Episódios

  • Max Cundiff with Chevron
    Dec 18 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2025 and talking to Max Cundiff, Industrial Sector Manager at Chevron about "Asset Management Lubrication Solution". The conversation features an introduction to three new podcasts within the Industrial Talk Podcast Network: "Ask Molly," focused on marketing and sales, "Business Beatitudes," on leadership virtues, and "The Human Patch," on cybersecurity. The main discussion is with Max Cundiff from Chevron Lubricants, who explains the company's integrated oil production process and the importance of lubricant quality. He highlights the issue of varnish in lubricants, which can be mitigated by Chevron's products, and discusses the company's research and development efforts. Cundiff also touches on the importance of fluid analysis and the potential for energy efficiency improvements in manufacturing. Action Items
    • [ ] @Scott Mackenzie - Post Max Cundiff's contact information and LinkedIn profile on the Industrial Talk website so listeners can easily reach him.
    • [ ] Help customers enroll in Chevron's Lube Watch fluid analysis program, including advising on which tests to run, sampling frequency, and proper sample collection procedures.

    Outline Introduction of New Podcasts
    • Speaker 1 introduces three new podcasts under the Industrial Talk Podcast Network: "Ask Molly," focused on marketing and sales, "Business Beatitudes," centered on leadership virtues, and "The Human Patch," discussing cybersecurity from a human perspective.
    • "Ask Molly" aims to provide straight, jargon-free insights into the world of marketing and sales from an industrial perspective.
    • "Business Beatitudes" will explore leadership from a heartfelt perspective, focusing on virtues like generosity and humility.
    • "The Human Patch" will delve into the human aspects of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of human connections in cybersecurity efforts.

    Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott Mackenzie, introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, highlighting its focus on transferring industry-focused innovations and trends.
    • The podcast is recorded live at the SMRP conference in Fort Worth, Texas, focusing on asset management, reliability, and maintenance.
    • Scott mentions the importance of the conference for professionals in these fields and introduces the guest, Max Cundiff from Chevron Lubricants.

    Max Cundiff's Background and Role at Chevron
    • Max Cundiff introduces himself as the industrial sector manager at Chevron Lubricants, responsible for developing go-to-market strategies for industrial products and services.
    • Max has been with Chevron for 14 years, spending the last 10 years in customer-facing roles, understanding operational challenges and solving them.
    • Chevron is the only fully integrated oil company, refining crude oil into base oil, the main ingredient in lubricants, and controlling the process in-house.
    • Max explains the importance of research and development, spending years testing technology before commercializing it to solve specific industry challenges.

    Challenges and Solutions in Lubricant Industry
    • Max discusses the issue of varnish in circulating oil systems, a byproduct of degraded lubricant, and the challenges it poses to equipment.
    • Traditional methods of dealing with varnish, like disassembling equipment or using solvents, can be costly and cause downtime.
    • Chevron's product, Bar Tech ISC, allows systems to run for extended periods without immediate downtime, reducing the impact of varnish.
    • Max explains the factors that contribute to varnish formation, such as temperature and water contamination, and how...
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    18 minutos
  • Ryan Hiss with Better Engineering
    Dec 16 2025
    Industrial Talk is talking to Ryan Hiss, VP of Sales and Marketing at Better Engineering about "Industrial Parts Washers". Ryan Hiss, VP of Sales and Marketing at Better Engineering, discussed their industrial wash systems on the Industrial Talk Podcast. Better Engineering, founded in 1960, specializes in aqueous parts washers for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and food and pharmaceutical. Hiss highlighted the importance of cleanliness in manufacturing, noting that their systems can process parts at high throughputs, ensuring quality control. The company also employs sensors to monitor equipment and proactively alert customers to maintenance needs. Better Engineering is expanding into automation and traceability in food and pharmaceutical industries to improve efficiency and sustainability. Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott introduces Ryan Hiss from Better Engineering, highlighting their expertise in industrial washers.
    • Scott suggests an on-site conversation with Ryan to discuss industrial washers further.

