Publishing Industry Honors Tell Me More About That with Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best Self Help Book of 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rob Volpe | rob@ignite-360.com
SAN FRANCISCO, August 3, 2023 – Ignite 360 announced today that the first book by its Founder and CEO, Rob Volpe, Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time was named a silver Benjamin Franklin Award winner by the Independent Book Publishers Association at an annual conference held in San Diego in May.
The book explains the 5 Steps to Empathy, which Ignite 360 uses in its research and training programs as well as in keynotes and presentations by Volpe and others in the organization. The book uses narrative storytelling to bring to life the different steps, largely drawing from Volpe’s experiences as a qualitative moderator doing in-home ethnographies and in-context interviews.
“…an engaging, intelligent and impeccably written read. When an author says they are a master storyteller, I’m often waiting for them to prove me wrong in their writing, but Rob Volpe is indeed a brilliant storyteller, and I was captivated by every story he wove into this narrative nonfiction.” said one of the IBPA judges in their review of the book.
“I set out to write a book that would entertain while inspiring people to overcome their own barriers to empathy,” said Rob Volpe on accepting the award. “To be recognized by the publishing industry is beyond what I imagined for the book. I’m delighted it’s resonating with audiences around the world and helping people gain awareness on how to use empathy in their lives.”
Volpe was moved to study empathy in 2010, when a University of Michigan study showed a 40% decline in empathy skills among college students. Shortly after founding Ignite 360 in 2011, he began reviewing both the neurological and sociological aspects of empathy. By applying that thinking to his own experiences building empathy as an ethnographic researcher, he was able to identify the 5 Steps to reach cognitive empathy. He then began applying these 5 Steps to his work with clients.
The book followed and drew on his experiences doing ethnographic and in-context research for some of the world’s leading and emerging brands. “I realized that I was getting challenged to be empathetic in some of my misadventures in moderating, and by reflecting on those experiences and sharing those stories, there were lessons that everyone could benefit from.”
As one of his readers commented in an online review “for anyone who thought marketing research was boring, they need to read this book.”
Tell Me More About That is available for purchase in hardcover, author-narrated audio and ebook formats.
To obtain a review copy or arrange an interview with Rob, please contact rob@robvolpe.expert
About the author
Rob Volpe is an astute observer of life and a master storyteller who brings empathy and compassion to the human experience. As CEO of Ignite 360, he leads a team of insights, strategy, and creative professionals helping the world’s leading brands across a range of industries release untapped potential. As a thought leader in the role of empathy in marketing and the workplace, Rob frequently speaks on the topic at conferences, corporations, and college classes. He is also a contributor for Entrepreneur's Leadership Network, writing about empathy in the workplace.
When he’s not keynote speaking at conferences, listening to consumers around the world share their stories, or adding to his two-million-plus miles flown, Rob can be found at home in San Francisco with his partner, Charles, and their three cats, reveling in the rare luxury of standing still.
Learn more at www.robvolpe.expert
About Ignite 360
Ignite 360 is a consumer insights, strategy and training firm that delivers breakthrough thinking and actionable results to Fortune 500 companies and growing organizations. Clients select Ignite 360 due to our human-centered, holistic 360° approach, providing companies with a unique level of intelligence and empathy by tapping into the hearts and minds of their customers. Projects range from brand strategy and communications to innovation to shopper insights. Ignite 360 is headquartered in San Francisco with team members across the U.S. and Europe and is a proud member of Think Global Qualitative, a worldwide network of leading insights strategists and researchers. For more, visit ignite-360.com.