Explore every episode of the podcast Experience Action
Dive into the complete episode list for Experience Action. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
From Feedback to Trust: What Comes Next in Customer Experience
09 Apr 2026
00:15:06
Are you drowning in feedback and still struggling for progress? In this bonus episode, we're bringing you more conversations from the Qualtrics X4 Summit 2026 in Seattle. These conversations tackle the same problem from different angles: how to turn customer and patient feedback into real operational change, and how to protect trust as AI becomes part of the workflow. If you collect surveys, run a CX program, or lead a healthcare team, this one is about what happens after you hit “export.”
First, we talk with leaders from Trillium Health Partners about redesigning their patient experience measurement: Kerry Kuluski, Research Chair in Patient and Family-Centered Care, and Adam Gdyczynski, Senior Corporate Lead, Patient Experience Measurement and Planning. They share how moving from paper and call-center methods to modern digital surveying helped drive an 880% increase in survey responses, plus what they did next to avoid being buried by the volume. We dig into practical tactics like shorter surveys, QR codes on after visit summaries, and using iPads to improve access in areas with lower electronic response rates. We also get into why equitable care depends on knowing who is responding, and how demographic and cultural insights can inform smarter decisions while supporting patient and family centered care.
Then we shift to the trust layer with Qualtrics Chief Security Officer Assaf Keren. We unpack why trust is more than security, why shortcuts create incidents, and why transparency matters when things go wrong. We also get specific about AI governance: third-party risk, building guardrails, managing data access, and keeping a human in the loop when risk is high or confidence is low.
If you want to turn insights into action without losing the human side, listen now. After you finish, subscribe, share this with a teammate, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.
AI is moving fast, but most customer experience programs still get stuck in the same place: teams chase tools, dashboards, and “shiny” promises while the real work and the real problem stay fuzzy. We wanted a grounded conversation about customer experience strategy that actually holds up inside complex organizations, especially when trust, risk, and regulation are part of daily life.
Jeannie Walters is joined by Dr. Elizabeth ErkenBrack, Head of Strategy in the Office of the CEO at Qualtrics. They sat down at the Qualtrics X4 Summit 2026 in Seattle to talk about starting with the outcome you’re trying to achieve, defining who you’re designing for, and mapping the work that needs to change before you ever “plug in” AI. They get specific about where automation helps and where the human touch still matters most, particularly in vulnerable moments like healthcare, financial services, and other deeply personal journeys.
They also dig into the ROI side of experience management: how to shift from CX as a cost center to CX as an investment, how to connect NPS and CSAT to action, and how to tie experience improvements to attributable revenue through churn, retention, conversion, and operational changes. A key takeaway is governance: measurement and execution often sit in different silos, and bringing them into lockstep is an executive decision. If you’re trying to make CX “count” in the C-suite, this gives you language and structure that leaders can align around.
If this helped you rethink how you’re framing your next CX initiative, subscribe, share this episode with a teammate, and leave a review so more people can find it.
Follow Elizabeth ErkenBrack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-erkenbrack-phd-380b5b30/
What if the fastest way to beat your competitors isn’t a new feature, but a better feeling at every step of the journey? In this episode, we explore how experiential innovation—improving how customers move, decide, and feel—outperforms price wars, builds trust, and turns small moments into big wins.
Using the CXI Navigator, we break down how leaders align clear intent, cultural commitment, and real customer behavior to reduce friction and increase reassurance. From Uber and Netflix to B2B organizations like Vanguard, the pattern is consistent: spot hesitation, simplify paths, and guide people forward with confidence.
With data showing customers will abandon even beloved brands after a single bad experience, the stakes are clear. This conversation shares practical ways to design calmer, clearer journeys that drive loyalty, speed, and long-term growth. Subscribe for more practical experience strategies, share this with a teammate who owns a part of the customer journey, and leave a review.
Ever felt like you're walking a tightrope trying to satisfy high-maintenance clients while keeping your team's spirits high? You're not alone, and in this episode, we're tackling that very challenge. Prepare to unlock the secrets of preempting client anxiety with proactive communication, and discover how a Customer Experience Mission Statement can become your North Star, guiding every client interaction to reflect your company's core values. We'll reveal how to navigate the customer journey with foresight and finesse, ensuring that your clients feel heard, valued, and—most importantly—cared for without draining your precious resources.
Then, we switch gears to celebrate the heartening bonds we forge with our clients. It's a deep dive into the art of empathy, where compassion meets curiosity, creating partnerships that are more than just business transactions—they're collaborative adventures. And yes, we even touch on our first 'bleep' moment, a candid question that opens up a treasure trove of insights. This episode is an invitation to reflect on your approach to client relationships and to enhance the way we all craft exceptional experiences. So, buckle up, and let's embark on this enlightening journey together.
Remember, your questions at askjeannie.vip are the fuel that keeps our conversations engaging, and for that extra bit of guidance, don't forget to visit experienceinvestigators.com.
