In the episode, Guy Shalom, the CEO of Glassix, shared the personal story behind the company's inception. Glassix began as a solution to a personal challenge: both of his parents have the same disability, which made effective communication challenging.  This experience inspired Guy to develop a solution that could improve communication not only for his parents but also for customers facing similar difficulties. Over time, this idea expanded and evolved, ultimately becoming Glassix—a company dedicated to improving the customer experience through advanced digital channels and messaging platforms. This journey from a personal challenge to a broader mission encapsulates the company's commitment to making customer interactions more seamless and accessible. Guy was joined by his Head of Product, Yoad Rashti and his CTO, Boaz Katan as I stretched my podcasting limits with three guests at one time! 🔹 AI-Driven Efficiency and Personalization: Glassix is revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers through AI-driven features like conversation summaries, chatbot AI answers, and mood interpretation. These advancements allow for real-time personalized responses, significantly improving both customer satisfaction and agent efficiency. 🔹 Cross-Channel Communication: With integration capabilities across multiple platforms like WhatsApp, web chat, Facebook, and Apple, Glassix provides a seamless communication experience. This multi-channel approach ensures that customers can reach out through their preferred platform, making interactions smoother and more effective. 🔹 Customization and Security: Glassix's platform is not just powerful but also customizable and secure. Offering flexibility for various industries and compliance with standards like PCI DSS, the platform ensures that user data is protected while allowing teams to tailor solutions to their specific needs. Catch the full episode for an in-depth discussion on how AI is shaping the future of customer experience and how you can leverage these innovations to boost your business! 🎙️ ----------------------- Show Notes Guy Shalom CEO & Co-founder, Glassix Guy Shalom is the CEO and Co-founder of Glassix, a leading software company revolutionizing customer service with its omnichannel interactive communication platform. Under Guy's visionary leadership, Glassix has become a pivotal player in the SaaS industry, providing leading-edge digital solutions tailored to the needs of modern contact centers. Yoad Rashty CTO& Co-founder, Glassix Yoad Rashty is the Chief Technology Officer at Glassix, where his expertise in driving technological innovation and his deep understanding of customer experience technologies empower leading companies to deliver exceptional customer experiences. With a robust background in software engineering and a keen focus on integrating leading-edge artificial intelligence technologies, Yoad leads his teams in developing advanced, scalable, and a secure platform that enhances customer interactions for businesses globally. Boaz Katan Head of Product at Glassix Boaz Katan leads the development of an advanced omnichannel messaging platform designed to enhance customer experiences. With over 10 years of experience as a product designer in both startups and large corporations like NICE and NetApp, Boaz has a proven track record of designing complex B2B systems. Contact Info: For guest contact information, I recommend checking out the multiple platforms mentioned in the episode. You can reach out to the business through their: - Website - Web chat - Facebook page - WhatsApp account - Apple account If you prefer more direct contact information, you might want to visit the Glassix website or their social media pages for further details.  www.glassix.com

Trust in CX: Lessons from the Executive Assistant to Ronald Reagan In the latest episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, Peggy Grande shares her fascinating journey from a regular middle-class family to becoming the executive assistant to President Ronald Reagan. From her unlikely selection to be the executive assistant for Ronald Reagan to her touching farewell to the 40th President of the United States, her stories provide invaluable lessons in building trust, particularly through the lens of the trust equation.  Here are some key takeaways: Credibility: Peggy’s story emphasizes the importance of intuitive confidence and competence. She recalls, "I was young, yet I had to present myself as a voice of authority, even when I wasn't always completely confident in myself." This highlights that beyond technical skills, credibility is built by speaking confidently and being willing to take on tasks and make decisions quickly. Reliability: Peggy demonstrated the immense value of dependability by always being present and prepared. She mentions, "I made it a habit to arrive at the office every day about a half hour before the office officially opened." Showing up consistently and anticipating needs is a cornerstone of reliability. Intimacy: Building a safe space for confidential discussions and knowing when to offer empathy is essential. Peggy recounts a touching instance during Reagan's Alzheimer's battle, noting how she had to step in discreetly to help him finish a familiar story. This exemplifies psychological safety and the delicate balance of being supportive without undermining. Self-Orientation: Selflessness in serving another's best interests can build profound trust. Peggy showcases this by emphasizing personalization in her tasks, such as learning Reagan's preferences and structuring his day accordingly. Her focus on others' needs over her own effectively strengthened her relationships and trustworthiness. Show Notes: Meet Peggy Peggy Grande was Executive Assistant to President Ronald Reaganfrom 1989 – 1999, after he left the White House. She is author of the book, “The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessonsfrom Ronald Reagan’s Final Years.” She served as a Presidential appointee during the Trump Administration and considers it thehonor of a lifetime to have worked for two Presidents of the United States in both support and strategic roles. Peggy is an international keynote speaker, TV and radio commentator, and widely published opinion writer in the US, UK, Australia, and the Middle East. She was Chair of World for Brexit and was national spokesperson for a California ballot initiative. She serves on the Board of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy and the Board of the Center for American Ideas. Peggy is a graduate of Pepperdine University, mother of four grown children, and has two granddaughters. LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpeterson/ Website: https://www.questionpro.com/us/? --------- The Delighted Customers Podcast is sponsored by Better Help

Salesforce.com is THE leader among their peers (11 straight years) in Customer Relationship Management solutions.   Phil Nanus leads Salesforce’s Customer Success organization, a team of over 2000 employees. He shared invaluable insights into how Salesforce is revolutionizing customer success through innovation, trust, and technology.  Here are my 3 key takeaways from our conversation: - **Embrace Technology for Customer Success:** Salesforce is leveraging AI to enhance customer experiences and improve sales; their collaboration with Gucci is a great example. The rise of AI and generative AI paves the way for more personalized and efficient customer interactions. - **Core Values Drive Success:** Salesforce's commitment to values such as trust, innovation, equality, and sustainability is foundational. Their one-one-one philanthropic model (donating 1% of time, products, and profits) and V2MOM document, ensure alignment and a clear vision across the organization. - **Passion and Lifelong Learning:** Phil’s advice to university students is gold – find your passion and be a lifelong learner. Passion fuels opportunity, and embracing failure is crucial for growth and learning. Phil shared a number of practical applications on how you get to be “Technology Led and Customer Obsessed” on this episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast. Phil Nanus is the Executive Vice President of Account Success within Salesforce's Customer Success organization. His team helps orchestrate the Salesforce customer experience and partners closely with Sales to create growth and value realization through strategic customer care. Since joining Salesforce in 2021, Phil has focused on customer health by working to optimize adoption, customer expertise, and technical health, at every stage of the customer lifecycle. He is passionate about helping customers build trust and maximize value from Salesforce products while enabling career growth and development for members of the Account Success team. Prior to Salesforce, Phil spent over 20 years in SaaS, Enterprise Software and management consulting (Accenture, Symantec, Infor, TSIA). Phil holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Central Florida. He currently lives in Florida with his wife and three children. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website:https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

How Bilt Uses 3-D Instructions to Enrich Lives “...Bilt's greatest usage by just sheer volume, happens literally on Christmas Eve and early, early in the wee hours of Christmas morning. And, you know, parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles there, you know, put the kids to bed and -okay, now let's go and assemble this in a bike and a play set and whatever, and expect it to be a very frustrating experience.” Nate Henderson, CEO of Bilt, turned a problem into an opportunity. With millions of users and partnerships with top brands like Apple, Weber, and the United States Air Force, Nate’s team is redefining traditional instructions through interactive 3D guidance. Here are three key takeaways from our discussion: - **Empowering Users and Enhancing Brand Perception:** Nate emphasized the importance of creating enriching experiences that not only empower users but also improve their perception of the brands they engage with.  - **Addressing Talent Shortages in Manufacturing:** One significant challenge in the manufacturing industry today is the talent shortage. Nate's company tackles this head-on by offering a unique, hands-on learning experience tailored for Generation Y and Generation Z.  - **Future of Immersive Training with Apple Vision Pro:** Looking ahead, Nate shared his excitement about the potential of Apple Vision Pro in creating fully immersive environments for training and entertainment. He believes this cutting-edge technology will soon become the preeminent tool for training and enablement, eventually leading to extended reality through smaller, more accessible headsets or glasses. Nate Henderson is chairman and CEO of BILT Incorporated, a SaaS company he co-founded in 2015. Under his leadership, BILT has grown from an idea to improve assembly instructions into a user experience revolution fundamentally changing the way professional technicians and consumers interact with the brands and products they buy.  BILT’s 3D Intelligent Instructions® transform paper manuals and videos into fully manipulable immersive guides. Hundreds of brands and manufacturers deliver next-generation training on BILT for the assembly, installation, and maintenance of thousands of products.  BILT is proven to reduce errors, rework, and calls to support while improving efficiency, productivity, and user sentiment. The award-winning BILT app is available worldwide in 12 languages on iOS, Android, Microsoft, and now visionOS for Apple Vision Pro. Prior to BILT, Nate spent 17 years at SAP where he filled various roles in product management, consulting, sales, and innovation programs. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in manufacturing engineering technology and the Thunderbird School of Global Management with an MBA in international business.  Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website:https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

