Podcasts about customer journey mapping

On this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta sits down with Ken Kring, a seasoned business leader with rich experience at Walmart, Walgreens, and Sears, to explore the transformative power of integrated thinking. Ken reveals how businesses can break down silos, align around a shared vision, and drive success through cohesive strategies. From customer experience flows to decision-making frameworks, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders eager to create nimble, connected organizations that thrive in today's complex business landscape.

This Podcast is sponsored by Team Simmer.Go to TeamSimmer and use the coupon code DEVIATE for 10% on individual course purchases.The Technical Marketing Handbook provides a comprehensive journey through technical marketing principles.Sign up to the Simmer Newsletter for the latest news in Technical Marketing.Latest content from Juliana & SimoSign-up to Juliana's newsletter: Beyond The Mean. Subscribe here: https://julianajackson.substack.com/Latest from Simo: Basic Consent Mode GuideLatest from Juliana: Don't use LLMs to do Data AnalysisConnect With Barbara GalizaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-galiza/Attribution Masterclass: https://attributionmasterclass.com/ (use the coupon code DEVIATION. It's 25% ($100) off )021 Newsletter: https://www.021newsletter.com/Also mentioned in the episode:David Vallejo - GA4 new cookie format explained - https://www.thyngster.com/google-analytics-4-cookie-format-change-from-gs1-to-gs2-explainedShouts to Slobodan Manic and No Hacks Podcast for helping me with some technical difficulties on this episode. Go ahead and check his podcast for thought provoking conversations about CRO/Growth and product. This podcast is brought to you by Juliana Jackson and Simo Ahava.

Behind the scenes, most business chaos doesn't come from a lack of skill... it comes from messy, non-existent systems. And if your client experience feels a little scattered, your clients are feeling it too.In this guest episode, I'm joined by Mariana from Pink Ocean VS... a systems strategist, community builder, and spreadsheet-loving creative to unpack how we can create client journeys that feel seamless, supportive and straight-up satisfying.Whether you're a virtual assistant, a creative service provider, or just tired of chasing your tail between bub's nap time and Zoom calls... this is your reminder that structure can be freeing, and systems can be soul-nourishing.Here's what we cover:The difference between delivering a service... and crafting an experienceThe emotional layer that sets great brands apartWhat systems every service provider actually needsThe low-tech, high-clarity magic of mapping your journeyWhy SOPs aren't just for big businessesGrab your post-its, open your Canva whiteboard, and tune in... this one's equal parts strategy and heartDOWNLOAD Free Canva Client Journey Map: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep215ABOUT MARIANA:I'm Mariana, founder of Pink Ocean Virtual Solutions, a digital operations service for service-based business owners who are ready to clean up the backend, stop duct-taping their systems together, and get back to doing what they're great at. I specialise in CRM setups (especially Moxie), digital declutters, SOP creation, and ongoing tech VA support.CONNECT WITH MARIANAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkoceanvs/Website: https://pinkoceanvs.com.au/"The Break" Newsletter: https://pinkoceanvs.myflodesk.com/podcastMoxie fortnightly newsletter: https://pinkoceanvs.myflodesk.comWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l6s55Zjk3hYRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep215/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you're after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Did you know that 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, yet most companies still treat SEO like a standalone tactic—not a journey? The truth is, SEO isn't just about rankings or keywords—it's about meeting your customer at every stage of their decision-making process. Today's guest is an expert at blending SEO with…

What happens when a marketing leader decides to halt 90% of content output? For Ben Taylor, Director of Revenue Marketing and Customer Journeys at Cisco, it wasn't a gamble—it was a strategy. In this refreshingly candid episode, Ben makes the case that content marketing is (and should be) dead and explains how empathy mapping, design thinking, and intentional "awkward silence" amongst his marketing & CX teams have become his new north star. We dive into how Ben transformed Cisco's approach to customer experience by prioritizing deep understanding over high-volume output — and saw 5x pipeline growth as a result. From redefining how marketing supports sales to slowing down in order to speed up, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about B2B engagement. If you're tired of creating content for content's sake, this one's your permission slip to stop, rethink, and rebuild. Key Moments: 00:00 How Cisco's Ben Taylor Is Redefining Customer Experience03:17 Why Marketing Is Core to the Entire Customer Journey07:23 Content Marketing Is Dead: Here's What Works Instead13:25 How Design Thinking Transformed Cisco's Marketing29:36 Can AI Be Empathetic? The Real Challenge in CX Automation36:23 Using Empathy Mapping to Build Better B2B Campaigns38:19 Agile Marketing: Faster Cycles, Smarter Strategy45:34 Hiring for Fit: Why Empathy Matters More Than Pedigree52:15 The Emotional Core of Customer Experience Strategy01:01:56 Breaking Silos: Aligning Marketing, Sales & Success –Are your teams facing growing demands? Join CX leaders transforming their AI strategy with Agentforce. Start achieving your ambitious goals. Visit salesforce.com/agentforce Mission.org is a media studio producing content alongside world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

In dieser Podcastfolge spricht Daniel Koppel mit Oliver über seinen Weg in die digitale Produktwelt – und darüber, wie ihn die Ausbildung zum Produktmanager beruflich und persönlich verändert. Daniel kommt nicht aus der IT. Er hat eine kaufmännische Ausbildung gemacht, im Lager gearbeitet, Verantwortung übernommen. Aber irgendwann merkt er: Das kann es nicht gewesen sein. Der Job funktioniert – aber erfüllt nicht. Und das soll sich ändern. Über Freunde aus der IT erfährt er mehr über agiles Arbeiten, über Quereinstiegsmöglichkeiten, über Produkte, die echten Nutzen bringen. Der Gedanke, sich beruflich neu auszurichten, wird konkreter. Daniel informiert sich, prüft Optionen und entscheidet sich schließlich für eine geförderte Ausbildung zum Produktmanager mit IHK-Abschluss. Nicht als Notlösung – sondern als echte Perspektive. In der Ausbildung lernt er, wie moderne Produktentwicklung funktioniert: von Design Thinking bis Scrum, von Customer Journey Mapping bis Roadmapping. Er absolviert Zertifizierungen zum Scrum Master und Product Owner, entwickelt Produktideen, arbeitet an echten Use Cases – und erlebt, wie viel Freude es macht, Produkte mitzugestalten statt nur zu verwalten. Gleichzeitig geht es um mehr als nur Inhalte. Daniel muss lernen, zu lernen. Sich zu strukturieren, dranzubleiben, Verantwortung zu übernehmen – auch für den eigenen Fortschritt. Genau das macht die Ausbildung zum Produktmanager für ihn so wertvoll: Sie fordert, aber sie gibt auch Sicherheit. Mit echtem Praxisbezug, sinnvollen Tools und guter Begleitung. Was ihm besonders hilft: Die Ausbildung wird durch einen Bildungsgutschein gefördert. Und sie gibt ihm die Möglichkeit, Schritt für Schritt in den Beruf hineinzuwachsen. Heute steht Daniel kurz vor dem Abschluss, bereitet sich auf Bewerbungsgespräche vor und merkt, wie gefragt die Themen sind, mit denen er sich beschäftigt hat. Agilität, Nutzerzentrierung, Produktstrategie – das, was vor einem Jahr noch Neuland war, gehört inzwischen zu seinem Werkzeugkasten. Daniels Geschichte zeigt, was eine gute Ausbildung zum Produktmanager leisten kann – besonders für Menschen, die den Quereinstieg wagen. Sie schafft Klarheit, stärkt Selbstvertrauen und eröffnet neue Wege. Und sie macht deutlich: Es ist nie zu spät, einen neuen Anlauf zu nehmen. Wenn du selbst mit dem Gedanken spielst, dich beruflich zu verändern, mehr Verantwortung zu übernehmen oder tiefer in die digitale Produktwelt einzusteigen – dann hör in diese Folge rein. Vielleicht ist es genau der Impuls, den du brauchst.

BONUS: Nesrine Changuel shares how to create emotionally connected, delightful products! In this BONUS episode, we explore the concept of product delight with Nesrine Changuel. Nesrine shares insights from her extensive experience at companies like Skype, Spotify, Google Meet, and Chrome to help us understand how to create lovable tech experiences that drive user loyalty and differentiation. We explore the Delight Grid Framework she created, and discuss the importance of emotional connection in product design. We also touch on practical ways to incorporate delight into everyday product decisions. The Essence of Delight in Products "Creating emotional connection between users and products... What I'm usually vocal about is that it's not enough to solve functional needs if you want to create sustainable growth, and more particularly if you want to have your users love the product and create habits using your product." Nesrine explains that while most companies know how to solve functional problems, truly delightful products go beyond functionality to create emotional connections with users. This connection comes from anticipating user needs and surprising them on both functional and emotional levels. She emphasizes that delight emerges when users experience both joy and surprise simultaneously, which is key to exceeding expectations and building brand loyalty. Moving Beyond User Complaints "Most features that are built in products are coming from users' complaints... What I'm trying to be clear about is that if you want to build an emotional connection, it's about opening up a little bit more of your source of opportunities." Many teams focus primarily on addressing user complaints, which puts them in a reactive position. Nesrine encourages organizations to anticipate user needs by engaging with users in comfortable environments before problems arise. She suggests looking beyond direct feature requests and investigating how users feel while using the product, how they experience the journey, and what emotions arise during the experience. This proactive approach opens new opportunities for creating delightful experiences that users may not explicitly request. In this segment we refer to the KANO model for categorizing product features. Understanding Emotional Demotivators: The Zoom Fatigue Example "I tried to interview many users and realized that, of course, with the fact that we all moved into video conferencing, some demotivators started to surface like boredom, low interaction, overwhelm. There was a term that started to show up at the time - it's called zoom fatigue." Nesrine shares how her team at Google Meet tackled emotional demotivators by first deeply understanding them. By investigating "Zoom fatigue," they discovered through Stanford research that one major cause was the fatigue from constantly seeing yourself on screen. This insight led them to develop the "minimize self view" feature, allowing users to broadcast their video without seeing themselves. This example demonstrates how understanding emotional pain points can lead to features that create delight by addressing unspoken needs. The Delight Grid Framework "We want to delight the users, but because we don't know how, we end up only doing performers or hygiene features." Nesrine introduces her Delight Grid Framework, which helps product teams balance functional and emotional needs. The framework begins by identifying emotional motivators through empathetic user research. These motivators are then placed in a grid alongside functional needs to classify features as: Low Delight: Features that only solve functional needs Surface Delight: Features that only address emotional needs (like celebratory animations) Deep Delight: Features that solve both functional needs and emotional motivators She emphasizes that the most successful products prioritize deep delight features, which create lasting emotional connections while solving real problems. Detecting Opportunities Through User Journey Mapping "I use customer journey maps... One of the elements is feelings... If you do the exercise very well and put the feeling element into your journey map, you can draw a line showing peak moments and valley moments - these are pivotal moments for connecting with users at the emotional level." Nesrine advocates for using customer journey maps to identify emotional highs and lows throughout the user experience. By focusing on these "pivotal moments," teams can find opportunities to amplify positive emotions or transform negative ones into delightful experiences. She encourages teams to celebrate positive emotional peaks with users and find ways to turn valleys into more positive experiences. Real-World Example: Restaurant QR Code Payment "The waiter came with a note, and on the note, there is a QR code... What a relief that experience was! I've been very, very surprised, and they turned that moment of frustration and fear into something super fun." Nesrine shares a delightful dining experience where a restaurant transformed the typically frustrating moment of splitting the bill by providing a QR code that led to an app where diners could easily select what they ordered and pay individually. This example illustrates how identifying emotional pain points (bill-splitting anxiety) and addressing them can turn a negative experience into a memorable, delightful one that creates loyal customers. Creating a Culture of Delight Across Teams "It's very important to have the same language. If the marketing team believes in emotional connection, and the designer believes in emotional connection, and then suddenly engineers and PMs don't even know what you're talking about, that creates a gap." For delight to become central to product development, Nesrine emphasizes the importance of creating a shared language and understanding across all teams. This shared vision ensures everyone from designers to engineers is aligned on the goal of creating emotionally connected experiences, allowing for better collaboration and more cohesive product development. Recommended Reading Nesrine refers us to Emotional Design by Don Norman Designing for emotion, by Aaron Walter And Dan Olsen's The Lean Product Playbook About Nesrine Changuel Nesrine Changuel is a product leader, coach, and author with over a decade of experience at Skype, Spotify, Google Meet, and Chrome. She specializes in designing emotionally connected, delightful products. Her book, Delight, introduces a framework for creating lovable tech experiences that drive user loyalty and differentiation. You can link with Nesrine Changuel on LinkedIn and follow Nesrine's website.

