Hello! My name is Elmira, and I'm originally from Russia. I've been living overseas for a decade now. My interests are deeply rooted in digital marketing, media buying, the startup ecosystem, technology, and innovation, alongside a passion for wine and travel. For the past five years, I've immersed myself in the digital marketing field and found it incredibly fulfilling. Since December 2023, I've embarked on an exciting new journey, assisting a small yet exceptional IT consultancy firm in launching a new product and establishing its foothold in the Swiss market. Having reviewed your profile, I'm thoroughly impressed by your wealth of experience and the prestigious company you're associated with. It would be a great privilege for me to have you as a mentor. I am confident that there's a wealth of knowledge and insights I can gain from your guidance.

My Mentoring Topics

  • - media buying
  • - ASO and the app growth
  • - marketing automation
  • - wine (if it is a topic for mentoring :D)

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Dotcom Secrets - The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online with Sales Funnels
Russell Brunson

Key Insights from the Book The importance of understanding the value ladder and sales funnel for online business growth. The significance of attracting the right audience to your online platform. The concept of 'attractive character' and how it plays a role in online marketing. The necessity of creating an effective communication system with the audience. The power of storytelling in selling products or services online. The role of email sequences in maintaining customer engagement. The importance of upselling and downselling in maximizing profits. Understanding the difference between front-end and back-end funnels. Strategies for driving traffic to your sales funnels. Conversion techniques that turn visitors into paying customers. The importance of constant testing and tweaking of your sales funnels. Analysis of the Book "Dotcom Secrets - The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online with Sales Funnels" by Russell Brunson is a comprehensive guide on how to build and grow a successful online business. Brunson, the co-founder of ClickFunnels, leverages his vast experience in online marketing to provide readers with a step-by-step blueprint to achieve online success. One of the most fundamental concepts introduced in the book is the value ladder and sales funnel. The value ladder is a method of mapping out a customer's journey, from the initial interaction with your brand to the final purchase. The ladder has several rungs, each representing a product or service that provides increasing value to the customer. To move customers up this ladder, Brunson uses the sales funnel, a process that leads potential customers through a series of marketing actions that culminate in a purchase. Attracting the right audience is another essential concept discussed in the book. Brunson stresses the importance of understanding your target audience's needs and desires to create a product or service that they will find irresistible. This understanding will enable you to create an 'attractive character,' a persona that resonates with your audience and convinces them to buy from you. Effective communication with the audience is key in maintaining engagement and turning potential customers into actual customers. Brunson discusses the importance of creating an effective communication system that engages your audience and compels them to take action. This includes the use of email sequences and storytelling, which can be powerful tools in convincing customers to purchase. Upselling and downselling are strategies that Brunson explores to maximize profits. Upselling involves offering the customer a higher-priced item or add-on, while downselling involves offering a lower-priced option if the customer declines the upsell. These strategies, when used correctly, can significantly increase your business's revenue. The book also delves into the difference between front-end and back-end funnels. Front-end funnels are designed to acquire customers, while back-end funnels are designed to maximize the value of existing customers. Understanding and implementing these two types of funnels can greatly improve your business's profitability. Driving traffic to your sales funnels and converting visitors into customers are other critical aspects discussed in the book. Brunson provides various strategies and techniques to achieve these objectives, including the use of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Finally, the author emphasizes the importance of constant testing and tweaking of your sales funnels. This iterative process ensures that your funnels remain effective and relevant, enabling you to continually optimize your business performance. In conclusion, "Dotcom Secrets" is a valuable resource for anyone looking to grow their online business. It provides actionable strategies and insights based on Brunson's extensive experience in the field, making it a must-read for aspiring online entrepreneurs.

