a href="http://speakingbusiness.libsyn.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Libsyn</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/speaking-business-podcast/id1363005383?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Itunes</a> <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-802203642" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/speaking-business-podcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1bIHGBEqqM9vkhUiiUDGcC?si=_A0CkA_rQP6o8cOUREeOIA" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Spotify</a>