Discover the transformative power of AI in shaping customer experiences as Maria Villablanca, CEO of the Future Insights Network, joins us to break down the evolving relationship between supply chain management and customer satisfaction. As we navigate the era of 'machine customers,' we need to understand how our businesses can adapt to meet the demands of an audience that expects instant gratification. Delve into AI's ripple effects on customer service roles, where efficiency gains are weighed against the potential for job displacement, and explore how historical economic shifts can inspire optimism for a workforce braced for change.
Unpack an intriguing case study where a brand's bold pricing and production strategy turns the supply chain playbook on its head, offering unique insights into consumer trust and the anticipation of demand. This episode takes you through the crucial balance of meeting customer needs while navigating the complexities of AI-driven markets. Join us for a conversation that will leave you with a richer understanding of the AI revolution in customer experience and ready to embrace the future of innovation and opportunity.
About Maria Villablanca: Maria Villablanca (mariavillablanca.com), the creator of The Transform Talks Podcast and The "Voices in Transformation" interview series, is considered one of the leading creators and influencers in the supply chain and business transformation space. Setting out to cut through the hype and noise around supply chain and business transformation many years ago, Maria has interviewed hundreds of senior leaders from some of the world's most admired organisations to this date, with her contributions seeing her gain recognition as a highly acclaimed, influential, empowering and inspiring supply chain, logistics and procurement thought-leader, entrepreneur and woman in business and a LinkedIn Top Voice in the leadership category. Maria is an official Gartner Peer Community and Sustainable Procurement Pledge Ambassador and furthers the supply chain and manufacturing industry by mentoring and advising technology and solution providers (Brinc's Oxagon x McLaren Accelerator and 3SC respectively) and leading one of the world's biggest and fastest-growing supply chain and manufacturing networks, Future Insights Network, as CEO and Co-founder.
Ever been swamped with data but starved for insights? Our latest episode is a game-changer for CX leaders aiming to harness the power of customer journey mapping. Jeannie Walters takes a burning question from CXI Flight School™ and propels it into a strategic discussion teeming with actionable takeaways. We navigate the complexities of integrating operational data into journey maps, ensuring you walk away equipped to craft insightful paths without data overload.
This isn't just about creating customer journey maps; it's about painting a story that resonates with customers and drives your business forward. The insights here promise to refine your approach, striking a balance between intricate detail and overarching vision. Strap in for a session that's all about turning the cacophony of customer interactions into a symphony of strategic action.
Navigating Customer Expectations: Strategies to Weather the Storm and Excel in CX
13 Feb 2024
00:17:16
Ready to navigate the choppy waters of customer expectations? Take a seat with Jeannie Walters as we chart a course through the complex seas of customer experience management challenges.
In this episode of Experience Action, we tackle the pressing issue of meeting and exceeding client expectations, even when industry woes like staff shortages and technology hiccups threaten to sink our ships. We're not just talking about avoiding disappointments here; we're focused on turning potential letdowns into opportunities for delight and loyalty. We look candidly at the real-world repercussions of failing to fulfill promises. We're sharing the tools and mindset shifts necessary to ensure your customers feel seen, heard, and, most importantly, satisfied—even when the going gets tough.
Explore the horizon where artificial intelligence meets human touch in customer experiences with our host, Jeannie Walters. We're traversing the fine line between the innovative prowess of AI and the essential need for empathy in customer service. Get ready to unlock the secrets of AI that don't just streamline processes but fundamentally enhance the quality of customer interactions. From personalized service to predicting needs and the seamless operation of chatbots and virtual assistants, we're delving into how these tools should be aligned with your brand's heart and soul, all while safeguarding the sanctity of customer privacy.
Join us for a conversation that promises to empower your organization with AI while keeping the customer relationship at the core.
Get ready to navigate the cutting-edge of customer experience (CX) with Jeannie Walters and special co-host Michelle Morris - Associate Director of CX Business Transformation at Verizon Connect. We're peeling back the curtain on Sam's Club's groundbreaking AI-based receipt verification system and exploring the ripple effects on the future of retail. Discover how this innovation could transform the checkout experience, tackle theft, and what it means for customer engagement.
Switching lanes, we delve into the government's customer experience revolution, with a spotlight on the USDA's recent initiatives. Reflect on the executive order that's shaking up agency status quos and the newfound trust blooming between citizens and their government.
This isn't just a conversation about technology; it's about humanizing the automated, ensuring accuracy, and strategically mapping the customer journey to adapt to this new frontier. We're also confronting CX blind spots regarding AI integration and the declining comfort customers feel around these tools.
Tune in for a thought-provoking session that promises to leave you with a fresh perspective on AI's role in our lives and a renewed passion for excellence in customer experience across all sectors.
About Michelle Morris: Michelle Morris is the Associate Director of CX Transformation at Verizon Connect. She is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) as well as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB). Michelle is a former board member for the CXPA (Customer Experience Professionals Association). In previous roles, Michelle developed and led two CX practices in the Professional Services (Crowe) and Printing/Manufacturing (Lexmark) industries and was a CX Design consultant and the Sr. Manager of Contact Center Sales for Verizon Business. Prior to starting her CX adventures, she spent 15 years in Product Development, designing laser printing devices. Michelle holds 6 U.S. Patents for her work as an engineer.
