The Customer Success Pro Podcast

Signup for the FREE Masterclass: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/masterclassIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, Anika Zubair emphasizes the importance of negotiation skills for customer success managers (CSMs). She discusses how CSMs often overlook their negotiation role, leading to missed opportunities for renewals and upsells. Anika outlines common mistakes CSMs make during negotiations, such as lack of preparation, over-explaining, and avoiding directness. She introduces a four-step framework for strategic negotiation, focusing on preparation, leading with a clear starting point, framing around value, and using silence effectively. The episode aims to empower CSMs to become confident negotiators and strategic partners in their customer relationships.Chapters:00:00 The Power of Negotiation in Customer Success15:43 Common Mistakes in Negotiation27:53 Framework for Strategic NegotiationConnect with Anika Zubair:Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, Anika Zubair discusses how customer success professionals can drive customer growth without feeling like salespeople. She emphasizes the evolving role of customer success as a revenue-driving function and the importance of building trust with customers. Anika outlines common mistakes in customer expansion, the significance of the expansion mindset, and the need for collaboration between customer success and sales teams. She provides practical steps for engaging customers and highlights the importance of tracking expansion signals to unlock growth opportunities.Train AI to be Your Revenue Generating Co-Pilot Guide: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/offers/P66P25Uw/checkout?coupon_code=PODCAST50Use the discount code: PODCAST50Chapters00:00 Introduction02:53 The Evolving Role of Customer Success05:55 Overcoming Hesitations in Commercial Conversations08:49 Common Mistakes in Customer Expansion12:07 The Expansion Mindset: Enabling Growth15:01 Collaboration Between CS and Sales17:58 Tracking Expansion Signals20:48 Practical Steps for Customer Engagement24:07 Final ThoughtsConnect with Anika Zubair:Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode, Anika Zubair discusses the transformative impact of AI on customer success professionals. She emphasizes the importance of embracing AI to alleviate administrative burdens, avoid common mistakes in its adoption, and maximize its potential in daily tasks. Anika provides practical applications of AI in discovery calls, quarterly business reviews, and renewal forecasting, highlighting how it can save time and enhance strategic decision-making. She also introduces her new guide on training AI to be a revenue-generating co-pilot for customer success professionals.Train AI to be Your Revenue Generating Co-Pilot Guide: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/offers/P66P25Uw/checkout?coupon_code=PODCAST50Use the discount code: PODCAST50Chapters00:00 The Rise of AI in Customer Success02:51 Overcoming Administrative Burdens with AI06:07 Common Mistakes in AI Adoption09:03 Maximizing AI's Potential in Customer Success11:54 Practical Applications of AI in Daily Tasks15:06 Transforming Discovery Calls and QBRs with AI17:58 Forecasting Renewals and Managing Customer Relationships21:12 Introducing the AI Co-Pilot Guide24:04 Running with AI26:57 RecapConnect with Anika Zubair:Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, host Anika Zubair and guest Parul Bhandari discuss the critical aspects of building effective customer retention programs. They explore the importance of understanding customer goals, the role of product market fit, and the necessity of tracking essential metrics from day one. Parul shares her journey from leading customer success teams to becoming a fractional consultant, emphasizing the growing trend of fractional roles in the current market. The conversation highlights the need for early-stage startups to prioritize retention strategies alongside acquisition efforts, ensuring a solid foundation for long-term success. In this conversation, Anika Zubair discusses the evolution of customer retention strategies as organizations grow. She emphasizes the importance of understanding customer health, structuring effective renewal processes, and adapting to changes in customer sentiment and stakeholder dynamics. Anika also highlights the need for continuous engagement with customers and the role of health scores in retention efforts. The discussion covers practical steps for building retention programs and the significance of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.Get your FREE QBR Revenue Guide: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/resourcesSignup to the VIP Waitlist for RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupChapters00:00 Introduction08:13 The Importance of Early Stage Customer Success12:09 Creating Retention Programs from Day One13:37 Understanding Customer Goals and Outcomes16:21 The Role of Product Market Fit in Retention20:12 Tracking Metrics for Early Stage Companies25:31 Essential Metrics for Customer Retention27:53 Identifying Customer Retention Challenges28:23 Evolving Retention Strategies for Growing Teams29:46 Understanding Customer Health and Renewal Programs31:14 Structuring Effective Renewal Processes32:42 Navigating Customer Sentiment and Product Changes34:57 Re-Onboarding and Stakeholder Realignment36:54 Leveraging Health Scores for Retention39:42 Transforming Challenges into Opportunities41:07 Surprises in Mature Retention Phases43:05 Engaging Customers for Long-Term Retention45:27 Keeping Retention Strategies Fresh49:12 Practical Steps for Building Retention ProgramsConnect with Anika Zubair: Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupConnect with Parul Bhandari:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhandari-1294488/Website: https://customerxsuccess.com/Parul is a Customer Success consultant based in Chicago. Following time working for large corporations, Parul launched her first Customer Success (CS) team from the ground up, and from then on has found a passion in leading CS teams. Parul draws from her collective