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4l9JDil ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this Insights Unlocked episode, UserTesting's Jason Giles sits down with Dane Howard, Vice President of Product Design at G2, for a powerful conversation on the intersection of storytelling, design leadership, and purposeful innovation. With a career that spans design leadership at Amazon, eBay, and Microsoft, Dane brings a wealth of experience—and a passion for creating human-centered experiences. Dane discusses how G2's visual customer journey map became a transformative internal tool, using storytelling metaphors like cities and theme parks to create clarity, alignment, and excitement across the organization. He also opens up about his personal “three-legged stool” approach to balancing full-time work, advocacy, and creative passion projects. Whether you're a product leader, UX professional, or design enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights into how to keep your work rooted in purpose and aligned with customer needs—while also making space for your own growth and creativity. What you'll learn in this episode: Why storytelling is an essential leadership skill in design and CX How G2's customer journey map turned into a city-wide metaphor that boosted internal alignment Tips on keeping internal artifacts like journey maps alive and evolving The power of framing design work through the lens of customer experience How to balance career, passion projects, and mentorship with intentionality Resources & Links: Connect with Dane Howard on LinkedIn Connect with Jason Giles on LinkedIn G2.com danehoward.com Dane's LinkedIn article on G2's Customer Journey Mapping project Learn more about Insights Unlocked: usertesting.com/podcast

Digital CS consultant Holly Goodliffe joins the Digital CX podcast to share her journey from the nonprofit world to tech leadership and discuss the evolving role of digital CS in complex, stakeholder-rich environments. She and Alex explore how simplifying digital engagement, deploying timely CTAs, and adopting a Scrum mindset can empower teams to drive smarter, scalable customer experiences.Chapters:Complexity, stakeholders, and collaboration  Navigating toes and turf wars  Building trust through shared strategy  Key traits of successful digital leaders  What Holly's clients are asking for now  Digital doesn't have to be daunting  Spotify Wrapped vibes for B2B  The data dilemma and simple starts  Omnichannel kindergarten vs. strategy  The art of simple, timely CTAs  Scrum mindset for digital execution  Staying smart with content and courage  Enjoy! I know I sure did…Holly's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollygoodliffe/ Thank you to our sponsor, QueryPal!QueryPal is an incredible platform for support leaders who want to optimize their operations! Support the show+++++++++++++++++Like/Subscribe/Review:If you are getting value from the show, please follow/subscribe so that you don't miss an episode and consider leaving us a review. Website:For more information about the show or to get in touch, visit DigitalCustomerSuccess.com. Buy Alex a Cup of Coffee:This show runs exclusively on caffeine - and lots of it. If you like what we're, consider supporting our habit by buying us a cup of coffee: https://bmc.link/dcspThank you for all of your support!The Digital Customer Success Podcast is hosted by Alex Turkovic

In this conversation, Jordan Gesky, the Senior Customer Experience Manager at True Classic, discusses her role in overseeing customer service operations and enhancing the customer journey. She shares insights on leveraging post-purchase experiences to drive sales, the integration of AI in customer service, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in digital interactions. The conversation also covers True Classic's brand identity, customer demographics, and future expansion plans, including the introduction of women's and children's lines. Jordan expresses excitement about the company's growth and the evolving landscape of customer expectations in the age of AI.TakeawaysJordan Gesky is the Senior Customer Experience Manager at True Classic.True Classic aims to create a smooth customer journey from pre-purchase to post-purchase.The company uses Parcel Labs for post-purchase tracking and marketing.AI is seen as a tool to enhance customer service, not replace it.Maintaining a human touch in customer service is crucial, especially for upset customers.True Classic's chatbot, named 'Crew', is designed to assist customers with personalized recommendations.The brand targets a wide demographic, from young adults to grandparents.Customers are increasingly accepting of AI in their shopping experiences.True Classic plans to expand its product lines to include women's and children's apparel.The company is exploring new sales channels, including TikTok Shop and retail partnerships.Chapters00:00Introduction to True Classic and Customer Experience03:10Leveraging Post-Purchase Journeys for Sales06:00The Role of AI in Customer Experience09:13True Classic's Brand and Customer Demographics12:03Future Growth and Expansion Plans14:01Closing Thoughts and Personal Interests

Hey Friend, In this episode, we're diving into something that will transform how you show up for your clients—Customer Journey Mapping! Think of it like Google Maps but for your business. It helps you see exactly where your customers are coming from, what roadblocks they hit, and how you can make their experience smooth and stress-free. We'll break down: What a Customer Journey Map is (and Why it's a Game-changer) The 3 key components you need to map out (Customer Persona, Journey Stages, and Touchpoints) How to spot and fix friction points so your clients keep coming back for more Actionable steps to start mapping your customer journey today! By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear plan to serve your clients better, create a seamless experience, and make your business stand out. Grab your notebook (or open Miro if you're fancy), and let's get to work!

This episode of the UXDA podcast reviews a discussion with four seasoned UX architects from UXDA about the transformative power of Customer Journey Mapping (CJM) in financial product design. Discover the seven key benefits of CJM, from simplifying complexity and fostering emotional connections to driving digital transformation and aligning business goals.With insights from real-world case studies, the discussion highlights how CJM goes beyond guesswork to create impactful, user-friendly financial experiences. Learn how thorough research, team collaboration, and a customer-centric mindset turn CJM into a powerful tool for innovation and success in the financial sector.Find out:How CJM enhances product design and user experience.The critical role of CJM to accelerate business goals and ensure consistency.How CJM drives digital transformation and fosters growth for financial services.Read the full article on UXDA's blog: https://www.theuxda.com/blog/discussion-panel-magical-impact-user-journey-map* AI podcast on UXDA article powered by Google NotebookLM

Send us a textIn this compelling episode of the Customer Success Playbook Podcast, Kevin Metzger presents a transformative perspective on service delivery, framing it as a product rather than just a process. This paradigm shift enables organizations to apply proven customer success methodologies to their service delivery framework, ensuring consistency, scalability, and enhanced value delivery.Detailed AnalysisKevin Metzger delves deep into the concept of treating service delivery as a product, emphasizing that for service-based companies, the delivery mechanism itself is the product being sold to customers. This innovative approach allows organizations to leverage established customer success concepts such as customer journey mapping, ideal customer profiles, and product fit within their service delivery framework.The discussion highlights several critical components of successful service delivery:Standardized Operating Procedures: Establishing consistent frameworks for customer interactions, reporting structures, and billing processes creates a repeatable and scalable service delivery model.Onboarding Excellence: Drawing from insights shared by industry experts Donna Weber and Melissa Caldwell, the episode emphasizes the importance of structured onboarding as a crucial service delivery function.Custom Delivery Within Framework: While deliverables may be customized for individual clients, they should operate within a defined methodology that ensures consistent quality and outcomes.Communication Patterns: The importance of establishing clear communication protocols and ensuring all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities in the service delivery process.The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming discussion about the role of AI and agents in enhancing service delivery, suggesting exciting developments in the field.This strategic approach to service delivery provides organizations with a scalable, measurable, and refined methodology that can be continuously improved to deliver increasing value to clients.Now you can interact with us directly by leaving a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/CustomerSuccessPlaybookPlease Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. You can also find the CS Playbook Podcast:YouTube - @CustomerSuccessPlaybookPodcastTwitter - @CS_PlaybookYou can find Kevin at:Metzgerbusiness.com - Kevin's person web siteKevin Metzger on Linked In.You can find Roman at:Roman Trebon on Linked In.

Welcome to our Special Mix! This episode brings together the latest strategies in customer loyalty, hidden revenue optimization, marketing, analytics, and more. If you're an e-commerce brand looking to strengthen your competitive edge, these expert interviews will guide you toward success.

Ed Powers, Principal Consultant at Service Excellence Partners, discusses in depth the measurable impact of digital customer success on revenue retention and long-term loyalty. He and Alex discuss lessons from B2C industries, the importance of viewing the full customer journey, and how companies can embrace constant innovation to scale effectively while avoiding common mistakes in digital CX strategies.Chapters:00:00 - Intro03:01 - Early career lessons at HP  04:01 - Transitioning from hospitality to tech  05:20 - The bridge between B2C and B2B CX  10:53 - CS impact on revenue retention  16:15 - Why exit interviews matter  20:50 - Seeing the customer's true journey  34:37 - Simplifying scale: Peloton and Ben & Jerry's  40:49 - Root causes vs. symptoms in digital motions  43:28 - Constant innovation and experimentation  Enjoy! I know I sure did…Ed's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-powers-ab5315/This episode of the DCX Podcast is brought to you by Thinkific Plus, a Customer Education platform designed to accelerate customer onboarding, streamline the customer experience and avoid employee burnout. For more information and to watch a demo, visit https://www.thinkific.com/plus/ Support the show+++++++++++++++++Like/Subscribe/Review:If you are getting value from the show, please follow/subscribe so that you don't miss an episode and consider leaving us a review. Website:For more information about the show or to get in touch, visit DigitalCustomerSuccess.com. Buy Alex a Cup of Coffee:This show runs exclusively on caffeine - and lots of it. If you like what we're, consider supporting our habit by buying us a cup of coffee: https://bmc.link/dcspThank you for all of your support!The Digital Customer Success Podcast is hosted by Alex Turkovic

Meet Tove Lundell from Custellence, a leading customer journey mapping platform that helps businesses visualize and optimize their customer experience.  In this episode, Tov shares valuable insights on how to use customer journey mapping to improve customer experience, enhance team collaboration, and drive business growth.  He also discusses the importance of website design, SEO, and AI in today's marketing landscape.