CX leaders are faced with one of the most difficult challenges in their organization. They have small teams and limited positional authority and therefore need the support of others to make progress. Patty Soltis, CCXP, shares her wisdom from decades of experience leading change in great brands like Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, The Moffitt Cancer Center, and now in her role as a Senior CX Manager at Upwork. In this episode: Leading with Empathy The Role of Emotions in Decision-Making The importance of Detailed and Granular Information Servant Leadership Navigating Organizational Success Learn how to treat your employees like your customers to improve the experience for your customers. This episode is filled with practical tips and wisdom from a CX thought leader who has been there and done that and is still making a difference! Resources Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class Special Podcast Offer Valid through June 5, 2024 here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delighted The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Do we make buying decisions as individuals or individuals who are part of a group?  The answer may surprise you. Gary David, PhD is a Professor of Sociology and Experience Design at Bentley University. Dr. David has been researching sociology and its intersection with the business world for several decades. His findings challenge the status quo when it comes to drivers of consumer behavior and how CX leaders should think about engaging customers. We discuss how consumers perceptions of their social identities impact their brand loyalty, and ultimately, bottom line results. In this episode we explore:  👉 How social identity impacts buying decisions 👉 How to design experiences that connect with consumers social identity 👉 Where most companies get it wrong 👉 Strategies on how to understand social identity and design experiences that earn customer loyalty Resources Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class Special Podcast Offer Valid through June 5, 2024 here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delighted The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

The Science of Brand Love What makes brands like Apple and Nike not just recognized, but truly loved. Dr. Ahuvia’s book, The Things We Love, explains the psychology behind brand love, and it has been named by Amazon as a “best business book.” He conducted the first scientific studies of brand love some 30 years ago and continues to lead research on this topic. His research on dating sites led to an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show.   On this episode of 🎙🎙🎙The Delighted Customers Podcast we explore the science behind “brand love” and strategies companies can use to drive customer advocacy. Highlights of this episode include: 👉 Understanding Brand Love**: Learn how 'brand love' evolves from mere satisfaction to deep emotional connections, much like human relationships. It's not just about the quality of products but how brands make consumers *feel* that determines loyalty and advocacy. 👉 Strategies to Cultivate Brand Love**: Discover actionable strategies such as anthropomorphism (think Siri or Alexa), connecting brands to relatable personalities, and aligning with universal values to foster a closer bond with your audience. 👉 Impact on Financial Performance**: Grasp the clear correlation between brand love and profitability. Brands that achieve emotional resonance with their consumers typically see enhanced financial outcomes. 👉 Warnings of reaching too far** - when deploying brand love strategies Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company  

In today's fast-paced networked economy, professionals (especially CX pros) must work harder than ever to maintain and improve their business skills and knowledge. But technical mastery of one's discipline is not enough and that’s why Charles H. Green co-authored the Trusted Advisor (and the recently published the 20th Anniversary edition). The key to change leadership is the ability to earn the trust and confidence of key stakeholders.   The stakes are even higher for CX leaders who typically have constrained budgets, small teams and limited positional authority. Charlie returns to the show and shares some fresh insights that leaders can use immediately to boost their impact on change on this episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast. Highlights include: Why trust and trustworthiness are critical to any change leadership role How trust plays into the decision-making process Busting myths about trust - like it must take time to build or rebuild Lessons from Lincoln: The strategic importance of perception Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Lessons from Taylor Swift About How to Create Superfans with Brittany Hodak Have you ever wondered why some celebrities create a swarm of superfans that become lifelong advocates for them (and others, not so much)?  My guest on this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast worked her way up from radio station mascot to the head of a marketing agency that promoted the biggest name stars from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Dolly Parton along with some of the biggest brands like Walmart, Amazon, and Disney. Now an author and speaker, Brittany Hodak and I explore her book, Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates.   Highlights from the show: What lessons can leaders take from Taylor Swift’s incredibly loyal fanbase? The power of “common lessons” How to cultivate customer loyalty Understanding personal brand influence   And much more… Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Jennifer Ashman is a CX thought leader and experience design expert. She has been in the field for over two decades and is a Professor of Practice at Michigan State University, where she teaches Experience Design in the Master's Degree program in Customer Experience Management. Jennifer shares some real world examples to help make the conversation easily relatable. Content Highlights: - **Deep Dive into Qualitative Research**: Jennifer unpacks the myriad ways this research method informs decision-making to avoid costly missteps and enhance customer engagement. - **The Art of Human Interaction**: Discover the irreplaceable value of human-led research methodologies in drawing out the rich, personal details that AI tools often miss. - **Journey Mapping Mastery**: Learn about the art of crafting journey maps from the customer's perspective with actionable insights, as Jennifer shares her hands-on approach to customer-centric problem solving. - **Real-World Impact**: Be inspired by stories of organizations that transformed their practices and customer relationships through the actionable intelligence gained from qualitative research. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

You’ve just been hired as the Chief Experience Officer to run a financial services firm. What are the keys to driving sustained success? Join CXO Eric Smuda share his insights on the keys (and the challenges) to leading successful change by driving outstanding customer experiences. My favorite quote from Eric? “If you’re not using CX as your growth engine, what are you doing???” Some of the key lessons for this episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast (link in comments below): 'CX and Profit': Good customer experience merges business benefits with customer satisfaction. 'Interaction ROI': Show return on investment in CX by linking experience improvements to CX Suite imperatives such as enhancing acquisition, retention, customer lifetime value, and lowering service costs. 'Digital Impact': Enhance digital CX to increase conversion rates and decrease abandonment, demonstrating clear benefits. 4. 'Relationship Building': Build strong relationships by learning about colleagues' business areas and contributing to shared goals. And lots more gems. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

How can you design experiences to drive customer loyalty? Kevin Budelmann is an Experience Design expert, a professor at both Michigan State and Northwestern Universities, and authored Brand Identity Essentials. He brings over a quarter-century shaping design, strategy, and brand experience. We explore the converging paths of behavioral economics, design thinking, and customer experience—all through the lens of his extensive expertise. On this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast. 🔑 **3 Key Takeaways**:  **Trust & Emotion in Branding**: Kevin illuminates the critical role of emotional connection and trust in shaping the brand experience - imperative in an era where customers' decisions are heavily influenced by both.  **Understanding Beyond Surveys**: We explore they why and how of recognizing customers’ deeper needs and desires, which often go unspoken, to excel in tailoring your product offerings.  **Impactful Design Decisions**: Discover how design touches our everyday experiences, sometimes subtly, other times overtly, but always with the potential to create a strong impression – and why this matters to your brand. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Ken Peterson is the President of QuestionPro’s Customer Experience Division and joined me for an enlightening conversation about the intersection of AI and CX. QuestionPro’s Voice of the Customer platform already incorporates AI in its range of products from basic surveys to complex research, customer experience and employee engagement. GenAI promises to change customer experience but what are the smartest strategies to create a win for the customer, a win for employees, while delivering on business outcomes? Ken, a self-admitted geek and mathematician, shares his vision for the future and shared insights on practical applications.    In this episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast, Ken answers these questions and much more:  How can companies be proactive in addressing customer feedback to prevent passive customers from looking for alternatives? What are some examples of AI tools, like those used by companies such as Target, that empower employees to assist customers more effectively? In what ways can AI contribute to customer retention, share of wallet, and add-on sales, as well as improve employee satisfaction? Why is it important for content to be curated and actionable when incorporating AI into customer experience, and how can companies ensure that employees are properly trained to use it? Tune in to discover how integrating AI thoughtfully can revolutionize your customer service strategies.  Episode Notes: Meet Ken Ken Peterson has over two decades of experience in the marketing research, retail, technology, hospitality and transportation industries with a recent focus on Big Data Business Insights, and SaaS deployments. This ties in with his long history of P&L responsibility and detailed understanding of improving business operations. He has had the privilege of helping clients in retail, hospitality, technology, travel, sports and media better understand how to make use of the vast quantities of data that is now available, but often underutilized and misinterpreted. He enjoys delivering relevant insights, fact-based execution and bottom-line results. LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpeterson/ Website: https://www.questionpro.com/us/?

