Strands of Genius: Philipp Ries + The 2024 BuyerB2B Experience Report
Strands of Genius: Philipp Ries + The 2024 BuyerB2B Experience Report
featuring: an interview with our guest editor and a research report
Welcome to the Bonus edition of Strands of Genius! On Fridays, we’ll be publishing interviews from our guest editors, and sharing a research report. Thanks for being along for the ride. Oh and by the way, you look great today :)
:: STEAL THIS THINKING | RESEARCH REPORT ::
6Sense's 2024 Buyer Experience Study reveals critical insights into B2B purchasing decisions across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC). Key findings include:
B2B buyers are nearly 70% through their purchasing process before engaging with sellers
Buyers initiate first contact with sellers more than 80% of the time
Buyers already have a preferred vendor at the time of first contact more than 80% of the time
85% of buyers have largely established their purchase requirements before they
contact sellers.
:: DIVE IN | THE INTERVIEW ::
PHILIPP RIES, COPYWRITER
>> Philipp Ries, guest curated Strands on October 24th 2024. Read it here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what keeps you busy. How did you end up doing what you’re doing today?
First things first, I guess: Howdy, my name’s Philipp, and I work as a copywriter at a Germany-based ad agency. Strangely, I didn’t really know the advertising industry existed until I went to college. But one of my professors there was a big design and communications buff, and he introduced me to the likes of Gossage, Ogilvy, Bernbach, and – you know – creative work in advertising in general. So, however my career goes, ultimately, it’s his fault for pointing me in the direction I’m still headed today, haha.
What excites you most about what you do?
Now, that’s a tough question to answer, but I do have one: for me, it’s all about having the opportunity to change people’s perspectives. To make them – and, in turn, myself – question the things we think can’t be questioned. And no, I haven’t done it yet, but that’s what keeps me excited.
What beliefs define your approach to work? How would you define your leadership style?
Making mistakes is part of the process, and leading someone else means the same as helping someone else.
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why?
The first thing that comes to mind as I’m writing this is a magazine I worked on in college. Nobody got paid to write it. Nobody got paid to lay out the articles. Nobody got paid to think about the paper we used to print it on. Nobody got paid for making it exist in any way, and I still get goosebumps when I think about the day we all got to hold it in our hands.
We are big believers in diversity -- Not only because we believe in equality, but because we also think it’s better for business. How do you frame these kinds of conversations, both internally and with clients? Is there an emphasis on action, or are the conversations really more about communication?
Without diversity, the world becomes bland, and blandness will never be the solution to anything.
Switching gears a bit, how do you find time to balance personal interests with your career? Do you believe work/life balance is possible? Anything you’ve implemented that you recommend that others try?
I consider myself lucky to be able to say that I like doing my job. Yes, the hours suck sometimes, but not all the time. I find that it helps to have routines that don’t have to happen at a specific time of day, though. For example, 30 minutes of every day are reserved just for me – for workouts, for reading, for whatever. But I don’t set an alarm for these 30 minutes.
What’s your media diet? Where do you find inspiration?
Unfortunately, I still spend a lot of time online and on social media. For real inspiration, though, I try to get outside more. By that, I don’t mean I force myself to visit a museum or an art gallery every week, but it helps to just hang out in the real world.
What’s the best piece of advice/knowledge you’ve stolen, and who/where’d you steal it from?
The best piece of advice I ever got was: don’t be an asshole. One of my older sisters told me that – very likely while I was being an asshole. So, be nice to others; it’s free, and nobody will ever hate you for not being an asshole.
Which country do you think is worth a visit?
Check out the Czech Republic! Especially if you’re from the US and think about traveling to Europe anyways.
You can keep in touch with Philipp on LinkedIn.
If we can ever be of help to you, even outside of a formal engagement, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
rockON,
faris & rosie | your friends over at geniussteals.co
(still want more? @faris is still “tweeting” while @rosieyakob prefers instagram stories)