In this episode, Kris Rudeegraap, co-founder and co-CEO at Sendoso, shares how businesses can foster meaningful customer connections in today's hybrid and AI-driven landscape. He touches on leveraging data for hyper-personalization, bridging gaps in customer engagement, and leveraging gifting as a strategic tool. Kris also delves into how Sendoso evolved from a manual concept to a scalable solution that empowers sales and marketing teams to drive growth and build lasting relationships.

Send us a textThe conversation delves into the intricacies of the customer lifecycle, challenging the oversimplified view many companies hold. Armaly introduces the concept of customer satisfaction as a dynamic, wave-like journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to its ebbs and flows. The discussion covers crucial aspects of customer success, including seamless handoffs between departments, data-driven processes, personalized enablement, and the strategic use of AI in enhancing customer relationships.Detailed AnalysisThe Dynamic Customer Journey: Armaly dispels the myth of a linear customer journey, likening it instead to riding a roller coaster or surfing a wave. This analogy underscores the emotional and unpredictable nature of customer satisfaction, urging businesses to adopt a more nuanced approach to customer success.Seamless Departmental Transitions: The podcast highlights the critical importance of smooth handoffs between different teams, from sales to onboarding to enablement. Armaly stresses that these transitions are pivotal in maintaining customer momentum and preventing friction that could lead to negative perceptions.Data-Driven Customer Success: The conversation emphasizes the need for unified, data-driven processes across organizations. Access to comprehensive customer information enables personalized interactions and timely support, contributing to a more effective customer success strategy.Personalized Onboarding and Enablement: Armaly advocates for tailored onboarding experiences, recognizing that each customer has unique needs and learning styles. The discussion extends to enablement, emphasizing the importance of empowering customers to understand the full potential of products in solving their specific challenges.Health Scoring and Proactive Management: The podcast delves into the concept of sophisticated health scoring systems as a "crucible for business transformation." These systems provide real-time insights into customer relationship health, allowing for proactive intervention and risk mitigation.The Role of AI in Customer Success: Armaly shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing customer relationship management, citing examples from Oracle. He emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to AI implementation, balancing automation with the essential human touch in customer interactions.Breaking Down Silos: The discussion touches on the potential of AI to break down organizational silos, fostering a more collaborative and customer-centric approach across different departments.The Human Element in Customer Success: Despite the focus on technology and data, the podcast reinforces the importance of human connection in building lasting customer relationships, as exemplified by Armaly's personal anecdotes.This episode provides valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance their customer success strategies, offering a blend of strategic thinking, practical advice, and forward-looking perspectives on the evolving landscape of customer relationship management.Please Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. You can also find the CS Playbook Podcast:YouTube - @CustomerSuccessPlaybookPodcastTwitter - @CS_PlaybookYou can find Kevin at:Metzgerbusiness.com - Kevin's person web siteKevin Metzger on Linked In.You can find Roman at:Roman Trebon on Linked In.

We're thrilled to sit down with Michael Katz, the CEO of mParticle in this episode. mParticle is a leading customer data platform that helps businesses unify and activate their customer data to drive better marketing outcomes. They specialize in integrating various data sources to create unified customer profiles, enabling companies to deliver personalized and efficient marketing campaigns.In our conversation, Michael dives deep into the evolution of customer data management, sharing insights on how the shift from integration to intelligence is shaping the future of marketing. One of the key takeaways is his emphasis on the importance of building a strong first-party data foundation, which is crucial for businesses navigating the challenges of data privacy and third-party cookie deprecation. Another recurring theme is the collaboration between marketing and IT teams, highlighting the concept that "data is a team sport." MK discusses how aligning these departments can lead to better execution and more effective use of customer data. If you're a marketer looking to stay ahead in the rapidly changing landscape of customer data and marketing technology, then this episode is for you!Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube ▶️: https://youtu.be/ECTN_VC5760 

In Episode 480 of The Dark Horse Entrepreneur, host Tracy Brinkmann explores the power of effective customer journey mapping. Understand the five critical stages—Awareness, Consideration, Purchase, Retention, Advocacy—and learn key techniques to optimize each touchpoint. With actionable tips and essential tools, this episode guides you to create a seamless customer experience, transforming visitors into loyal advocates. Don't miss out on discovering strategies that can skyrocket your customer retention and satisfaction!

Send us a Text Message.In this insightful episode of the Customer Success Playbook Podcast, hosts Roman Trebon and Kevin Metzger engage in a dynamic conversation with Jarvis Harris, Global Head of Customer Success and Renewals at Xactly. The discussion revolves around creating an effective segmentation plan for first value delivery, emphasizing the importance of early value realization in the customer journey and its impact on long-term success.Detailed AnalysisThe Importance of First Value DeliveryJarvis Harris emphasizes the critical nature of delivering first value early in the customer journey. He explains that in the SaaS world, where customers don't incur as much technical debt, demonstrating value quickly is essential for ensuring renewals, maintaining high retention rates, and driving growth revenue retention (GRR) and net revenue retention (NRR).The 30-60-90 Day Segmentation PlanHarris introduces a strategic 30-60-90 day segmentation plan for onboarding, tailored to different product types and market segments. He stresses the importance of understanding the product type, market, and customer base when developing this plan. The approach varies for self-service products, niche market products, and enterprise solutions.The Three D's of Success: Driver, Dreamer, DoerA key concept introduced is the "Three D's of Success": Driver, Dreamer, and Doer. Harris explains how identifying these roles within a customer organization is crucial for effective onboarding and value delivery. Each role has different stakes and requires a tailored approach during the onboarding process.Preventing Scope CreepTo prevent scope creep during longer onboarding cycles, Harris advises maintaining clear communication, adhering to defined goals, and having the confidence to say "no" when necessary. He emphasizes the importance of the Customer Success Manager (CSM) acting as a trusted advisor and maintaining the original definition of success.Communication and Milestone SettingConstant communication and setting interim milestones are highlighted as crucial elements in maintaining customer confidence during extended onboarding processes. Harris stresses the importance of success plans as guiding documents and the need for CSMs to have visibility into the work of professional services or partner teams.Product-Driven Onboarding StrategiesFor product-driven onboarding, especially in lower-priced, self-service scenarios, Harris recommends leveraging in-app tools like WalkMe or Pendo, community-based tools like Higher Logic Vanilla, and customer success platforms tailored to the specific needs of the product and market.Understanding Your Market and ProductHarris emphasizes the critical importance of understanding your market, product, and ideal customer profile when implementing a segmentation strategy. This understanding should inform the entire customer success approach, from staffing models to technology choices.Please Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe. You can also find the CS Playbook Podcast:YouTube - @CustomerSuccessPlaybookPodcastTwitter - @CS_PlaybookYou can find Kevin at:Metzgerbusiness.com - Kevin's person web siteKevin Metzger on Linked In.You can find Roman at:Roman Trebon on Linked In.

Melissa Douros is the guest on this episode of the Product Thinking podcast and she sat down with our host, Melissa Perri, to discuss her career journey and role as the Chief Product Officer at Green Dot, a modern fintech company. The pair explore the challenges and excitement of working in the banking-as-a-service model, the importance of adopting a product model in organizations undergoing digital transformation, and the role of effective communication and collaboration in driving successful customer experiences.

In this episode of The Pilates Business Podcast, host Seran Glanfield delves into the crucial topic of customer journey mapping for boutique fitness studios. She explains how understanding and optimizing each stage of the customer journey can transform client experiences and boost studio success.Seran breaks down the five key stages - awareness, consideration, engagement, retention, and advocacy - offering practical tips and insights for studio owners to enhance their client relationships at every touchpoint. From crafting compelling introductory offers to nurturing long-term loyalty, this episode provides a roadmap for studio owners looking to increase client retention, improve conversion rates, and build a thriving community of enthusiastic members. Whether you're struggling with summer slowdowns or aiming to take your studio to the next level, Seran's expert advice on customer journey mapping is a game-changer for boutique fitness businesses.Got a question for Seran? Add it here

The majority of revenue comes after the initial sales. A 5% lift in retention can lead to a 20-95% increase in revenue. But most companies neglect the customer side - so we need a new playbook.That's exactly what we talked about with Sid Kumar, VP of GTM Strategy & Planning at Databricks. (00:00) - Introduction (02:23) - Meet Sid (03:05) - The Need for a New Go-to-Market Playbook (03:17) - Defining a Connected Go-to-Market Strategy (04:52) - Challenges in Customer Journey Mapping (06:02) - Practical Steps for Creating a Unified Customer Journey (12:28) - The Importance of Keeping It Simple (16:48) - Adapting Go-to-Market Strategies for Different Segments (17:34) - Diagnosing Revenue Leakage and Efficiency (24:20) - Entering New Markets: Challenges and Missteps (24:57) - Unpacking the New Playbook: Customer First Approach (25:24) - Reframing Marketing and Sales Alignment (27:14) - The Role of Customer Success in Go-To-Market Strategy (30:50) - Breaking Down Organizational Silos (38:42) - The Evolving Role of Revenue Operations (42:30) - Always Planning: Adapting to Market Changes (45:49) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts SourcesWinning by Design, CS as a profit centerHubspot & Pavilion RevOps survey*** This episode is brought to you by Growblocks. Finding and fixing problems in your GTM shouldn't take weeks. It should happen instantly.That's why Growblocks built the first RevOps platform that shows you your entire funnel, split by motions, segments and more - so you can find problems, the root-cause and identify solutions fast, all in the same platform.***Connect with us

