Ask & Deliver

“It is said, correctly, that a brand is a promise. The deeper you know your customer, the more you can build delightful experiences — a positive loop that strengthens brand loyalty, reduces customer churn, and creates what every business wants, super fans. Mary Ann O’Brien’s seminal book, Ask & Deliver, is a call to arms for business leaders to rise above mediocrity and embrace their role as architects of customer experiences. The insights within are not only applicable to Fortune 500 companies but to startups and small and medium businesses alike. Let this book be your guide to unlock growth through the alchemy of customer-centricity.”
— Rich Karlgaard, Former publisher (1998-2018), Current editor-at-large and futurist, Forbes Media

“Ask & Deliver is a testament to the author's expertise and true passion for customer-led marketing and culture alignment. In the book O’Brien displays how easy it is to truly connect with your customers, and what can happen when you do. Her no-nonsense approach to building a formidable brand is not just compelling, but she showcases just how critical your customers are to your success and how the best brands know that they are not only informed by their customers but formed by them.”
— Joe Moglia, American businessman; Former chairman of the board and CEO, TD Ameritrade; Former head football coach and athletic director, Coastal Carolina University; Author, The Perimeter Attack Offense and Coach Yourself to Success

“Mary Ann is exceptionally skilled in the realm of critical thinking and problem solving. She has an uncanny knack to ask all of the right questions which make her clients really think deep. Ultimately, her goal is always to deliver to her clients a data driven plan to under-stand their customers wants and needs and deliver back end performance tools to measure success. Mary Ann is a terrific communicator and is one of the most talented business leaders I know.”
— Barry Zoob, Senior vice president, Colliers International; Coach, Your Executive and Business Coach

“Mary Ann O’Brien is a unique talent in that she’s not only wickedly smart, but she’s also a deeply caring and spiritually aware person. In her book, Ask & Deliver, she demonstrates that listening to your customers is not only the right thing to do for your business, but it’s also just the right thing to do, period.”
— Ted Waitt Co-founder, Gateway, Inc.; American entrepreneur; Self-made billionaire businessman; Philanthropist

“Ask & Deliver is a game-changer for anyone looking to truly understand their customers. This approach goes beyond surface-level analytics to unearth genuine insights by mixing quantitative and qualitative data with practical execution strategies. You'll get a step-by-step plan to make your customer experiences the best they can be. This book isn't just something to read; it's a tool to help you improve your business and keep your customers happy. A must-read for anyone who wants to succeed in today's competitive market.”— Chad Zenner, Vice president of marketing and public relations, Comp Source Mutual

“Business can be complex. It's easy to get lost in the weeds of a technical industry, complex supply chain, or fragmented audience. However, at the heart of every successful company is an unrelenting, clear, data-driven understanding of the customer. After more than a decade working alongside her, I can say with confidence that Mary Ann O'Brien knows this, has proven it, and has given businesses a tool to put (and keep) their customer at the heart of their operations. No matter the size, you can level up your results by reading her book.” — Nicole Schmoll, Founder and CEO, Ink Harmony

“Having worked with Mary Ann and her firm OBI for years, I admire her insight, creativity, and simplicity in helping organizations grow their business. Her approach is grounded in data allowing for in-depth knowledge into the customer perspective. The results help position organizations to be deliberate about the employee and customer experience. A must-read for leaders wanting to gain insight into growing their brand and, ultimately, their business.” — Melissa Newton, Chief Culture Officer, Olsson