The CXPod

This time, Merete and Joanna welcome Carlos Espinosa, a seasoned expert in customer experience (CX) with a rich background spanning multiple continents. The conversation delves into Carlos's journey in CX, the current trends and challenges in the field, and the transformative role of AI in enhancing customer interactions. They discuss the importance of quality assurance within CX teams and the evolving landscape of AI technologies, including the potential of virtual agents. The episode highlights the need for a collective effort in the CX community to improve influence and operationalize customer experience strategies effectively. In this conversation, the speakers explore the evolving landscape of customer experience (CX) in a technology-driven world. They discuss the importance of customer insights, the challenges posed by loneliness in society, and the need for effective storytelling to engage C-level executives. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in CX, emphasizing that while technology is a valuable tool, human connections remain essential. The speakers reflect on their journeys in the CX field, highlighting the importance of aligning customer experience with business strategy and the need for a collective effort to enhance human interactions in a post-pandemic world.Find and follow Carlos here:

In this engaging conversation, Merete, Joanna and Jenny McCoy explore the multifaceted world of customer experience (CX). They discuss the importance of human experience in CX, the challenges organizations face in delivering exceptional service, and the need for continuous improvement. Jenny shares her journey from frontline roles to leading CX strategy at the Irish Management Institute, emphasizing the significance of understanding both employee and customer experiences. The discussion also highlights the necessity of operationalizing customer insights and the balance between metrics and feelings in creating a customer-centric culture. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the significance of customer experience (CX) in driving long-term brand growth. They discuss the challenges of measuring ROI in CX, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the future of CX in a rapidly evolving landscape. The conversation emphasizes the need for ethical leadership and a strong purpose in organizations to foster a customer-centric culture. The speakers also share personal achievements and insights gained from years of experience in the field, highlighting the continuous nature of CX improvement.If you want to follow Jenny, you find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-mccoy-253b792a/If you wonder what car brand, airline or pizza delivery company are referred to in the episode, reach out to hello@thecxpod.no

In this conversation, Merete and Joanna engage with Peter Aitken, head of customer strategy and insight at Kantar, discussing the critical role of customer experience in banking. They explore the importance of trust, current trends in customer experience, effective measurement strategies, and the relationship between marketing and customer experience. Aitken shares insights from his extensive experience in the financial services sector, emphasizing the need for organizations to invest in customer experience to drive long-term growth and brand loyalty. In this conversation, Peter Aitken discusses the significant impact of digital experiences on brand perception, using examples from various companies, including Starbucks. He emphasizes the importance of customer experience as a growth driver and the need for effective measurement strategies. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in enhancing customer experience and the evolving landscape of brand management.Find Peter Aitken on linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteraaitken/

In this episode of the CXPod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Dr. Anna Jorga, a Chief Neuroscientist at Buyer Brain, to discuss her unique journey from medical school to the world of customer experience and neuroscience. The conversation explores the importance of understanding biases in customer behavior, the challenges of navigating digital journeys, and the critical role of effective communication in enhancing customer experiences. Anna shares insights from her personal experiences and professional expertise, emphasizing the need for companies to segment their customers effectively and leverage AI to improve interactions. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolution of customer segmentation, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional demographics to a more experience-based approach. They explore the future of customer insights, the role of AI in enhancing customer experience, and the challenges of trust in AI interactions. The discussion also highlights the importance of measuring cognitive effort and emotional impact in understanding customer behavior, culminating in a reflection on the speakers' proudest achievements in the field.Follow Dr.Ana Iorga on Linkedin: Dr. Ana Iorga | LinkedIn

In this episode of The CX Pod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Adrian Swinscoe, a seasoned expert in customer experience and podcasting, and author of several books about CX including Punk CX! They discuss the evolution of the podcast, Adrian's journey in the customer experience field, the importance of authenticity, current trends, and the role of leadership in fostering a customer-centric culture. Adrian shares insights on the significance of data and storytelling in customer experience, the challenges organizations face in becoming customer-centric, and his vision for the future of CX. The conversation concludes with Adrian reflecting on impactful moments in his career and the importance of doing what makes you happy.Adrian is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianswinscoe/?originalSubdomain=uk

