🎩 Have you noticed ?

I don't know about you, but I can't bring myself to take down my Christmas tree. These winter days are sooo dark that the twinkling lights have become my small beacons of light. Clearly, I'm finding ways to cope with the winter blues, and that involves a few tricks. One of them is as simple as booking a holiday. (At the end of the month, me and my family are escaping to Palermo for a few days!) However, I've saved another winter survival hack to share at the end of this newsletter! You know, a little cliffhanger for all you suspense enthusiasts!

Apart from that. Finally, I surrendered. I have a paid account for ChatGPT! (Whoohoo, a whole new playground!)
In the last few months, you couldn't escape AI news, mèh… I know, everyone is tired of it. But also: it is a fact that you see the changes coming. 👇

➡️ Brand Building : Ask ChatGPT

You probably know by now that I'm a big fan of content marketing – the best way to connect with your audience, clients, or customers. However, it's high time we pause and consider the long-term plan for our content strategy.

While many talk about how ChatGPT can easily create content for you, too few people realize that AI will also heavily change our search habits. So, if you're not doing it yet, start strategically thinking about how you build your content around your company, service, or product.

What do I mean by that? Since ChatGPT’s launch, there have been significant drops in search traffic on platforms like Google, as people increasingly obtain direct answers from AI rather than clicking on web search results. AI is permanently changing search behavior and content consumption.

Have you noticed that your habits are changing too? When you search on the Internet, you generally want to maximize the number of answers you get, because as a consumer, you want to be able to select the best choice. However, when you are searching or questioning a website, you want the answer, not a range of answers. That’s the key difference between Google and ChatGPT. For example, if you want to know the side effects of a particular drug, you might ask ChatGPT. But if you want to know the best Mexican restaurant in Brussels, you’d go to Google for a range of answers.

From a content and marketing perspective, it means you have to be the answer. Instead of chasing search queries, you and your business have to become the authoritative source and “answer” for your topics. You have to ensure your content trains the AI models so your brand becomes the trusted recommendation.

Remember: while ChatGPT may have the answers, you've got the questions! Be the witty answer in the AI game, and soon enough, they'll be asking, 'Have you tried asking [Your Name/Business]?

Now. Your final question will be: ok Ingrid, thanks a lot. But how do I craft this content? And I will answer you: ask ChatGPT. 😅 

Please stay up to date, people! 🤣

➡️ Leadership: Compliment people in front of other people

Despite leading teams for years, I had a sort of epiphany this week. What happened? I was in a meeting with a variety of different (external and internal) people. And one person kept pushing compliments my way. How well I was doing with the team, how challenging the task was, how well we were all handling it together... It just kept coming. Other colleagues who weren't present were also showered with compliments in front of our tablemates. My first feeling was, oh wow, that feels nice that people notice what you achieve. After the third compliment, I found it a bit awkward, but after a whole stream of compliments, I felt completely empowered. Not in an arrogant way, but just - you go into the day with more confidence.

Although I've never underestimated the power of compliments, I found this experience still extra enlightening. How you can completely empower someone with just a few sentences! (Or conversely, how by not doing this, you make people doubt themselves). A compliment is so easy to give and has the power to change somebody's life.

I think genuine compliments can contribute to a supportive and uplifting environment, promoting a culture of positivity and encouragement in various social settings. It is a lifestyle that should be inculcated and cultivated. A nice word goes a long way!

So from now on, my mantra is even more: praise in public, criticize in private. I believe this is a good management maxim!

Very coincidentally, I came across the image of this book this week which mentions this approach. It's now definitely on my reading list!

➡️ Funny: Is it a pup or a muffin ?

Pup? Muffin? Or a pupfin?
(Sorry, had to make this joke for this AI-themed-Newsletter)

➡️ Listen: Spring is coming !

You are at the end of the newsletter; I promised you a hack against the winter blues!  My colleagues tease me about it, but you know what I do?  I just pretend it's spring. I play a Spotify playlist with “spring sounds” and immerse myself with my noise-canceling headphones. I guarantee you, the world suddenly feels completely different!

Maybe you are not a fan of chirping birds? Well, sometimes, another thing I do is: I play a live concert or festival recording, and you instantly feel like you're at an open field with a delightful summer vibe. Also highly recommended.

From the heart: wishing you  a lot of strength during the toughest meteorological weeks of the year. February is approaching, and then it's almost spring.
Stay positive 👊😜

Now, I’m going to play with my new AI toy!
See you next week! 👋 
x Ingrid