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An ideation facilitator and market research moderatorwith a groove for marketing strategy and a beat forpodcast storytellingLaura M. NozickaConsumer I Hospitality I Food Products I Travel & Tourism Healthcare I Pharma I Culture Change I Team Development
Let’s step into some of my categoryexperience...Getting into the (research and facilitator)groove! In the 2000s, a moderator sparked my journey into theworld of moderation. Fast forward to 2014 and 2016, I doveinto moderator training at Burke Institute. By 2016, I spreadmy moderating wings and launched my very ownmoderating/facilitating venture. Flash forward to 2024, and voilà! I earned my stripes as aCertified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator and was trainedunder the Creative Problem Solving curriculum. Armed witha Corporate Communications Bachelor's and an MBA inMarketing from Dominican University, I passed down myknowledge of marketing strategy and branding as an adjunctprofessor at universities in the Chicago area.
A fiery love for helpingclients craftunforgettable,unexpected, anduplifting moments.As a former hospitality professional, I am driven bycreating enjoyable and remarkable experiences.Consumers continuously seek out experiences thatenhance their lives, create lasting memories, andserve as gateways for escapism. How can your clients drive their brands to thislevel? With the help of a skilled moderator withexperience using research to drive marketingstrategy! Laura M. Nozicka , Bio
Journeying throughthe wonders of guestsatisfactionI've dabbled in a smorgasbord of fancy restaurants,cozy mom-and-pop diners, and swanky hotels in theWindy City, flexing my skills in various roles likefront of the house positions in addition to sales,marketing, event planning, and PR. I've had a taste of everything, from working in theposh Hotel Sofitel to the old-school RamadaHotels, not to mention fun joints like CrackerBarrel, Houhilan's, and some fam-friendly sportsbars and Southern Louisiana cajun concepts. I was even a hotel telephone operator. Who knows?I may have scheduled your wake-up call from “zeepastry chef-a!"
Life is too short todrink bad wine (orcocktails)! Wine and unique cocktail ingredients are my jam! I've gone on wild wine-tasting adventures in Napaand Sonoma, and shaken up some tasty spirits atbartending classes. And my taste buds have beentickled by the likes of Schwa and Next in Chicago,and the legendary Gary Danko in San Francisco.I even scored tickets to the National RestaurantShow (multiple times!), and let's not forget myaddiction to "Bar Rescue" - the ultimate fix for anywine and spirits-appreciating soul!Laura M. Nozicka , Bio
Oh theplaces wewill go! From sea to shining sea! Venturing from the west coastto the east coast, and all the way from the sun-kissedCaribbean to the Great White North, my love fortraveling knows no bounds! Planes, trains, andautomobiles are my ticket to wherever the adventuretakes me.As a globetrotting moderator, I've experiencedeverything from travel mishaps to moments of purewanderlust. That's why I can effortlessly connect withyour travel-loving audience and make sure yourmessage hits the sweet spot every time.
ERs, ORs and robots! Ohmy! Unique experiencein the healthcare settingMany years of experience working in healthcare alongside physicians,C-suite executives, clinical level leadership, patients, employees, anddonors has opened my eyes to a unique behind the scenes view ofoperations of the complex healthcare world. From observing surgery in the operating room to facilitating patientadvisory boards, it’s clear to me that healthcare is a challengingcategory to wrap your arms around. Here’s just a few Chicago-based healthcare organizations I‘ve workedwith in a marketing communications, brand strategy, media and creativecapacity:Healthcare Organizations/Integrated Delivery SystemsAdvocate HealthcareNorthShore University HealthSystemAdvent HealthVein Clinics of America
A harmoniousdance of roles,with marketing asthe crowned jewel.Throughout my career, I've tried on more hats than afashionista on a shopping spree - from purchasingresearch as a client to managing accounts on the agencyside. I've strutted my stuff in top-notch advertising andmedia agencies in Chicago, overseeing accounts rangingfrom surgical gloves to wrinkle-busters. But no matter where my career takes me, my trustymarketing hat is always on, eagerly searching for ways totackle business problems with research, whilebrainstorming fresh ideas for clients to rake in profits andcreate brand fanatics... all with the power of some sassyfacilitator skils!