Dr. Judy Wolfe, who still practices as an ER doctor, talks about the transformative power of patient experience in healthcare. We dive into the critical role of trust, and how reimagining job titles and communication training can revolutionize caregiver-patient interactions. Dr. Judy highlights the urgency of embracing change management and the dire consequences of stagnation in patient care. Dr. Judy prescribes helpful tips from "shift hacks" to loyalty driver tips to "teach backs." Tons of gems in this episode from one the top medical care facilities in the world. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Keith Ferguson brings his wealth of experience as an entrepreneur along with his career in academia (MSU and FSU) to share his wisdom on customer advocacy. Keith defines customer advocacy and then we talk about the financial impact of having customers who truly advocate for your brand. Keith shares some common mistakes about consumer behavior through a visualization of the customer lifecycle and provides 3 actionable steps leaders can take to create more advocates for their business. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Joe Pine is on my Mount Rushmore of Customer Experience. He shares the exact moment, quite by accident, that the concept of "experience" as the next economy after the service economy was hatched. In 2020 Mr. Pine and his partner James H. Gilmore re-released in hardcover The Experience Economy: Competing for Customer Time, Attention, and Money featuring an all-new Preview to their best-selling 1999 book The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage. Joe believes that goods and services are no longer enough; what customers want are experiences—memorable events that engage each individual in an inherently personal way. Join me on The Delighted Customers Podcast as Joe shares a vision for business—a world focused on human flourishing, where individuals become better people and achieve their goals. Discover how understanding your customers' wants, needs, and desires can help you create greater value and make a positive impact. Joe shares practical insights and real world stories of how you can drive business outcomes. Here are some highlights: The concepts of mass customization and the experience economy Creating robust, cohesive, personal, dramatic, and transformative experiences Comparing work to theater and the importance of intentional and engaging experiences Changing the world of business to focus on human flourishing The importance of not wasting customers' time and aligning value with what customers value The concept of "customering" and the individualization megatrend Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Pink Zebra Moving: Differentiating on CX for Explosive Growth with CEO, Ron Holt I can’t think of a better illustration of how to prove the ROI of Customer Experience. Ron Holt sees opportunities in bad customer experiences.   In fact, he built a successful home cleaning based on disrupting a legacy industry by differentiating the experience his customers receive.  The model allowed him to scale a one-store cleaning business into a $40M nationally-recognized brand with 90 locations across the country. Ron shared his entrepreneurial journey and the compelling story behind his company, Pink Zebra Moving. It’s more than just a business success story - it's a masterclass in innovation, customer experience, and entrepreneurial spirit in the home services industry. 🔥Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation: - **Innovate With Customer Experience in Mind:** Ron emphasizes the importance of making the moving process fun. By focusing on building personal relationships and creating memorable experiences for customers, Pink Zebra Moving stands out in the highly competitive moving industry. - **Cultural Fit is Key When Scaling:** As the company expands, Ron is careful to maintain its unique ethos. Selecting franchise owners who genuinely share the company's mission is crucial for preserving the brand’s vision and ensuring consistent, high-quality service across all locations. - **Fail Forward and Commit to Your Vision:** Ron's honest reflections on the challenge of scaling a business and transitioning between industries reveal that perseverance and a clear vision are essential. Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities is a part of the entrepreneurial path toward success. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What’s the Pioneering Edge for Today’s CX Leaders according to NPS Creator, Fred Reichheld? There’s so much to unpack in this episode: Fred shares about a personal vulnerability What’s the right way to listen to customers? What is the huge mistake companies make relative to referrals? How do you know if you’ve won or lost? What is financial capitalism and why should it die? What’s on the pioneering edge today for CX leading companies? Will Southwest Airlines recover? And a ton more! Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Someone once said Marketing creates the brand promise and CX delivers it. But too often there's a gap between the two that's eroding customer loyalty and business performance. Nick Zeisler is a Lean Six Sigma expert and Professor of Practice in Michigan State University's Customer Experience Management Masters of Science program. In this episode Nick shares some valuable insights including: - the significant concept of 'Brand Alignment' was introduced, highlighting the imperative of aligning a company's customer experience delivery with its brand promise. - the importance of continuous improvement in process engineering was emphasized, advocating for a customer-centric approach to Lean Six Sigma prioritizing projects based on customer impact rather than traditional resource-focused methods - loyalty as a process beyond the initial purchase was underscored, with the suggestion that it's influenced by the consistency of the customer experience and alignment with the brand promise. Resources The Delighted Customers podcast website:https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/

This episode features someone who has been at the forefront of the customer experience movement, tirelessly leading the charge in understanding how trust shapes our interactions: CX luminary Bruce Temkin. Bruce co-founded the Customer Experience Professionals Association and broke the news on this episode, that he will be transitioning as Head of the XM Institute (Qualtrics) to the next chapter of his life. This is a very special episode because Bruce and I explore the critical importance of trust as it relates to CX and ultimately, generating positive financial results. In this episode: Why the XM Institute declared 2024 as "The Year of Trust" the misconceptions CX leaders have about trust, and how can these potentially lead to ineffective customer experience strategies the connection between game theory and trust-building and how leaders can benefit by understanding that connection the difference between cognitive and affective trust Meyer Davis and Shorman's definition of trust is discussed and how does this definition informs our understanding of interpersonal and professional relationships How to repair broken trust A sneak peak about what Bruce has planned for the next chapter of his life Meet Bruce Change creator, thought shaper, and movement maker who helps organizations become more human-centric. I help leaders gain clarity amid paralyzing levels of ambiguity, complexity, and uncertainty. I've advised many of the world's leading brands and hundreds of tech companies -- from start-ups to software behemoths. I'm often referred to as the “Godfather of Customer Experience” for defining and propelling the disciplines of Customer Experience (CX), Employee Experience (EX), and Experience Management (XM). I've helped shape multiple industry mega trends, including: Internet economy, cloud computing, digital transformation, CX, EX, and XM. The core of my work is an ability to forecast technology-driven trends, anticipate their impact on human beings, simplify the complex, and provide clear and actionable advice. I'm a builder who has led the creation of multiple global organizations. As an engineer at heart, I'm always intrigued by how things work. I study human behavior and how it is affected by different environments such as being a customer, employee, patient, fan, or senior executive. My advice always considers how different decisions will affect people, and how those moves will play out at scale and over time. So what is my profession? I have no idea. All I know is that I'm on an ongoing learning journey, continuously looking for ways to improve the world through a combination of empathy, strategy, experience design, leadership, and organizational behavior. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Every customer experience leader should know the basics of UX and how it fits into the overall CX landscape. In this episode, I talk with UX expert Darren Hood, who has 28+ years of human-computer interaction, information architecture, and usability experience. He's a faculty member in the Masters of Science in Customer Experience Management at Michigan State University as well as several other colleges where he teaches UX. The show is packed with useful insights and practical tips like: The parallel importance of CX and UX in understanding and improving customer experiences. How UX heuristics were applied to the Fathead custom decal upload process to reduce abandonment rates? intervention with a heuristic analysis at Rocket Mortgage serve as a case study for the immediate impact of UX on a company’s profit margin? the risks of implementing AI in UX design without a solid grounding in UX principles What he statistics from IBM, NASA, Coca Cola, Apple, and Whirlpool reveal about the return on investment and competitive advantage of being a design-led, UX-focused company Meet Darren Darren is extremely passionate about all things UX, holding 28+ years of experience in the discipline. Darren’s professional footprint spans such organizations as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, DigitasLBi, MRM/McCann, Wunderman Digital, Bosch, Ryder, Rocket Mortgage, Omnicell, Cengage Learning, National Geographic Learning, Sherwin-Williams, Duracell, and USA Networks, to name a few. In academia, he serves and has served as an adjunct professor, teaching UX-related courses at several universities including UCLA, Michigan State University, Lawrence Technological University, Brandeis University, and Kent State University. Darren is one of the authors featured in the book “97 Things Every UX Practitioner Should Know.” You can also hear Darren on The World of UX podcast, available through a host of popular sources. Darren is currently a doctoral candidate, completing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Employee experience and customer experience outcomes are inextricably linked. That data (going back to the Service Profit Chain) provides evidence of that correlation. But there's a lot of confusion about the difference between employee experience and employee engagement and the impact that each has on CX. Employee Engagement is too often overlooked in terms of it's importance to the customer experience and financial performance. In this episode with Employee Engagement expert, Mary Poppen, President, Employee Experience Division, HRizons, and Professor of Practice, CXM Master's program at Michigan State University, unpacks how to get to the magical state where "contagious enthusiasm and customer intimacy live." Also in this episode: Defining and differentiating employee experience and engagement Avoiding Engagement Pitfalls: Learn how to navigate common mistakes like uniform incentive structures and insufficient listening channels that undermine true connection with your workforce. Building Virtual Bridges: In a remote work era, one-on-one meetings are more than just touchpoints; they are lifelines that foster support and connection amidst isolation. The Intimacy Factor**: Explore how trust and understanding in professional relationships enhance recognition and nurture a supportive work environment. Meet Mary Mary Poppen is President of HRIZONS Employee Experience and Professor of Practice at Michigan State University teaching in the Customer Experience Management (CXM) Master’s Degree program. She is also a CS Angel investor. Prior to her current focus, Mary was Glint’s Chief Customer Officer at LinkedIn and Chief Customer Officer for SAP’s Global Cloud business before that. Mary holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has over 20 years of customer delivery, business consulting and executive leadership experience. She is a well-recognized customer and employee experience thought leader, speaking at global events and authoring several publications in this space. She recently published a book entitled “Goodbye, Churn. Hello, Growth!” In addition to her current roles, Mary enjoys serving as a Board Advisor and executive coach, and has a passion for giving back through female mentorship programs. In her spare time, Mary enjoys traveling with her husband and two sons, playing Pickleball, and wine-tasting with friends. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Listen for some insights that provide a fresh perspective on how to overcome the challenges CX leaders face. We uncovered why being a trusted guide is more impactful than a heroic leader and how to prove your value through a winning CX roadmap. My guest, Patty Soltis, shared priceless insights on gaining influence, and I revealed my own journey of overcoming stakeholder resistance. If you're a CX leader looking to elevate your game, you'll hear useful tips and get a sneak peak at The Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class. In this episode, Patty Soltis, CCXP and I explore: The roadblocks that impede and often derail customer experience efforts How lack of trust is a silent killer to real change  Why some stakeholders may be resistant to your recommendations The 4 keys that help CX professionals and other change agents overcome common obstacles:  Earning Trust Becoming a Guide Building Your CX Roadmap Proving the Value Patty Soltis is a Senior Customer Experience Manager at Upwork, the world’s work marketplace that connects businesses with independent talent from across the globe. Patty's experience includes a CX leadership role at The Moffitt Cancer Center, Neiman Marcus, Lord and Taylor and more. Patty can be reached here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattysoltis/ Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Imagine that you’ve been asked to lead a credit union in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. With a rich background in financial and nonprofit marketing, Kristen Heisey has been steering Everence Federal Credit Union towards new heights for the past two years. Under her leadership, the credit union has not only navigated through post-COVID challenges but has also embraced a vision of sustainability and relevance in a competitive market, putting CX at the heart of the change. Kristen instituted innovative programs like Connect 30, Branch Reimagined, Reach 2030, and Innovation Teams, to achieve breakthrough growth and impact Everence’s culture. Here are three thought-provoking questions that Kristin's experiences and insights might inspire: 🔹 How can organizations go beyond traditional CX metrics like NPS and CSAT to deepen relationships with their customers? 🔹 What strategies can leaders employ to integrate empathy and genuine care into their customer experience, rather than just pushing products? 🔹 In what ways can financial institutions leverage unique offerings, such as charitable credit cards, to differentiate themselves in the market? Tune in for a conversation filled with actionable strategies and inspirational leadership perspectives! Show Notes: Contact info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenheisey/ website : https://www.everence.com/