Unlock the secrets to a customer experience that's both innovative and effortless. On this episode of Experience Action, Jeannie Walters peels back the layers on how to introduce new features and services without overwhelming your customers. Discover how customer-centric design and clear communication can make all the difference, as she offers up actionable strategies rooted in understanding customer pain points and the art of incremental changes. Get ready to learn the importance of accessible tutorials, demos, and why fostering feedback loops is your ticket to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Join the conversation as we tackle the challenge of balancing simplicity with cutting-edge innovation. With insights gathered from years of expertise and real-world examples, this episode is a treasure trove for those passionate about enhancing the customer journey. We're not just talking about customer experience—we're transforming ideas into impactful action. So, if you're ready to elevate your strategy and drive tangible business results, this is the episode you won't want to miss.
What Influences All Leaders To Care About Customer Experience?
16 Jan 2024
00:16:44
Could transforming your organization into a customer-first powerhouse be the key to unlocking unprecedented growth and loyalty? On this episode of Experience Action, Jeannie Walters engages with a truly insightful listener question, exploring how to permeate a customer-first mindset throughout every leadership tier. She dissects the vital necessity for senior leadership's committed involvement and its ripple effect on a company's success. You'll gain strategic insights on fostering this commitment, from establishing 'Customer Days' for direct interaction to integrating customer feedback into the business strategy.
Prepare to be equipped with practical advice, as you hear about the importance of continuous education and training to prevent customer experience from fading into the realm of corporate jargon. Jeannie shares stories and strategies that will empower your team to bring forth ideas that enhance the customer journey and ensure these suggestions are woven into the very fabric of your organization's objectives. Whether you're at the helm of the C-suite or on the front lines of management, this episode is brimming with actionable guidance to help you champion a customer-first ethos that reverberates through every facet of your company. Tune in and let's move from talk to action in creating exceptional customer experiences.
Ever wondered why negative customer feedback, as prickly as it can be, might actually be the secret weapon to your business's success? In this episode, our host, Jeannie Walters, peels back the layers of this complex but vital aspect of customer experience management. We dive into the heart of the matter, debunking the myth that only positive feedback should get the spotlight. We explore the hidden value in those tough-to-hear comments and how they can become the catalysts for transforming your services and delighting your customers in ways you never imagined.
Join the discussion about the importance of an integrated feedback approach, where the good, the bad, and the innovative come together to give a 360-degree view of what your customers truly experience. Jeannie shares actionable insights on how to foster a culture that sees feedback as a gift—a chance to learn, grow, and excel. So, if you're ready to turn the tide on negative feedback and use it to your organization's advantage, this conversation is a must-listen. Tune in and empower yourself with strategies that ensure every piece of feedback is a stepping stone to elevating your customer experience.
Are you ready to end the year with gusto, and enter the next with a customer-centered game plan? This special episode will guide you through five essential actions every customer-focused leader must take to finish the year strong. Join me, Jeannie Walters, as we reflect on the highs, lows, and even the whimsical customer requests of the past year. We’ll discuss how to gather, categorize, and utilize feedback to identify areas of improvement and celebrate successes. Let's strategize for the upcoming year, dream big, and map out how to make those customer dreams come true. I even share my thoughts on creating a customer experience boot camp to prep your team for the new year. But what's a year-end without some celebration? We'll also be paying tribute to your organization's unsung heroes who consistently go above and beyond in enhancing customer experience.
As we close out this year, let's take a moment to rejoice in our shared progress in the customer experience realm. You, our listeners, are the true catalysts of change. Your questions, comments, and experiences have shaped our discussions and we eagerly anticipate more. As we bid adieu to this year, we are excited to see what achievements the upcoming year has in store for you. So, come wrap up the year with us and gear up for an even more customer-focused year ahead. Thank you for accompanying us on this journey. We’ll see you after the holiday break, refreshed and ready to continue making our customers' wildest wishes a reality!
Ever feel like your journey map leaves teams on the sidelines? In this episode, we explore a practical way to make customer journey mapping more inclusive without losing the customer’s voice. We reframe journey mapping as a verb—one that engages cross-functional partners, incorporates frontline insight, and is grounded in customer data—while keeping the focus on real customer moments like triggers, actions, emotions, and outcomes (not org chart debates).
From there, we introduce service blueprinting as the execution layer that turns insight into action. You’ll hear how blueprinting clarifies what happens front stage and backstage, and how people, processes, systems, and tools support—or hinder—the experience you’re trying to deliver.
Along the way, we share practical tips for building alignment and shared ownership: inviting stakeholders who felt left out, defining goals that cut across teams, and tying internal decisions to customer outcomes. We also discuss the constraints and gaps that surface when teams blueprint together, plus the kinds of measurable improvements you can expect. Whether you’re refreshing an existing map or pairing it with your first blueprint, this conversation offers grounded guidance for creating clarity, momentum, and more connected CX work.