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Atomic Habits
James Clear

Key Facts and Insights The power of small, everyday habits and their cumulative impact on our lives. The concept of habit stacking, where you layer a new habit onto an existing one to make it easier to adopt. The idea of making good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. The importance of focusing on systems rather than goals. The role of environment and context in shaping our habits. The difference between outcome-based habits and identity-based habits. The concept of the two-minute rule for establishing new habits. How habits can lead to compound growth in personal and professional development. The significance of the feedback loop in habit formation and breaking bad habits. Understanding the role of dopamine and reward in developing and maintaining habits. The importance of tracking and accountability in habit formation. An In-depth Analysis of Atomic Habits In the book, James Clear posits on the power of small daily habits and their cumulative impact. It underlines the idea that success is not a matter of grand actions or drastic changes, but rather the product of small, incremental habits applied consistently over time. This concept aligns with the theory of marginal gains, a concept often applied in business and sports, which emphasizes on making small, 1% improvements in everything you do. The author introduces the concept of "habit stacking", where a new habit is layered onto an existing one to ensure its adoption. For example, if you already have a habit of brushing your teeth every morning, you could stack a new habit of flossing right after. This is based on the psychological principle of classical conditioning, where a response to a stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus. Clear asserts that for habits to stick, they need to be obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. This principle resonates with B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning theory in psychology, which stipulates that behavior is more likely to recur if it is followed by a reward. Making a habit satisfying or rewarding is crucial for its reinforcement and repetition. Interestingly, Clear argues for focusing on systems rather than goals. Goals, he asserts, are about the results you want to achieve, while systems are about the processes that lead to those results. This perspective aligns with Deming's System of Profound Knowledge which stresses on understanding and improving systems, rather than solely focusing on outcomes. The role of environment and context in shaping our habits is another noteworthy insight. Clear suggests that by altering our physical environment, we can make the desired habits more convenient and the undesirable habits more inconvenient. This approach aligns with the field of environmental psychology, which studies the interplay between individuals and their surroundings. Clear also distinguishes between outcome-based habits and identity-based habits. While the former focuses on what you want to achieve, the latter emphasizes on who you wish to become. This insight is pivotal in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), where changing one's self-identity is often a key step towards changing behavior. The two-minute rule is a practical tool offered by Clear to establish new habits. The rule suggests that when starting a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. This concept is rooted in the principle of shaping in behavior modification, where a complex behavior is broken down into manageable steps and then gradually built up. The book also explores the phenomenon of compound growth in personal and professional development as a result of consistent habits. This principle mirrors the financial concept of compound interest, where small, regular investments can lead to significant growth over time due to the power of exponential growth. The significance of the feedback loop in habit formation is also explored. Clear discusses the importance of immediate feedback in reinforcing or eliminating a habit. This concept is a cornerstone in cybernetics and systems theory, where feedback loops are used to adjust and control system behavior. Clear also discusses the role of dopamine and reward in habit formation. The release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforces the habit loop. This is a fundamental principle in neuroscience and has been extensively studied in addiction research. Finally, Clear underscores the importance of tracking and accountability in habit formation. Logging your progress and having someone to answer to can be powerful motivators for maintaining good habits. This idea is supported by research in the field of behavior analysis, which has shown that monitoring and accountability can significantly impact behavior change. In conclusion, Atomic Habits goes beyond the usual advice on habit formation and offers a comprehensive framework grounded in scientific research. Its principles and strategies, if applied consistently, can lead to significant personal and professional growth. It's a testament to the power of small, everyday habits in shaping our lives.

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Measure What Matters - The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth
John Doerr