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your hosts are Paul Marden and Oz Austwick.Fill in the Rubber Cheese 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey - the annual benchmark statistics for the attractions sector.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website rubbercheese.com/podcast.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned in this podcast.Competition ends on 21st August 2024. The winner will be contacted via Twitter. Show references: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenpriestnall/https://linktr.ee/oomphincStephen Priestnall founded oomph, now an accredited B Corp, in 2005, acquired Decision Juice in 2009 and is globally recognised as a specialist in CX driven transformation projects and digital innovation. He has advised at a senior level across public and private sector organisations in the UK, Americas, Asia and the Middle East and is an instigator of international research studies into behaviour change. He is a Board Trustee with Aneurin Leisure Trust, advising on CX and communications strategy and a founding Director at Wellbeing Economy Cymru, part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance, advocating for a new approach to economic sustainability for people and planet. Transcription:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, a podcast for people working in and working with Mister attractions. I'm your host, Paul Marden. On today's episode, I speak to Stephen Priestnall, the CEO of oomph, a CX focused agency based in the UK and UAE who help clients to understand people and design better experiences. We're going to go back to first principles and understand what customer experience is all about and understand what attractions can do better to serve the needs of their customers. Paul Marden: Hello, Oz. Oz Austwick: Hi, Paul. So this is the last episode of Season 5, right? Paul Marden: Yes, that is right. Can you believe after we took the reigns from. From young Ms. Molson not too long ago, that we would actually make it to the end of the season? Oz Austwick: Do you know, it's crazy, isn't it? I mean, five seasons of a podcast. Most podcasts don't get through to the end of one season. And I can remember listening to this podcast years ago and actually sending people links as an example of what a good podcast is. And now here we are, you and I, at the end of Season 5. It's crazy.. Paul Marden: Yay. Guardians of this little baby. Oz Austwick: Yeah. Yeah, no pressure. So today's quite an interesting one, right? Paul Marden: Yeah. I've got a guest who has been a friend of mine for some time, Stephen Priestnall of Oomph agency. And we're going to talk a little bit about customer experience. So nice little chat between Stephen and I, and then you and I will come together in a little while and talk a little bit about. Let's reminisce about season five and talk a little bit about what might happen in Season 6. Oz Austwick: Awesome. Great. I'm looking forward to it. Paul Marden: Let's get on with it then. Welcome to podcast, Stephen. Stephen Priestnall: Nice to be here, Paul. Thanks for inviting me. Paul Marden: Good to have you on. Longtime listeners will know that we always start the podcast with some icebreaker questions, which hopefully not too challenging, but we get to know you a little bit better before we start talking about work. So both of my icebreakers are all about visiting attractions this time. So how organised are you in advance? If you go to an attraction, do you take a picnic with you, or are you always partaking of a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the coffee shop? Stephen Priestnall: I think it would have to be a particularly kind of informal attraction for me to have thought about taking a picnic beforehand. So normally it's just the anticipation of going to the place, and then I'll utilise the services in the place. Paul Marden: I love a good slice of cake in the coffee shop afterwards. Scone, cream, tea and scone that would be me. Stephen Priestnall: No way. Maybe a bit of our breath or fruitcake. It's probably more me. Paul Marden: Oh, lovely. I was at the Roman Baths yesterday with my little girl and we had a lovely wander around and they had a brilliant self guided tour. So if you've got a choice, do you go for a self guided tour? Do you wander around and follow your nose? Or would you rather have a guide take you around and tell you the stories? Stephen Priestnall: I almost never have a guide to take me around. And then sometimes I even find the self guided tours a little bit invasive. If I'm in a different country where there is kind of a language barrier, a filter, then I might use it then. But you know what? I kind of like that the ability just to bump from one bit to another. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And experience the experience through my own kind of filter. So that's what I would normally do. I haven't been able to wander around with the headphones on, almost never with a guy. Paul Marden: Yeah, they had a lovely one at the Roman Baths yesterday. So it had both adult interpretation and kids interpretation, and I found myself switching to the kids one so that I was experiencing what Millie was experiencing, because I was saying to her, “Oh, did they tell you what that was?” “Oh, no, that wasn't in the kids version.” So I swapped the kids one and it brought it to life. It was really. It became much more shared experience for us. Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, well, that's like that's like the horrible history stuff. Yeah. But actually, it's brilliant. Rattles that was what they were on about in the tudor period, then. I didn't get it until now. Paul Marden: Yeah, look, listeners, Stephen and I have known each other for quite some time. We've been working together a lot on different projects, and his agency, Oomph, does a lot of work in customer experience. And so today's episode is going to be a little bit more about a primer on what do we mean by customer experience? And really, what I'd like to get to the bottom of today is what can attractioners do better to serve the needs of their customers. Yeah. So, really, Stephen, what I want to do is pick your brains. Let's introduce this whole subject of CX and customer experience and help people to better understand a little bit about what does that mean and how can they bring that into their day to day work in running attractions and meeting customers. Paul Marden: So, before we start that, why don't you tell us a little bit more about you and a little bit more about Oomph. So that listeners can better understand the context. Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, thanks, Paul. We've positioned ourselves around the concept of customer experience for about ten years now, and customer experience ten years ago was a bit of an oddball place to be. It kind of grew out of the user experience, the UX world, with a little bit of event management thrown into it and a little bit of actually, you need to think about people in the middle of all of this. And we come from a background of combining digital and data quite successfully to kind of help devise communications campaigns, kind of brand engagements, that kind of thing. And what we could see was if you brought all these things together as data was getting more sophisticated, with digital interactions on the rise, that you could get yourself much more informed about the way in which people's customers were actually behaving. Stephen Priestnall: And not so much what they were actually how they were behaving, but also what their needs were that drove the behaviours. And so we have, we've grounded our work and customer experience around a very clear desire to understand the needs of our clients' customers, and then to hold that mirror up for our clients and say, “Look, I know you have these products and services to sell and to engage with, but what we're going to do is a job of letting you know at the point of engagement they're hitting your customers needs in this way. And if you then flip the lens around from the customer need first rather than the product or service first, you might determine a different way of building that service or designing that interaction, or maybe even changing the way in which you invite customers into a journey with you.”Stephen Priestnall: So a lot of data and digital inside are our space port that inform CX. And then in the last couple of years, AI has been another transformative technology that we've started to utilise. And we know we treat it as good AI. We know there's bad AI out there, but the good AI is really helpful. Paul Marden: That's really interesting. We know from the Rubber Cheese Survey this year that most attractions have dabbled. They've played with ChatGPT, or something like that. But there's still a large portion of attractions that have done nothing with AI. And then there's a couple that I would consider at the leading edge. So they're doing things beyond GPT. They're looking at AI enabled CRM or AI enabled workforce management solutions.Paul Marden:  So there's some interest in here, but it's definitely, there's a conversation that we've had on the podcast just recently with Oz and I talking about the idea that we can't quite figure out if we're in a bubble because a lot of people that we talk to talk a lot of good game about AI, but when we're talking to the businesses, the clients, they're only just getting into this in the most shallow way. Agencies like yours and ours are kind of. We're leading the conversation on this, I think. Stephen Priestnall: Well, I think it's really interesting you frame it like that, because one of the things that has informed our approach to CX is the idea of understanding behaviour change, which is a science in itself. So if any listeners are familiar with behaviour change, you'll know how long the tail of kind of investigation evaluation that is. We launched a study in 2020 which ended up over three years and three waves, 10,000 respondents looking at the impact of Covid-19 on people's behaviour and their interaction with organisations. That is part of our research centre which we call tide of events, which is now about to launch another study which is going to be looking at the impact of AI. Paul Marden: Oh really? Stephen Priestnall: As employees, as citizens, as customers, as service users, as members, as supporters. I'm expecting some very interesting things to come out of that study as well. Paul Marden: Yeah, very interesting. So there's this idea of kind of CX thinking and embedding that, embedding it the heart of your agency, but you then helping your clients to embed it into the business. So how can CX thinking help an attraction to improve its offering? And I think if we can look at that in two directions, because obviously most visitor attractions are an in person experience, there's lots of thinking around their interaction and the experience that they feel when they're in the attraction itself. But there's a lot of us looking at either side of that interaction. How do we use marketing to get more people to want to do stuff? And then how do we make sure that they got the best experience after they did and reengage with us. How can CX thinking offline and online help an attraction? Stephen Priestnall: The principles of customer experience thinking, certainly from our perspective, is to deal with the reality of that there are people involved. And I think you and I both know, Paul, in the digital world it's kind of quite easy to forget as a person we spend a lot of time in front of technology, trying to get technology to do stuff that we think is helpful. And then it's easy to lose sight of the goal, which is to help a person achieve a task or do something which they have, they enjoy doing. I think in the world of attractions, destinations, then when you're in a kind of physical world, that you're sat in that environment designing something, and you're a physical person yourself. Stephen Priestnall: And as a designer, looking in that environment, feeling that, okay, well, if I walk from here to here, it's going to feel like that. If I put this in the wrong place, if my member of staff is trained in the wrong way and uses the wrong language, that's going to have a direct impact. So you kind of get brought back to the people side of it quite a lot when you're in it in person. So I would say that the world of CX thinking is about bringing the importance of the human into the overall experience. So you don't treat the digital experience with kind of it in a different frame set than you treat the in real life, in person experience. Stephen Priestnall: And that's quite hard to do, because sometimes you're trying to drive the digital experiences as a kind of conversion funnel to get people to do something and buy something or consume some content. And you can kind of get hung up on the word optimisation and funnel management, and you then get drawn into, how can we push people through to the next phase? And push people through to the next phase? And imagine if you're in an attraction, and yeah, you might make certain parts, physical areas, a place where you would want people to go to, but you wouldn't have somebody walking up and nudging them in the back, pushing them down the aisle and stopping them from turning around and staying in one place. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And yet, that's often what happens in the digital world. It becomes an optimisation process to kind of channel a particular behavior that we think is optimal for the organisation. So the world of CX stands back from that, identifies the needs that were satisfying, and looks at Paul and Stephen as two individuals who are unique as individuals, and can be defined by a set of age, gender, sociological, economic characteristics. But actually, Paul and I might have five or six relevant needs for the attraction of which two are consistent. And, you know, two or three are completely different. So we can't treat Paul as Paul and Stephen as Stephen. We have to understand the relationship between the needs that we have as individuals and the thing that we're doing, or the point of the point on the journey we're on. Stephen Priestnall: And I think that's tricky to kind of link the digital and the in real life worlds together. But that's the trick I like to think the kind of CX approach would bring. Paul Marden: Yeah. Just as you're saying that it can be hard to think about the person. But also many of the attractions that we work with have very different offerings. And so consequently they have very different audiences that have very different needs. And, you know, are you trying to serve online an audience that's never going to attend? How do you serve those people's needs? If you've got an educational remit, how do you serve those people's needs whilst at the same time serving the needs of the people that you want to bring in and spend money on site with you? If you're a historic house that also has a golf course and it has a hotel and it has some sort of kids attraction associated with it, there's so many different audiences. Paul Marden: So that kind of CX thinking can help you to step back. Stephen Priestnall: Absolutely. And actually just maybe think of a great triangulation process between three different clients that we've been working with recently that show that kind of breadth of differences. So we work with the saudi arabian government on a new, one of their giga projects on a new destination out in the desert near Rhea called Duria. And that is an amazing set of destination components. Golf courses, equestrian centres, hotels, business centres. And that's creating a destination for a country which has never had any tourism in it before. So with a whole bunch of high net worth individuals that you've got to think about, then also a challenge to get people who live in Saudi to not spend the $90 billion a year that they do going to visit the rest of the world and to actually visit somewhere in Saudi. Stephen Priestnall: So we've had a set of kind of challenges around how do you drive a customer journey, a visitor journey for that. And we've been working with an organisation called Marketing Manchester, helping them devise a new segmentation so they can, I'm going to use the term, attract the right kind of visitors to go to Manchester to hook in with their sustainability strategy. They don't just want people in the shopping malls and going to the football, sports events or shows, albeit they would like that. They also want to understand the community engagement, the cultural engagement and the environmental footprint that they leave behind. And then we're just in conversations with North York Moore's National Park. And then there's a whole different set of conversations about engagement with the local community, communities, a little bit arms folded about tourists. How do you make that come together? Stephen Priestnall: And all of this is about people and it's about understanding people's relationship with people and things. Paul Marden: Brilliant. So let's have a little think about given that those are the ideas behind CX thinking. If you were starting out down this road, what are the simple things that people can do to start to bed the customer at the heart of their thinking as they're planning their services? And I'm thinking in terms of, we've got very different types of attractions in this country, very small, up to, you know, big international attractions. Let's pick the small guys. Yeah. Imagine you're running a small town museum and, you know, you've got a handful of people working in the team. How can you start to embed the customer into your thinking to improve the service? Stephen Priestnall: So I think, I don't think the principles change with scale. I think that the executional methods will change with scale, but the principles. And you can have, you know, if you've got a small team of three or four people, you can have these three or four people working together in a room. You can support a research or not, if you can afford the research that great. If you can't, then you use. So we use a term called foundational intelligence. So before we start any research with a client which might go and look at their customers or prospective customers or visitors.Stephen Priestnall: We say, “Right, let's go all of the information in your organisation on the surface, first, because there's however many people around the room's years of experience, which is not necessarily formed in a cx way, but if we get that on the table, we've probably got a 60, 70, 80% starting point for what we're going to need to know in the end. I think that's the first thing I would say, is take confidence in the fact you've got some foundational intelligence about customer experience. But there might be a clever way of bringing that out through a little workshop. So you ask the right questions of each other. And one of the ways which I think is useful to do and quite practical is to think about three different ways of looking at people as individuals. Stephen Priestnall: So think about themselves as a, you know, a standard attribute based, if you like, cohort or segments, you know, age, demography, all those things that we talked about, but then move those to one side and then ask a relatively straightforward question, what needs are being satisfied by your services? So it's kind of, what's the point of what you do? Yeah, well, harsh question. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: But it's devoid from, if you like, knowing your customers at that point, devoid from any transaction based evaluation or business case to say, what's the point of what we do? Why do people turn up and then be quite hard about answering those questions. And when you get the first answer in your head, which is based on what you've always thought you've always done, just go right. Is that really why people turn up? Paul Marden: Is that right? Stephen Priestnall: Really why people walk through the door? Is that really why people tell their friends about us? Paul Marden: There's a little bit of lean thinking there, isn't there? You've got five whys, haven't you? You could go, but why? But why? But why? Just to keep pushing yourself to think that hard thought. Stephen Priestnall: Exactly. Whatever, you know, whatever little mental games you want to play with it, that's the kind of point. What's the point? And then the next lens to look at it is the journey your visitors are on in order to not just get to your destination, but get out of your destination and be reflecting on it to their I, peers, friends, colleagues, family. And that journey doesn't mean I book a ticket, I turn up, I walk around the attraction and then I go home. It means what are the component parts of that journey when they're in planning more just you asked me earlier on about whether I plan a picnic. What are they planning? How likely are they to plan? Do they not want to plan? Do they just want to turn up? Stephen Priestnall: You know, when they're getting to, when they're coming, when they're traveling to the destination, how are they traveling? What's their preferred method of travel? And then what are the different ways in which people engage with the attraction itself? And then what happens afterwards when they walk out? Do they walk out and go for a beer? Forget about it. Did they do that thing you do in a golf club where you spend the next 3 hours talking about what you did for the last 3 hours? And what's the version of that could be done in social media afterwards? And again, do that. Do that without necessarily worrying too much about who does what. So you end up these kind of journey components. Stephen Priestnall: Now all these things can be really heavily researched if you've got resources and the time to do that, but you can do it in a room with three or four people in 2 or 3 hours. And what you'll end up with is a set of right. The people who visit us look a bit like this. Typically, here's five or six types of people, here's a pool type, here's a Steven type, here's a whoever else type of. We've got ten or eleven needs. Well, who knew we had ten or eleven needs? That were satisfying. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: So you write those down. Oh, look, we got a journey which looks like planning, engagement, reflection. And I use those three terms because we use them all the time because they're nice and easy to get your head around. Planning, engagement, reflection, and within engagement here are all the different bits that are happening in engagement here. At the different bits that, all right, we might have a dozen, maybe even two dozen components underneath those kind of three big things. And you've then got a bit of a jigsaw. And it's also objective at that point as well. You've then got this objective jigsaw to say, which of those five or six groups of people have which of those needs do we think you might end up with that funny place where. Stephen Priestnall: Oh, actually that cohort doesn't have any of those needs, so we think they really like coming to us, but we're not doing anything to satisfy their needs or this other group that we don't get many of. Look how many needs we're satisfying in that group. Maybe we should be targeting that group. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: So whether you're. Whether you go outwards and change your segmentation, your targeting, or whether you come in with and change your service design, you've already got some things to think about. And then when you map the journey on top of that, and again, you know, nice. It could be a done on paper, it could be done. There's loads of tools online you can do this without getting too scientific. You've then got the points at which, all right, so if that need is being satisfied for those people at that point, we now have a design intervention to work out. So we now have, essentially, we have a brief, we have a specification now that might be a piece of digital interaction, it might be a piece of communications design, it might be a piece of signage in the attraction, it might be a follow up social media nudge. Stephen Priestnall: You're then not inventing what you think it is that you need to do for your attraction. We use a phrase which I think clients are pretty comfortable with in the end because it. It's a real reflection. It's completely normal for organisations to kind of end up with an inside and view of the world. Everything is all about the product and the service because that's where the investment goes, that's where the thinking goes. And what we try and do is just to persuade people to take an outside in view. So actually look at this from the point of view of the customer. And I think what the exercise I've just described does is help you take that outside in view. Paul Marden: I'm smiling for those listening. I'm smiling because I just, it reminds me of so many times where I can, you know, I can see observing in the projects that we do or just, you know, interacting with the outside world, where you can tell that people often take a very parochial internal view and they'll communicate with the outside world in their own internal language. They will try and, you know, influence people to do things rather than thinking, how does this appear outside? Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, and it's, it, but it's also, it's not a critique. It's normalised behaviour. If you just think about how organisations grow, you end up with an idea, you know, where often it is about the customers. You've got this entrepreneurial, innovative spark that kicks the idea off, satisfying the needs. And then you build up a bunch of teams who, by definition, have broken out into departments with different roles and responsibilities. And then, and then the sense of self of the people in those teams is derived from the departmental responsibility. Paul Marden: Yes. Stephen Priestnall: But as a consequence, you then are trained, naturally trained to be inside out. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And so, it's normal. And then when that, then when the salesperson comes back and says, “Why did you build it like that?” You know, the designer, the product person says, “Well, because that's the best way of doing this thing.” And the salesperson says, “I can't sell that.” And that actually, and I don't know how much. In your podcast, Paul, you talked about agile, but this is when the concept of squads really can work. I think that you have to take real care with squads because they can end up creating rooms of people who don't understand each other. I think unless there's one other thing I would say about the human part of CX, you have to take this into the culture of the organisation as well. So you asked me earlier, how do you present a CX focus for an organisation? Stephen Priestnall: Well, you can't just drop the results of that little workshop on top of everybody, because it's the going through the process of looking at those three lenses that puts you in a different mindset. If you then just end up telling the product people or telling the sales people or telling the ops people, can you do it like this now? They'll just add that onto their list of things to do. It won't be a change. Paul Marden: But when you bring those people into the conversation, I think it brings a different perspective, doesn't it? And I think that's the one thing I've learned from you in the few years that we've known one another is that when you boil it down, everything is a CX project. And I don't think I ever really thought about that. That there can be something which to me seems so navel gazing, internally focused as a technical project to deliver in the business. But actually, when you think, when you apply the rigor of thinking about the client, the customer, then you find that it is a CX driven project, even if it is completely internally facing. It can be about the communication between two teams, but in the end, because they don't have good communication, it's resulting in this poor customer experience over here. Paul Marden: So when you think about it hard, then these projects have a CX focus, even when they are very kind of internally facing.Stephen Priestnall: And it's sometimes difficult. I mean, I think that's a really good articulation of it. It sometimes can be a challenge to make that process seem worthwhile, because what you end up doing is spending more time challenging what you think is right at the beginning of the process. And there's always a desire from somewhere to move things on. I think that there's a little value based model that I always apply in my head, which if we treat this kind of CX phase as the planning phase, and then you go through a design phase, then you go through a build phase. For every extra hour you spend in planning, without spending that, you would spend ten more hours in design and a hundred more hours in production. So if you leave that hour aside, you're going to have a tenfold in design phase. Stephen Priestnall: And if you don't deal with it in design phase, you'll have it 100 fold, then build phase. But choosing to do that extra hour, which is tension filled, it might be a bit of conflict, there might be a bit of defensiveness. It needs to be carefully managed and kind of cajoled, but the value of it is meant. Paul Marden: Yeah. So you've described this kind of approach to take, identifying who the customers are, trying to use a little bit of intuition to be all science if you've got the budget to go and do the research, but to understand those customers in more detail and what their needs are, and then driving down and finding out where, you know, the journey maps onto that and where the gaps are and starting to look to fill those gaps. Is there room in the world for a dirty bottom up approach where you can see a problem already and you want to address that problem? Can you attack this from both angles or do you need to start from a top down approach? Stephen Priestnall: I'm an arch pragmatist and if we know there's a problem to solve and it's screaming for a solution, then that's going to solve the problem. I would only cancel that try and stand back and look at the unintended consequences through a very objective lens. You don't need to spend long doing that. But I think the magnetism of solving a problem that's been a longstanding problem can also act as a set of blinkers. So that's the only thing I would say. Paul Marden: Yeah, you can be distracted by the screaming problem that turns out not to be the real root cause. If you take the bigger picture of you. Stephen Priestnall: If we got this horrendous problem just before checkout, whether that's a digital or at the attraction itself and queuing up going on, you know, there's a need to solve that through a piece of technology or extra stuff on the tills. But actually, it turns out that there's a funneling process going on in the start of the process that's causing everybody to end up at the checker at the same time. And that can be solved by a different distribution of products in the attraction itself, or bringing in some different content to inform people in the digital journey. That means they don't have to do task X and Y because they now know about it. You know, we've all had that before, which it looks like people can't get through this bit of the funnel. Let's try and make this bit of the funnel easier. Stephen Priestnall: Let's try and do more things. More buttons, more. Let's just try and make it easier. But actually, it turns out, if only we'd given that visitor to the digital journey more time to consume content and not push them through the first stage of the transaction process so quickly, they would have entered the second stage much better informed and relaxed about completing the overall thing. Paul Marden: It's just such a challenge, isn't it? Because I can just feel me even now with our fictitious scenario, all I want to do is squeeze them down the funnel. But you have to focus at the end about getting the right outcome, don't you? Stephen Priestnall:  There's another great metaphor I like to use, and we do this all the time because we talk about something called sustainable customer experience. And sustainable customer experience strategy isn't about a green CX strategy. It's about saying, if you get your CX strategy right, you will have to spend less money on acquiring new customers, so it's more economically sustainable and there's a really interesting kind of just different way of looking at it. So normally if you look at the typical retail conversion process, if you get 100 people on the top of a digital funnel, you might get five out the end as a conversion there's usually really simple numbers, five. So everybody works on how do we make five six? That's the big thing because that's like 20% improvement. If you get five to six, we've just put 20% on the bottom line. Stephen Priestnall: Meanwhile there's 95 people. Do you care? Are you interested? I came here for a reason and you don't like me anymore, so. Well, goodbye then. So what we do is we say, right, we want to put as much effort into understanding the 94. It's not wasted effort. I'm a pragmatist, as we do making the five six, because if out of that 94 we can get another 20 over the next twelve months to do the same thing. We've not spent any money on customer acquisition. We've built and engaged in a relationship. We've had opportunities to talk and engage them, which probably means they're going and talking to other people and checking about the experience. So they're probably doing some recruitment for us anyway, which we can also nudge behaviour. Stephen Priestnall: And then what that does, it changes the mentality inside the organisation to not just think about, we've got six out the other end. Yes. Celebrate. And actually think about. Because imagine if you did that physically. Imagine if physically you could see the hundred people in a queue and everybody went off celebrating the 6th that went through. And then you look back and you looked at these 94 people just milling around having a chat with each other and what just happened. Paul Marden: Yeah, that would feel pretty uncomfortable, wouldn't it? Stephen Priestnall: It will. Especially for an attraction. Paul Marden: Yeah, for sure. Look, this has been brilliant. It's nice. I think sometimes to take a step back and look at that kind of the 101 class, the intro to the subject. And I think this is a subject that we will come back to again and again. We've talked about taking it back to its first principles a little bit today, but this is embedded within the attraction sector. They know and understand the people that come through the door. This is something that they take really seriously, obviously. But I think there are ways in which we can take what we've learned today and use that as a springboard into some more deeper conversations. Paul Marden: Maybe in Season 6, which is coming up where we can talk a little bit more about, you know, your conversations about AI, the direction that you take these things in. How does AI help you in a world where you want to be cx centric? What does AI do for you? So thank you ever so much. This has been brilliant. Thank you. Stephen Priestnall: Really enjoyed it. Paul Marden: One last ask of you, though. We always ask our interviewees to come up with a book recommendation. And it can be fiction, it can be factual, it can be about the subject. But we will give this book away to the first person that retweets the show advert and says, I want Stephen's book. So what is the book that you'd like to share with the world? Stephen Priestnall: Well, so I'd love to say it was. It was a book I wrote in 1986 on expert systems in context. I was doing AI back in the 80's. That one is out of print. You definitely will get hold of it. Instead, it's a book that I think challenges, whatever your persuasions about understanding of the environment and climate, challenges your way of thinking about. It's a book by an activist called George Monbiot, and it's called Feral. And it's to do with the rewilding of Britain, the potential for rewilding Britain. And again, whether you're minded to think that's a good thing or not, it's a great book to just think, okay, that's my perceptions challenge. I hadn't thought of things like that. Paul Marden: Excellent. So, listeners, if you'd like to get a copy of Stephen's book, then head over to X, find the show tweet that we put out and say, I want Stephen's book. And the first person to do that will get a copy. Stephen, this has been wonderful. Thank you all so much. And hopefully we will talk more about this in Season 6. Stephen Priestnall: Thank you very much, Paul. Oz Austwick: He's a really interesting guy, isn't he? Paul Marden: He is indeed. I said to Stephen afterwards, it was such a nice conversation because we've been working together for years, and today I got to ask the questions I've been too embarrassed to ask for the last few years because I really should, at this point, know the answers to them. But today I was able to take the place of the listener and ask those questions without fear of embarrassment. Oz Austwick: Yeah, there does come a point where you kind of feel that you probably shouldn't be asking this question anymore. You should already know this. Yeah, I love that. I thought, it's really interesting. I love this concept of nudging that he talked about, and it's something I've been aware of online for years, but the kind of putting it in the context of happening in the real world, I thought was really interesting. It gives you a bit of insight into how weird it is that we try and force people into certain pathways online. When you'd never dream of doing that in the real world, just having somebody outside a room just pushing you into it. Yeah, you wouldn't do that. Paul Marden: You're in a queue for the log flume and you get poked in the back to say, “Do you want to buy your photo? Do you want to buy your photo? You really do want to buy the photo, don't you?”Oz Austwick: Well, I mean, that does kind of happen, doesn't it? It's usually my children that are doing it, if I'm being honest. But, yeah, really interesting stuff. Paul Marden: A nice way to round out some amazing interviews and fireside chats that we've had over Season 5 and look forward to Season 6. Oz Austwick: Yeah, I'm really excited about Season 6. Paul Marden: Yeah, we want to do something a little bit different, don't we? Oz Austwick: Yeah, well, I mean, firstly, I'll get to start the season of the podcast. Because I wasn't here at the start of Season 5. I've kind of just weaseled my way in halfway through the season and gone, “Yes, mine now.” Paul Marden: Tell listeners, what is it that we want to do differently? Oz Austwick: Well, it feels a bit weird to me that we're creating a podcast all about the visitor attraction sector, which is designed to get people out of their houses to a place and actually experience it in the real world. And yet you're sitting in exactly the same room, and I'm sitting in exactly the same room. And as we pointed out not long ago, I'm wearing the same t shirt as I seem. This appears to be my podcast t shirt. And yet, you know, we're not getting out. So we're gonna get out. We're gonna get in a car and go to a place and record a podcast in an attraction with a person. And I think that's amazing. Paul Marden: Yeah, I just can't wait. We've got a couple lined up. One's crazy, one's going to be a big event. It could be really fun, but we love listeners with attractions who would like two blokes and some cameras to turn up to invite us along. We would love to come and visit your venue. We would love to talk about whatever subject it is that you think our listeners would like to discuss, and we'll come along and we'll record it in real life at your place and see how amazing your venue is and talk more about the stuff that everybody's interested in. Oz Austwick: Absolutely. But it's not just that we're going to do a little bit differently, is it? We're kind of focusing a little bit more on different groups. Paul Marden: Yeah. There was some lovely feedback for those, for listeners that listened to Kelly's final episode, her swan song. When Ross from Drayton Manor came on and talked about his experience of being on the podcast and how influential it was for him to have his 15 minutes of fame for Skip the Queue, and how important that was to him in his stage, in his career, that prompted us to think about, can we use this platform now that so many people before us built to help to shine a light on new and emerging talent in the sector? So if you are in early stages of your career and you are doing something interesting in the attraction space, could be digital, it could be something customer focused in real life. Paul Marden: There's so many different ways where we could have an interesting conversation about what it is that you do and why other people would find it interesting. You know, invite us in. We would love to have that conversation with people. If you know someone, if there's someone in your team who, you know, you can see is doing amazing things and could grow in their career with the spotlight shone on them, and there's lots of people like that, then point them in our direction. Point us in their direction. We can definitely do something to help them to share their story and hopefully to benefit from that springboard, that stepping outside and talking to the outside world about what you do can really have on a career. Oz Austwick: Yeah, absolutely. I think it's lovely that hopefully now, after five seasons, the podcasts kind of mature enough that we don't need to lean on those famous, influential people in the industry quite as much. And hopefully that maybe we've got enough loyal listeners and enough of us standing as a podcast that we can tell stories just because they're interesting. Yeah, you already know the name of the person we're talking to, so, yeah, that's going to be really exciting. Paul Marden: But, you know, there are stories to be told that we don't know about yet that I'm sure will be going on inside listeners minds and, you know, hit us up, send us an email, send us a tweet, an X. I don't know what. I don't know. That's another story, isn't it? But send us a message by carrier Pigeon, if you can, that tells us what you think we should be talking about, the people we should be meeting and the stories that should be told. We would love to hear from you. Oz Austwick: Yeah, and in the meantime, enjoy your two or three weeks without Skip the Queue. Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. Hopefully you're all busy working in your attractions, being absolutely swamped. If the attractions I've been to are anything to go by, it is a rip roaring success of a summer. We've had some pretty good weather and yeah, we'll be looking back at this September October time thinking what an amazing summer it was after a disappointing start to the year. Oz Austwick: So yeah, well, fingers crossed. Absolutely. Paul Marden: Thank you, Oz. It's been delightful. I've enjoyed every minute of it. Oz Austwick: Yeah, me too. Here's to Season 6. Paul Marden: Yeah, see you on the other side. Paul Marden: Thanks for listening to Skip the Queue. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review. It really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned. Skip The Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. You can find show notes and transcriptions from this episode and more over on our website, SkiptheQueue.fm. The 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Help the entire sector:Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsFill in your data now (opens in new tab)