background to design CS organizations which can be scaled successfully, to drive CS as a profit center and to drive value exchange and retention.Parul writes for Inc.com and has a collaborative CS booSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, Anika Zubair emphasizes the importance of building genuine human relationships with customers. She discusses the challenges faced by Customer Success Managers in managing multiple accounts and the need to shift from transactional interactions to strategic partnerships. Anika outlines common mistakes CSMs make, such as only reaching out when they need something and failing to personalize communication. She introduces principles for building strong relationships, including being relevant, consistent, and human. The episode concludes with actionable challenges for listeners to enhance their customer relationships.Get your FREE QBR Revenue Guide: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/resourcesGet on the VIP Waitlist for RevUP Academy: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupChapters:00:00 Building Lasting Customer Relationships02:15 Customer Management in CS05:34 Myths in Customer Success10:10 Principles of Strategic Relationships15:44 Consistency Over Intensity19:34 The Human Element in Customer Success22:18 Actionable TakeawaysConnect with Anika Zubair: Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

In this episode, Anika Zubair discusses the importance of transitioning from a reactive to a proactive customer success strategy. She outlines a step-by-step approach to building a proactive customer success organization, emphasizing the need to define success from the customer's perspective, map the customer journey, automate touchpoints, and regularly review strategies. The episode provides actionable insights for customer success professionals to enhance their effectiveness and drive customer outcomes.Get your FREE QBR Revenue Guide: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/resourcesChapters00:00 The Shift from Reactive to Proactive Customer Success03:05 Building a Proactive Customer Success Strategy05:57 Defining Success for Customers08:47 Mapping the Customer Journey12:07 Automating Touch Points for Efficiency15:00 Creating a Risk and Opportunity Framework17:49 The Importance of Regular Strategy ReviewConnect with Anika Zubair: Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupSend Anika a text :) Want to be our next guest? Apply here: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/podcast-guest Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, Anika Zubair emphasizes the importance of storytelling in customer success and upselling. She discusses how effective storytelling can significantly enhance a CSM's ability to connect with customers, drive revenue, and create compelling narratives that resonate with clients. Anika outlines a structured approach to storytelling, including the 'before', 'trigger', 'after', and 'future' elements, and encourages listeners to practice their storytelling skills to improve their upselling techniques.Get your FREE QBR Revenue Guide: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/resourcesChapters:00:00 The Power of Storytelling in Customer Success02:16 Understanding the Human Element03:40 Crafting the Customer's Story08:21 The Upsell as a Natural Continuation12:07 Weekly Challenge: Practice Your Storytelling17:22 Recap and Key TakeawaysConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP Academy Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, Anika Zubair discusses the vital collaboration between customer success and marketing with guest Ashna Patel. They explore how aligning these two functions can drive growth, retention, and upsells. Ashna shares her journey from customer success to marketing, emphasizing the importance of messaging and cross-functional teamwork in enhancing the customer experience. The conversation highlights the need for customer success professionals to leverage marketing resources and insights to better serve their customers and achieve organizational goals. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the critical alignment between marketing and customer success teams, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to enhance customer retention and product adoption. They explore how effective messaging and nurturing relationships can drive growth, and the role of AI in shaping the future of customer success. The discussion highlights practical strategies for cross-functional collaboration and the need for open communication to ensure that both teams work towards common goals.Signup to the VIP Waitlist for RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupTimestamps:00:00 Introduction 02:52 Ashna Patel's Transition from Customer Success to Marketing06:06 Understanding the Bow Tie Model in Customer Journey09:10 The Role of Marketing in Customer Success11:53 The Importance of Messaging in Customer Engagement15:02 Aligning Marketing and Customer Success Teams17:54 Leveraging Marketing for Customer Retention and Growth20:54 Building Cross-Functional Relationships for Success32:39 Team Alignment for Customer Success35:05 Marketing's Role in Customer Retention39:55 Nurturing Customer Relationships42:04 Effective Messaging Strategies48:15 Cross-Functional Collaboration for Success55:30 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Ashna Patel:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashnapatel92/Ashna Patel is a former award-winning Customer Success leader turned Marketer, bringing over a decade of experience in customer engagement, retention, and growth. After years of driving customer success strategies, she transitioned into marketing to bridge the gap between pre- and post-sales, leveraging her deep understanding of customer needs to fuel demand generation and customer marketing. Apart from this, Ashna is also passionate about helping professionals build personalized systems to prevent burnout, enhance productivity, and achieve sustainable success (personally and professionally).  Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, Anika Zubair discusses the critical skill of identifying customer churn signs and implementing strategies to prevent it. She debunks common myths about churn, emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement, and outlines a five-step framework for recognizing at-risk customers. The episode provides actionable insights for customer success managers to enhance their strategies and improve customer retention.Signup to the FREE Masterclass: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/masterclassChapters:00:00 Introduction02:50 Myths About Customer Churn05:54 Proactive Strategies for Churn Prevention09:10 Identifying Early Warning Signs of Churn11:50 Five Key Indicators of At-Risk Customers15:09 Engagement and Communication Strategies20:49 Building a Churn Prevention Playbook24:12 Validating Customer Risk27:00 Executing the Save Playbook29:50 Final Thoughts and Weekly ChallengeConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP Academy Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, Anika Zubair discusses the common pitfalls in customer expansion strategies and emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement. She highlights that expansion should not be treated as a one-time event but rather as an ongoing process that requires continuous conversations and guidance. Anika provides actionable strategies for identifying growth triggers, building expansion pathways, and reframing discussions around customer outcomes to drive successful upsell conversations.Signup to the FREE Masterclass: https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/masterclassChapters:00:00 Introduction03:11 The Myth of Expansion Timing06:06 Proactive Strategies for Customer Growth08:54 Building an Expansion Pathway12:10 Reframing Expansion Around Outcomes15:01 The Importance of Continuous Conversations18:14 Listener Challenge and RecapConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP Academy Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, host Anika Zubair speaks with Melanie Fay, an enterprise Customer Success Manager at Goldcast. They discuss Melanie's journey in customer success, her transition between various roles, and her innovative approach to customer engagement known as the 'anti-check-in.' Melanie shares her experiences managing a large book of business, the importance of delivering value in customer interactions, and strategies for understanding customer goals and outcomes. The conversation emphasizes the need for CSMs to adapt their approaches to meet the evolving needs of customers and to provide meaningful engagement beyond traditional check-in calls. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the evolving landscape of customer success, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs, effective engagement strategies, and the transition from traditional check-in calls to value-driven discussions. They discuss the significance of frameworks for customer conversations, the role of storytelling in enhancing customer relationships, and the necessity of taking ownership and leadership within the customer success domain. Additionally, they explore practical tips for managing a large book of business through segmentation and the importance of being creative and adaptable in communication strategies.Enter the Planhat Giveaway!Win an all-expenses-paid trip to Planhat Open: www.planhat.com/giveawayTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction01:52 Melanie Fay's Journey in Customer Success06:01 Transitioning Between Roles and Companies10:00 The Anti-Check-In Approach13:13 Managing a Large Book of Business17:03 Delivering Value in Customer Interactions21:13 Understanding Customer Goals and Outcomes25:02 Innovative Strategies for Customer Engagement27:00 Understanding Customer Needs and Engagement30:08 Frameworks for Effective Customer Conversations33:04 Transitioning from Check-Ins to Value-Driven Discussions35:06 The Role of Storytelling in Customer Success39:04 Taking Ownership and Leadership in Customer Success43:14 Segmenting and Managing a Large Book of Business47:03 Key TakeawaysConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Melanie Faye:https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-faye/I'm Melanie, a CSM living on a small island on the East Coast in Canada. After running my own business for years, I knew when I landed my first CS role that it was meant to be. I've been working in Customer Success for nearly 4 years and have been fortunate enough to gain experience in different industries like digital events, HR tech and accounting tech. Most recently, I was supporting mid-market customers at Keeper.app and am now moving into an Enterprise role at Goldcast. I'm excited to get back to my roots in the events industry! When I'm not listening to CS podcasts, meeting with my mentor or having coffee chats with others in tech, you can find me spending time with my two Labradoodles (Charlie and Lottie), on a paddleboard in the summer or hiking through snowy trails in t Podcast Editor: https://podcastmagician.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, Anika Zubair discusses the critical role of strategic communication in customer success. She debunks common misconceptions about what defines success in the field, emphasizing that it's not just about product knowledge or churn prevention. Instead, she highlights the importance of effectively communicating value, influencing stakeholders, and navigating tough conversations. Anika provides actionable strategies for developing these skills, illustrating their impact on career growth and positioning oneself as a trusted advisor. The episode concludes with key takeaways for listeners to implement in their own customer success roles.Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:50 The Importance of Strategic Communication03:16 Common Misconceptions in Customer Success05:08 Understanding Strategic Communication11:00 Developing Strategic Communication Skills24:15 Impact of Strategic Communication on Career Growth30:09 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysConnect with Anika Zubair: Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/Coaching with Anika: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/revupMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode, Anika Zubair discusses the challenges of scaling customer success teams without losing sight of customer value with guest Saahil Karkera. They explore the importance of understanding customer value, the need for continuous engagement with customers, and the significance of personal relationships in customer success. Sahil shares insights from his experience in scaling CS teams in SaaS companies and emphasizes the need for ongoing conversations to define and deliver value effectively. In this conversation, we explore the intricacies of customer success management, focusing on strategies for effective engagement, the balance between hiring and optimizing processes, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experiences. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration across teams, learning from past mistakes, and the future direction of customer success towards hyper-personalization and value delivery.Enter the Planhat Giveaway!Win an all-expenses-paid trip to Planhat Open: www.planhat.com/giveawayChapters:00:00 Introduction 12:32 Defining Customer Value 24:39 Building Personal Relationships in CS 26:40 Navigating Customer Engagement and Progress Tracking 29:07 Optimizing Customer Success Management Without Overwhelm 32:02 Hiring vs. Optimizing: Balancing Resources in Customer Success 37:04 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Customer Success 41:00 Learning from Mistakes: Collaborating Across Teams 43:47 The Future of Customer Success: Hyper-Personalization and ValueConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Saahil Karkera :https://www.linkedin.com/in/saahilkarkera/CS Connect: https://www.joincsconnect.com/Saahil Karkera is a Customer Success leader with 9 years of experience scaling and transforming CS teams in Seed to Series A/B SaaS companies. He took an unconventional path to Customer Success, starting in Enterprise Sales at a startup that was later acquired by one of its customers. Since then, he has built and scaled three high-performing CS teams, with a deep focus on driving retention, expansion, and operational efficiency.Beyond his CS leadership role, Saahil is the founder of CS Connect—a no-fluff, results-driven community for Customer Success leaders navigating the chaos of SaaS startups. His mission? To arm CS leaders with the tools, knowledge, and network to turn CS into a scalable revenue driver rather than just a support function.When he's not optimizing CS strategies, you'll find him spending time with his two young children, Mae and Colin.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.Enter the Planhat Giveway to win an all expense trip to Planhat Open: www.planhat.com/giveawayIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, host Anika Zubair speaks with Guy Rahamim, a Senior Manager of Customer Success at Linear B. They discuss Guy's unique journey from studying dentistry to thriving in customer success, the innovative strategies he employs to reduce churn, and the importance of data-driven decisions in customer success. Guy shares insights on the Ideal Customer Behavior (ICB) metric, which helps in understanding customer engagement and retention.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:49 Guy's Journey to Customer Success06:08 Understanding Linear B and Its Operations09:29 Career Aspirations and Goals in Customer Success11:53 Winning the Creative Customer Success Leader Award14:12 Challenges with Churn and Customer Health Scores15:11 Introducing Ideal Customer Behavior (ICB)20:00 Building Cross-Functional Teams for Success23:48 The Importance of Collaboration in Customer Success24:16 Proactive Risk Management in Customer Success30:27 Leveraging Data for Customer Engagement36:38 Renewal Strategies and Customer Value41:47 QuickFire Questions RoundConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokInstagramWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Guy Rahamim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-rahamim/Guy Rahamim is a dynamic leader in customer success, passionate about helping R&D teams achieve transformative business outcomes. With over a decade of global experience spanning EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, Guy combines strategic planning, leadership, and technical expertise to drive positive net revenue retention and high customer satisfaction.Currently, Guy is a Senior Manager of Customer Success at LinearB. He is also a founding lead at CS Insider and a member of CS Angel, a syndicate of customer success experts investing in innovative technologies.Guy holds a B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences and an MBA and is recognized as a 2022 & 2023 Top 100 Customer Success Strategist. He is certified at all four levels of the Certified Customer Success Management Professional program, highlighting his dedication to continuous learning and excellence.Guy's ICB Framework: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BTQBIKeWqfI4LfX6MlkcFkIFBEqvUqkxayJtSrsHpuI/edit#slide=id.g2cf81ef3f44_0_66Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, host Anika Zubair speaks with Ejieme Eromosele, an award-winning customer success leader, about her journey from customer success to general management. They discuss the importance of customer advocacy in driving new sales, strategies for upselling and expansion, and the evolving role of customer success in the go-to-market strategy. Ejieme shares her insights on using data to drive urgency, the significance of a discovery-focused mindset, and the need for value-based storytelling in customer success. The conversation highlights key learnings and the future of customer success as a driver of sustainable growth.Want to win a free pair of airpod pros, sign up for a demo with Vitally: vitally.io/csproDon't forget to signup for CSM RevUP to help unlock your revenue potential: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/csm-revup-academy/Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:56 Meet Ejieme Eromosele 03:22 Transitioning to a General Manager Role 08:08 The Importance of Customer Advocacy in Sales 14:44 Shaping Post-Acquisition Strategies for New Sales 22:53 