In this episode of The CXPod, Merete and Joanna welcome Bruce Temkin, a thought leader in customer experience and AI. The conversation explores the intersection of technology and humanity, discussing how AI can enhance customer experiences while maintaining a human-centric approach. Bruce shares insights on the importance of understanding customer needs, the limitations of traditional metrics like NPS, and the future of leadership in creating human-centric organizations. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy, connection, and the role of AI in supporting these goals.Link to Bruce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucetemkin/Humanity at scale: https://humanityatscale.substack.com/

In this episode, Merete, Joanna, and Sirte Pihlaja discuss the evolving landscape of customer experience (CX) and the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping it. Sirte, known as the 'AI whisperer', shares insights on how AI can enhance customer and employee experiences, emphasizing the need for a human-centric approach. The conversation explores the concept of 'machine customers' and their implications for businesses, highlighting the necessity for companies to adapt their strategies to accommodate these digital entities. The episode also touches on the importance of creativity in CX and the ongoing efforts to grow the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA) in Finland. In this conversation, Sirte Pihlaja discusses the transformative impact of AI on customer service, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt to AI-driven customer interactions. She highlights the importance of creating effective digital assistants and leveraging AI for customer insights, while also addressing the role of AI in promoting inclusivity and accessibility. The discussion culminates in reflections on achievements in customer experience and the collaborative efforts to enhance human connections through technology.Read more about Sirte and her work on the following links: Website:www.shirute.fi/enYou can follow Sirte on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirte I Follow me on LinkedInInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirteaceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiruteInterested in AI, Agentic AI, Machine Customers, Digital Assistants and AI Twins?:www.machinecustomers.fi I www.koneasiakkaat.fi (Digital Assistants Experience Report)www.aiexperience.fi (The AI Experience Podcast)Talk with my AI Twin (Sirte AI)bit.ly/cx5book (The CX5 Book)CX and CEM Benchmark:www.shirute.fi/en/cemwww.cxmasterclass.fibit.ly/cx3book (The CX3 Book)LEGO Serious Play & Creativity:www.cxplay.fi I www.tosileikki.fibit.ly/cx2book (The CX2 Book)

In this episode of the CX pod, Merete and Joanna welcome CarinaDalquist Valbøll, the Nordic head of customer service at SATS, to discuss theunique challenges and strategies in the fitness industry. The conversationcovers personal anecdotes, the transition from telecom to fitness, drivingmembership engagement, the importance of community, and the role of AI inenhancing customer service.  Carina shares insights on maintaining motivation amongmembers, the significance of company culture, and the challenges of adoptingnew technologies in a competitive landscape. In this conversation, the speakersdiscuss the importance of understanding customer needs and the role of AI inenhancing membership experiences. They explore the future of customer service,the ethical responsibilities surrounding body image, and the significance ofdata insights in decision-making. The conversation also touches on pricingstrategies, customer loyalty, and the impact of economic changes on businessoperations. Finally, they reflect on leadership during crises and theimportance of maintaining a strong team culture. Follow Carina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carina-cecilia-dalquist-valb%C3%B8ll-57b1b8/

In this episode of the CX pod, Merete and Joanna welcomeMiriam Agnese, the head of analytics at Allente, to discuss her journey intocustomer experience and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Miriamshares her experiences in transforming customer journeys, the significance ofcustomer journey mapping, and how data can drive meaningful change withinorganizations. The conversation also touches on the balance between technologyand human interaction in enhancing customer experiences.  The episode also delves into the intricacies of customerexperience (CX) programs, emphasizing the importance of operationalizing theseinitiatives effectively. They discuss the role of technology, particularly AI,in enhancing customer engagement and the challenges posed by survey fatigue.The conversation highlights the need for companies to build trust in acompetitive landscape, focusing on customer retention over acquisition. Theintegration of voice of the customer into journey mapping is explored, alongwith the adoption of new technologies. The episode also touches on the futureof AI in CX, emphasizing hyper-personalization and the balance between digitaland human interactions.If you want to follow Miriam on LInekdin, she is foundhere: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamagnese/

In this episode, Merete, Joanna, and Gitana Veličkaitė-Remeikienė discuss the evolving landscape of customer experience (CX), sharing personal stories and insights. Merete opens with a positive customer experience story, highlighting the importance of understanding customer needs. The conversation transitions to Gitana's background and her efforts to raise awareness of CX in Lithuania. They explore the operationalization of customer insights, the impact of AI on CX, and the balance between digital transformation and human interaction. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of customer experience in business strategy and memorable moments in the field.Gitana is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gitanavelickaite/