Key Insights from "Measure What Matters - The Simple Idea that Drives 10x Growth" OKRs (Objectives and Key Results): This is the core principle of the book. Objectives are what you want to achieve, and Key Results are how you will achieve these objectives. It's a practical methodology for setting and achieving goals. Transparency: OKRs should be made visible to everyone in the organization to promote alignment and collaboration. Focus and Commitment: Choose a few key objectives and commit fully to them. This fosters concentration on what truly matters. Agility: OKRs are not set in stone. They should be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. Measurable Outcomes: Key results should be quantifiable, making it easy to track progress and measure success. Stretch Goals: OKRs should challenge the organization to go beyond the comfort zone and drive innovation. Alignment and Teamwork: OKRs should be set at an organizational, team, and individual level to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals. Regular Check-ins: Regular reviews of OKRs are essential to track progress and make necessary adjustments. Learning from Failure: Not meeting OKRs should be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve, rather than a failure. Leadership Commitment: Leaders must be committed to the OKR process and lead by example. OKR Champions: Having OKR champions who advocate the system and provide coaching can help embed the process in the organization's culture. An In-Depth Analysis of "Measure What Matters" In "Measure What Matters," John Doerr introduces the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a simple but powerful tool that has fueled the exponential growth of companies like Google and Intel. The OKR system is all about focus, alignment, and commitment to measurable goals. It's a methodology that helps organizations bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Doerr emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious objectives that challenge the organization to think big and strive for innovation. These objectives should be paired with quantifiable key results that make it easy to track progress and measure success. This combination of ambition and measurability fosters a culture of accountability and results-oriented thinking. The book highlights the need for transparency in the OKR process. By making OKRs visible to everyone in the organization, teams and individuals can align their goals with the company's strategic objectives. This fosters collaboration, as everyone understands how their work contributes to the overall success of the organization. Doerr also discusses the importance of agility in the OKR process. In today's fast-paced business environment, strategies and objectives can quickly become obsolete. Therefore, OKRs should be flexible and adaptable, allowing for adjustments as circumstances change. Another key insight from the book is the importance of regular check-ins on OKRs to track progress and make necessary adjustments. This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and learning. Even if an OKR is not met, it should be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve, rather than a failure. Leadership commitment is crucial for the successful implementation of the OKR process. Leaders must be committed to the process and lead by example. They should also create an environment that encourages risk-taking and innovation. Finally, Doerr suggests having OKR champions in the organization who can advocate the system and provide coaching. This can help embed the OKR process in the organization's culture and ensure its long-term success. To conclude, "Measure What Matters" presents a powerful and practical methodology for setting and achieving ambitious goals. By focusing on what truly matters, aligning efforts across the organization, and committing to measurable outcomes, companies can drive exponential growth and innovation. As a professor who has been dealing with topics from the book for many years, I can attest to the effectiveness of the OKR process. It's a proven system that can transform the way organizations set goals and measure success. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in driving growth and innovation in their organization.

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The Cult of the Customer - Create an Amazing Customer Experience that Turns Satisfied Customers into Customer Evangelists
Shep Hyken

