Hear how anthropology can send your business zooming to the top

I love to read the Financial Times. It provides a very different perspective of the world from our US papers. As I was browsing recently, I came upon a story about Gillian Tett, FT's US Managing Editor, and her new book, Anthro-Vision. Curious as I am, my question was, What is a journalist doing writing a book about anthropology, and promoting AI (Anthropology Intelligence)? My joyful discovery was that Gillian is an anthropologist who became a journalist, a bit by chance and then by design. Her book is about the power of observation. Whether in Tajikistan as an aspiring anthropologist studying marriage rituals or reporting on a major conference before the financial crisis of 2008, she mastered the art of listening to the stories being told, the resistance to change that people demonstrate, and the wisdom an anthropologist can offer—if only others are willing to listen. As a fellow anthropologist, I am fascinated and I know you will be too. Enjoy.

Hear how embracing the unfamiliar unlocks your best ideas!

Often when I am looking for interesting people to bring to our podcast listeners, I am introduced to unexpectedly fascinating folks like Claus Raasted. An innovation strategist, Claus has been pushing the limits of the possible for 20 years. He is Director at The College of Extraordinary Experiences, a Coach at McKinsey & Company, and posts a daily innovation keynote on his YouTube channel. He is also a prolific author with 30 books to his name, and has just finished "The Innovation Cycle." Our discussion was about how to help people “see, feel and think” in new ways, which you know is my own passion and purpose. For a fascinating podcast, listen in!

Hear how anthropology can help your staff return to the workplace

What an amazing podcast we have today. Listen in as three anthropologists talk about what the nature of work will be in the near future. With the disruptions brought by the pandemic, we must explore what remote work is being done, what cultures are emerging, and what tools and processes will be needed when we return to the workplace. The three great business anthropologists are Chris Diming, Lisa Galarneau and Racine Marcus Brown, who have each been working on the future of work from a number of perspectives. As you may know, I also am a business anthropologist, and one of the things we do is help you envision what the future of your workplace will become. The future is coming fast, so you better start getting ready for it now.

Hear why anthropology should be part of your business plan!

It was an honor to speak with Simon Roberts on our On the Brink with Andi Simon podcast. Simon is a highly regarded business anthropologist with his firm Stripe Partners, serving clients across the globe with effective, innovative ethnographic and anthropological research. I am also a business (or corporate) anthropologist, and as we talked about both of our journeys, we realized how important it is for organizations of all sizes to understand how to step back and see themselves through a fresh lens — an anthropological one. Need a fresh insight? Do listen in.

Hear how anthropology is transforming the world of business!

As a corporate anthropologist, I love bringing to our listeners other great anthropologists who can help them see the application of anthropology in action. Think about your own challenges as you hear about Rita Denny and her journey of discovery. In my work with clients, I often refer to her book, “Handbook of Anthropology in Business,” co-edited with Patricia Sunderland, in which they discuss dozens of ways that the theory, method and tools of anthropology can be innovatively applied in business settings across the globe. We can all benefit from what Rita has to tell us!

Hear how anthropology is bringing you better design!

This was a wonderful interview with a fellow anthropologist. Amy Santee is a design research and strategy consultant working in product development, innovation and business strategy. Trained as an anthropologist, Amy incorporates a human-centered lens to help teams build products, services and brands through an understanding of people, context and experience. What does that mean for you? Listen to our fascinating conversation and you'll find out. Learn and share!

 Richard Sheridan shares how to build a workplace full of joy!

A little over a year ago, in January 2018, I had the pleasure, or should I say “joy,” of speaking with Richard Sheridan and several of his staff about the Joy he has infused into his business, Menlo Innovations. After leading a workshop on culture change at a conference hosted by Richard, I've grown very fond of him and his approach to life, not just business. He now has a new book out, “Chief Joy Officer,” a powerful follow-up to his first book, “Joy, Inc.” In his book and in our podcast, Richard shares his approach to leadership. Definitely listen, learn and share!

At SAMC, we're thrilled that lots (and lots) of people have downloaded our blogs and podcasts about why so many companies are hiring anthropologists. People want to find out more about how anthropologists can help companies see, feel, and think in new ways so they can evolve and adapt to changing times. So that's what I delve into today, sharing my experiences in corporate anthropology and even offering advice to anthro majors. I invite you to listen, learn and share!