In a crowded deli line, destinypairs me up with a spunkysenior who selects me as herlucky audience for a whirlwindtale of her life story.Much like my luck in a deli line, my moderation andfacilitation style is all about being friendly and approachableright from the start, I strive to establish a comfortableenvironment where everyone feels at ease and can engagewith each other as if they were old friends. Who knows whatexciting ideas we might uncover along the way? And when it's time to brainstorm with colleagues, count me in!I'm always eager to get my creative juices flowing and exploreevery possibility, whether it's a grand idea or a small buteffective solution.Laura M. Nozicka , Bio
Ace your talent game!Navigatingorganizational changeand landing A-List pros.When a company undergoes significant changes such as ashift in brand strategy, product lines, or leadership, it'sessential to manage talent effectively. As a formermarketing and marcom agency executive, I understandthe importance of internal branding and cultural changein supporting a new brand strategy and growingdownstream revenue. Employees must be on board withthese changes, or customers won't be either. I can help facilitate conversations with senior leaders,board members, and staff to create a positive impact onfuture communications, inspire enthusiasm for newbeginnings, and mitigate negativity during thetransformation.
A passion for storytellingthrough podcasting. Passionate about healthcare advocacy andstorytelling, I launched The Desperate for a DiagnosisPodcast in May 2023. The podcast provides a safespace for patients to share their medical journeys andseek support. Guests recount their diagnosticchallenges, including parents seeking treatments fortheir children and individuals inspired by healthstruggles. Medical professionals also share insights onnavigating the healthcare system.The Desperate for a Diagnosis Podcast is available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
All the Flavors of My Category Experience*HealthcareHospital Systems & Medical GroupsPharmaceuticals & Medical DeviceRetail PharmacyHealth & WellnessFitness CentersCBD Usage for HealthHospitality/Travel/TourismRestaurants – Casual, Family, CorporateMarketHotels – Guest Experience, CorporateMarket, Events, Food and BeverageTalent Management/Culture ChangeEmployee Retention/SatisfactionStaffing Gap ExplorationTalent Recruitment/AcquisitionEmployee Health and WellnessEmployee Assistance ProgramsHomeTopics in Real EstateHome Improvement/ConstructionDécor and Entertaining Petcare and VeterinaryPet WellnessCBD-Infused Pet ProductsChronic Disease Management Food and Beverage Wine and SpiritsIce Cream/Candy NoveltiesBeauty and Aesthetics/CosmeticsCBD-Infused Beauty & HealthProductsCosmetic/Dermatological FillersVein TreatmentLasik SurgeryCellulite Products/TherapyRosacea/Eczema TreatmentWeight Loss Products*Partial List
Welcome to Big Idea Tango, the dazzlingconsultancy where I tango with problems whilecha-cha-ing with creativity! Big Idea Tango twirls together my love for ballroomdance with my mission to uncover solutions for you!Sparkling with similarities, problem-solving sessionsand dance partnerships twirl hand in hand, sharing asecret dance of correlations. It's a two-stepexchange. It‘s a shimmy and a shake, as we get toknow each other better and understand what reallyconnects with the consumers, employees and allstakeholders across the dance floor. So, let's put on our dancing shoes and cha-cha ourway to the freshest ideas out there! Let’sDance! Big Idea Tango, LLC ©2024What’s in a name? laura@bigideatango.com312-215-3354Chicago, ILIdeation SessionFacilitation Strategic BrainstormingTeam DevelopmentWorkshopsFocus GroupsOne-on-One InterviewsSee Laura in Action! Emcee at a 500 Attendee EventFocus Group ModerationPodcast Hosting
Dance Partner Reviews!! “Laura thinks deeply about what she’s hearing; shegenerously shares her perspective throughout the processand can shed light on trends and interesting nuances thatmight otherwise be missed. All her strengths paired with hergreat personality make her a valuable asset to any team.”Market Research Agency Project Manager “I couldn’t have had a better moderator for my project!Laura connected with every participant and made them feelcomfortable with sharing their story, which made forseamless and rewarding conversations. She was easy to workwith, adaptable, and brought additional knowledge to theproject which ultimately strengthened our work. I willdefinitely be using Laura on future projects!” Market Research Agency Associate Director of Research“A skilled moderator, Laura led the groups and did notlet the groups lead her. She handled delicate requestsand difficult participants respectfully and herpersonable demeanor put the group at ease, makingeasier for them to open up deeper on the emotionsand perceptions that were critical to our research.” Branding Agency VP“Laura’s warmth, active listening, and adaptabilitywere critical to gaining both a depth and breadth ofunderstanding in a challenging space. I was soimpressed with how she navigated the guide – herdeep understanding of our goals and the space wewere exploring allowed for flexible conversations thatstill hit on all our objectives.” Market Research Agency Strategic Planning Manager