Have a question you want us to tackle next? Leave it at askjeannie.vip, explore more tools inside our CXI Membership, and pre‑order Experience Is Everything to deepen your practice. If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review to support the community.
Are you ready to uncover the secret to balancing human touch with the scalability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Customer Experience (CX)? Tune in and join Jeannie Walters on an insightful journey that takes us to the meeting point of tech and touch, where we examine the delicate dance between personalization and privacy. As we embark on this exploration, we draw inspiration from the likes of Amazon, Chewy, and Zappos, giants who have successfully integrated AI to create a human-centered experience on a mammoth scale. The role of consistency, authenticity, and the human-AI equilibrium in building solid customer relationships won't escape our analysis.
Venturing further, we delve into the transformative power of AI and its potential to make customer experiences proactive rather than reactive. As we navigate the ethically charged waters of AI implementation, we'll ponder on how to maintain balance and trust. Most importantly, you are encouraged to think about how AI can enrich human elements in customer experience and why ethical considerations should be your compass in these decisions. Buckle up for an exhilarating ride into the world where technology and human experiences intersect.
Thank you to Bryan Kramer (bryankramer.com) for the great question!
Ready to decode the new age of customer experience? Join Jeannie and her insightful guest Nate Brown, co-founder of CX Accelerator, as they decode the latest customer experience trends in the face of evolving consumer behavior. They uncover the mysteries of the "hermit consumer" - a seismic $600 billion shift in consumer behavior brought about by the pandemic. Listen in as they discuss its impact on industries like entertainment and dining and how businesses can adapt to lure customers back into physical spaces.
Ever wondered why some businesses are just a joy to deal with? They reveal the secret sauce - simplicity. Tune in as they dissect how straightforward customer experience can outshine competitors and why it's crucial to consider every touchpoint in the customer journey. Discover the intimate connection between customer satisfaction and the longing for community. They also put the spotlight on Duolingo's bold logo change, sparking the conversation on how such alterations can impact customer perception. Buckle up for an episode filled with insights, discussions, and the cold hard truth about the world of customer experience.
Is your bookshelf begging for some enlightening CX literature? Ready for some compelling reads that will amp up your customer experience game? Listen in as we journey through the world of CX books that will satiate your curiosity and boost your knowledge of customer experience strategy, design, and measurement. From the classics like "Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping" by Paco Underhill and "Chief Customer Officer 2.0" by Jeanne Bliss to newer gems like "A Diamond in the Rough" by Steven Van Belleghem, we've got a treasure trove of insights to excavate.
But we aren't just listing books here. Jeannie Walters shares the invaluable nuggets of wisdom that she's gleaned from each book and how they can be applied to your organization. Whether you're a seasoned CX professional or just starting out on your CX journey, you're sure to find a book recommendation that will resonate with you. So tune in, and let's turn knowledge into power, inspiration, and intentional action that can catapult your customer experience strategy to unparalleled heights. Bottom line - It's time to elevate your CX game!
Are your part-time employees delivering the customer experience you want? They can be! In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares actionable strategies to help your part-time workforce understand the importance of a top-notch customer experience. From fostering a culture of customer feedback to implementing a Service Code, she guides you through the process of aligning your customer service with your overall customer experience mission.
Have you ever wondered what makes a customer feel valued and cared for? Hear how to integrate your customer experience standards into your hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance reviews, ensuring that your team knows exactly what is expected of them.
Tune in to discover how you can transform your part-time workforce into customer experience superstars. Trust us, you don't want to miss this one!
Get set for a chilling tale that will make your hair stand on end. Imagine a billing issue so terrifyingly complex it spanned three generations! Yes, you heard it right. That's the horror our host, Jeannie Walters, unravels on this Halloween special episode of Experience Action. She not only narrates the spine-chilling saga but also provides insightful solutions.
Are you unintentionally crafting a customer experience nightmare? Jeannie's got you covered. She underscores the importance of proactivity and intentionality in designing delightful customer experiences. Learn from Jeannie as she guides us through the labyrinthine process of defining excellent customer experience, creating an effective customer journey map, and much more.
Tune in, absorb the wisdom, and ensure your customers' journey is as sweet as a Halloween treat.
Are you ready for another CX Pulse Check? Join Jeannie and Paige, as they talk about what's happening right now in Customer Experience (CX).
What if you could tap into the secrets of how top retailers are adapting to the transforming world of customer behavior? Imagine the insights you could gain if you knew how these businesses are enticing customers with exciting new offerings like curbside delivery, sample boxes, and impulse purchases. The discussion in this episode delves into these innovative strategies, exploring how they're changing the way customers shop.
We also turn our spotlight on Lumin Fitness, a pioneering player in the fitness industry that's breaking boundaries with its AI gyms and virtual trainers. Get ready to discover the potential of this fresh approach to redefining the customer experience.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if customer feedback could be harnessed for a greater cause? We bring you the intriguing story of VOTO, a company that's doing just that by combining customer engagement with a social cause. It's a fantastic example of a business exhibiting its values and connecting with customers on a deeper level. We discuss the importance of such gestures, and how they can significantly enhance an organization's image and foster customer loyalty.
