Tim and John are in Madrid Spain for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s 31st Annual Global Convention. It is the world’s premier educational and networking event for the LGBT tourism industry. This year introduces several unique destinations: Utah, Vietnam, Panama and new offerings from Japan.

Thanks to Orbitz for supporting The Focus Group in Madrid, and to Innside Genova for our great accommodations.

In her new book Relevance: The Power to Change Minds and Behavior and Stay Ahead of the Competition, Brodeur Partners CEO Andrea Coville, along with journalist Paul B. Brown, take a deep dive into the dimensions of relevance—both qualitative and quantitative. She offers marketers a road-tested plan for creating relevant messages that shift attitudes and—most importantly—consumer behavior.

Shop Talk looks at four unique ways to motivate people, and wonders if PowerPoint is making us stupid. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

Tabatha Coffey has been widely credited for her savvy business expertise, and ability to transform people’s lives and help struggling businesses. In her second book, Own It! Be the Boss of Your Life—at Home and in the Workplace, Coffey is teaching readers that the secret to their success is in taking charge of their own future.

Conservative Christian activists have some major brands in their sights. Shop Talk looks at which companies are rated the least and most holy. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

The New York Auto Show starts this weekend—a showcase for some of the hottest cars, trucks and automotive technology all under one roof. Volkswagen‘s Daniel Shapiro, Jetta Product Marketing & Strategy Manager, discusses updates to the latest model, and the job of planning a cars design changes over a number of years.

Shop Talk looks at how the effective use of body language plays a key role in communication. Call 866-305-6887.

Randy Wooden is the director of Goodwill’s Professional Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He brings over 25 years of experience in a number of human resource areas to this first-of-its-kind facility, which also provides services for employers, including career transition services, and can connect companies to qualified professional candidates.

Shop Talk looks at the financial moves you should make every month, but April—being tax month and Financial Literacy Month—is as great a time to start as any. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

In Like My Mother Always Said, author Erin McHugh, collects the wonderful and laugh-worthy words that our moms tell us in their attempts to be helpful and instructive. Offered up in quips and short anecdotes, all the kinds of nurturing and nutty information we glean from our mothers is divided into chapters such as “Questionable Wisdom,” “Unconditional Love,” “Good Manners & Bad Behavior,” and “Wise Words.”

The Strip and Beyond catches up with Jim McMichael, Diversity & Cultural Manager with the LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority). Year after year, Las Vegas proves to be a favorite among LGBT travelers for good reason. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

Dan Antonelli has more than 20 years of experience in small business branding and marketing strategy. As the CEO and creative director of New Jersey advertising agency Graphic D-Signs, Inc., Antonelli has helped nearly 1,000 small businesses succeed. In his new book Building a Big Small Business Brand, Antonelli explains why a clear and identifiable brand is critical to a company’s success and how to build a brand that will help small business owners gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Share the best business advice you were ever given on Shop Talk for your chance to win a VW First Act electric guitar. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

David Benzaquen is the founder and CEO of PlantBased Solutions, a full-service brand management and marketing agency specializing in plant-based food and beverage products. Prior to launching PlantBased Solutions, David spent fifteen years managing advocacy and fundraising campaigns for various electoral, animal protection, public health, and environmental campaigns. David and his team are passionate about building the market for healthy, sustainable, and ethically-produced foods.

Shop Talk looks at the nine truths bosses hide from employees. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.

Harvey Makadon is Director of the National LGBT Health Education Center, a program of The Fenway Institute which provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for LGBT people. He is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, as well as a member of the Division of General Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Shop Talk is Tim and John’s ongoing banter and commentary on current business topics. Join the conversation at 866-305-6887.