Customer journey mapping is a critical tool for understanding and enhancing customer experience. Stacy Sherman, a professional speaker, coach and business advisor with a wealth of experience in the customer experience field, recently shared her insights on this topic, along with her perspectives on agent experience, the role of AI, and the importance of communication. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today's Customer.

In this rerun episode, Sally discusses the customer's journey, emphasizing the "looking window" between highs and lows, when individuals actively seek help. She outlines seven key stages in the customer journey and automation campaigns, from lead generation to loyalty and reviews. Sally highlights the importance of aligning offerings with each stage to create a seamless customer journey and consistently engage with the audience, ensuring they receive the right information at the right time, reducing lead loss, and building brand loyalty.   We just got featured on Feedspot's list of Australian women's lifestyle podcasts. Check it out at https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_women_lifestyle_podcasts/ Register here and take the first step towards your course creation success: https://www.sparkleclassacademy.com/infographic Connect with Sally and the Sparkle World:  Website: https://sparkleclassacademy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallysparkscousins/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SallySparksCousins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallySparksCousin  

Are you getting stuck while doing a customer journey mapping? Join Jennifer and me as we explore the mistakes to avoid and get advice on creating an effective customer journey map. We also talk about where to start and how to get internal alignment for journey mapping.Jennifer Peters is a Customer Success Leader specialising in Seeds and Series A startups. With more than a decade of experience in the customer success field, Jennifer enjoys the start-up and scale-up environments where the groundwork and the foundation of customer success have the highest impact on growth.She specialises in building customer journeys that maximise impact on revenue and customer engagement, leading to high growth that originates from high retention combined with new business acquisitions.In today's episode, you'll learn about:✅ Mapping out Customer Journeys✅ How to Conduct Journey Mapping Workshops ✅ Mistakes to Avoid in Journey Mapping ✅ What's After Customer Journey Mapping?Watch now and don't miss out on this video because it's filled with valuable tips to help you with customer journey mapping, resulting in higher revenues and happier customers.Follow Jennifer!__________________________________________________About Women in Customer Success Podcast: Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other. Follow:Women in Customer Success - Website - womenincs.co - LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/ - Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast - Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup Host Marija Skobe-Pilley - Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/ - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/ - Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs - Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

One of my favorite episodes in a while. Today, we talk about how you can stand out in a crowded market by looking at an exceptionally successful exterminator. We'll pull out four lessons that make a framework to create contrast between your business and your competitors. We'll talk through Customer Journey Mapping, the Feature Fold, how to take yourself seriously through pricing and the things other people stink at. And, we'll get a ton of help from the Mouse Man (and no help from Ruby). TackleboxIdea to Startup NewsletterIdea to Startup BotSugar (but it stinks)00:30 Intro02:00 We've Got Mice05:15 The Mouse Man's Funnel07:50 Smooth Jazz08:21 One - Build Your Funnel to Match Customer Emotion11:45 Good Questions For Your Funnel12:30 Two - Contrast from the Feature Fold14:30 Saving your Customers a Decision15:53 Three - Take Yourself Seriously19:14 Four - The Things Other People Stink At22:14 The End22:50 Recap of the Four Lessons