Tune in to be inspired and empowered to really look to the future about what customers want.
❔"Are there differences in how to approach member experience versus customer experience?"❔
Are you ready to define what customer experience success means for a nonprofit organization, association, or even a professional development organization? In this enlightening episode, Jeannie Walters places a spotlight on customer experience (CX) in member-based organizations and shows how you can use best practices and tools from the CX toolkit.
With a focus on the individuals your organization serves, let's navigate the member experience journey and discover how CX can help you understand and fulfill the promise that you've made to your members. Anybody who calls themselves a member of something feels a certain sense of belonging. We want to respect that and make sure that we are inviting them to belong in all the right ways. Together, we'll tackle the conventional ways of tracking success and uncover why they may or may not be the best fit for your organization. Tune in, engage, and let's revolutionize your member experience.
Ever feel like your customer feedback is being dismissed or ignored? Can negative comments be transformed into something that propels growth and change? In our latest episode, we tackle these questions and more. Discover how creating an effective action plan, gaining support from leaders and teams, and utilizing technology can transform negative feedback into actionable tasks. We examine the power of prioritization in addressing persistent issues and underscore the value of viewing criticism as an opportunity for improvement rather than a personal affront.
But the conversation doesn't end there. We dive deeper into the steps you can take to handle negative feedback in a way that not only provides a solution but also enhances the overall customer experience. We emphasize the importance of respectful acknowledgment, an authentic apology, clear communication about resolution efforts, offering compensation, and demonstrating commitment through follow-up. Learn how negative feedback can be a catalyst for process improvements, employee training, and product enhancements. As we wrap up, we explore the profound impact of a mindset shift, and how establishing the right strategy and tools can lead to an optimum customer experience. Tune in and gain valuable insights to better understand your customers, their experiences, and how to turn criticism into positive change.
Ever wonder about the optimal frequency to revisit your customer experience mission statement, success statement, and team charter? We've got you covered! This week, our host, Jeannie Walters, founder of Experience Investigators, answers this very question from one of our listeners. You'll hear some insights and practical advice on why and when to refresh these important tools.
In this episode, Jeannie stresses the importance of aligning your success statement with your organization's goals to reap the outcomes you're after. We also venture into the realm of customer collaboration and the vital role of customer feedback in experiential innovation. Whether you're at the drawing board stage or looking for a fresh perspective, this episode is brimming with actionable advice guaranteed to elevate your customer experience strategy. Tune in and get ready - it's time to put ideas into action!
What's going on right now in Customer Experience (CX)? We're doing something a little different, a little new in this Experience Action episode. This CX Pulse Check is your ticket to understanding the customer experience economy today, so you can plan for future success! You'll come away from this episode knowing more about how to leverage behavioral data and technology to create personalized, efficient experiences, and more. Fasten your seat belts!
We've brought in a special guest to add richness to this conversation: Experience Investigators' Director of Business Development, Paige.
In this episode, you'll hear real-life examples from Mcdonald's, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and Portillo's, specifically how they're all revving up their drive-through models. We'll also take an exciting trek into the strategy of Lego's adult-targeted, high-tech journey, Delta Air Lines loyalty offerings, and Amazon's latest offering - end-to-end supply chain management.
This is the new age of customer experience, and we don’t want anyone to be left behind. Let's turn ideas into action!
B2B relationships are rarely simple. Behind every account are buyers, end users, operators, and executives—each with different goals, pressures, and definitions of success. In this episode, we unpack how to design for roles, not just accounts, and how to anchor decisions to a shared definition of success everyone agrees on up front.
We walk through a practical approach to role-based journey mapping, showing how to surface friction, clarify what success looks like for each role, and navigate competing priorities without politics. You’ll hear how to spot misaligned incentives, rebalance when one team bears the cost while another captures the value, and use a clear North Star to make smarter trade-offs. We also get tactical on role-based communication—what executives, buyers, end users, and operators actually need to hear—and why your most important job is acting as a translator between metrics, outcomes, and real business impact.
If you’re juggling competing priorities inside complex B2B relationships, this conversation gives you a repeatable framework for alignment, decision-making, and momentum.
❔"How does the CX Charter address potential conflicts or challenges? And, does it provide guidelines for resolution that prioritizes the customer's experience?"❔
A Customer Experience (CX) Charter is a document to help your team deliver results more efficiently and effectively. It helps ensure you're all on the same page (pun intended). A CX Charter is key for cross-functional support. In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares six questions you can use to build your own CX Charter and addresses how it can proactively prevent issues so you can accomplish your goals. Tune in to hear how a CX Charter can help change influence into authority.
❔"Can we discuss how to conduct an annual performance review for a customer experience professional? What should that look like? What measurements should we be looking at?" How do we define success?"❔
Performance reviews can be rough from both sides of the table. They are often full of assumptions and expectations. However, these hard conversations are necessary. Jeannie Walters suggests that first you must look at what it means to be a customer experience professional in your organization. The answer will vary depending on your job description and your organization's customer experience goals. Speaking of goals, three critical areas for any performance review are values, mission, and alignment. We dive into each in this episode. Tune in to hear about defining customer experience success and measurements to explore.