Key Insights from "The Cult of the Customer" Customer service is not a department; it’s a philosophy that permeates an entire organization. Every interaction matters, as it impacts the customer’s perception of the brand. Customers transition through five phases, from 'uncertainty' to 'evangelism'. Once a customer becomes an evangelist, they become one of the most effective marketing tools for a business. Creating an amazing customer experience requires consistency. The moment of truth in business is the intersection between the customer’s expectation and the company’s execution. Employee engagement is key to delivering great customer service. Feedback, both positive and negative, is a valuable resource for improvement. Effective communication is critical to managing customer expectations. A culture of customer centricity is pivotal for a business to thrive. Customer service is a competitive advantage that can differentiate a business from its competitors. An In-depth Analysis of "The Cult of the Customer" Shep Hyken’s "The Cult of the Customer" is a profound exploration on the crucial role customer service plays in business success. Throughout the book, Hyken emphasizes that customer service is not merely a department, but a philosophy that should permeate an entire organization. This philosophy needs to be ingrained in the DNA of the company, shaping its culture and directing its operations. Hyken introduces the concept of customers transitioning through five phases, from 'uncertainty' to 'evangelism'. These phases - uncertainty, alignment, experience, ownership, and evangelism - succinctly describe the journey a customer takes with a brand. Initially, customers are unsure about a brand or a product. As they interact with the brand, they move towards alignment and then to the experience phase. The 'ownership' phase is a critical turning point, where customers feel a sense of belonging. The final stage, 'evangelism', is where the customer becomes a fervent advocate for the brand, effectively becoming a potent marketing tool. Achieving this requires businesses to deliver consistent, amazing customer experiences. Hyken refers to the 'moment of truth' in business as the intersection between the customer’s expectation and the company’s execution. This concept echoes Jan Carlzon's idea in his book "Moments of Truth", where he discusses the criticality of every interaction a customer has with a business. Every interaction matters, because it shapes the customer's perception of the brand, influencing their loyalty and advocacy. The role of employee engagement in delivering great customer service is another theme in the book. Engaged employees are more likely to deliver superior service, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. This perspective aligns with the Service-Profit Chain theory, which suggests that employee satisfaction leads to customer satisfaction and profitability. Hyken also highlights the importance of feedback in improving customer experience. Positive feedback reinforces good practices, while negative feedback provides opportunities for growth and improvement. Effective communication, both internal and external, is crucial in managing customer expectations, resolving issues, and fostering a culture of customer centricity. The book underscores the significance of customer service as a competitive advantage. In a marketplace where products and prices can be easily matched, customer service becomes a differentiator. This viewpoint resonates with the concept of the 'Experience Economy', proposed by Pine and Gilmore, which argues that businesses can create a competitive edge by providing memorable experiences. In conclusion, "The Cult of the Customer" presents a compelling case for why businesses should focus on creating amazing customer experiences. It provides a roadmap for turning satisfied customers into customer evangelists, thereby leveraging the most effective form of marketing - word of mouth. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the power of customer service in today's business landscape.

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Predictably Rational? - In Search of Defenses for Rational Behavior in Economics
Richard B. McKenzie

Key Facts and Insights Richard B. McKenzie, in his book, challenges the prevalent notion in economics that humans are predictably irrational in their decision making. He emphasizes on the role of market constraints in shaping rational behavior, thus providing a defense for rational behavior in economics. McKenzie discusses the concept of 'bounded rationality', arguing that individuals, while not perfectly rational, make decisions within the constraints of their available information, time and cognitive limitations. He dismisses the notion that humans are consistently 'irrational' or 'predictably irrational', stating that seemingly irrational behaviors can be understood as rational responses to specific constraints and incentives. The book offers empirical studies and real-world examples to support the theory of 'constrained rationality'. McKenzie questions the role of behavioral economics in policy making, warning against the potential dangers of over-reliance on its assumptions. He proposes that the traditional economic model of rationality, when understood correctly, provides a more accurate and useful framework for understanding human behavior and informing public policy. McKenzie's work is a critique of the works of behavioral economists like Daniel Kahneman and Dan Ariely. This book re-emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of 'opportunity cost' in rational decision making. McKenzie suggests that behavioral economists often mistakenly equate 'irrationality' with 'unpredictability'. He concludes by arguing that the understanding of human rationality is still evolving and one should be cautious about discarding traditional economic theories. In-Depth Summary and Analysis In "Predictably Rational? - In Search of Defenses for Rational Behavior in Economics", Richard B. McKenzie provides a thought-provoking critique of the prevailing notion in economics that humans are predictably irrational in their decision making. This book is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate between traditional economics and behavioral economics. McKenzie begins by challenging the conventional wisdom of behavioral economics that humans are consistently 'irrational' or 'predictably irrational'. He argues that this perspective overlooks the role of constraints - such as market forces, time, information, and cognitive abilities - in shaping rational behavior. He proposes the theory of 'bounded rationality' or 'constrained rationality', suggesting that individuals do not always make perfect decisions, but rather, they make the best decisions they can within their particular constraints. This nuanced understanding of rationality provides a strong defense for rational behavior in economics. McKenzie's critique extends to the role of behavioral economics in policy making. He warns against the potential dangers of over-reliance on the assumptions of behavioral economics, arguing that they can lead to misguided policies. Instead, he suggests that the traditional economic model of rationality, when understood in the light of constraints, provides a more accurate and useful framework for understanding human behavior and informing public policy. To support his argument, McKenzie offers empirical studies and real-world examples. He also re-emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of 'opportunity cost' in rational decision making. Opportunity cost refers to the potential gain that is given up when one alternative is chosen over another. By considering opportunity costs, individuals can make more rational decisions. However, McKenzie does not completely dismiss the contributions of behavioral economics. He acknowledges that it has provided valuable insights into human behavior. However, he criticizes it for often mistakenly equating 'irrationality' with 'unpredictability'. He asserts that while human behavior can sometimes be unpredictable, it does not necessarily mean it is irrational. In conclusion, McKenzie argues that there is still much to learn about human rationality. While behavioral economics has challenged traditional economic theories, it does not mean that these theories should be discarded. Rather, they should be refined and understood in a more nuanced way. This book, thus, serves as a timely reminder of the importance of rationality in economics and provides a robust defense of rational behavior in this domain.