Building a Customer Growth Function 28:02 Strategies for Upselling and Expansion 37:02 Key Learnings and Future of Customer SuccessConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Ejieme:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejieme/Ejieme Eromosele is an award-winning Customer Experience and Success Executive with over 15 years of experience in building high-impact customer programs. As the General Manager for EMEA at Quiq, Ejieme leads the company's expansion across Europe, overseeing all aspects of business growth - including marketing, customer success, new business sales and partnerships.Ejieme's expertise spans customer-led growth, with a focus on transforming customer success functions into powerful drivers of business value. She is also the founder of Success in Black, a pioneering platform that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in customer success.Prior to Quiq, she was Managing Director of Customer Experience at The New York Times and led The Times' efforts to drive retention, loyalty and brand advocacy of its growing subscriber base.Ejieme spent a decade in management consulting at PwC and Accenture. In these roles, she led CX programs across sectors.Beyond her corporate work, Ejieme is a respected advisor, speaker, board member, and angel investor, known for her insights on customer experience strategy and customer success. She serves on the board of the Conversational Design Institute Foundation and the AI Council of Firstboard.io, where she contributes her expertise to discussions on responsible and ethical AI and the future of customer engagement.Ejieme has a BA in Economics from NYU's College of Arts & Science and an MBA in Strategy and Global Business from NYU's Stern School of Business.Follow the PodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @TheCustomerSuccessProApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-customer-success-pro-podcast/id1733Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

In this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, host Anika Zubair speaks with Stino, the head of customer success at whale.io. They discuss the evolving role of customer success in the SaaS industry, emphasizing the importance of a revenue-focused mindset. Stino shares his journey from being a tax attorney to a customer success leader, the challenges he faced in his first leadership role, and the strategies he implemented to drive revenue through customer success. The conversation highlights the significance of authenticity, team dynamics, and practical approaches to achieving customer outcomes and business growth. In this conversation, Anika Zubair discusses the importance of understanding customer personalities and building trust through personal connections in customer success. She emphasizes the need for a revenue mindset while maintaining authentic relationships with clients. Anika also addresses the challenges posed by budget cycles and economic constraints, highlighting the evolving role of customer success managers as strategic advisors. She shares valuable lessons learned in leadership and the significance of finding a supportive community in the profession of customer success.Want to win a free pair of airpod pros, sign up for a demo with Vitally: vitally.io/csproDon't forget to signup for CSM RevUP to help unlock your revenue potential: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/csm-revup-academy/Chapters:00:00 Introduction 01:56 Meet Stino: A Journey from Law to Customer Success07:15 Understanding Whale.io and Its Revenue Focus10:12 The Shift to Revenue-Focused Customer Success Leadership19:48 Key Strategies for Transitioning to Revenue Leadership25:57 Understanding Customer Personalities32:04 Building Trust Through Personal Connections36:46 Navigating Budget Cycles and Economic Constraints40:39 The Evolving Role of Customer Success43:34 Lessons Learned in Customer Success LeadershipConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyFollow the Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustomerSuccessPro Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IVZCeBTFUFl2iysDe9uJu Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-customer-success-pro-podcast/id1733540749Connect with Stino:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijn-smet-

In this podcast episode, Anika Zubair interviews Jay Nathan, COO of Churnkey, about his extensive experience in the SaaS industry and the evolving role of customer success. They discuss the key metrics that drive growth in SaaS, such as retention, customer lifetime value, and profitability, emphasizing the need for agility in tracking and adjusting these metrics. Jay shares insights into his role as COO, the strategic importance of aligning CS with business goals, and the dual focus on customer and company needs. They also explore how customer success is shifting to a more strategic, revenue-driving function within SaaS companies. The episode provides practical advice for CS leaders who want to make a significant impact on their organization.Want to win a free pair of airpod pros, sign up for a demo with Vitally: vitally.io/csproTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Jay Nathan & His Journey04:16 - The Role of a COO in a Startup08:17 - Key Metrics for SaaS Companies13:35 - Understanding Gross Retention vs. Net Retention18:28 - Customer Lifetime Value & Strategic Decision-Making24:03 - Metrics to Track in Day-to-Day CS Operations32:30 - Adapting Metrics as Your SaaS Business Grows43:30 - Quickfire RoundConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyFollow the Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustomerSuccessPro Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IVZCeBTFUFl2iysDe9uJu Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-customer-success-pro-podcast/id1733540749Connect with Jay Nathan:LinkedinCheck out his newsletter, GrowthCurveJay Nathan has over 20 years of experience in the software industry, having held leadership roles at prominent technology companies such as Blackbaud, Higher Logic, PeopleMatter, and now Churnkey. He has hands-on experience in bootstrapped, VC-backed, private equity-owned, and publicly traded software companies. In 2017 he launched a management consulting firm focused on SaaS companies and in 2018 launched the popular Gain Grow Retain customer success community, growing it to over 15,000 members worldwide. Jay has spoken and written extensively on leadership, sales, marketing, product, and customer success in the software industry. While his ultimate goal is to launch a Jimmy Buffett cover band, for now, he is focused on helping B2B SaaS companies grow and thrive.