In this episode of The CXPod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Anna-Maija Tanninen, a B2B customer experience expert. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in B2B customer experience, the importance of customer-centricity, and the shift from reactive to predictive customer experience management. Anna-Maija shares her journey in the field, the differences between B2B and B2C, and how companies can better operationalize customer insights. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of voice of the customer and the future of customer experience measurement and the ladies discuss the upcoming Nordic B2B CX Conference in Copenhagen on the 9th of april 2025. Link to the conference: https://b2bcxnordic.com/Link to Anna-Maijas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amvuorio/

In this episode of The CXpod, Joanna, Merete, and Ronny Ellefsen discuss the evolving landscape of customer experience, focusing on the importance of qualitative insights, the challenges of integrating AI, and the necessity of understanding customer needs. Ronnie shares his journey from design to consulting, emphasizing the value of user testing and the insights gained from direct customer interactions. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of relying solely on quantitative data and the need for a balanced approach to customer feedback. In this conversation, Ronny shares insights on transformative customer experiences, the future of customer experience with AI, and the balance between data privacy and innovation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customers and creating value through design. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on customer experience and the need for transparency in data usage.Ronny is found here: Ronny Ellefsen | LinkedIn

In today´s episode of the CX Pod, Merete and Joanna welcome Eirik Ekrann, managing director of Ipsos Norway, to discuss the intersection of customer experience, brand strategy, and media dynamics. The conversation explores Eirik's insights on political polling, the challenges of interpreting data, and the importance of curiosity in understanding customer insights. They also delve into the relationship between brand strategy and customer experience, emphasizing the need for consistency and authenticity in messaging. Finally, the discussion touches on the media's tendency to focus on negative news and its impact on public perception. The conversation also explores the importance of positivity in public discourse, the evolution of customer experience, and the need for distinctive brand strategies. Eirik, Merete and Joanna discuss how organizations can align their brand strategies with customer experiences to create meaningful interactions and they emphasize the role of leadership in fostering a customer-centric culture and the significance of delivering valuable insights to clients. The episode concludes with reflections on generational interactions and the positive aspects of modern communication.If you want to follow Eirik on linkedin, you find him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eirik-ekrann-600ab022/

In this season 4 premiere episode (!), Joanna and Merete discuss the upcoming Nordic B2B Customer Experience Conference with Torben Degn, CEO of Customer Agency. They explore the evolution of customer experience in B2B, the importance of data, and the need for continuous improvement in customer experience programs. The conversation highlights the shift from product-centric to customer-centric approaches in B2B companies and the growing recognition of customer experience as a vital component across all organizational functions. The episode also delves into the intricacies of customer experience (CX) and its pivotal role in business strategy. They discuss the importance of defining what constitutes a superior customer experience, aligning organizational goals with customer needs, and empowering frontline employees to make impactful decisions. The conversation also touches on the future of CX, emphasizing the need for companies to focus on existing methodologies rather than chasing new buzzwords. Ultimately, they highlight the competitive advantages that come from investing in customer experience and the pride that comes from fostering a customer-centric culture within organizations.Torben is found on linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torben-degn-3644093/

In this episode of the CX Pod, hosts Merete and Joanna celebrate the two-year anniversary of their podcast with guest Esa Nettamo. They discuss Esa's journey from design to customer experience, the importance of customer journey management, and the evolving definitions of customer experience. The conversation highlights the need for executive ownership of customer experience initiatives, the role of quality assurance, and the skills required for effective customer journey management. The episode emphasizes the significance of understanding both customer and business perspectives in creating seamless experiences. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of customer experience, emphasizing the need for organizations to bridge silos and foster collaboration across departments. They discuss the challenges of understanding customer centricity, the importance of accurate customer insights, and the role of voice of the customer programs in enhancing customer experience. The conversation also explores the transformative impact of technology, particularly AI, on customer interactions and the future of customer experience management. Esa´s linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nettamo/

In this episode of the CX pod, Joanna and Merete discuss the recent International Customer Experience Awards and welcome Helge Tennø, a customer experience expert. They explore Helge's journey into the field, the evolution of customer experience, and the importance of aligning customer needs with business strategy. The conversation also touches on the role of data, the concept of the premium puzzle, and the challenges of operationalizing customer experience across organizations. In this conversation, Helge, Joanna, and Merete explore the intricacies of customer experience (CX) in organizations, discussing the importance of mapping customer needs to business value, the challenges of governance, and the role of leadership in driving CX initiatives. They emphasize the need for empowering frontline workers, the significance of data quality, and the necessity of transforming customer-centric business practices. The discussion also touches on the limitations of voice of the customer programs and the strategies for securing funding for CX initiatives.    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helgetenno/ Helge´s own website: https://everythingnewisdangerous.medium.com/