    Discussion on AI and Human Interaction in Business
    • Scott discusses the role of AI in business and emphasizes the importance of human interaction in maintaining trust and engagement.
    • Scott argues that companies need to tell their stories with a human face to build trust and authenticity.
    • Scott shares his experience of creating content that reflects the human side of business.
    • Scott encourages listeners to reach out to Industrial Talk for help in telling their stories effectively.

    Introduction of Ryan Hiss and Better Engineering
    • Scott introduces Ryan Hiss, VP of Sales and Marketing at Better Engineering, and discusses his background.
    • Ryan shares his journey from Baltimore to California, his education, and his career in software sales before joining Better Engineering.
    • Ryan talks about his father's retirement and his role in taking over the family business.
    • Ryan provides a brief history of Better Engineering, founded in 1960 by his grandfather, and its evolution over the years.

    Better Engineering's Products and Services
    • Ryan explains Better Engineering's focus on industrial wash systems, also known as aqueous parts washers.
    • Better Engineering offers a variety of wash systems, including small parts washers, conveyor washers, rotary basket washers, and custom units.
    • Ryan highlights the company's work with major space, aerospace, automotive, and food and pharmaceutical OEMs.
    • Ryan discusses the importance of cleanliness in manufacturing and the role of industrial washers in maintaining quality control.

    Challenges and Solutions in Industrial Washing
    • Ryan explains the need for high-throughput wash systems in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
    • Better Engineering's systems are designed to meet specific cleanliness standards and are tested using standard equipment.
    • Ryan discusses the flexibility of Better Engineering's wash systems, which are modular by design to accommodate different customer requirements.
    • Ryan shares examples of how Better Engineering modifies existing systems to meet new application needs.

    Data Collection and AI in Manufacturing
    • Ryan talks about the use of sensors in Better Engineering's wash systems to monitor and maintain equipment.
    • Better Engineering collects data on various parameters, such as vibration, temperature, and chemistry concentration, to ensure optimal performance.
    • Ryan explains the importance of traceability in food and pharmaceutical industries, where data is used to track and verify cleanliness.
    • Better Engineering provides interfaces to send data to
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    37 minutos
  • Maureen Gribble with UE System
    Dec 11 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2025 and talking to Maureen Gribble, CMRP, N.A. Sales Enablement Lead at UE Systems about "Ultrasound Condition Monitoring". The conversation introduces three new podcasts under the Industrial Talk Podcast Network: "Ask Molly," focused on marketing and sales, "Business Beatitudes," on leadership virtues, and "The Human Patch," on cybersecurity. Maureen Gribble from UE Systems discusses her 14-year tenure with the company, emphasizing their ultrasound technology and customer support. She highlights the increasing presence of women in the industry and UE Systems' use of AI in their On Track system for predictive maintenance. The discussion also touches on the importance of marketing in the industry and the need for continuous innovation to address workforce shortages. Action Items
    • [ ] Connect with Maureen Gribble on LinkedIn
    • [ ] Explore the possibility of adding a marketing track to the SMRP conference

    Outline Introduction of New Podcasts
    • Scott introduces three new podcasts under the Industrial Talk Podcast Network: "Ask Molly," focused on marketing and sales, "Business Beatitudes," on leadership virtues, and "The Human Patch," on cybersecurity.
    • "Ask Molly" aims to provide straight, jargon-free insights into marketing and sales from an industrial perspective.
    • "Business Beatitudes" will discuss leadership virtues like generosity and humility and how they contribute to business success.
    • "The Human Patch" will explore the human aspect of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of human connections in cybersecurity efforts.

    Welcome to Industrial Talk
    • The platform celebrates industry professionals for their boldness, bravery, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
    • Scott mentions the broadcast from the SMRP conference, emphasizing its importance for engineering, asset management, maintenance, and reliability professionals.
    • The excitement of meeting people like Maureen Gribble is highlighted, with Scott expressing enthusiasm for the conversation.