Are you ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, attract your dream clients, and join a supportive community of female entrepreneurs? The EmpowerHer Business Accelerator Podcast is your guide to building a thriving business with confidence! Each week, you'll get actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and the inspiration you need to step into your power as a CEO.   In the latest episode of the Marketing 101 for Small Business Owners podcast, host Philippa Channer explores the transformative role of technology in client relations and business efficiency. She introduces CRM and customer journey mapping as key tools for small businesses to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. Philippa also announces the podcast's rebranding to "Empower Business Accelerator Show" and promotes the "Empower Her Power Session" workshop for female entrepreneurs. She breaks down the five stages of the customer journey and advocates for the integration of CRM with journey mapping to gain deeper insights and improve customer interactions. Additionally, Philippa shares practical tools for implementing these strategies and offers a free consultation for personalized guidance.   Whenever you are ready, here are some ways that we can help you:   Free 30-Hour EmpowerHer Discovery Session: https://channerconsultingllc.hbportal.co/schedule/660da85649ef86002d1790d3 Subscribe for regular content on developing a solid marketing plan, marketing strategy, and marketing tips.   Connect with us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/channer-consulting-llc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channerconsulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channerconsulting/ Get in touch: info@channer-consulting.com  

Are you ready to ditch the marketing overwhelm, attract your dream clients, and join a supportive community of female entrepreneurs? The EmpowerHer Business Accelerator Podcast is your guide to building a thriving business with confidence! Each week, you'll get actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and the inspiration you need to step into your power as a CEO.   In the latest episode of the Marketing 101 for Small Business Owners podcast, host Philippa Channer unveils the show's new name, "Empower Her Business Accelerator Show," and invites listeners to engage with the upcoming "Empower Her Power Session" workshop. Philippa shares invaluable tips on enhancing customer loyalty, suggesting personalized gestures, community building, and the importance of feedback to exceed expectations and create lasting client relationships. She also touches on the benefits of personalization in marketing efforts. The episode wraps up with a call to action for the next episode on customer relationship management and an offer for a free consultation to elevate business client experiences.   Whenever you are ready, here are some ways that we can help you:   Free 30-Hour EmpowerHer Discovery Session: https://channerconsultingllc.hbportal.co/schedule/660da85649ef86002d1790d3 Subscribe for regular content on developing a solid marketing plan, marketing strategy, and marketing tips.   Connect with us: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/channer-consulting-llc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channerconsulting/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channerconsulting/ Get in touch: info@channer-consulting.com  

On today's episode of the Customer's First Podcast, we were joined by Dave Seaton, the CEO and principal consultant at Seaton CX. Dave shared his journey into customer experience management, highlighting his success in reducing churn and winning awards. He discussed the importance of customer journey mapping and unveiled his proprietary Dharma method, which consists of five steps: Define, Analyze, Research, Map, and Act. We delved into the differences between journey mapping and process mapping, emphasizing the need for customer insights and aligning mapping projects with strategic goals. Dave stressed the significance of including customer personas, goals, actions, thoughts, emotions, and moments in journey maps to tell a compelling customer story. He also touched on additional elements like friction points, quantitative data, and opportunities for improvement. Moreover, Dave shared three common reasons for customer journey map failures: lack of customer insight, misalignment with strategic plans, and lack of actionable insights. Timestamps: 11:52: Importance of Customer Insights 14:44: Elements of Journey Maps 20:15: Additional Considerations for Journey Maps 24:43: Reasons for Journey Map Failures   Dave's Contact Information: Website: https://www.seatoncx.com LinkedIn: @daveseaton   Tacey's Contact Information:  Website: www.taceyatkinson.com  Social Media: @taceyatkinson Thank you for tuning in, and Tacey looks forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future. Remember: Customer Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences. Now Go Spread the Magic!

In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf sits down with return guests Vice President Wes Dudley and Director Anita Harris from Broad River Retail's Customer Experience team to discuss their impressive achievements in contact center metrics in 2023.  They walk through each of the CX department's top Key Performance Indicators by defining the metric, explaining why it matters, benchmarking what the goals are compared to best-in-class in the retail industry, and then unpacking how they performed for each one in 2023.  They reviewed all of the Contact Center's as well as the Service Department's top metrics. The top eight Contact Center metrics are Avg. Speed of Answer (ASA), Abandon Rate, Customer Effort Score (New), Service Level, Hold Time, Handle Time, After Call Work, and Planned Returns.  The Contact Center exceeded their goals for six of their top eight KPIs (achieving best-in-industry performance in some of them like a 3.50% Abandon Rate) and barely missed hitting their goal in the other two (Service Level and Handle Time). The top three Service Tech metrics are Completion Rate, Closed Service Orders, and CSAT (Customer Satisfaction).  They hit home runs for each of the three Service department's metrics for the full year.  The CX department was a finalist for Contact Center of the Year amongst other large company's contact centers in Retail, and the goal this year is to not just be a finalist but to win it all. After celebrating the wins and reviewing all of the metrics from a successful 2023, the 2nd half of this conversation focused on how they have built culture in CX with a fully remote team.  This included a discussion of Quarterly Listening Sessions, Customer Journey Mapping, Personalized Elevate Plans for CX Leaders, Whiteboarding Sessions, CX celebratory parties, teaching business acumen, bonus programs, keeping the team energized, and a record low turnover of 42% within the CX department.  They also discussed an exciting initiative within CX this year that includes tackling the CX Tech Stack and a humanized approach to AI.  This conversation runs the gamut (or, in CX parlance, covers all of the bases) and provides insights into how CX elevated in 2023 along with plans to build on their success and keep it going in 2024. The Customer Experience department truly helped the Company elevate and contributed to the River's collective success in 2023. --- This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CRKG7VbJ16o  We hope you enjoy this episode and subscribe to our podcast for a new story each week.  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.

In this episode of Stories from the River, host Charlie Malouf sits down with return guests Vice President Wes Dudley and Director Anita Harris from Broad River Retail's Customer Experience team to discuss their impressive achievements in contact center metrics in 2023.  They walk through each of the CX department's top Key Performance Indicators by defining the metric, explaining why it matters, benchmarking what the goals are compared to best-in-class in the retail industry, and then unpacking how they performed for each one in 2023.  They reviewed all of the Contact Center's as well as the Service Department's top metrics. The top eight Contact Center metrics are Avg. Speed of Answer (ASA), Abandon Rate, Customer Effort Score (New), Service Level, Hold Time, Handle Time, After Call Work, and Planned Returns.  The Contact Center exceeded their goals for six of their top eight KPIs (achieving best-in-industry performance in some of them like a 3.50% Abandon Rate) and barely missed hitting their goal in the other two (Service Level and Handle Time). The top three Service Tech metrics are Completion Rate, Closed Service Orders, and CSAT (Customer Satisfaction).  They hit home runs for each of the three Service department's metrics for the full year.  The CX department was a finalist for Contact Center of the Year amongst other large company's contact centers in Retail, and the goal this year is to not just be a finalist but to win it all. After celebrating the wins and reviewing all of the metrics from a successful 2023, the 2nd half of this conversation focused on how they have built culture in CX with a fully remote team.  This included a discussion of Quarterly Listening Sessions, Customer Journey Mapping, Personalized Elevate Plans for CX Leaders, Whiteboarding Sessions, CX celebratory parties, teaching business acumen, bonus programs, keeping the team energized, and a record low turnover of 42% within the CX department.  They also discussed an exciting initiative within CX this year that includes tackling the CX Tech Stack and a humanized approach to AI.  This conversation runs the gamut (or, in CX parlance, covers all of the bases) and provides insights into how CX elevated in 2023 along with plans to build on their success and keep it going in 2024. The Customer Experience department truly helped the Company elevate and contributed to the River's collective success in 2023. --- This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CRKG7VbJ16o  We hope you enjoy this episode and subscribe to our podcast for a new story each week.  Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.

Sasha discusses the potential pitfalls of hiring social media managers in 2024, arguing that focusing solely on platform-centric perspectives may not lead to the desired business growth. Instead, the speaker recommends investing in brand strategy, understanding the customer journey, and creating a robust marketing strategy. Providing a real-world example of a beauty service provider, Sasha emphasizes the need for investing in a graded product suite to solve customers' problems progressively.The podcast also proposes thinking in terms of building communities rather than just getting likes or followers on social media platforms. Without a distinct brand, customer journey mapping, a broader marketing strategy, and the necessary systems, relying solely on social media management can potentially be a waste of money and time.What you'll hear in the episode:01:29 Why You Shouldn't Hire a Social Media Manager in 2024 01:57 The Problem with Platform Specific Specialists 03:22 The Importance of a Marketing Strategy 04:01 Understanding Your Business as an Organization 06:00 The Importance of Brand Differentiation 06:21 Understanding Your Customers and Their Needs 10:50 Customer Journey Mapping 101 15:26 Creating a Marketing Ecosystem 25:27 Don't Start Messy - Get Strategic! Connect with us: Snag business-building freebies that are so good, you'll be annoyed you're not paying for them: daringmade.com/free Hang out with Sasha: @daringmade Work with Sasha: daringmade.com Check out the biz growth + marketing agency: daringhaus.com

Get ready for another episode of Live with Dan, where we're exploring the fascinating world of CX mapping! Join our host, Dan Fleetwood, for a live conversation with the fantastic Valerie Peck, Director of SuiteCX. Together, they'll discuss the intricacies of CX mapping, offering valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your customer experience, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your CX journey.   Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Valerie, a true expert in the field of CX mapping, and discover how to create memorable and impactful experiences for your customers.   #LiveWithDan #CXMapping #CustomerExperience #SuiteCX #BusinessTransformation

In this episode, Sally discusses the customer's journey, emphasizing the "looking window" between highs and lows, when individuals actively seek help. She outlines seven key stages in the customer journey and automation campaigns, from lead generation to loyalty and reviews. Sally highlights the importance of aligning offerings with each stage to create a seamless customer journey and consistently engage with the audience, ensuring they receive the right information at the right time, reducing lead loss, and building brand loyalty. Connect with Sally and the Sparkle World:  Website: https://sparkleclassacademy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallysparkscousins/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SallySparksCousins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallySparksCousins

Today we're going to talk about why customer journey mapping matters, and how it can improve customer loyalty, and drive other customer and business outcomes. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Percy Rose, Customer Success Strategy Executive, Hewlett Packard Enterprise. RESOURCES Hewlett Packard Enterprise website: https://www.hpe.com The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-brand/ For consulting on marketing technology, customer experience, and more visit GK5A: https://www.gk5a.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems.Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In this episode, I talk about customer journey mapping and making things easy for your customers.  This is vital to retain customers as the economy cools and customers make purchasing decisions to deal with inflation.     - You must look at the customer journey from their point of view   - Look at the key touchpoints and ensure that you remove friction from each service moment  - Ensure you involve key stakeholders within your organization in the journey mapping process   It's time for the great service comeback!       Tony Johnson is a Customer Experience Expert, Keynote Speaker, and Author with a wide background including decades in retail and restaurants.  He regularly speaks and coaches organizations to IGNITE THEIR SERVICE using his common sense approach to Customer engagement.  Tony has spoken to government agencies and Fortune 500 companies to unlock their amazing capacity for excellence.     Tony Johnson Customer Service Expert | Author | Trainer | Speaker     Check out my FREE Resources and Training Tools: Web: https://www.igniteyourservice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RecipeforserviceNet Twitter:  https://twitter.com/The_TonyJohnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THE_TONYJOHNSON/ Tik Tok:   https://vm.tiktok.com/owrTbL/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tonyjohnsoncx/   Music: http://www.bensound.com

