Hello and welcome to another edition of State of Readiness. I am your host, Joseph Paris.
My guest today is Ben Guttmann, Author of “Simply Put; Why Clear Messages Win―and How to Design Them.”

We start the conversation going back to high school where Ben was fortunate enough to have attended a high school that had a business department and offerings for those who were interested in business goings-on. It's here where Ben got hooked on marketing.

We share our ideas on communicating, mostly born of experiences. Why do people feel they have to pack so many words around an idea to get the point across; and all at the risk of making the message less clear.

As an example, Joseph shares his experience as an elementary school student. When returning from summer vacation, the teacher would always ask for a "500 word essay on what I did on my summer vacation." Joseph shares that "I went fishin' and I went swimmin.' Now I have to find another 493 words of fluff to pad it and complete the assignment."

Ben shares how he and a few friends came to start their own marketing firm, Digital Natives Group, starting out of an opportunity that presented itself while they were attending Baruch College. One of Ben's professors, who also ran a marketing agency, needed help with digital marketing.

They meet with the professor's partner, and Ben and his friend decide to start a marketing agency specializing in digital with the professor's firm being the first client. They even set-up shop in the basement of the professor's agency.

So, in the spirit of "Simply Put", I will leave it here. Enjoy the podcast.

Ben Guttmann is an experienced marketing and communications expert and educator on a mission to get leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. He is a former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast, NBC, Universal and other major clients. Currently, Ben consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.

He went attended Baruch College where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Marketing Management. He presently teaches digital marketing at Baruch as an Adjunct Lecturer and serves on the Advisory Board of the Zicklin School of Business.

 An interesting conversation which I am sure you will enjoy.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benguttmann/
Company: Unisphere Ideas
Title: Principal
Website: https://www.benguttmann.com/
Year Founded: 2022
Company Type: Sole Proprietor

Also an Adjunct Lecturer at Baruch College Marketing Department where he currently teaches digital advertising,