❔"My organization is looking at starting focus groups or other avenues to bring in more of the customer experience perspective. What are your recommendations for getting started? How do we decide who to include? What other things should we consider? I'd love to hear your feedback."❔
Traditional focus groups have been popular for gathering real-time customer feedback for decades. However, our host, Jeannie Walters, has seen too many focus groups go awry. In this episode, Jeannie goes over some pros and cons of traditional focus groups. She also shares some additional ways to gather the customer feedback you are looking for, such as customer interviews, co-creation sessions, and customer advisory boards. For any of these methods, proactive steps are needed to set your initiatives up for success. Tune in to hear what you need to get insights, not just answers.
❔"I love how you discuss the difference between customer service and customer experience. I work with people who really believe they understand customer service so there's nothing to worry about. How do I get them to see that we should focus on customer experience, not just customer service?"❔
We need both customer service and customer experience to have a successful business. Customer service is essentially a reactive process. Customer experience is about being proactive and intentional. It's about designing the journey for our customers so they can get what they need and achieve their goals in the most delightful and effortless way possible. When we do this well, we all win – customers and businesses! Customer service is just one piece of the puzzle. In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares how you can help your colleagues understand that customer experience is a fundamental business strategy that provides a holistic approach beyond reactive problem-solving.
❔"I'm new to the idea of customer experience, and while I think it's great, I can't seem to get others at my software startup to really get it. I do what I can by bringing up the customer whenever I can, but I don't really know how to get others to care about it. Any ideas you can share?" ❔
We are so excited to have a new Customer Experience (CX) Change Agent in the world! Someone who has started connecting the dots between why CX is so important, what they can do about it, and what it can achieve — results like improved retention and referrals, increased revenue, reduced costs, and competitive advantages. Helping others in your organization understand the power of CX can be a challenge. In this episode, Jeannie Walters, CCXP shares some ideas about how to talk about CX and tools you can use to get others on board.
❔"How do you find the budget for customer experience initiatives, and who owns it? And how do other companies do this?"❔
Customer experience is not just a 'nice to have,' even though that's how it's viewed in many organizations. It really is a must-have in today's competitive, digital world. Customers have more choices and more expectations than ever before. If we don't make customer experience a strategic priority and a source of competitive advantage, somebody else will. Customer is also not a one-time project or department, but sometimes that's where we have to start. In this episode, Jeannie Walters discusses building a case for investing in customer experience and thinking like a business leader. This investment will have a positive impact on the bottom line and the long-term growth of your organization. She shares a few ideas for securing a CX budget, so you can get the resources you need to succeed.
❔"Our organization has talked a lot about customer experience, and we always say that the customer comes first. We want to get more intentional, more serious about [CX], but we're not really sure where to get started. Do we need to hire someone who is just focused on CX and can lead our organization in building customer experience initiatives and activities, or is there a way for us to do this more organically with the team that we have? ...Once we start to get people aligned, where do we begin? How do we make [CX] something that is impactful for our business?" ❔
These are great questions! Jeannie Walters says that if you are not asking these questions, then you are probably just coasting. As she walks through some of the ways to address CX leadership and strategy, think about where you are with your organization. Examine if you are being as intentional and proactive as you could be around customer experience strategy – and if not, what's stopping you. In this episode, Jeannie outlines some steps to take and people to include to get you set in the right direction toward successful CX. Be that CX Change Agent – you can move forward with CX wherever you are in your organization!
❔"I was talking to a colleague of mine in the marketing department, and we had a question for you: could the customer experience that our company delivers be used as a brand differentiator? If so, what would you recommend?"❔
Shoutout to all the Chief Marketing Officers and Marketing Leaders who have been "gifted" the role of leading Customer Experience. Our host, Jeannie Walters, knows a lot of marketing leaders are looking for ways to lead CX and get those marketing benefits, like brand differentiation. In this episode, Jeannie talks about using CX as a brand differentiator and the astounding results that can come from making CX a focus. Studies show brands that focus on customer experience throughout the customer journey are more successful than brands that don't. Tune in for more!
❔"My employee experience team is on the right track, and I'm really excited about the progress we are making. I want to ensure we can continue our projects, but I'm concerned about the company budget. Do you have any tips for approaching this and staying ahead?"❔
The employee experience and the customer experience are tightly linked. How do we make sure our leaders know that? In this episode, Jeannie Walters answers how we can show our leaders that investing in employee experience is a true return on investment of time, money, resources, people, etc. It all starts with having a holistic view of what employee experience really means. Then it comes down to defining our goals, defining what success looks like, and making sure we are collaborating with the very people we are trying to serve.
What a fun, quick question! All of us, as experience investigators, are looking for things. We are investigating, exploring, and evaluating all the time. Our registered trademark, above all, stands for Customer Experience Investigation. However, the "I" in CXI® can mean so much more. Tune in to find out!