In this episode of the CX Pod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Michael Brandt, a seasoned expert in customer experience. They discuss Michael's journey in the field, the importance of complaint management, and the role of voice of customer programs. The conversation delves into the responsibilities of organizations in managing customer experience, the challenges posed by AI, and the significance of change management. Michael shares insights on creating a customer-centric culture, the balance between innovation and consistency, and the future of voice of customer initiatives. The episode concludes with practical advice on securing funding for customer-centric improvements and the importance of understanding customer needs. Link to Michaels linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brandt-ccxp-9512a33/

In this episode of the CX Pod, Merete and Joanna welcome Mikkel Korn Tved, a seasoned expert in customer experience (CX) and customer-centric business development. Mikkel shares his extensive background in the industry, discussing the importance of nurturing customer relationships and the challenges companies face in truly becoming customer-centric. He highlights the significant gap between executive perceptions of customer centricity and actual customer experiences, emphasizing the need for a solid foundation of insights to drive effective CX strategies. Mikkel also discusses the critical role of leadership in fostering a customer-centric culture and the necessity of financial justification for CX initiatives. The conversation concludes with Mikkel's insights on building a customer-centric organization and the importance of treating customers according to their unique needs. In this conversation, Mikkel discusses the segmentation of companies in relation to customer loyalty, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and the importance of understanding customer feedback through voice of customer programs. He highlights the necessity of transforming data into actionable insights and the attributes that define a truly customer-centric organization, including culture and leadership. Mikkel's linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkelkorntved/

In this conversation, Andrew Carothers from Cisco discusses the evolution of customer experience (CX) within the company, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation and the integration of AI. He shares insights on how Cisco has developed its CX function over the years, the complexities of delivering a seamless digital experience, and the collective responsibility of all employees in enhancing customer interactions. The discussion also highlights the significance of understanding customer needs and the role of data in shaping effective CX strategies. In this conversation, Andrew Carothers discusses the importance of understanding the voice of the customer and how organizations can leverage AI and digital tools to enhance customer experience. He emphasizes the need for data democratization across departments and the critical role of employee experience in shaping customer interactions. The discussion also highlights the shifting attitudes towards digital customer experiences and the necessity of aligning customer experience initiatives with business metrics to demonstrate value and secure funding. Link to Andrew's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carothers/

In this episode of the CX pod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Mike Robinson, a seasoned professional in the retail and customer experience space. Mike shares his journey from a small town in Pennsylvania to becoming a key player in the retail industry, discussing his passion for sustainability and optimizing customer experiences. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding customer needs, the impact of AI on customer interactions, and the necessity of creating memorable experiences that resonate with consumers. Mike emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and the role of sustainability in shaping the future of retail. In this conversation, Mike Robinson discusses the evolution of loyalty programs, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and preferences. He highlights the challenges companies face in becoming customer-centric and the significance of employee experience in enhancing customer satisfaction. The discussion also covers the role of voice of the customer programs in gathering insights and the necessity of treating employees as valuable assets to ensure a positive customer experience. Link to Mikes Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikerobinsonsf/

In this episode of the CXPod, hosts Merete and Joanna engage with Patrik Stoopendahl, a researcher from Lund University, to explore the evolving landscape of customer experience (CX) and its integration with technology. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding customer journeys, the role of market shaping in business strategy, and the unique challenges faced by higher education institutions in delivering effective customer experiences. Patrik shares insights from his research on customer journeys, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional purchase-driven models. The discussion also highlights the significance of cross-functional teams in fostering a customer-centric culture within organizations and the necessity of quantifying customer engagement to secure buy-in from stakeholders. Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of customer experience management. Follow Patrik on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrikstoopendahl/

In this episode of the CX Pod, Michael Killeen shares his extensive experience in customer experience (CX) and discusses the importance of defining CX, the role of employees and shareholders, and the challenges organizations face in implementing effective CX strategies. He emphasizes the need for cross-departmental collaboration, the significance of voice of the customer programs, and offers practical advice on securing funding for customer-centric improvements. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of CX, particularly with the integration of AI and the necessity for organizations to adapt and innovate to meet customer needs. Michael is found on linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-killeen-cx/