How would you rate your emotional intelligence? It turns out that the core of any successful customer experience initiative is deeply intertwined with the capacity and willingness of employees to communicate effectively. Emotional intelligence is a fundamental skill when it comes to communication. Sandra Thompson is an EI expert and ranks as a top 10 Emotional Intelligence leaders on LinkedIn. She joined me on The Delighted Customers Podcast to help leaders navigate EI and understand the very real impact EI has on the customer experience, and ultimately employee and customer engagement. "You have to put in the work!" Sandra says. "Some may be able to do it (improve their EI) on their own...while others may need an accountability coach to hold the mirror up and ask them tough questions." Sandra shares practical suggestions that business leaders can implement right away to lift their emotional intelligence personally and organizationally. Here are some of the highlights included in this episode:5 tips for improving emotional intelligence  5 Tips to Improve Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence and it's connection to CX The Jellybean Game and the importance of visceral customer experiences The impact of bad customer experiences and the inflection point for loyalty The practice of gratitude and its impact on starting the day positively This episode is rich with ideas and insights and I love the British accent! Meet Sandra! Sandra Thompson is the first Goleman Emotional Intelligence Coach in the UK. She started out as a Customer Experience consultant in 2010 when she founded Exceed all Expectations, a management consultancy focusing on improving customer and employee experience. Sandra rebranded as The Ei Evolution in Jan 2021 because she believes that the skill of emotional intelligence can transform the way businesses behave, improve the relationships between customer and employee and between colleagues too. She is still working in the field of customer experience but the new brand enables Sandra to work more with schools – she believes that teaching young people how to become more emotionally intelligent could help them thrive.  Sandra has been fortunate to work with clients such as: Vodafone, Arsenal Football Club, Waitrose, Open University, Battersea Dog & Cats home, and Network Rail. She gives keynotes and frequently presents on webinars and podcasts to an international audience on all matters CX, EX and EI. Sandra has been fortunate to lecture part-time at a Business School in London on the topics of People Management and Leadership and Professional Behaviours and Customer Management and she runs a series of postgraduate courses in Customer Experience and Emotional Intelligence. She presented her first academic paper in 2019, TEDx in 2020, and intends to start a PhD in 2025. It’s true to say that she’s a lifelong learner.  Recommended Book: Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl - https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl-ebook/dp/B009U9S6FI Here is the reference to the cards: https://www.ridersandelephants.com/the-emotional-culture-deck-pdf-download  Lisa Feldman Barrett link for her publications: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com  Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

How could you leverage AI to earn growth from customer referrals? Andy Cockburn, CEO of Mention Me, took his knowledge and experience of working with Bain and with Fred Reichheld during the infancy phase of NPS's launch to create an AI tool that does just that. The Earned Growth Model, advocated by Reichheld in Winning on Purpose, posits a very specific point of differentiation from other growth models. It states that the customers who love you the most are where you can mine the most future growth. But how? Andy unveils how he pioneered a model to translate into customer love into earned growth. In this episode:  Importance of Earned Growth and Referral Programs Leveraging earned growth as a vital metric for success Optimizing Customer Journeys for Advocacy Insights gained from referral networks about customer behavior The Concept of Extended Customer Revenue Using AI to assess customer propensity to refer and predict revenue Relying on advocacy for organic growth and stronger business relationships ...and so much more This episode is packed with gems! Meet Andy! Andy Cockburn is CEO and Co-Founder of Mention Me, the Customer Advocacy platform empowering brands to turn fans into a powerful growth driver. Since co-founding the business in 2013, he’s scaled Mention Me to employ more than 120 advocacy experts who have delivered over USD $2.2bn in revenue for more than 500 clients, including Puma, Charlotte Tilbury, Michael Kors and other major brands worldwide. Prior to Mention Me, Andy was the UK Managing Director of VRBO, the world's largest market-place for vacation rentals (that floated on the NASDAQ for $3bn), and formerly the founder and CEO of Wigadoo, a technology start-up in the social payment space. He has an MBA from INSEAD and MA from Cambridge University. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycockburn/ Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Imagine a world where AI not only understands but acts on unsolicited customer and employee conversations, tapping into a treasure trove of data — from contact center chats to doctor's scribbles. Leslie Pagel is a CX thought leader who led organizations across industries in CX strategy during her 20 plus years at Walker. Now she's helping healthcare organizations provide better experiences by empowering them to tell stories with data. We talk about ways that AI can be used to tell stories that simply couldn't be captured without the technology that's available today. In this episode: Utilization of machine learning to identify customer care frictions Processing of unstructured data like doctor notes and health records The Role of Storytelling in Data Presentation AI's role in improving healthcare strategies The Future of Surveys in Customer Insights Hear Leslie share her mission of leveraging AI to help humans understand humans. Meet Leslie Leslie Pagel is the Chief Evangelist of Authenticx – a conversational AI company dedicated to improving the way healthcare companies engage with patients and customers. In this role, she creates awareness, across the healthcare industry, of more efficient and effective ways for healthcare organizations to leverage the authentic customer voice to achieve the desired health and business outcomes. With over two decades of working with customer and patient experience teams, Leslie helps clients actualize the voice of the customer to show how these voices prompt meaningful action. Here’s a link to Conscious Capitalism: https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/   Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

What are some of the most common mistakes that leaders make when it comes to customer loyalty? Join customer and employee loyalty expert, NPS co-inventor, co-author of The Ultimate Question 2.0, and world renown CX thought leader, Rob Markey in Part 2 of our conversation on value, loyalty, and loyalty programs. In this episode: - Common loyalty pitfalls - The impact of broken trust on loyalty - Where Southwest and Delta Airlines misstepped and broke loyalty - Link between rational, experiential, and emotional aspects of customer evaluation - How the three lens we use to assess value work together If you haven't already listened to Part 1, I highly encourage you to do so. Meet Rob Rob Markey is a leader in Bain’s Customer Strategy & Marketing practice. He joined our firm in 1990, and has led assignments in the financial services, telecommunications, retailing, media, professional services, health care, building equipment and food processing industries. Rob is an expert in customer and employee loyalty, new product development and customer service strategies. He has extensive experience with direct marketing, new customer acquisition and cost reduction for clients in the retail banking, credit card and insurance businesses.  Rob leads the NPS Loyalty Forum, a group of approximately 35 senior executives from loyalty-leading companies around the world, such as The Vanguard Group, American Express, JetBlue, Telstra, TD Bank, LEGO, Progressive Insurance, PwC and Intuit. He has published numerous articles on various aspects of customer experience and loyalty in publications such as the Harvard Business Review. He is the co-author of The Ultimate Question 2.0: How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer-Driven World, by Harvard Business Review Press, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Rob is also the host of The Customer Confidential Podcast. He formerly served as head of the firm’s Customer Strategy & Marketing practice. Prior to joining Bain, he developed competitive strategy, led business development and served in product marketing for LEXIS/NEXIS and the IBM Corporation. Rob earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He is a graduate of Brown University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.    Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