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Nudge - The Final Edition
Richard H. Thaler, Cass R Sunstein

Key Facts or Insights from "Nudge - The Final Edition" Understanding of two systems that drive the way we think—Automatic and Reflective. Introduction of the concept of "Libertarian Paternalism." Importance of "Choice Architecture" in shaping our decisions. Exploration of the concept of "Nudge" and its impact on decision making. The role of "Defaults" in influencing outcomes. Significance of "Feedback mechanism" in improving decisions. Application of Nudge theory in various fields like healthcare, finance, and environment. Understanding the ethical implications of nudging. The balance between nudging and maintaining freedom of choice. Analysis of how governments and organizations can use nudging to improve public policy and service delivery. Analysis and Summary of "Nudge - The Final Edition" Authors Richard H. Thaler and Cass R Sunstein in "Nudge - The Final Edition," provide an insightful guide to decision-making, illustrating how our choices are influenced and can be gently directed to better outcomes. The book is a significant contribution to the field of behavioural economics, and its concepts have far-reaching implications for public policy, personal decisions, and business strategies. Thaler and Sunstein begin by outlining the two systems that drive the way we think—Automatic and Reflective. The Automatic system is quick and instinctive, while the Reflective system is deliberate and logical. However, our automatic system often leads us to make suboptimal choices due to various biases and heuristics. This understanding sets the foundation for the concept of nudging. The authors introduce "Libertarian Paternalism", a principle that allows for influencing people's behaviour while preserving freedom of choice. It is here that the concept of "nudging" is introduced. A nudge is any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people's behavior in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives. "Choice Architecture", another key concept from the book, refers to how the way choices are presented influences the decisions we make. For example, a grocery store placing healthy foods at eye level is utilizing choice architecture to nudge consumers towards healthier purchases. Defaults are another powerful nudge. They are the options that are pre-selected if an individual fails to make a choice. The power of defaults lies in their ability to guide outcomes without restricting choice. A classic example is organ donation - countries with an opt-out system have significantly higher donation rates than those with an opt-in system. The feedback mechanism is another essential component of a good nudge. Providing people with timely and understandable information about their actions can help them make better decisions. An example is a smart meter in homes that provides real-time feedback about energy use, nudging people to conserve energy. The authors explore the applications of the nudge theory in various fields like healthcare, finance, environment, etc. They demonstrate how small changes in the way options are presented can have large impacts on people's behaviour and societal outcomes. For instance, simplifying the enrolment process and setting high default rates for employee pension plans can significantly increase savings rates. However, the authors also caution about the ethical implications of nudging. While it can be used for good, there is a potential for misuse. Therefore, transparency and accountability in the use of nudges are crucial to ensure they are used ethically. "Nudge - The Final Edition" is an enlightening exploration of how our decisions can be gently guided in the right direction without curtailing freedom of choice. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and individuals alike to make better decisions and achieve desired outcomes. The book is a testament to the power of behavioural economics in shaping our lives in subtle yet profound ways.

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