We chat with Chip Bell - author of 'Inside Your Customer's Imagination: 5 Secrets for Creating Breakthrough Products, Services, and Solutions' - to chat about how building co-creation partnerships with customers can tap into a well of creativity that will drive your business forward.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV1VJauEyNERead a transcript: https://www.intercom.com/blog/videos/customer-service-expert-chip-bell/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/merchandising-to-sell-intuitive-merchandising-episode-168/   Today on the podcast we are digging into the library of resources inside my Retailer's Inner Circle to learn a little bit more about merchandising. I talk a lot on this podcast about the various masterclasses my members have access to inside the Inner Circle, and I'm sharing one helpful section with you today. I'm sharing part 2 of my 5 part Merchandising to Sell Masterclass and discussing intuitive layouts with you. Let's dive in.   Two Types of Layouts 1. Free Flow Merchandising essentially means to send customers down a particular path.  Paths should be free of dead ends and set up in such a way that customers do not miss entire sections of your shop. 2. Aisles are just like they sound: typical of grocery stores. Aisle merchandising can sound cold, but it's extremely effective if done properly.   To build the best layout for your customers, you'll want to observe your customers in the shop. See how they move through your displays and note anything they might be missing.   Once you've found any holes in your merchandising plan, you can create more intuitive and intentional displays to attract your customers. Ensure similar use items are together.  (Example: don't separate paint brushes from your paint!) Make it easy for your customers to find and understand things within your shop!   Re-merchandising is an amazing way to make your shop feel fresh, but be sure that you aren't changing something that is working.   Focus on the entrance of your shop. 1. Make the first impression unforgettable (in a good way!) 2. Don't put your highest ticket items by the door. 3. Use good lighting and make sure it is clean and spacious. 4. Ensure nothing is blocking the sightlines through your shop. 5. Know that customers typically go to the right when they come in - put your cash wrap to the left if it needs to be in the front of your shop. 6. All senses should be activated: good sights, sounds, smells, etc. There is no better time to re-merchandise your shop than Q3: typically summer has slowed things down - it's the calm before the Q4 storm! It's also a good time for professional development. We are currently welcoming new members into the Retailer's Inner Circle and would love to have you. If this conversation sparked something in you today and you'd like more, join us.  We'd love to have you.   Your Homework Listen to the podcast episode on Customer Journey Mapping and walk your store from the entrance with fresh eyes. Begin observing your customers and watching how they flow through your shop.    Related podcasts we think you'll like:   Episode 156: 6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Shop's Merchandising Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

In this episode of Entrepreneur Journey, we have a captivating conversation with Tammy Fink, an entrepreneur, and expert in creating exceptional customer experiences. Tammy shares her personal story of entrepreneurship, from the challenges she faced to the breakthrough moments that shaped her path. We delve into the secrets of delivering outstanding customer experiences, boosting revenue, and building client loyalty. Join us for an inspiring discussion that will empower you to transform your business.

Steffen Hedebrandt, Co-Founder of Dreamdata, joins Dustin on this week's episode to discuss the importance of having a shared ICP to align sales and marketing efforts. In this episode, Dustin and Steffen emphasize the importance of high-quality leads from high-intent channels and accurate customer journey tracking. Also, about how essential accountability, efficiency, and collaboration between sales and marketing teams are. You can reach out to Steffen via his Linkedin profile if you have any questions or insights on the topics discussed today. You can also learn more about Dreamdata on their website.

Knowing your audience is half the battle when it comes to leaving a lasting impact with your brand. Customer journey mapping is one tool that can help facilitate that familiarity and keep people coming back when you understand their needs. In this episode, Chris sits with Cynthia, Laura and Jonathan to learn about some of the ways journey mapping helps build empathy with an audience.

Adam Washington is the CEO of the full-service customer experience agency CX Lavender and joins us to unpicking the world of customer and user experience. The marketing industry is well known for its TLAs – Three Letter Acronyms such as RTB, CPM, B2B, SEO and more.  But there is a class of TLAs, the two-letter acronyms that have increasingly populated the marketing vernacular like UX, UI and CX. McKinsey says CX encapsulates everything a business or an organisation does to put customers first, manage their journeys and serve their needs. Adam helps to demystify the meaning of CX and explains the roles of Customer Journey Mapping, Voice of the Customer, Service Design and more. Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/managing-marketing/id1018735190  Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/75mJ4Gt6MWzFWvmd3A64XW?si=a3b63c66ab6e4934  Listen on Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjE2MTQ0MjA2NC9zb3VuZHMucnNz  Listen on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/managing-marketing  Listen on Podbean: https://managingmarketing.podbean.com/  For more episodes of TrinityP3's Managing Marketing podcast, visit https://www.trinityp3.com/managing-marketing-podcasts/  Recorded on RiversideFM and edited, mixed and managed by JML Audio with thanks to Jared Lattouf.

Hey CX Nation,In this week's episode of The CXChronicles Podcast #195 we welcomed Valentin Radu, CEO at Omniconvert based in Bucharest, Romania & New York. Omniconvert partners with their clients to help them with unlocking their data to help drive customer growth and acquisition. Their core focus is all around increasing LTV and finding actionable insights to add value and help them scale into the future.  In this episode, Valentin and Adrian chat through how he has tackled The Four CX Pillars: Team,  Tools, Process & Feedback and shares tips & best practices that have worked across his own customer focused business leader journey.**Episode #195 Highlight Reel:**1. Leveraging amazing customer experiences to fuel your growth & lead generation 2. Diving into your customer and user data daily to drive innovation 3. Measuring and managing the key activities that make your customers happy 4. Getting your employees involved to help author your customer journey 5. Finding your North Star activities on providing constant value around you  Huge thanks to Valentin for coming on The CXChronicles Podcast and featuring his work and efforts in pushing the customer and learning experience space into the future.Click here to learn more about Valentin RaduClick here to learn more about OmniconvertIf you enjoy The CXChronicles Podcast, please stop by your favorite podcast player and leave us a review today. Or you know what would be even better? Go tell one of your friends or teammates about our content, services & community & invite them to join the CX Nation!Also grab a copy of my book "The Four CX Pillars To Grow Your Business Now" available on Amazon or the CXC website. For you non-readers out there, go check out the CXChronicles Youtube channel to see all of our customer focused video content & short-reel CTAs to improve your CX today (while you're there -- can you politely go smash that subscribe button). Contact us anytime to learn more about CXC at INFO@cxchronicles.com and ask us about how we can help your business & team make customer happiness a habit now!Support the show

Most customers don't come into the car buying process knowing exactly what they want. In fact, many customers find the experience overwhelming and nerve-wracking.   Easing those fears and delivering a personalized and convenient experience starts with knowing where customers are on their journey.   That's where detailed customer journey mapping comes in to help brands understand the unique needs of their customers and provide relevant, empathetic service. Beth Mach, Chief Consumer Officer at TrueCar Inc., says it's crucial to understand the highs and lows of the entire customer experience. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future. 

In this episode, I talk to Kate DiLeo about how to create meaningful conversations so you can truly engage with customers, and have better ways to take people through your customer journey so you can reach a level of customer engagement that actually converts.It all comes down to the types of conversations you're having. If you're simply throwing information at people, then they won't want to engage. But when you speak to them and develop a connection through your brand message, you'll be able to better convert your traffic.What made us predisposed to generic, megaphone marketing in the first place?For one thing, there's sales funnels. These allow marketers to offer multiple ways of purchasing, and hit audiences with multiple offers. But this involves an overwhelming amount of information which doesn't really help us engage with customers.Then there's "Story Brand". This is about making the customer the center of your story. The problem is that many of us took that idea, and ended up writing paragraph after paragraph about ourselves, without allowing room for meaningful conversations and true customer engagement.If you want to create a more effective way to keep people engaged throughout the customer journey, you first have to ask yourself if you're actually creating conversations that convert. Do you push them to take the next step?To do so, you need to focus on your brand messaging. Order of messaging is critical. Buyers want to know what you do, how you can solve their problem, and how you're different from your competitors.Today, meaningful conversations and the resulting customer engagement are the keys to successful marketing. People don't want to be bombarded by information. They want to take part in their own customer journey.Remember, know who you're going after, know where they're showing up, and engage with customers by always writing messages that resonate with your ideal customer.--------------------CONNECT WITH PETER BOOLKAH:--------------------http://www.Boolkah.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Boolkahhttps://www.instagram.com/pboolkah/https://www.linkedin.com/in/boolkahhttps://twitter.com/boolkah--------------------ABOUT PETER BOOLKAH--------------------Peter Boolkah (AKA The Transition Guy) is the World's #1 Business Transition Coach whose main passion in life is to work with talented and high performing business owners who are in the process of creating exciting, high growth businesses. Peter helps you to navigate and transition through the crucial growth pains that all growing businesses experience making it as painless and exciting as possible.It is important to remember that businesses do not just grow and develop on their own, it is up to us and our teams to make this happen by making every day purposeful. As businesses grow some parts of the journey will be easier than others and most owners do not have all the answers. Starting a business is one of the most exciting things we get to do and we all have aspirations of achieving great things. In fact Peter is yet to meet someone who started a business with the intention of failing.Peter's ultimate life goal is to inspire and empower over 100,000 Entrepreneurs to create long term thriving businesses resulting in the creation of 1,000,000 jobs.So if you are scaling up your business, you're in a business transition period, and want to know more then connect with Peter at Boolkah.com

Before the “driveway to driveway” customer journey begins, there's the whole buying process.  What prompted the customer to consider your brand, product or service? What motivated them to complete the purchase?  This week, we're jumping into the psychology behind why people buy with Katelyn Bourgoin, CEO of Customer Camp.  Katelyn and David hit on the journey before the journey, the four key trigger events that lead to purchases and solutions companies have created by truly listening to their customers.-----Show Notes0:00    Introduction2:30    The Golden Nugget - Review Mining5:54    Customer Camp Background8:55    Marketing Takeaways from an Old School Alarm14:21  Building Trust with New Customers17:54  Creating “Instagrammable” moments20:33  The Trigger Events28:47  Understanding Who Customers Are and What They Want35:34  Targeting Customers on Jobs to be Done45:13  The Biggest Misunderstanding - We Aren't Rational-----For more information on topics covered in this podcast:CustomerCamp.coFollow Katelyn on Twitter and subscribe to her newsletterClay Christensen | The Theory of Jobs to be DoneOther Flip the Switch podcasts referenced - Ep. 115: How the Savannah Bananas Create the ‘Greatest Show Possible' w/ Jesse Cole

Join Tacey and her Special Guest Samantha Irwin Owner of Kaizen Coaching and Consulting as they discuss, "Simplifying Customer Journey Mapping" Journey mapping doesn't have to be difficult. Samantha breaks down easy ways to think about the journey and put the customer first. Samanthas contact info: Website: www.kaizen.zone LinkedIn: @samanthairwin New Freebie from Samantha: https://tinyurl.com/5n94ctxc All Tacey's contact info is on the episode website  & Instagram is @taceyatkinson