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.In this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, host Anika Zubair discusses with Carly Agar, founder and CEO of Carly Agar Training, about effective strategies for landing promotions in customer success. The conversation covers the importance of aligning customer success strategies with business objectives, identifying upsell opportunities, and the nuances between a standard CSM role and an enterprise CSM role. Carly shares her insights on strategic account planning, self-advocacy, and building professional development skills. This detailed dialogue aims to provide CSMs with actionable steps to elevate their careers and excel in enterprise roles.00:00 Introduction02:04 Guest Introduction: Carly Agar03:16 Carly's Career Journey07:44 Services Offered by Carly Agar Training10:29 Advocating for Yourself in Your Career14:12 Differences Between CSM and Enterprise CSM Roles18:25 Skills Needed for Enterprise CSMs20:37 Steps to Transition to an Enterprise CSM Role24:37 Advocating for Promotion: Key Strategies25:07 Planting the Seed for Promotion26:59 Self-Advocacy Tips for Different Personalities29:34 Showcasing Your Value Across the Business35:45 Proving Your Readiness for Enterprise Accounts41:38 Quick Fire Questions with CarlyConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTok: tiktok.com/@thecustomersuccessproWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Carly Agar:LinkedinWebsiteAs Founder/CEO of Carly Agar Training, Carly runs two coaching programs for customer success job seekers (one for experienced CS pros and another for career transitioners), and hosts the Customer Success Career Coach podcast. Before this, she spent 10 years growing her own career in customer success, primarily in hyper growth SaaS companies, where she did a LOT of hiring of CSMs over the years. She also served as a Customer Success Enablement Manager, designing interview processes and career paths for CSMs. Carly has always been passionate about taking ownership of your career, being intentional about career choices you make, and maximizing what you get from your career - whether that be work/life balance, financial freedom, or contributing to an important mission. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.The podcast episode features Alex Turkovic discussing the integration of AI in customer success routines. Key topics include practical applications of AI, tools for customer success professionals, and tips for using AI effectively. The episode aims to provide insights on how AI can save time and enhance customer value, with a focus on real-world examples and best practices.00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast04:43 - Alex's Early Stages of Customer Success09:22 - AI Tools and Techniques14:03 - Daily Uses of AI in Customer Success Tools18:45 - Comparisons and Evaluations of AI Tools23:26 - Deep Dive into Useful AI Tools32:47 - Strategic Implementations of AI42:29 - Quickfire QuestionsConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Alex:Alex's podcast episode about AILinkedinPodcastWith over 15 years of experience in customer success leadership, professional services, and customer education, Alex is passionate about creating and delivering impactful and engaging customer experiences for products and services. As the Global Director of Digital Customer Success at Flexera, he combines digital and scaled customer success strategies with customer education programs to ensure optimal customer lifecycle engagement and outcomes. Alex is the host of 'The CX Podcast', where he explores different aspects of building and maintaining world-class digital customer success experiences, with guests who are in-field and executing.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Learn more about our show sponsor CSM RevUP Academy: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/csm-revup-academy/Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.In this episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast, host Anika Zubair speaks with Madelyn DePrey, VP of Customer Success at Aircall. Together, they dive into how leading with value can contribute to customer and revenue growth, the integration of sales strategies in customer success, and the importance of continuous learning. Madelyn also shares her journey from hospitality to customer success and how she navigates her role as VP of Customer Success at Aircall.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction 01:11 Welcome Madelyn 03:21 Madelyn's Journey to Customer Success 06:32 Aircall's Customer Success Strategy 09:12 Leading with Value in Customer Success 12:56 CSMs and Revenue Responsibilities 20:09 Training and Sales Tactics for CSMs 23:07 Top of the Funnel in Customer Success 28:31 Advice for CSMs Embracing Revenue Targets 31:08 Quick Fire QuestionsConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyFollow the Podcast:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustomerSuccessPro Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IVZCeBTFUFl2iysDe9uJu Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-customer-success-pro-podcast/id1733540749Connect with Madelyn DePrey:LinkedInAs Global VP of Customer Success for Aircall, Madelyn manages a sizable revenue-generating team with a focus on driving adoption, advocacy and growth across a largely SMB customer base. Throughout her tenure at Aircall, Madelyn has been instrumental in developing a segmented end to end customer journey, leveraging a combination of product-led engagement, automation and human touch. Prior to her time in tech, most of her career has been spent in hospitality, from her first job playing Spongebob at a Nickelodeon theme park, to hotel management, to building customer success from scratch at a B2B hotel tech company, Madelyn is passionate about all things customer relations!Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.In this episode, Anika Zubair talks with Daphne Costa Lopez, Director of Customer Success at HubSpot, about strategies for driving and growing customer retention at scale. They explore a range of models from renewals to segmentation, customer success qualified leads (CSQLs), and automating success plans and QBRs.00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:03 Introductions of Daphne Costa Lopez 02:12 Daphne's Background and Career Journey 03:59 Building and Scaling Customer Success at HubSpot 28:08 CSQLs and Automation in Customer Success 38:55 Dynamic Segmentation Strategy 46:51 Quickfire Question RoundConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyFollow the Podcast:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustomerSuccessPro Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IVZCeBTFUFl2iysDe9uJu Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-customer-success-pro-podcast/id1733540749Daphne Costa LopesLinkedinOver the last decade, Daphne has helped Start-ups, Scale-Ups and Fortune 500 businesses build and scale global Customer Success teams to service 200K+ customers and $2B+ ARR.Her journey in Customer Success started with a eureka moment she had in 2011: “When we deliver value to our customers, we won't just retain their business... We will capture more of their demand.”Backed by this belief, she spent the following 4 years helping build a 'CS-as-a-Service' business. We generated thousands of SuccessQLs for our customers and proved early on that Customer Success could be a revenue driver.By focusing on Customer-Led-Growth, She has helped the businesses she worked with achieve 130%+ NRR. Today, She head up Customer Success at HubSpot where her teams serve thousands of customers worldwide.Since that light-bulb moment, she has invested my energy into building and scaling Customer Success teams to be the second engine of growth for tech businesses and helping others do it too.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.In this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, hosted by Anika Zubair, guest Jared Orr, a Senior Customer Success Manager and copywriter, shares his journey overcoming job loss and finding success in a challenging job market. Jared discusses his experiences with layoffs, the importance of networking, and strategies for preparing for interviews and handling homework assignments. He also emphasizes the critical nature of investing in coaching and adapting to market changes. This episode offers practical advice for CS professionals navigating their career paths and how to find and land their next job in Customer Success.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the Customer Success Pro Podcast 01:03 Meet Jared Orr: A Journey Through Startups and Layoffs 03:05 Jared's New Role 07:59 Navigating Job Loss and the Tough Job Market 13:39 Starting a Copywriting Business 20:43 Job Hunting Tips and Horror Stories 23:29 Sharing a Personal Interview Experience 24:34 Advice for Hiring Managers 26:49 Preparing for an Interview 30:05 Handling Homework Assignments 34:11 Networking and Landing a Job 39:28 Reflecting on Job Hunting Strategies 41:29 Quickfire QuestionsConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Jared:LinkedInYouTubeWebsiteArticle: https://www.csinsider.co/email/how-to-ace-your-mock-qbr-interviewJared has been a CSM since 2018. He's been heavily involved in startups throughout most of his career. Currently, he works as a Senior CSM at vCom Solutions and lives in Queen Creek, Arizona with his wife and daughter.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.In this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, host Anika Zubair interviews Erica Villareal, a strategic customer success manager at Eptura and a top 25 CS influencer of 2023. Erica shares her journey from Mexico, to becoming a strategic CSM in Dallas, highlighting her use of personal branding on LinkedIn to advance her career. She discusses the importance of translating customer data into actionable insights, the role of strategic customer success managers, and how they differ from other CSM roles in terms of customer engagement and responsibilities. Erica shares her secret sauce for organization and proactivity, emphasizing success plans and business reviews as essential tools for demonstrating value and securing customer success. The conversation also explores Erica's career ambitions, the skills essential for a strategic CSM, and tips for managing workload and showcasing value to achieve promotions. Additionally, Erica's eBook, 'Raising the Bar: How to Excel in Your Enterprise CSM Role,' is discussed, offering insights into further advancing in the customer success field.Connect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Erika:LinkedinErika Villarreal is a Customer Success enthusiast, a thought leader, and an influencer in the CS space.  She is an engineer at the core, curious by nature, and a process addict. Currently, she is the Strategic Customer Success Manager at Eptura, a leading workspace management solution where she helps her customers drive adoption and achieve their own definition of success. Erika is also very involved with the Customer Success community, where she shares content that helps other CS professionals succeed in their roles, she has her own newsletter and contributes to multiple CS blogs.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Navigating your Customer Success Career with Kristi FaltorussoIn this episode of the Customer Success Pro podcast, Anika Zubair interviews Kristi Faltorusso, a four times Top 25 Customer Success Influencer award winner and CCO at Client Success. Kristi shares her remarkable journey from a marketing professional to becoming a leading figure in the SaaS and customer success (CS) space. She highlights the importance of passion, hard work, and taking calculated risks in her career trajectory, culminating in her current role where she significantly impacts her organization and the CS community. The discussion also explores the evolving landscape of customer success, the importance of continuous learning, and the potential of AI in transforming CS strategies. Kristi offers invaluable advice to aspiring CS professionals, emphasizing the need for a data-driven approach, proactive customer engagement, and the courage to pivot when necessary. The conversation is a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and practical tips, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in building a successful career in customer success.