    Maureen Gribble's Background and Role
    • Scott introduces Maureen Gribble, who works at UE Systems, and mentions her previous appearances on the show.
    • Maureen shares her background, mentioning her 14 years at UE Systems and her involvement in the maintenance and reliability world since 2006.
    • Scott and Maureen discuss the changes in the industry, noting the increased presence of women at the SMRP conference.
    • Maureen emphasizes the importance of women in the industry and the need for them to step up and take on leadership roles.

    UE Systems and Its Innovations
    • Maureen explains that UE Systems manufactures and sells ultrasound technology, with over 50 years of experience in the field.
    • The company focuses on providing the best ultrasound solutions for customers, emphasizing customer support and excellence.
    • Maureen highlights the company's commitment to innovation, mentioning their latest technologies like ultrasound for auto and IoT solutions.
    • The conversation touches on the importance of making technology user-friendly and ensuring it is not left unused.

    Marketing and Technology in Industry
    • Speaker 1 and Maureen discuss the challenges of marketing in the industry, noting that many companies do not do it well.
    • Maureen mentions UE Systems' marketing team, led by Brittany Stover, and their efforts to stay current with new marketing trends.
    • The conversation covers the impact of AI on search results, with Maureen noting the need for companies to adapt to new marketing strategies.
    • Speaker 1 and...
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    19 minutos
  • Nikki Gonzales with Weintek USA
    Dec 9 2025
    Industrial Talk is talking to Nikki Gonzales, Director of Business Development at Weintek USA about "HMI - Human Machine Interface". Scott Mackenzie hosts Nikki Gonzales on the Industrial Talk Podcast to discuss the human-machine interface (HMI). Nikki shares her background, including her Icelandic roots and career journey in sales engineering and AI startups. She highlights Weintek , a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, which manufactures over 2 million HMIs annually. Weintek's HMIs are known for their durability, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. Nikki emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the challenges in industrial B2B sales. She also mentions her podcast, Automation Ladies, and encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn. Action Items
    • [ ] Check out theWeintekwebsite at automation.io
    • [ ] Listen to Nikki's podcast "Automation Ladies"
    • [ ] Reach out to Nikki Gonzales

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott Mackenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and expresses gratitude for their support, highlighting the importance of continuous learning in the industry.
    • Scott introduces Nikki Gonzales , the guest for the episode, and mentions the topic of discussion: the human-machine interface (HMI).
    • Scott shares his personal experience with learning Spanish and the importance of passion and desire for continuous learning in the industry.

    Scott's Journey and Podcast Insights
    • Scott discusses his journey into podcasting, starting eight years ago to understand marketing better.
    • He mentions the importance of communicating company stories in an approachable and human way.
    • Scott introduces two of his podcasts: "Ask Molly" and "Business Beatitudes," highlighting their focus on marketing insights and the soul of the industrial sector, respectively.
    • Scott encourages listeners to check out these podcasts for valuable industry insights.

    Nikki Gonzales's Background and Career Journey
    • Nikki shares her background, mentioning her move from Iceland to the U.S. in middle school and her father's career as an electrical engineer.
    • She describes her early work experiences, starting with her father's small business and progressing through various roles in sales engineering and marketing.
    • Nikki discusses her career path, including her work with sensor manufacturers, machine vision, motion control, software design, and AI startups.
    • She highlights her recent role with a startup focused on supply chain software and inventory management, and her current position withWeintek, an HMI manufacturer.

    Challenges in Industrial B2B Sales
    • Scott and Nikki discuss the challenges of industrial B2B sales, particularly the complex landscape shaped by historical laws and regulations.
    • Nikki explains the historical context of industrial sales, including the restrictions on manufacturers selling directly to consumers and the reliance on regional distributors.
    • They discuss the differences in sales practices between the U.S. and Europe, where such restrictions are considered anti-competitive.
    • Nikki shares her experiences with the complexities of industrial B2B sales, including the difficulties in digitalizing and simplifying the buying process.