BONUS: In this episode, Jeannie shares three methods CX leaders often overlook when investigating the customer experience.
Why Customers Leave: Timing, Truth, and the Cost of Inconsistency
13 Jan 2026
00:14:36
Losing a customer hurts—but missing what their exit can teach you hurts more. In this episode, we unpack a two-phase offboarding feedback strategy that captures the truth twice: immediately after churn and again once customers have settled with a new provider. You’ll learn how to ask hard questions without defensiveness, why timing changes insight quality, and how to turn churn into actionable CX signals.
We cover the exact questions that surface breaking points, broken promises, and hidden process gaps—then show how to translate those patterns into leadership language around risk, speed, and results. Plus, why AI can support workflows but can’t replace trust, adoption, or accountability.
If you’re ready to move from CX heroics to consistent, scalable experience design, this conversation gives you the framing, timing, and questions to start.
Please subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a review to help other CX leaders find the show.
❔"I represent CX in my organization. Although I try to be a change agent regarding the CX perspective, my organization continues to use NPS as a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) for the entire organization. What are your recommendations for promoting change in an organization where there is a high focus on the NPS and a lack of openness to alternate thinking?"❔
If you are asking this question, you are already on the right track. Often when we talk about customer experience (CX), the first instinct is to measure. From surveys to feedback, many CX leaders are looking for that one magic metric. It just doesn't exist. We are dealing with complex humans, and reducing their experience to one metric misses out on huge opportunities to look at nuance and discover wonderful ways that we can really deliver for customers.
In this episode, Jeannie Walters talks about: • Getting people on your team to buy into a cross-functional, holistic view of CX • What NPS (Net Promoter Score) means, and how it can be used to change the conversation • Creating a new formula for CX success and better business results
❔"Many times, we will get feedback from our customers about a pain point. We'll map their journey, identify opportunities for improvement and even implement changes. But then what?"❔
When making changes to better the customer experience, we want to make sure they are actually working for our customers. Monitoring the impact of changes is often where organizations fall short, and yet it's such a vital part of the whole idea of customer experience (CX)! In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares some recommendations and best practices regarding monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of improvements. Implementing changes is more than just about monitoring. Jeannie addresses the importance of communicating with customers and closing the loop on any feedback that puts your changes into motion.
❔"I work for a large company. We have several individuals that have CX in their title and are doing work, but it's siloed and not connected. Each person has a journey that applies to their own perspective. How can we become better connected?" ❔
This is something that a lot of customer experience leaders and teams really struggle with. When we encounter siloed organizations, there are often three challenges that leaders face: a focus on tactics over strategy, process maps vs. the actual customer journey, and connecting CX people and data across departments. In this episode, Jeannie Walters addresses each of these challenges. She shows you ways to look at CX as a mindset, strategy, and business discipline. Let's break down those silos and build bridges!
❔"What platforms are worth using for small to medium enterprises so that they can manage omnichannel communications with customers (email, phone call, social media, etc.) that are also integrated with a CRM?"❔
Keeping track of various customer communications, especially as you grow from a small to medium size business, is something many organizations struggle with. There is a dizzying array of technology options out there. Our host Jeannie Walters rarely makes specific recommendations about technology or platforms because the effectiveness of the same tool changes from client to client. There is no one perfect solution yet. In this episode, Jeannie helps you hone in on what you want from these tools to make the best choices based on your business needs, limitations, and requirements. Tune in for some examples and features to think about.
❔"I find myself in operations, and I keep helping other departments with their CX. I'm looking to join another company where their CX strategy isn't that solid yet, and I want to place myself in a position to run that for them. I've learned a lot, and I know I can learn a lot more. What's the best way to present myself in that scenario where I can help them take their CX journey to the next level?"❔
One of the most frustrating things about walking into a leadership role of any kind in customer experience (CX) at any organization is that the playbook is somewhat different depending on their CX maturity level and how they define CX leadership and success. In this episode, Jeannie Walters explains how to step back to understand CX management in an organization to figure out where they need to start or how to get to the next level with realistic and aligned goals. Tune in for some examples, insights, and challenging questions to ask. You are invested in success, and we love that!
Are you ready to investigate what is missing in your organization to make things better for your customers? We wanted to have some fun to mark the 6th month anniversary of the Experience Action Podcast, so we've put a true crime spin on this episode. Crack the case with Chief Experience Investigator Jeannie Walters and tune in to this first edition of CX Chronicles: Unmaking the Secrets of Customer Experience.
❔"Do you have any advice on how to prepare for a CX interview? As someone being interviewed for a new CX role, what should I bring up?"❔
Often in CX, the interview can be daunting because the job description, roles, and titles might not add up to what you were expecting. That's what makes the interview process so important! Jeannie shares an exciting way to think about the interview in this episode. It's a chance for you to see if the organization has the right expectations around customer experience and an opportunity to explore possible changes you can make to improve not just the lives of customers but the all-important business results.