Listen now to my podcast about today's trends and how you need to adapt now!     

As I go around the country doing workshops and keynote speeches and working with clients, I’ve begun to observe overall cultural changes that are going on, both in American society and across the world. So I thought today I would talk about a question I received recently about what do I see that's hot and what do I see that's not, and how these trends can help business leaders see, feel and think about their companies in new ways. A lot to learn here and react to. Enjoy!

 Listen now to my podcast about seeing the opportunities that all around you! 

I get so excited when I get questions from the field from folks who want to know what we do as anthropologists and what is this Blue Ocean Strategy® stuff and how we help companies change, because that's what we do. We're corporate anthropologists and we work with organizations that need or want to change. (And I can tell you, by and large, they don't want to change.) To illustrate, I share three stories of clients of ours who, after one of our change workshops, all had wonderful "a-ha" moments where they were able to see something that was right in front of them and make changes to take their businesses to new heights. Listen in!

 Listen now as Jay Hasbrouck takes anthropology from stuffy to accessible!

It is always so much fun to talk with other anthropologists and Jay Hasbrouck is no exception. Jay has written a terrific book called "Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset." It's exciting stuff because, as you will hear in our conversation, anthropology and ethnography (observational research) are slowly but surely moving out of their academic silos into the world around us. Listen in and hear why Jay and I are both on a mission to make this sometimes "stuffy thing" called anthropology much more accessible. Enjoy!

Listen now to learn how to change your culture for fast-changing times!  

How's your company culture...ticking along just fine or in dire need of an overhaul? Does it correctly reflect your brand? How do you change it when your employees are quite comfortable with the old ways of doing things? Do you even know what your culture is? I discuss all this and more in today's episode of my Ask Andi series—short 15 minute podcasts every Friday. Listen in!

Listen now to Adam Gamwell and Ryan Collins talk about "This Anthro Life"!

What a treat you'll have listening to my conversation with Adam Gamwell and Ryan Collins, two anthropologists who are making anthropology relevant to organizations and business leaders well beyond the academic classroom. Check out their popular podcast, This Anthro Life, for thought-provoking ideas and perspectives. Here, they show you how to make anthropology part of your toolkit to help you and your organization "see, feel and think" in new ways. Take a listen!

Listen now to Jason Middleton's talk about the future of work!

I have been interviewed a bunch of times by Jason Middleton. This was my turn to interview him. And what a great time we had! Listen in to what Jason sees as the future of work. Since his radio show, Techonomics on KGO 810 in San Francisco, is located in the center of Silicon Valley, he has a bird's eye view of the trends that are coming soon to a workplace near you.

First episode of Ask Andi

Introducing my Ask Andi series—short 15 minute podcasts every Friday where I take a question and then offer tools, tips and strategies to help you re-think an issue and tackle it in new ways. In this episode, I talk about the importance of resilience (in your work and your life) and practical how-to tips for dealing with change.

With 25 years of hands-on executive experience as CEO of the commercial and industrial water treatment company he founded, Jack Altschuler now uses what he learned to help others in leadership positions be the most effective they can be. Jack's philosophy is to promote the full engagement of leaders in order to inspire the full engagement of those who look to them for leadership.

As the founding principal of The Higher Education Practice, Dr. Kenneth L. Hoyt is in the midst of a distinguished 30-year higher education career. He has served as president of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, president of The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc. (OFIC), vice president for The University of Akron, and in various campaign/fundraising leadership positions for Otterbein College and Baldwin-Wallace College.

Brent has served as vice president of The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities since January 2012. Prior to this appointment, he was interim president of The Alliance, as well as interim president and vice president of the Oregon Independent College Foundation (OICF). Before working with the OICF, Brent served as the Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations at Portland State University.

Kim Shepherd joined Decision Toolbox in 2000, a 100 percent virtual organization providing recruitment solutions. Once she became 50% owner and CEO, she "saw" the opportunity to build the company into a highly innovative recruiting service that didn't just find employees for clients but one that could transform the entire way businesses recruit new hires. By looking for the "holes in the cheese," Kim built a business that rethought the way recruiting was done.