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to the Customer Success Pro Podcast!01:04 Spotlight on Kristi Faltorusso: A Customer Success Trailblazer06:11 Kristi's Journey: From Marketing to Chief Customer Officer11:17 The Reality of Achieving Work-Life Balance in Leadership13:08 Kristis's Future Ambitions Beyond the CCO Role20:35 Securing a Customer Success Seat at the Executive Table27:13 Navigating a Non-Conventional Path to the C-Suite31:00 The Importance of Leadership and Passion in Your Career35:04 Insights into the Role of a Chief Customer Officer43:19 Addressing Gender and Career Progression in Tech45:36 Quickfire RoundConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokSignup for my newsletter: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/subscribe/Website: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyConnect with Kristi:LinkedinKristi Faltorusso is a distinguished Customer Success Executive, recognized for her exceptional expertise in building, scaling and transforming Customer Success organizations within high-growth B2B SaaS companies. With a career spanning over 12 years, Kristi has been instrumental in guiding numerous companies through the strategic redefinition of Customer Success, resulting in heightened retention rates, sustained revenue growth, and amplified customer advocacy.Having held pivotal roles in renowned organizations such as BrightEdge, Sisense, BetterCloud, and IntelliShift, Kristi has consistently demonstrated her leadership prowess in steering Customer Success and Experience teams. Presently, as the Chief Customer Officer at ClientSuccess, a leading provider of Customer Success Management solutions, Kristi spearheads Customer Success, Technical Support, and Consulting initiatives. In her current capacity, she continues to drive transformative outcomes, aligning her passion for customer-centric strategies with a commitment to delivering unparalleled value.Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Being a Customer Success Pro is no easy job, but this podcast will help. Remember that Customer Success is not a destination, but a journey and I am here to help you on your journey.Imposter Syndrome, Prioritization, and Mindset Shifts in Customer Success. All topics we covered in Today's talk with Rachel Provan. Today's podcast will focus on how you have to shift your mindset in order to move from reactive to proactive Customer Success.Rachel Provan, founder of Proven Success, joins the podcast as the first guest to discuss her career transition from acting to customer success and her current role leading customer success coaching. Topics covered include the importance of understanding the Pareto Principle, the necessity of setting aside focus time to work on strategy, techniques for effectively prioritizing tasks, and advice on overcoming imposter syndrome. Rachel also discusses how she built Provan Success and her approach to coaching customer success professionals.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome03:54 Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship09:21 The Role of Mindset in Customer Success16:42 The Importance of Time Management in CS20:29 The Impact of Task Switching on Productivity21:30 The Importance of Proactive Leadership22:06 The Pitfalls of the Player-Coach Mentality22:20 The Art of Prioritization in Leadership23:03 The Struggle of Saying No23:26 The Challenge of Balancing Multiple Roles28:00 The Reality of Imposter Syndrome30:12 The Struggle of Perfectionism and High Expectations38:08 The Future of Customer SuccessConnect with Anika:LinkedInYouTubeTikTokWebsite: thecustomersuccesspro.comCoaching with Anika: CSM RevUP AcademyFollow the Podcast YouTubeSpotifyApple PodcastsConnect with Rachel:Rachel Provan is a top 25 CS Influencer and Coach for Customer Success leaders. She has over 15 years of experience in CS Leadership building and scaling CS departments across diverse markets from seed stage to Fortune 500 Companies.  With a passion for fusing psychology with business strategy and leadership techniques, Rachel teaches new CS leaders to build and scale revenue-generating customer success departments. Her flagship course, The CS Leadership Academy, helps former CSMs nail their transition to accomplished CS Leaders. You can find her on LinkedIn, provansuccess.com, or psychologyofcustomersuccess.comMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

This is The Customer Success Pro Podcast, hosted by Anika Zubair. Customer Success is not a destination, but a a journey. Join me on this crazy CS journey as I chat to leaders, strategists and experts in customer success about their experiences and definitions of customer success and share with your their best practices on how to build and scale world class CS organization. Each interview will unlock tips, tricks and best practices to help scale your customer success career and company. I will dive into important and relevant topics to help spread knowledge about customer success in order to help companies put the customer at the center of their business. Because at the end of the day when customer are successful, so is the company. If you have specific topics you would like me to cover in this podcast please message me on Linkedin!Make sure you hit FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any new episodes when they drop every month.I can't wait to chat with you soon!Connect with Anika Zubair:Website: https://thecustomersuccesspro.com/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCustomerSuccessProMusic by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/