Tune in for some questions you can ask and red flags to look for in your next interview. As you jot down the questions, make sure to note what answers would be most meaningful to you.
❔"What's the best way to learn CX, and what kind of certification should I get?"❔
Customer Experience (CX) is bigger than a business degree, and there are so many learning options available. There is no one perfect approach. In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares what the focus of CX learning should be so you can get the most out of it. She discusses customer experience as a discipline, strategy, and mindset.
This industry is ever-evolving and requires you to be a lifelong learner. So even if you are a seasoned professional, stay a student of CX. Keep learning and looking for ways to sharpen your tools.
❔"What do you recommend to organizations who have customer pain points but do not have the necessary data? ... How should someone representing CX pursue resolution of the pain points when facing limited data? And, should these pain points go unanswered or be addressed later when data maturity allows for it?"❔
While it may be the logical approach for leaders to ask us to justify everything we do for customer experience (CX) with appropriate data or at least include the data to make decisions, it often limits our actions. To expand our options, we must open our minds to what data can be. Let's get creative!
In this episode, Jeannie talks about: - building a case for anecdotal data and storytelling - examining the goals of data gathering - helpful tools for data collection and organization - prioritizing CX goals and efforts
❔"What do you think about how the new Starbucks CEO said he'd work 4 hours a month as a barista in different stores? Is this a good move or just a PR stunt?"❔
Let's talk about employee experience! So many leaders that Jeannie speaks with talk about how important it is to understand the front line. In many organizations, the higher up you get on the org chart - the less likely you are to deal directly with customers. In this episode, Jeannie talks about some significant changes that are coming from a few leaders taking steps to interact with customers directly and to understand the day-to-day efforts of front-line employees. She also discusses steps you can take to connect the C-Suite to the perspective of front-line employees.
New Year CX Check-In (CX Pulse Check - January 2026)
06 Jan 2026
00:11:53
Start the year with clarity instead of clutter. We’re sharing five decisive questions that help you cut noise, design automation that still feels human, and align your customer experience strategy with outcomes your executives and your customers actually care about. If AI, tight budgets, and shaky trust are pulling you in every direction, this conversation gives you a practical way to choose what matters and let the rest go.
We dig into where value is truly created across your journey and where activity masquerades as progress. You’ll learn how to build a balance between fast, scalable automation and the empathy customers crave when stakes are high. We talk through using a CX mission and a success blueprint to connect initiatives to revenue, retention, cost to serve, and risk reduction—without resorting to vanity metrics. Along the way, we share how to craft human-centered stories that move leaders, and how to build guardrails so AI augments your team instead of eroding trust.
Customer expectations have shifted, so your insights need to as well. We outline practical methods for refreshing journey maps with real behavior, analytics, and interviews, and we show how co-creating with customers accelerates clarity. Finally, we turn the mission from a poster into an operating system: a tool for prioritizing roadmaps, guiding trade-offs, and running quick post-launch reviews that keep experience quality high. Call this the year of intention—simplify, align, and keep showing up with respect and consistency.
If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate who’s buried in dashboards, and leave a quick review to tell us which question you’ll tackle first. Your feedback helps more leaders find the tools to build trust and deliver results.
❔"All the talk about a possible recession has those of use in the CX department a little worried about our job security. Is there anything we could be doing now to demonstrate how valuable we are to the company and encourage higher-ups to view our job as non-negotiable?"❔
The work you are doing as a Customer Experience (CX) Leader and CX Change Agent is important. It is work that will move your organization forward. Tune in to hear some ideas to make you more valuable, so you are seen as indispensable and non-negotiable.
In this episode, Jeannie talks about: - clearly aligning CX goals - intentionally investing in proactive CX - strategically winning the skeptics over
❔"I've heard you say that customer experience (CX) can help an organization innovate, but CX seems really reactive. Can you share any ways to tie CX with innovation?"❔
In this episode, Jeannie Walters shares some great examples of CX innovators and disruptors in response to this excellent question. You can connect innovation and stay ahead of the competitive market by investing in the right areas of customer experience in both B2C and B2B. Tune in to learn more about experiential innovation and find out what questions you should be asking to connect CX to innovation in your organization. We hope it inspires you to think BIG!
❔"Have you ever dealt with imposter syndrome, and how can I overcome it in the customer experience (CX) consulting world?"❔
While imposter syndrome isn't a specific CX career issue, our host Jeannie knows it's challenging in the CX world. There is so much to cover in CX and more than one way to do something.
Entrepreneurs, speakers, really anyone who goes out in front of people and says, "I can help you," has experienced some form of imposter syndrome at some point. In any industry, expert status is about more than just testing your abilities. It's about experience, paying attention to the world, keeping your own education up, learning from others, and reviewing best practices.
In this episode, Jeannie Walters discusses her experience with imposter syndrome and talks about: - Reviewing your goals for your chosen path - Looking at the evidence of what you've accomplished - Being humble and honest about your thoughts - Sharing your unique perspective
Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators Learning Center -- experienceinvestigators.com Customer Experience Professional Association™ -- cxpa.org
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