In this episode of the CX pod, hosts Merete and Joanna welcome Lavrans Løvlie from former Livework Norway, now PwC to discuss the evolution of service design and its impact on customer experience. Lavrans shares his journey from industrial design to service design, the founding of Livework, and the transition to PwC. The conversation delves into the definition of customer experience, the importance of understanding customer journeys, and the complexities of ownership and responsibility in customer experience management. They also delve into the nuances of customer experience and management, exploring the evolution of customer-centric practices and the impact of technology on customer interactions, even touching upon the importance of voice of the customer programs and the role of employee experience in shaping company culture. The conversation culminates in practical advice on securing funding for customer-centric initiatives, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers business, customer, and employee perspectives.To follow Lavrans on Linkedin his profile is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavrans-lovlie/

In this episode of the CX pod, Merete and Joanna engage with Jørgen Schüren, who shares insights from his extensive experience in customer experience (CX) technology. The conversation covers Jørgen's recent career transition, the evolution of customer experience over the past 13 years, and the importance of proactivity in customer engagement. They discuss the challenges faced by customer-centric companies, the link between employee and customer experience, and strategies for securing funding for CX initiatives. Jørgen emphasizes the need for a company-wide commitment to customer experience and the importance of building a solid business case to gain support from management. You can find Jørgen here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j%C3%B8rgen-sch%C3%BCren-5579031/

In this episode of the CX Pod, Merete and Joanna welcome Camilla Norseng, Lead CX at Lyse Tele, to discuss the intricacies of customer experience (CX) in the telecom industry. The conversation covers Camilla's background, the importance of customer exit experiences, and the shared responsibility for CX across all levels of an organization. They delve into the challenges of meeting customer expectations, the significance of employee experience in delivering great customer service, and the role of voice of the customer management in shaping business strategies. Camilla shares insights on building trust as a challenger brand and the attributes that define a successful customer-centric company, concluding with memorable customer experiences that inspire her work. Camillas linkedin is here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilla-norseng-1399289/ Unfortunately we couldn't find the commercial from Nice mobil...

We are excited to welcome one of Canada's first customer experience experts Marc Gordon! We will be discussing the importance of viewing customer experience as a human process rather than just a business process, and Marc shares his unique perspective on customer experience, emphasizing authenticity and the need for companies to communicate effectively with their customers. The conversation also touches on the challenges businesses face in delivering exceptional customer service, the role of AI, and the significance of voice of the customer programs. Marc provides a compelling case study of a high-end restaurant that transformed its customer experience through innovative events, demonstrating the power of creativity in customer engagement. Dont miss out on Marc on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcgordondotca/ And his website is: www.marcgordon.ca

For this very special episode of The CXPod, Joanna and Merete gets the tables turned at the JourneyOps event held at Telenor Norway in august 2024. Founder of JourneyOps and Spark Design, Esa Nettamo, gets to ask them their very own questions from the pods question challenge, and here you can see how they did!

In this episode, we welcome Martin Bruun Conradsen, a customer experience manager at Alfa Laval, to discuss the intricacies of customer experience management. We explore Martin's background, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges companies face in delivering exceptional customer experiences. The conversation delves into the role of technology, employee experience, and the need for ownership in customer experience initiatives. Martin shares insights on trends in the industry and highlights IKEA as a prime example of effective customer experience strategies. To follow Martin on Linkedin click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinconradsen/ Please also note that the last part of the episode is generated by AI voice.

Meet Michael, or Michel, or is it Steven? In this lovely episode where we invite this Belgian CX enthusiast to give us his take on our question challenge! Michel also talks about what customer service truly means and how it has evolved over time. He also highlights the importance of training employees in customer experience and mentions his work training a million people through the CX Master Academy.