The Three Dimensions of Customer Value Creation Rob Markey ought to know a thing or two about customer loyalty.  Rob was a CX expert and thought leader at Bain long before he and his colleague Fred Reichheld introduced Net Promoter to the world.  He is a leader in Bain's Customer Customer Strategy and Marketing practice and the co-author of The Ultimate Question 2.0 with Fred Reichheld. This episode was originally intended as a deep dive on customer loyalty through the customer lifecycle for my Michigan State University Master's students but it was just too good to not share in an episode.  As usual, Rob brings insights and wisdom to empower anyone interested in creating value for their customers starting with the three dimensions of value according Bain uses in their approach with clients.  Also included in this episode: 👉 The 3 dimensions of value 👉 Examples of differentiating from competitors through unique features and exceptional customer service 👉 How different dimensions of value are weighed differently at various customer lifecycle stages 👉 Focusing on revenue and cost forecasting in a language understood by stakeholders 👉 Copying versus learning and synthesizing from others 👉 Warning against going down a technology or data-led path without clear goals 👉 Empirical evidence on NPS as a predictor of a company's growth rate and a whole lot more, so much so that we had to break it into two episodes.  Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 and insights from future episodes. Meet Rob Rob Markey is a leader in Bain’s Customer Strategy & Marketing practice. He joined our firm in 1990, and has led assignments in the financial services, telecommunications, retailing, media, professional services, health care, building equipment and food processing industries. Rob is an expert in customer and employee loyalty, new product development and customer service strategies. He has extensive experience with direct marketing, new customer acquisition and cost reduction for clients in the retail banking, credit card and insurance businesses.  Rob leads the NPS Loyalty Forum, a group of approximately 35 senior executives from loyalty-leading companies around the world, such as The Vanguard Group, American Express, JetBlue, Telstra, TD Bank, LEGO, Progressive Insurance, PwC and Intuit. He has published numerous articles on various aspects of customer experience and loyalty in publications such as the Harvard Business Review. He is the co-author of The Ultimate Question 2.0: How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer-Driven World, by Harvard Business Review Press, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. Rob is also the host of The Customer Confidential Podcast. He formerly served as head of the firm’s Customer Strategy & Marketing practice. Prior to joining Bain, he developed competitive strategy, led business development and served in product marketing for LEXIS/NEXIS and the IBM Corporation. Rob earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He is a graduate of Brown University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.  Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Eckhart climbed through the ranks at Microsoft leveraging his background as an industrial engineer turned customer experience maestro. He sheds light on the transformative "jobs to be done" concept and how understanding the true gains, pains, and solutions can revolutionize how we approach customer satisfaction. We’ll also hear how Eckhart's method veers away from traditional journey maps to dissect the full 360-cycle of customer progress. With a deep dive into a real-world case study, we'll see how his process not only saves companies from costly missteps but also propels them towards delivering profound customer-centric solutions. In this episode: - What does it mean to focus on customer "jobs to be done" - Importance of understanding customer gains, pains, and solutions - Utilizing the "wheel of progress" for structured data capturing - Conducting and consolidating customer interviews - The five-step process to understand and prioritize customer jobs This outside-in approach to understanding customer desires to design and deliver improved experiences that connect to customers emotions is groundbreaking. Meet Eckhart Eckhart Boehme is the former Curriculum Architect Marketing Excellence @Microsoft Corporation. Eckhart is the founder and managing director of strategy consulting firm unipro solutions and an internationally recognized Jobs to Be Done expert. He was the initiator and co-developer of The Wheel of Progress® Canvas - a tool for structuring qualitative customer research. He is the developer the Customer Progress Design method. He was the subject matter expert to the German editions of the Jobs to Be Done "bible" Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen et. al. and Eric Ries' The Startup Way. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Elizabeth's professional journey is a tapestry woven with innovation, creativity, and dedication to enhancing the customer experience. With a career spanning over 18 years, including a significant tenure at the esteemed Chick-fil-A, Elizabeth's expertise has been sought after by illustrious brands such as Disney, Gap, and YMCA, as well as the Cooper Aerobics Center. As a serial entrepreneur, Elizabeth couples her business acumen with her artistic flair, notably stepping into the world of fashion as a pajama designer. Her passion for customer service culminated in authoring "The Power of Customer Experience," where she illuminates her insights through five pivotal elements designed to leave a lasting impact in the business sphere. Some of the practical tips from this episode include: How Chick-fil-A operationalizes CX The importance of care and Empowerment to business outcomes Leadership's role in building a customer-centric culture A victor mindset vs. a victim mentality Insights from her new book, The Strength of Purpose Lessons from cheerleading flops The power of "repotting" Her new line of comfy sleepwear What a classy individual who has a seemingly endless amount of energy and inspiration! Meet Elizabeth Making the Daunting Doable Elizabeth Dixon is an engaging business leader and serial entrepreneur connecting with executives and their teams, integrating strategy, innovation, leadership, and personal development in speeches that ignite conversation and inspire purposeful action. She shares secrets to creating exceptional customer experiences for audiences world-wide at live events and through virtual video resources, consulting, and The Power of Customer Experience, her debut book outlining proven elements for lasting impact in what has become the most crucial component of business success.   Blessed to work for extraordinary brands including Disney World, Gap, YMCA, and Cooper Aerobics Center, mentored by renowned leaders including Dan Cathy and Horst Schulze, Elizabeth brings almost 20 years of experience as a leader at the Chick-fil-A Support Center, where she served in Service & Hospitality, Strategy, Research & Development, and Human Resources. She has also collaborated with the great brands of Southwest Airlines, Drury Hotels, Zappos, and Wegmans.   Always growing, always creating, Elizabeth’s current role is Executive Director of Trilith Foundation, reporting to Dan Cathy, Chairman of Chick-fil-A. She has founded, operated, and sold several small businesses while coaching emerging entrepreneurs toward success in achieving their business goals.   In her leisure time, Elizabeth enjoys being a student of cooking with her daughter, an average backyard soccer player with her son, a vigorous reader, and an adventure enthusiast with her family. https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethdixonspeaks/ Elizabeth Dixon bio - https://qrcd.org/45Oe www.slumbersleepwear.com https://vimeo.com/889308776 Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

One of my favorite stories is The Fisherman's Dilemma. It's a tale of an angler who wants to bring a treasure trove of fish home to his loving wife and family. Although he uses every strategy and tactic, he discovers a whole in the bottom of the net. Regardless of his harvest, the hole stole his bounty. Customer acquisition is an important first step for organizations to prosper. But much like the fisherman in the story, unless you've got a strategy to engage customers beyond their initial onboarding, they will slip through the hole in the net. Join the CEO and Founder of SuiteCX, and CX thought leader Valerie Peck as she shares some insights on how to engage customers throughout their lifecycle including: The Importance of Customer Engagement Consistency across different customer touchpoints Influence of departmental and channel silos on engagement Importance of engaging and enabling employees Technology as an Enabler, Not the Solution Valerie was featured in this Creating Emotional Connections: The Power of Loyalty Programs with Valerie Peck: https://qrcd.org/42Mn Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

What if you 1 in 4 Americans relied on the experience you led? 60,000,000 Americans rely on AAA for their roadside assistance when things don't go as planned. Bryan Sander, CCXP MBA, leads customer experience for AAA and joins me on the Delighted Customers Podcast (episode will drop tomorrow). Bryan's advice for CX leaders interested in strategies for growing credibility? He's assembled a CX team of over people helping AAA deliver outstanding and consistently good experiences to their members. Bryan is one of the sharpest minds among CX practitioners who I've ever met. You will not want to miss a minute. Tons of practical insights from one of my favorite CX leaders including: 👉 Use of ROI models and financial tooling to show the CX impact 👉 Understanding how the Rider and the Elephant metaphor can help you influence decision-makers 👉 The Alien and Clark Kent 👉 Bryan's opinion of Fred Reichheld's Earned Growth Model Powerful! Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Colin Shaw is one of the original CX thought leaders and podcast host. He brings a fresh perspective to what drives customer loyalty and the "why" behind loyalty. He predicts memory maps will replace journey maps because of the difference between our experiencing-self and our remembering-self. This episode is packed with insights that leaders can use immediately including: Colin Shaw is one of the original CX thought leaders and has authored seven bestselling books on customer experience.  He brings a fresh perspective to what drives customer loyalty and the "why" behind loyalty. He predicts memory maps will replace journey maps because of the difference between our experiencing-self and our remembering-self.  This episode is packed with insights that leaders can use immediately including: 1. Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Customer Experience by understanding and responding to customer emotions 2. Reorientation of Loyalty Perspectives - The criticality of emotional attachment over rational decision-making in driving loyalty 3. Memory & Experience in Customer Decision Making- Evaluation of past experiences and memories in shaping customer decisions 4. Why the implications of the peak/end rule should impact experience design  5. The significance of designing customer experiences for evoking desired emotions Meet Colin! Colin Shaw is an original pioneer of Customer Experience. LinkedIn has recognized him as one of the ‘World’s Top 150 Business Influencers‘, where he has over 292,000 followers and is one of the exclusive Top Voices which is the official LinkedIn influencer program. Colin’s company, Beyond Philosophy, LLC, has been recognized by the Financial Times as one of the leading management consultancies for the last four years. He is the co-host of the highly successful business podcast The Intuitive Customer, rated in the top 5% of all podcasts by BuzzSprout. He has also authored seven bestselling books on the subject of customer experience. Colin’s LinkedIn newsletter has over 70,000 subscribers.Colin is also a keynote speaker and commentator on CNN, BBC TV, NPR, LBC, and other media publications. Before this, Shaw was a senior executive in one of the world’s largest telecoms companies, where he led 3,500 people in sales, marketing, and customer service. Colin Shaw founded Beyond Philosophy in 2002 as one of the world’s first customer experience consultancies. Under his leadership, Beyond Philosophy has helped many of the world’s most prestigious organizations improve their customer experience, including American Express, FedEx, and Caterpillar. Using Beyond Philosophy’s methodology, the world’s largest container shipping company Maersk Line improved its Net Promoter Score®* by 40 points in 30 months, which gave a 10 percent rise in shipping volumes.  Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Imagine walking into a clinic feeling anxious about a possible cancer diagnosis and leaving with all your concerns addressed, feeling genuinely cared for and understood.  Unfortunately, for too many patients today, that’s simply not the case. The pressure of production goals, burned out and short-handed physicians, and an increase in administrative load are a few of the challenges that doctors and medical staff face day-to-day.    As a result, patients who are awaited results from diagnostic tests like mammograms have their anxiety rise and are left feeling like a number. In this illuminating episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast, we dive deep into the art and science of patient communication with Rachel Hitt, MD.  As the Medical Director of Patient Experience for the Tufts Medicine Integrated Network, and Division Chief of Breast Imaging for Tufts Medical Center, Dr. Rachel sheds light on the pivotal role of efficient care and effective communication in enhancing patient interactions. Discover how active listening, empathy, and breaking down complex medical jargon into digestible information can transform a patient's experience.  1. Why are effective communication and efficient care essential in patient interactions? 2. How do empathy, active listening, and partnership with the patient contribute to communication in healthcare? 3. What are some strategies for breaking down medical information into understandable chunks for patients? 4. How can meeting patients where they are, including considering language barriers and providing interpreter services, improve patient experience? The lessons that Dr. Hitt shares on this episode aren't limited to healthcare - after all, humans have the same needs regardless of the environment.