    WeinTek and HMI Technology
    • Nikki provides an overview ofWeintek, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, and its history of innovation in touchscreen technology.
    • She explains the role of HMIs in industrial automation, describing them as...
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    50 minutos
  • Dan Anderson with ReliabilityX
    Dec 4 2025
    Industrial Talk is talking to Dan Anderson, Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX about "Asset management and Reliability best practices". Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Dan Anderson, a reliability and asset management expert. Dan discusses the importance of integrating asset management and maintenance reliability practices within organizations. He emphasizes the need for a high-level policy and strategic asset management plan (SAMP) to drive these efforts. Dan highlights the benefits of proactive maintenance, citing a case study where a company saved significant costs by implementing best practices. He also stresses the importance of top-down management commitment and continuous reassessment to sustain these improvements. Dan provides contact information for further discussions on these topics. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Dan Anderson at ReliabilityX to further discuss reliability and asset management best practices for the organization.
    • [ ] Conduct a loss analysis to quantify the financial impact of downtime and short/stop times on production
    • [ ] Develop a business case to justify investment in reliability improvement initiatives like planners, reliability engineers, and predictive maintenance technologies

    Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott introduces Dan Anderson, highlighting his expertise in asset management, reliability, and his role as the chairman of the board of SMRP.
    • Scott praises Dan's insights and passion for reliability and asset management, describing him as a delightful and knowledgeable individual.
    • Scott mentions upcoming events, including Power Gen in January, MD&M West in February, and Accelerate with Fluke Reliability in March, encouraging listeners to attend.

    Upcoming Events and Their Importance
    • Scott discusses Power Gen, emphasizing its relevance to the power industry and its location in San Antonio, Texas.
    • Scott highlights MD&M West, focusing on its significance for the manufacturing and med tech sectors and his excitement about broadcasting from the event.
    • Scott talks about Accelerate with Fluke Reliability, praising its user conference and encouraging listeners to attend if they are interested in asset management and maintenance.
    • Scott introduces the Barcelona Cyber Security Congress, emphasizing its importance for cyber security and digitalization in the industry.

    Introduction of Dan Anderson and His Background
    • Scott reintroduces Dan Anderson, emphasizing his expertise in asset management and reliability.
    • Dan provides a brief background, mentioning his role as the Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX and his position as the chairman of the board of SMRP.
    • Scott and Dan discuss the importance of the SMRP annual conference and the positive interactions they had there.
    • Dan shares his experience of dressing up for the SMRP annual conference, highlighting the professional atmosphere.

    Differences Between Asset Management and Reliability
    • Dan explains the differences between asset management and reliability, noting that asset management is more strategic and driven by executive leadership.
    • Dan describes the importance of a policy and a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) in asset management.
    • Dan contrasts this with reliability, which involves day-to-day maintenance and proactive measures to ensure equipment is running smoothly.
    • Scott and Dan discuss the importance of having a policy that is well-thought-out and not overly...
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    38 minutos
  • Greg Raglin and Bill Broderick with AssetWatch
    Dec 2 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2026 and talking to Greg Raglin and Bill Broderick with AssetWatch about "Bringing context to your asset management data". Scott MacKenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Greg RaglIn and Bill Broderick from AssetWatch, a company specializing in predictive maintenance and reliability solutions. Greg, a solutions architect, and Bill, a vibration analyst, discuss their experiences and the benefits of AssetWatch's technology, which integrates AI and human intelligence to provide actionable insights from condition-based monitoring of assets. They emphasize the importance of accurate data analysis to avoid false alarms and the need for continuous engagement with clients to ensure the success of predictive maintenance programs. The conversation highlights the evolving role of AI in industrial settings and the potential for future technological advancements. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Greg Raglin to discuss AssetWatch's solutions further.
    • [ ] Connect with Bill Broderick on LinkedIn to stay updated on the company's developments.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of celebrating industry heroes who solve daily problems.
    • The podcast is broadcasting live from the SMRP conference in Fort Worth, Texas, where Scott has been discussing asset management, reliability, and maintenance.
    • Scott introduces Greg and Bill from AssetWatch, who will share their experiences and insights from the conference.