In this weeks episode, Stine shares her story about transitioning from working in finance to becoming part of the leadership team at a Norwegian bank. We also discuss the importance of having a strategy to attract and retain customers, even though not everyone can be a customer in Stines case, as the bank she works for is only available to certain customers. Understand why, and hear Stines take on our question challenge! And if you want to reach out to Stine, you will find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stine-borgen-kronback-arildslund-34613886/

Meet Jill Raff! She is all about "Insights Turning Employees Into Advocates and Customer Magnets", she is a Consultant, Speaker, Show Host, Columnist and CEO/Founder of Jill Raff Group, LLC. Jill litterally grew up at McDonalds, and is still working towards the restaurant industry with CX and EX in addition to starring in her own podcast and livestream "Riffs with Raff"! In this episode Jill underlines the importance of keeping the focus on the customer's experience and how technology can transform that experience. We also talk about the importance of investing in your employees and creating a culture that fosters empathy and engagement. Jill shares from her experience at McDonald's and lets us in on how they focused on delivering legendary service. Everything in between our question challenge, that is always part of our script. If you want to get in touch with Jill, here are her details: E-mail jill@jillraff.com Webpage: https://www.jillraff.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ex2cx-advisor/

Meet Ulrika Jonsson, CEO of Brilliant Future! We are touching upon important subjects like customer centric culture, digitalizing the customer journey and Ulrika shares her experience with transforming the culture in Microsoft and how Brilliant Future aims to be - and is, a strategic partner for their customers. If you want to connect with Ulrika you will find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrika-jonsson/ And also pay a visit to Brilliant Future, they are found here: https://brilliantfuture.se/ So ensure total transparency: Our pod-host Merete is on the board for Brilliant Future AB.

Meet Diane, probably one of the greatest CX Celebrities we have in our time, and listen as we take her trough our question challenge! With over 25 years of customer experience, sales and marketing leadership, Diane is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Experience Catalysts, a consulting and training firm that helps CX executives develop and grow customer and associate engagement programs. She is also a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) and a past CEO and Emeritus Chair of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA), a global non-profit organization that advances the CX field. You will find Diane on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianemagers/

Robin might be Denmarks answer to Petter Stordalen energy-wize, and they are not that different in other aspects either! Robin booked a one way ticket to California and Silicon Valley at the age of 21 and didnt return until many years later. He has worked for companies like Matterport, Linkedin, Salesforce, WeWork to mention some, and currently he is transforming Zensai into a Customer Obsesed plattform for human engagement! Listen as he takes on our challenge with passion and lots of humor in this episode of The CXPod! To follow Robin on linkedin, use this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robingdaniels/

Katja Olilla has over 20 years of experience in B2B branding, communications and marketing. Currently she is the V of Group marketing and communications at Ahlstrom, where she is also responsible for establishing their NPS program, gaining actionable insight to operationalize improvements for their customers. Listen in to Katja giving us her take on our 13 question challenge, while we paralelly discover at least two rabbit holes, get excited about sustainability and the connection between brand and CX! Enjoy! And if you want to follow or connect with Katja you find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katja-ollila-b7a8382/

What does harmony have to do with Customer and Human experience? We asked Olga Potaptseva, CX consultant and CEO at European Customer Consultancy (ECC), our 13 questions and once again we got new perspectives to them. Do not miss out on this educational episode, and also check out Olgas Linkedin and last but not least: CX panda! You will find Olga here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-potaptseva/ and CX Panda here: https://cx-panda.com/

Melanie is the Global Partnership Leader at Kantar X Qualtrics, she is part of the Kantar CX Leadership Team and same as The CXPod's host Merete, Melanie is also a twin mum! This, and her quite different take on our 13 question challenge has made her an excellent guest at our podcast - enjoy this episode filled with laughter and great shopping tips too! PS: As we struggled a bit with delayed sound in this episode, we seem to interrupt eachother even more than usual. Hope you can bear with us :D You can find and reach out to Melanie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-wright-90699827/

Meet Stine, this firework of a CX enthusiast from Denmark! With a great passion for inclusive customer experiences, she touches on two of the topics that we are the absolute most passionate about here at The CXPod! Stine explains why being inclusive and taking this factor into consideration when working with customer journeys is important - for humanity and for business, and she does off course also take on our 13 question challenge! If you want to reach Stine, her linkedin is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stinemarsal/

Jannecke is one of, if not the most experienced CX professionals in Norway. She is the CEO of Customer C, she is a founder of NCXN, a board member, mother and a strategy consultant! We are pleased to welcome Jannecke back to the pod, this time, for our 13 question challenge! Jannecke is found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janneckedrangerthveding/ and to read more about Customer C: https://www.customerc.no/

Sandra Thompson is the first Emotional Intelligence Coach in the UK. She has been working for years with bringing Emotional Intelligence, the skill, to customer and employee experience. In this episode she has said yes to our 13 question challenge, and certainly has put her own touch on it! Enjoy! Ps: unfortunately Joanna had some issues with her sound / echo during the episode but as it is too good not to publish, we hope you can excuse this

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. In this episode Colin gets challenged by the CXpods 13 question challenge, and we are so honored to have him, that we have dressed the same for the occation!