Dr. Stephanie Thum knows a thing or two about red tape. In fact, she just got her PhD in Red Tape Theory! In this episode, she provides a fresh perspective, discussing the pros and cons of red tape, and its elusive cousins, green and pink tape. Using these insights, we explore how these nuances can greatly impact customer experience and employees' engagement. In this episode: Red tape holds complexities: It has both its virtues, such as providing structure and thwarting fraud, but it can also lead to unnecessary impediments and sludge, ultimately leading to employee disengagement and customer dissatisfaction. Handling red tape: Increasing customer experience and reducing friction should be top priorities. Practices like human-centric design, tapping into the voice of the customer, and intensive data monitoring can help manage the burden of red tape efficiently.  Role of leadership: As roles change and evolve, leaders need to tune into the needs and perceptions of their followers. This could involve managing the negative effects of red tape, and ensuring effective communication to avoid potential blind spots. New buzzword in business: Sludge! It's about those friction-filled administrative processes that eat up time and money. Want to fight the sludge? Steph shares valuable insights  Don't miss this insight-packed episode Meet Stephanie! I'm a senior professional with a proven track record as a customer experience practitioner and consultant, now part of SAP's global executive/board communication team. With roots in professional services business development, account teams, broadcasting, and content development, I've developed an expertise in customer- and business-oriented communication, leadership, and project management. My journey isn't limited to the global technology corporate world; I'm also a small business founder with experience in the non-profit and federal government settings. I recently completed a lifelong goal--to obtain a Ph.D. My research focused on global government administrative leaders' experiences with red tape frictions in their work. As a student I produced multiple pieces of peer-reviewed, published scholarship. These academic pursuits deepened my understanding of the intricacies of the human experience, organizational management, and extremely complex global leadership that I continue to apply to my professional endeavors. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Customer loyalty is the currency that sustains growth in almost any company. It means better business outcomes in key metrics like: Increased Revenues More Referrals Lower Cost to Serve Fewer Complaints Greater Forgiveness and much more. The question Valerie Peck, long time CX luminary, thought leader, and Managing Director of SuiteCX and I explore is what role do loyalty programs play and what role should they play in earning customer loyalty that's more than transactional. In this episode, we explore some important questions such as: 1. How do loyalty programs impact customer behavior, and what are the emotional components at play in these programs? 2. What are the potential downsides of loyalty programs, and how can companies navigate these to maintain customer loyalty without negative impacts? 3. In what ways could companies strategically design loyalty programs to drive repurchase and revenue, while also maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty? Meet Valerie! Valerie is the Managing Director of SuiteCX by QuestionPro. She is a senior executive with several start ups under her belt. She has deep experience in the CEM space as well in developing new products/practices at companies such as Pacific Bell, KPMG, PwC and StorageTek. In 2022, under her leadership, SuiteCX was merged into the QuestionPro Group as a wholly owned business. Her focus as managing director remains as the main evangelist, cheer leader and deal-maker for SuiteCX. She has over 25 years experience in building new businesses and making them profitable. Contact info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-peck-4b143 Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Did you know that trusted companies outperform their peers by up to 400%? That customers who trust a brand are 88% more likely to buy again? And that 79% of employees who trust their employer who trust their employer are more motivated to work(and less likely to leave)? The importance of trust is at an all-time high - just as our inclination to trust is at an all time low, Join me and my special guest, Deloitte Digital Principle and co-author of the new book, The Four Factors of Trust for this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast. We discuss the link between trust and customer loyalty including: How her scientific research unveiled four trust factors Why despite being universally recognized by employees as important, it's still a gap in most companies The tool that she and the co-author created, Trust ID and how it helps benchmark the 4 factors Interventions needed for low trust scores PS - Yes there is a family relationship to the other Reichheld in the CX world : ) Meet Ashley Ashley is deeply passionate about making the experiences people have with companies feel more human and has spent nearly 20 years helping her clients reimagine brands and experiences. Ashley believes that building trust is the single greatest opportunity to create a competitive advantage. So she created the TrustID™ –a groundbreaking measurement tool poised to become the gold standard for evaluating organizational performance—to help companies measure, predict, and build trust with their customers, workforce, and partners. Ashley is the Wall Street Journal Best-Seller author of The Four Factors of Trust. After graduating from Wellesley College, Ashley has lived, worked or visited nearly every continent and over forty countries, building a strong sense of global citizenship. Ashley’s work and ideas have been featured in many publications and conferences, such as HBR, Bloomberg TV, SMR, The Wall Street Journal, AdWeek, Dreamforce, CES, and Fortune's Most Powerful Women, amongst others.  Contact: areichheld@deloitte.com      Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Ian Golding ought to know a thing or two about the CX profession. He was a founding member of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA) and the very first Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP). He's the author of Customer What?, Keynote Speaker, and writer. He's written over 600 articles on CX and hosts International Customer Experience Awards all over the world. This episode is different because we didn't have any set agenda of what to talk about. We just explored some hard realities about the CX profession head on. I provides some deep insights about what CX leaders need to know and why they need to know it including: Problem: The 1st Step - Admit you have a problem Direction: Customer-led vs Product-led organization Trust: It's role in the corporate world Empathy: Why it's lacking in the CX profession Skeptics: Dealing with them in the "acknowledge phase" Facts: The importance of not basing CX on opinions Responsibilities: What CX leaders are 100% accountable for And so much more! Contact info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iangolding/ Meet Ian Ian Golding is a Certified Customer Experience Professional and Customer Experience Specialist. A certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Ian has spent over twenty years in business improvement, working hard to ensure that the businesses he works for are as customer focused as possible. Ian spent 17 years working in a variety of corporate organisations, including The Royal Bank of Scotland, GE Commercial Finance, GE Reinsurance and Brake Brothers Foodservice. In his last permanent role as Head of Group Customer Experience, Ian developed and deployed the Customer Experience strategy for one of Europe’s largest online retailers – Shop Direct. In 2012, he became an independent consultant, delivering projects in over 50 countries worldwide in the automotive, financial services, logistics and utilities industries. Ian has continued to work with a plethora of businesses across several sectors, including the pharmaceutical, banking, professional services, retail, manufacturing, education and technology industries. Ian has published more than 600 articles on the subject and delivered keynote speeches globally. Ian also served on the inaugural board of Directors of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA), of which he was a founder member. Ian was also the first person in the world to be authorised by the CXPA to teach the Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) accreditation. He is also the Course Director, Customer Experience for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Ian hosts Customer Experience Award ceremonies around the world, including the UK, European, US, Turkey and International Customer Experience Awards. Ian’s first book was published in April 2018 – ‘Customer What?’ The honest and practical guide to Customer Experience’ – is already being well received by professionals around the world. In 2021, Ian was awarded the title of the number 1 influencer in Customer Experience in the UK by Customer Experience Magazine. Examples of companies Ian has worked with are: Pfizer AbbVie Alexion (Astra Zeneca) Boehringer Ingleheim Volvo Nedbank KCB Bank Erste Bank Budapest Bank Old Mutual Group Tata Steel Toyota General Electric Tetra Pak Weleda Cisco Thom Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview Tom DeWitt, the creator of the groundbreaking MSU CXM Masters of Science program, on my podcast. This program is the first of its kind, offering a comprehensive and in-depth curriculum for professionals in the field of customer experience management. Key Takeaways from the interview: 1️⃣ Bridging the skills gap: The MSU CXM Masters program was created to address the fragmented nature of the industry and provide professionals with the broad skill set necessary to effectively manage the customer experience. With 15 courses and 15 different faculty members, including industry practitioners and specialists, this program offers a comprehensive learning experience. 2️⃣ Team-Based Learning: Unlike traditional lecture-based teaching, the MSU program emphasizes interactive and engaging team-based learning. Students work on real-world case studies, collaborate with classmates, and learn from each other's expertise. The strong bonds formed among students create a supportive and enriching learning environment. 3️⃣ Access to industry leaders: With a faculty comprised of experienced practitioners, including VPs of CX, students in the MSU CXM Masters program have unparalleled access to professionals who have been there and done that. Learning from their insights and experiences adds immense value to the program. If you have a passion for customer experience and are looking to enhance your skills, I highly recommend considering the MSU CXM Masters program. It's a game-changer in the industry, providing the knowledge and credentials needed to thrive in the field of customer experience management. For more information about the program, interested applicants and companies should visit https://broad.msu.edu/marketing/cxm/. Here's some interesting research that supported the creation and launch of the new degreed program at MSU: According to a survey conducted in the summer of 2020 with 160 decision makers that were provided with a description of the proposed MSU MS-CXM degree program, 87% indicated that it is important to hire employees that are experts in the field of customer experience management (CXM); 80% said they would be likely to give a raise to current employees who have obtained the degree; and 78% of US companies and 89% of international companies would be likely to hire students graduating from the program. Similarly, a survey of 338 professionals working in CX conducted at the same time found that 87% of respondents indicated that CXM is critical to success; 85% were interested in a master’s degree in CXM; 63% would be likely to apply if the MSU MS-CXM degree were offered; and 44% of respondents that are extremely likely to pursue a master’s degree in the next 5 years would be extremely likely to apply to this MS-CXM degree. Meet Tom DeWitt, Ph.D Tom DeWitt, Ph.D. is the Director of CXM@MSU, an entity dedicated to the advancement of customer experience management (CXM), and a fixed-term faculty member in the Department of Marketing of the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. As the Director of CXM@MSU, Dr. DeWitt has created North America’s first academic program in customer experience management (Masters of Science in Customer Experience Management - MS-CXM) and hosts industry conferences twice each year for organizations to share best practices in CXM.  For more than a decade Dr. DeWitt has also provided customer experience management Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