    Backgrounds of Greg and Bill
    • Greg Raglin shares his career journey, starting in psychology, moving to logistics, and eventually to fluid motion control and automation.
    • Greg has been with AssetWatch for three years as a solutions architect, helping customers solve problems with practical solutions.
    • Bill Broderick has been with AssetWatch for over a year, with a background in manufacturing automation and predictive maintenance.
    • Bill emphasizes his passion for finding inefficiencies and optimizing processes to help companies save costs and improve efficiency.

    Overview of AssetWatch
    • Greg explains that AssetWatch is a reliability partner, focusing on condition-based monitoring and using data, AI, and machine learning to provide actionable insights.
    • The company has a team of 30+ dedicated engineers who analyze data and provide recommendations to fix issues.
    • Bill adds that AssetWatch uses AI to monitor data and filter out false alarms, ensuring that plant-level teams receive accurate and timely information.
    • The human element behind the technology is crucial for AssetWatch, as experienced engineers can communicate effectively with plant operators.

    Data Analysis and Integration
    • Scott asks about the types of data AssetWatch can analyze, and Greg mentions that they focus on vibration and temperature data, with plans to expand to other modalities.
    • Bill explains that AssetWatch integrates with other systems like CMS to provide a comprehensive solution for predictive maintenance.
    • The company aims to be a one-stop shop for reliability, using data from various sources to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
    • AssetWatch manufactures their own devices, ensuring that all components are state-side and of high quality.

    Deployment and Training
    • Greg discusses the deployment process, where AssetWatch's reliability...
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    23 minutos
  • Jay Limburn with Ataccama
    Nov 25 2025
    Industrial Talk is talking to Jay Limburn, Chief Product Officer at Ataccama about "Unleashing the power of data for operational excellence". Scott Mackenzie hosts the Industrial Talk Podcast, featuring industry professionals like Jay Limburn from Ataccama, who discusses the importance of data trust and AI initiatives. Atacama's platform helps organizations integrate and enrich data from various sources, providing a unified view and a trust score to ensure data reliability. This is crucial for AI and automation, which are essential for business efficiency and competitive advantage. Upcoming events include Power Gen in January and M D and M West in February. The conversation emphasizes the need for clean data to support AI and automation, which is vital for resilient businesses. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Jay Limburn on LinkedIn to learn more about Atacama's solutions.
    • [ ] Visit the Atacama website at atacama.com to explore their data trust platform.

    Outline Introduction to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie welcomes industry professionals and stresses the importance of storytelling to inspire the next generation of industrial leaders.
    • Scott highlights the excitement in the industry and the need for advocates to share their stories.
    • Scott introduces Jay Limburn from Atacama, focusing on the importance of data and the role of companies like Atacama in data insights.

    Announcements and Upcoming Events
    • Scott announces two new podcasts: "Ask Molly" and "The Business Beatitudes."
    • "Ask Molly" features Scott's daughter Molly, who helps him with marketing challenges.
    • "The Business Beatitudes" focuses on seven components of success in industry, emphasizing virtues like humility and selflessness.
    • Scott mentions upcoming events: Power Gen in January and M D and M West in February, highlighting the importance of power generation and manufacturing.

    Introduction of Jay Limburn and Atacama
    • Scott introduces Jay Limburn, Chief Product Officer at Atacama, and discusses the importance of data in the industry.
    • Jay explains Atacama's focus on Data Trust, which involves giving meaning to data to make better decisions.
    • Jay shares his 25-year background in data and AI, emphasizing the importance of data in AI initiatives.
    • Scott and Jay discuss the challenges of data cleanliness and the importance of a solid data foundation for AI success.