He introduces himself as what happens when a musician and pastor turns Walt Disney Imagineer turns CXO, Founder and author gets and beats cancer turns CEO to help humanize the world, one person at a time! Meet Shawn Mason from USA and hear his take on our 13 questions!

John Sills, or the yellow chair-man as we like to refer to him as, is the writer of the book Human experience; how to make life better for your customers and create a more successful organization (Book of the year 2023). He is also the Managing Partner at The Foundation. Today he is our eminent podcast guest, and has let us challenge him with our 13 questions on and about customer, or human experience as we like to call it! Enjoy!

Clare is the founder of Women in CX (WiCx) and has so much passion for CX that she created her own job and a network for women and allies around it! In this episode, she takes on our 13 question challenge and gives us her perspective on some of the most asked questions about CX in 2024. Feel free to check out Clare on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-muscutt/ And make sure to look up and register for the WiCx network here: https://womenincx.community/ The article mentioned in the conversation is to be found here: https://womenincx.community/articles-and-blogs/why-customer-centricity-may-be-killing-your-cx-strategy-by-clare-muscutt

Enjoy this teaser featuring Clare Muscott from Women in CX, who has been one of our first guests on the "new" CXPod. We have embraced video, we have changed the language to meet the requests from abroad (!) and we have made a 13 question challenge for our guests!

In today's episode, we discuss customer experience within the competitive legal and advisory business world, and what they can and need to do to deliver superior client experiences (CX). Joanna is talking about this at a Women in CX event today, therefore we found it valuable to share some of it in the pod as well, where she shares a glimpse from a case that addresses this challenge by showcasing how to mobilise employees to consistently provide superior client experiences using practical collaborative design tools and a dynamic CX guidebook.

Who is Adrian, and is he the rebel of CX? We got to talk to this legend of a speaker and best-selling author on customer service, experience and engagement about his take on CX today, what matters and not, and not at least: Is it really possible to design an experience? A fun and engaging conversation with one of the pioneers within Customer Experience in Europe! This weeks cx position: how about this one: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3568356269/?alternateChannel=search&refId=GWulcnZrl%2Ff9hOzb85y7Ng%3D%3D&trackingId=NSqiOLviDXx2tOvCyCy0jg%3D%3D

When being from a small, small coumtry like Norway, making and hosting a small, small podcast like CX Podden, it may seem a bit bold asking one of the biggest names within CX, all the way from the US to join the podcast. But as we are on a mission to engage and create enthusiasm around the field of CX, we dared to ask Annette Franz to join us, and guess what?! She said yes! Listen and learn about Annettes journey into CX, how it all started, and what her perspectives on CX are today? We will also find out if Norway is far behind the US when it comes to how we see and think around CX management, and there is even a blooper that we have decided not to cut from our lovely and inspiring chat with Annette! Enjoy!

In this week's episode, we give you a recap of our trip to London and the WiCx Conference, but with focus on the travel experience. We (Joanna and Merete) had quite different experiences with everything from the hotels we stayed at, to the journey itself, including restaurants, coffee shops and more. And if you stay tuned towards the end of the episode, you will get to see one of Merete's famous "rants" - this time in a positive, or more enthusiastic version, when talking about why technology - even in the service industry, never should replace humans.

For today's episode, we have read and gotten really inspired by the project "The Citizen Centric Police Initiative (Innbyggerstemmen)". The project aims to operationalise one of the police's prioritized strategic areas: Improved service, increased availability and more efficient services to citizens. You can read the summary of the project, written by Anders Kjeseth Valdersnes, Director at PwC Norway, working with Service Design in the link below. The project is unique in its challences, findings and approach to solution, and it is conducted in the finest service design-way. Totally inspiring, and we took the oportunity to dive into it to learn more, and simply find inspiration and motivation! The Citizen Centric Police initiative was selected as a Service Design Award 2023 finalist. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/citizen-centric-police-whatwhyand-how-anders-kjeseth-valdersnes/

Merete and Joanna went to London to attend the WiCx Conference and wow did we come home with a lot of inspiration, ideas, great mamories and even an award! In this week's episode, we will summarize our experiences from the event and try to inspire as many people to attend next year, as this was amazing! If you want to read more about WiCx you find information here: https://womenincx.community/