In order to design customer experiences that earn their trust and loyalty, companies must have a listening strategy. While a wide range of philosophies around customer listening, my guest has a theory that he's built a business on. What are some potential consequences for businesses if they fail to address current customer issues effectively? Matt Selbie believes that the gap business leaders are missing, that's costing them customer defection, is responding real time and closing the feedback gap immediately. He identifies the downturn in customer experience levels across industries and has a solution that can help and help now...and all customers need is their mobile phone. In this episode: - Hostile business environment and its impact on CX - Importance of quick feedback in CX strategy - High defection rates due to failure to address current issues - Customers ability to provide real time feedback at any point in their journey - Opiniator technology for real-time feedback using mobile phones Meet Matt Matt Selbie is the President and Founder of Oberon3 Here's a summary of his background: 20 years of international experience in the energy, retail, and software businesses. Successful strategic marketer with proven ability to grow revenues and brand equity. Managed internationally and domestically (US and Europe), services and product marketing, B2C and B2B, start up and mature businesses. Strong functional competencies, including market segmentation, brand positioning, customer feedback, consumer insights, product innovation, advertising development, media planning, financial analysis, P+L management, promotion effectiveness, go-to-market execution, and customer marketing. Managed a startup from inception, secured funding and brought to market. Was Managing Director for ConocoPhillips in Malaysia, developing our JV relationship and managing all Government affairs. Extensive operational experience in Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and USA, together with staff experience directing strategic brand development at a global level. Website: https://opiniator.com/about-us-opiniator/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewselbie/ Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

“Focus on what you tend to neglect” Andrea Howe, CEO, Author, Guest on The Delighted Customers Podcast Trust is the centerpiece of influencing others, of making real change happen. There's no one better to learn from than Andrea Howe, who is not only a trust expert, but she’s the co-author, The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook and the CEO of The Get Real Project. She’s led learning programs and consulted with big companies like Accenture, Deloitte, and Price Waterhouse Coopers, as well as boutique firms. Andea shared some powerful insights on why trust is so critical to change and she offers some practical tips on how leaders can become more trustworthy on The Delighted Customers Podcast. In Part 1 of a 2 part series, this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast includes: 👉 How leaders can lead with trust in today’s remote/hybrid environment 👉 Explanation of the trust equation and its four variables 👉 Why empathetic listening builds deeper trust than active listening In Part 2 we'll talk about a real world case study of a SaaS CRM company that broke trust and how that works through the lens of the trust equation. We'll also talk about what happens when you get ghosted and how to respond from a trustworthy lens. Meet Andrea A recovering information technology consultant with nearly 30 years of experience, Andrea P. Howe previously worked for the $1B IT consulting firm American Management Systems (AMS), where her roles included client project manager, client relationship manager, and later, Director of Leadership Development.  Andrea is the co-author, with Charles H. Green, of The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook: A Comprehensive Toolkit for Leading with Trust. She is the founder of The Get Real Project which has one simple mission: to kick conventional business wisdom to the curb and transform how people work together as a result.  Andrea’s focus for the past 15+ years has been teaching people in consultative roles how to get better results by getting relationships right. She has designed and led learning programs for companies like Accenture, BNY Mellon, CGI, Deloitte and PwC, among many others. She has spoken to executives, leaders, and teams throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Russia, and the Asia Pacific region—both in-person and virtually.  Described by audiences as pragmatic and engaging, Andrea provides a toolkit to increase trustworthiness in any stakeholder relationship that is both practical and provocative. Andrea addresses topics such as how to:  - Develop business/sell with trust  - Promote customer intimacy and client loyalty - Apply the dynamics of influence to achieve results  - Improve business relationships using all four variables of the trust equation  - Deal with conflict in a trust-building way.  When Andrea’s not working, you can find her in her art studio (aka the basement) taking far too long to finish her latest mosaic project, or looking forward to a future opportunity for partner dancing somewhere near her current home town of Annapolis, Maryland, USA.  contact her: www.thegetrealproject.com Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Storytelling is a critical skill for any leader but most of us struggle with how to do influence others. This episode will be unlike any other for several reasons: 1. Filling in the Blanks filmmaker, Jon Baime shares his secrets of applying the art and science of storytelling with the CX leader in mind 2. The documentary Jon shares is both shocking and captivating and reveals a long held family secret of his. 3. It also reveals a long held family secret of mine - yes, I'm in the film. Jon breakdown how he crafted the story and how you can use practical tips to master your own storytelling to make change happen! Listen to the podcast. Watch the film on Amazon, Apple, Vudu and on demand on most cable networks. Meet Jon Jon's new documentary, Filling in the Blanks is currently ranked in the top 10 of Amazon and has been featured in numerous film festivals. Jon Baime is an Atlanta-based independent producer with a specialty in non-fiction projects. Jon’s work encompasses reality series and lifestyle programming on one end and science, environment, and socially conscious content on the other. Over the past 20 years, some of Jon’s work as a producer has included the nationally syndicated travel TV series “Small Town Big Deal” and the motorsports series “Caffeine and Octane.” He has also edited training videos for the Centers for Disease Control and a series of web videos called “Science Nation” for the National Science Foundation. Jon also produced segments for “This American Land,” a PBS series covering environmental issues. Prior to being independent, Jon worked for TBS’s Environmental Policy unit, traveling the world, producing and editing the long-form documentary series “People Count” hosted by Jane Fonda focusing on climate change and population issues. He also served for two years as a producer on "Real News for Kids," a weekly children's news show produced by CNN and syndicated to television stations in over 200 markets. Jon started his career in television at CNN in 1987. Jon originally hails from South Orange, N.J., and is a 1986 graduate of Ithaca College. Filling in the Blanks is available on Amazon Prime, Apple Plus, Vudu, and more other cable and streaming outlets. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

In many ways, the Customer Experience leader has the most difficult job in the organization. Typically serving with a thin staff, a constrained budget, and limited positional authority, they need to get things done through influencing others. But how? Numbers along aren't enough. There's one powerful tool that CX leaders can and should become masters in, that's storytelling. On this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast, Dennis Geelen, author of The Zero In Formula and The Accidental Solopreneur, joins me to talk about why storytelling wins over stakeholders and he shares a framework on how to tell stories that inspire change. In this episode: - The unique challenges faced by CX leaders in gaining approval and support - How stories can help convey the urgency and consequences of neglecting customer experience - Using powerful illustrations such as "The Kodak Story" to make the business case for change -Avoid the mistake of assuming that data alone will be enough to make an impact on senior leaders Special Note: This episode sets the stage for the next episode which features a filmmaker who breaks down how he crafted his story, currently a Top 10 Amazon Prime documentary. Spoiler - yours truly is in the film sharing a secret of his own : ) Meet Dennis Dennis Geelen, is the Founder and Chief Difference Maker at his solo consulting company, Zero In, that he founded in 2018. Through Zero In, Dennis helps companies ‘solve indifference’ by implementing strategies to build a brand customers love and culture where people are passionate to work. Author of the best-selling book ‘The Zero In Formula’, Geelen has worked with companies in several industries, spoken at countless events, conferences, workshops, webinars, with dozens of guest appearances on international podcasts. And now? Dennis also helps other solopreneurs get started. With his latest book, ‘The Accidental Solopreneur’, providing a playbook for success and told through a riveting and relatable parable that is getting rave reviews from entrepreneurs around the globe. Catch is weekly newsletter, Happy Accidents, for a new story each week about some of the most famous people, products, or companies who found success through serendipity. Timeline Overview: [00:02:52] Solo consultant turned author and coach for solopreneurs. [00:05:09] Fascinating background; inspired to write differently. [00:10:25] Key elements of great stories: relatable characters, clear theme, humor, emotional connection, life lessons, conflict. [00:12:35] Editor assists writer in crafting effective story. [00:15:14] Show, don't tell: Use stories to engage. [00:21:12] Analytical person likes numbers, struggles with storytelling. [00:23:58] Use stories to relate and inspire action. [00:26:11] Balancing CX and security to retain customers. [00:30:58] Start team meetings with customer stories, positive and negative. [00:33:58] Self-publishing saves money and boosts credibility. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

