Empathy as a super-power, enabled by AI

In almost every endeavor, we get to benefit from understanding the perspective of a third party, and the reality is, this is very difficult for a couple of reasons:

1) We don't have the trusted relationship/access we need to have someone's perspective/true feelings explained to us.

2) Our own 'close-mindedness' born of cognitive biases that are reinforced by underlying values and belief systems.

Think of all the times when understanding the perspective/lived experience of a third-party would help you better connect and achieve a win-win.... Here are some quick examples:

I have two examples of how AI can help:

1) A new colleague is relocating to join the company:

The prompt: "I have a new colleague who is starting at the company next week. He relocated from Nashville, Tennessee to join our head office in San Francisco. His partner and 2 children (aged 3 and 7) have relocated with him. His partner is also a professional and can work remotely from anywhere. He inherits an existing team of 30 people. Explain everything I should know about his mindset and perspective so that I can be empathetic and a good ally as he joins the business."

The response:

"It's important to recognize that your new colleague, his partner, and their children have recently undergone a significant life change by relocating from Nashville to San Francisco. To be empathetic and a good ally as he joins the business, consider the following factors that might shape his mindset and perspective:

1. Adjustment to a new city: Moving to a new city can be both exciting and overwhelming. San Francisco has a different culture, climate, and pace of life compared to Nashville. Give your colleague some time to adjust and offer advice or suggestions about local attractions, activities, and resources.
2. Cost of living: San Francisco is known for its high cost of living, especially in terms of housing. This financial strain may be a concern for your colleague and his family. You could help by sharing information about affordable neighborhoods, discounts, or other ways to save money in the area.
3. Professional transition: As your colleague takes on a new role and inherits a team of 30 people, he might be feeling the pressure to prove himself and establish trust within the team. Offer your support and be open to answering questions about company culture, policies, and procedures.
4. Work-life balance: With a partner who also works and two young children, your colleague may be striving to balance his work and family life. Offer flexibility when possible, and demonstrate understanding when he may need to attend to family matters.
5. Building social connections: Moving to a new city means leaving behind friends and social networks. Offer to introduce your colleague and his family to others in the company or community, and invite them to social events to help them build new connections.
6. Cultural differences: The cultural shift from Nashville to San Francisco may also require some adjustment. Be sensitive to potential differences in values, communication styles, or social norms, and avoid making assumptions about your colleague's background or beliefs.
7. Partner's adjustment: Since the partner can work remotely from anywhere, it's possible that they might feel isolated in a new city. Encourage your colleague to introduce their partner to local networking or social events that cater to remote professionals, which may help them establish connections and adapt more quickly.
8. Children's adjustment: The two children will need time to settle into their new environment, as well. Offer suggestions for local schools, childcare options, parks, or family-friendly activities to help them feel more at home.

In summary, to be empathetic and a good ally to your new colleague, be patient, understanding, and supportive. Offer assistance with adjusting to the new city, balancing work and family life, and developing social connections. Recognize that this is a significant life change for the entire family, and do your best to help them feel welcome and supported.

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2) Buyer Persona: Head of Marketing at Companies with Less Than 1000 Employees

It also occurred to me that we all can now use generative AI to create rich, 'on-the-fly' personas ahead of any interaction. Let me show you what I mean. I thought I would do some leg-work for my friends Dan Darcy and Robert Zimmermann at Qualified.com:

The prompt:

"You work at qualfied.com. I would like you to write a comprehensive 'Buyer persona' document for the head of marketing at companies that have less than 1000 employees who would be a good prospect for your solutions. This document is for new qualified.com salespersons and should be all they need to connect with and sell to prospects."

I. Overview

This buyer persona focuses on the Head of Marketing at small to mid-sized companies (with fewer than 1000 employees) who are good prospects for Qualified.com's solutions. The document outlines key demographic and psychographic details, challenges, goals, and preferences to help new Qualified.com salespeople connect with and sell to these prospects.

II. Demographics

• Job Title: Head of Marketing, Marketing Director, or Marketing Manager
• Industry: Technology, SaaS, eCommerce, or other B2B and B2C industries
• Company Size: Between 50 and 1000 employees
• Location: Primarily located in urban areas or major business hubs

III. Psychographics

• Decision-making style: Analytical and data-driven, with an emphasis on measuring ROI
• Communication preferences: Email, phone calls, video conferences, and occasional in-person meetings
• Personality traits: Creative, ambitious, growth-oriented, and adaptable to new technologies
• Values: Innovation, results-driven marketing, customer experience, and data-driven insights

IV. Key Challenges

1. Limited resources: Smaller marketing teams and budgets compared to larger enterprises
2. Competitive landscape: Maintaining market share and brand awareness in a crowded market
3. Efficient lead generation: Implementing cost-effective marketing strategies to attract high-quality leads
4. Talent acquisition and retention: Attracting and retaining skilled marketing professionals

V. Goals and Objectives

1. Drive revenue growth: Increase sales by generating and nurturing leads effectively
2. Strengthen brand presence: Enhance brand recognition, credibility, and customer trust
3. Optimize marketing ROI: Implement targeted and data-driven marketing campaigns
4. Improve customer experience: Enhance engagement and satisfaction throughout the customer journey

VI. Pain Points and Concerns

1. Measuring marketing effectiveness: Difficulty in quantifying the impact of marketing initiatives
2. Technology adoption: Challenges in selecting and implementing the right marketing tools and platforms
3. Time management: Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day marketing activities
4. Scalability: Adapting marketing strategies to grow with the company's evolving needs

VII. How Qualified.com Addresses These Challenges

1. Comprehensive marketing solutions: Qualified.com offers a suite of tools designed to improve lead generation, nurturing, and conversion rates.
2. Personalized customer experiences: Qualified.com's platform enables tailored marketing interactions, enhancing customer engagement and retention.
3. Data-driven insights: Qualified.com provides real-time data and analytics to help marketing teams make informed decisions and optimize ROI.
4. Seamless integration: Qualified.com's platform integrates with existing marketing systems, ensuring a smooth adoption process and minimal disruption.

VIII. Sales Tips and Recommendations

1. Emphasize the value: Focus on the tangible benefits Qualified.com can bring to the prospect's marketing operations and business growth.
2. Share success stories: Provide case studies and testimonials from similar companies to showcase the effectiveness of Qualified.com's solutions.
3. Offer a tailored approach: Demonstrate how Qualified.com's solutions can be customized to meet the specific needs and goals of the prospect's marketing organization.
4. Address concerns: Be prepared to address common pain points and concerns, offering solutions and reassurances based on Qualified.com's capabilities.

With this buyer persona in hand, new Qualified.com salespeople should be well-equipped to connect with and sell to Heads of Marketing at small to mid-sized companies. Remember to be empathetic, understand their unique challenges, and showcase how Qualified.com can be a valuable partner in achieving their marketing goals.

Not bad for 60 seconds ...

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As ChatGPT-4 and BARD etc allow for web surfing and real-time intel, this will get really good. I am no expert in AI prompting, but even with my basic question, I feel that I have a window into the experience of the person I am going to be interacting with.