    Challenges of Legacy Systems and Data Integration
    • Scott and Jay discuss the challenges of integrating legacy systems with modern data sources.
    • Jay explains how Atacama connects to various data sources, enriches metadata, and provides data quality and observability.
    • Jay emphasizes the importance of having a unified view of data from different sources to support AI initiatives.
    • Scott and Jay discuss the human aspect of data management and the need for trust in data to drive automation and efficiency.

    Trust and Quality in Data
    • Jay explains the concept of a trust score, which measures the reliability of data, and how it can be configured based on industry standards.
    • Scott and Jay discuss the importance of trust in data for decision-making and the impact of data quality on business processes.
    • Jay highlights the role of anomaly detection and auto-correction in maintaining data quality.
    • Scott and Jay discuss the importance of trust in data for automation and the competitive advantage it provides.

    Evolution of Data and Change Management
    • Scott and Jay discuss the dynamic nature of data and the need for continuous data management.
    • Jay explains how Atacama's Data Trust Index helps organizations...
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    31 minutos
  • Does Email Marketing Work? Molly Finch and Scott MacKenzie
    Nov 21 2025
    Scott MacKenzie and his daughter Molly discuss the challenges and strategies of email marketing in the industrial sector. Scott expresses frustration with traditional email campaigns, noting that they often go unread. Molly emphasizes the importance of owning email lists and using personalized, non-AI-generated content to build trust and engagement. They highlight the need for relatable, human-centered emails that provide genuine value. Molly suggests assessing effective emails, using personal language, and avoiding AI-generated images. They also discuss the potential of sending emails on weekends to avoid workplace distractions. The conversation underscores the need for innovative, human-focused marketing strategies. Action Items
    • [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Assess the emails you receive and analyze what makes you click on them.
    • [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Write down the words and email structures that appeal to you and incorporate them into your own email copy.
    • [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Consider sending some emails on weekends when your audience may have more time to engage, but ensure the content is genuinely helpful.
    • [ ] Avoid using AI-generated images and language in your email campaigns, and focus on maintaining your unique brand voice.
    • [ ] Shift your mindset to approach email marketing as a long-term strategy focused on helping your audience, rather than just driving metrics.

    Outline Introduction to the Podcast and Its Purpose
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on marketing and sales challenges in the industry.
    • Scott mentions his background, including taking a company public, retiring, and starting an industrial maintenance company.
    • He highlights the importance of young thinking in marketing and introduces his daughter, Molly Finch, as a key contributor to the podcast.
    • Scott discusses the iterative process of developing the podcast and the initial focus on email marketing.

    Challenges with Email Marketing
    • Scott expresses frustration with the effectiveness of email campaigns, noting that people often scroll through emails without reading them.
    • He shares his experience of creating email campaigns and the minimal impact they seem to have.
    • Scott poses the question of how to make email marketing more effective and mentions Molly's insights.
    • The conversation shifts to the importance of telling a company's story effectively and using available tools to succeed.

    The Role of Social Platforms in Marketing
    • Scott questions the effectiveness of LinkedIn for small to midsize businesses and explores other platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
    • He acknowledges that LinkedIn appeals more to older demographics and wonders about the relevance of other platforms for young talent.
    • Scott emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to social media, considering both traditional and emerging platforms.
    • He invites listeners to join the journey of developing the podcast and learning about marketing strategies.

    Molly's Perspective on Email Marketing
    • Molly joins the conversation, discussing the importance of email marketing despite its age.
    • She highlights the need to add to subscriber lists and the common issue of receiving emails that are not valuable.
    • Molly and Scott discuss the challenges of long, paragraph-form emails and the preference for bullet points.
    • They explore the impact of AI on email marketing, including the use of AI-generated images and language.

    Balancing AI and Human Touch in Email Campaigns
    • Molly emphasizes the importance of owning the email list and having control over what is sent to subscribers.
    • She discusses the potential drawbacks of
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    51 minutos