How do companies like Ritz-Carlton, Apple, and Starbucks earn the trust of their customers? Building upon the trust equation introduced in the Trusted Advisor book, we explore the four variables that contribute to trustworthiness: credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation. Through real-life examples, such as a heartwarming story about a lost stuffed animal at the Ritz Carlton Resort, we uncover the power of trust in creating loyal customers. In this episode: Credibility: Showcasing professionalism, expertise, and trustworthiness through branding, communication, and online presence can instill confidence in your customers Reliability: Consistency is key. Consistently delivering on promises and providing a valuable, predictable experience builds trust with customers.  Intimacy: Establishing psychological safety, discretion, and a personal connection with customers can be challenging on an organizational level, but it's not impossible Self Orientation: Are you more focused on the sale than the relationship? Asking that question through the customer's lens could help identify areas to become more trustworthy Don't miss out on these valuable insights. Tune in to the Delighted Customers Podcast episode on "The Secret to Building Trust with Customers" and start creating amazing customer experiences that lead to loyalty and advocacy. Timestamped Overview [00:01:44] Elmo stays at fancy hotel, sends book. [00:06:25] Workers must pass rigorous training, be screened. Trust through credibility; website appearance, navigation, testimonials, certifications matter. Online presence instills buyer confidence. IRS experience eroded trust, opposite of Terminex example. [00:09:23] Hotel creates special book for lost Elmo. In the hospitality industry, personal connections matter. A hotel went above and beyond when they understood a guest's attachment to a lost stuffed animal. Instead of just returning it, they involved the entire staff in creating a picture book to assure the guest that Elmo was safe and cared for. This kind of personal touch can make a big impact, whether it's in business meetings or online interactions. Tesla even automates settings for different drivers, and Starbucks' mobile app saves your orders to Siri. It's all about making things personal. [00:12:16] Embedding trust in your organization is key. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Improving Customer Loyalty through Martech and AI-Powered Solutions   Greg Kihlstrom is a best selling author with nearly 20 books on Martech and customer experience management. Greg shares fresh insights into how companies can leverage marketing technology and AI to bolster customer loyalty and satisfaction.    Whether you're a C-suite executive or a marketing professional, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies to deliver exceptional, personalized customer experiences. Here are three pivotal questions Greg answered during our interview: - How can companies efficiently organize and access vast amounts of customer data for better decision-making? - What are the common mistakes in Martech implementation, and how can businesses avoid them? - How does AI enhance—rather than replace—human work to improve both customer and employee experiences and drive business outcomes? Subscribe to our show for more expert insights. Link in the comments! Greg Kihlström - Biography Greg Kihlström is a best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur, and serves as an advisor and consultant to top companies on marketing technology, marketing operations, and digital transformation initiatives. He has worked with some of the world’s top brands, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, FedEx, HP, Marriott, Nationwide, Victoria’s Secret, and Toyota.  He is a multiple-time Co-Founder and C-level leader, leading his digital experience agency to be acquired in 2017, successfully exited an HR technology platform provider he co-founded in 2020, and led a SaaS startup to be acquired by a leading edge computing company in 2021. He currently advises and sits on the Board of a marketing technology startup. He executive produces 5 business and marketing-related podcasts, including the award-winning The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström, now top 5 on Apple’s U.S. marketing charts and in its 6th year with over 500 episodes and millions of downloads, which discusses marketing technology and its role in the customer experience with some of the world’s leading experts and leaders. Greg is a contributing writer to Forbes, MarTech, CustomerThink, and CMSWire, and has been featured in publications such as Advertising Age, Business Insider, Financial Times, and The Washington Post. Greg has been named #1 on its list of the Top Global Marketing Thought Leaders by Thinkers 360, was named one of ICMI’s Top 25 CX Thought Leaders two years in a row, and a DC Inno 50 on Fire as a DC trendsetter in Marketing. He’s also participated as a speaker at global industry events and has guest lectured at prominent universities and colleges. Resources This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/DELIGHTED and get on your way to being your best self. The Delighted Customers podcast website:https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Sign up for The Trusted Guide newsletter here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/newsletter Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin/ Register for the next Trusted Guide Roadmap™ Master Class here: https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Trust is the currency of leadership. The most effective leaders don’t power their way through initiatives. They are masters at building trust as a way of influencing. Businesses that cultivate trust with their customers and employees outperform their competitors. We explore the Trust Equation, which originally appeared in The Trusted Advisor (now in it’s 20th Anniversary Print Edition).  We’re going to explore the four variables of trustworthiness: Credibility Reliability Intimacy Self Orientation ...and provide some practical tips on how you can become more trustworthy. Join me for part 2 of a 3 part series called “Trust and Loyalty Depend on CX” on this episode of the Delighted Customers Podcast. To Register for the 4 Keys to Leading Change as a CX Pro: https://www.empoweredcx.com/4keys Seats are limited so sign up today! Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

We have a special treat for you as we kick off a three-part series on earning customer trust and loyalty. In this episode, titled "The Fisherman's Dilemma and Three Types of Customer Loyalty," I will explore the deep connection between customer experience and elements such as emotion, trust, loyalty, and value.  What's the connection between trust and loyalty? What are three different types of loyalty and why is it critical to know the difference? What does the data say about repurchase, customer referrals, forgiveness, and cost to serve? Why should customer loyalty matter to the C-Suite? What are some real world examples of customer loyalty? Join me for this three part series. Next time we will delve into trust, both interpersonal and institutional and how it can be earned by individuals and by organizations. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Amazon has been on my wish list for podcast guests.  Dr. Francis did not disappoint in a powerful and thoughtful insider perspective of what makes Amazon a consistent CX leader. We will dive deep into the world of generative AI and its potential impact on customer interactions, as well as how Amazon harnesses this technology to stay ahead of the game.  Dr. Goh sheds light on the unique culture and principles that have made Amazon a global leader in innovation. As we explore the fascinating intersection of technology, customer obsession, and the ever-evolving business landscape, get ready to be inspired and discover new possibilities. In this episode: - Amazon's journey from a bookshop to a tech giant - At least half of Amazon's leadership principles focus on innovation - Generative AI in customer experience and contact centers - Caution against technology-driven strategies - Amazon's efforts to help customers use generative AI Meet Dr. Francis Francis Goh is the Digital Innovation Leader, for Amazon, leading innovation engagements with key clients of Amazon in the region. In 2016, he founded Hehsed Consulting, which specializes in Corporate strategy, innovation, CX, Agile and leadership strategies. He was also a mentor at NTU Nanyang (MBA) Business School. Prior to this he was the CEO at the global HR consulting firm, Mercer and President CEO at Fujitsu Singapore. Francis has 28 years of international experience in the technology and energy industries, having had numerous P&L and high impact leadership roles with global leaders such as Accenture, SAP, HP, Microsoft and ExxonMobil. During this time, Francis has lived and worked across Asia, Europe and the United States. Francis specializes in the areas of emerging solutions, breakthrough business models and innovation. He has a proven track record in building #high-performance teams and overachieving both revenue and profit targets consistently. He has a strong reputation for developing and deploying new business go-to-market strategies across sales, operations and resource management. He establishes core innovative business models which further enhanced brand positioning and grew both topline and profits as a result. Francis is a hands-on leader with deep solution and value-selling expertise across a broad spectrum of clients in the Asia Pacific region across industries such as Oil &Gas, FSI, telco, manufacturing and the government sectors. Time Stamped Overview [00:02:56] Passionate innovator shares Amazon's story and techniques. [00:08:24] Excited to have Amazon on our podcast. [00:11:09] Amazon's culture is centered around innovation. Innovation is crucial for organizations to avoid stagnation and competition. Amazon started as a bookshop and evolved into a successful ecommerce platform. Customer obsession is a core value and drives their innovation process. Starting with understanding customer needs before considering technology solutions is important. [00:16:04] Start with customer and reverse engineer: avoiding technology-driven strategy trap. Customer obsession key in all aspects. Understand customer journey and priorities. Amazon's success: started as digital bookstore, applied principles to expand into diverse businesses like AWS. [00:21:40] AI, specifically generative AI, is gaining popularity. It can generate new content and have various application Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter

Change management is a critical profession that focuses on the human side of change, utilizing various sciences and art to support successful projects and initiatives. Working alongside project management, change management ensures that individuals are prepared and equipped for transitions, driving long-term success. Doug Flory serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Change Management Professional and describes himself as a Changeologist. In this episode of The Delighted Customers Podcast, we discuss: Implementation of five levers for effective change management the different levels of change management maturity and the role of trust in effective change implementation he highlights popular methodologies, such as Prosci, ADKAR, Kotter's Eight Steps, and Lewin's Stages the intersection of change managment and customer experience Meet Doug We first met at the ACMP Summit in Charlotte and the topic was the Intersection of Customer Experience and Change Management 20 years of experience leading the way change works in Change Management & Transformation, Corporate Culture, and Ways of Working Background includes a multi-disciplinary approach towards a people-centered solution Currently, Doug serves on the Board of Directors @ ACMP and is an Executive Consultant His office colleague is a Yorkshire Terrier who is still how to trying to make copies Timestamped overview [00:01:01] Podcast host empowers leaders to delight customers. [00:05:01] Change management: a profession focusing on people. [00:10:05] "Steps to implement change in organizations" [00:13:13] Understanding and applying different methodologies is crucial. Popular examples include pro size, ad, car, and model. They are taught in classes, followed by exams and certificates. [00:16:30] Professional credentials like CCMP and CCXP. [00:21:37] A global electric utility company faces challenges with change management. A consultant failed to handle the transition well, causing issues with HRIS system and employee trust. A new change management expert was brought in to rebuild trust and communication. The expert emphasizes the importance of identifying stakeholders, understanding change impacts, effective communication, training, and long-term sustainment. These levers are key to successful change management. [00:31:41] Trust is core to many challenges faced. [00:37:18] Impact of employee satisfaction on customer experience [00:42:06] Customer and employee voices drive engagement, trust. [00:43:53] Online retailer's bot miscommunication resolved by human. [00:47:25] Hard question, unexpected path, successful career. Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Podcast so you don't miss an episode: https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Subscribe to The Delighted Customer Newsletter for practical tips and insights: https://www.empoweredcx.com/delightedcustomersnewsletter