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If you think Hallmark is just about greeting cards and holiday movies, think again. In this first of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Patrick McCullough, President of Hallmark Business Connections, to explore how over 110 years of creating emotional connection can teach B2B brands how to build stronger, more meaningful relationships—with customers, employees, and even themselves.Patrick brings years of experience helping companies foster loyalty and purpose by focusing on what really matters: relationships. You'll hear about how trust is built over time, why meaningful interactions at work make life more fulfilling, and what B2B leaders can do today to create a culture of connection.In a world where people are tired of being treated like transactions, this episode offers real, actionable steps on how to lead with care, create trust, and build loyalty that lasts. Whether you're a marketer, a sales leader, or an executive trying to shape a more human-centered culture—there's something in here for you.We all can learn from Hallmark.
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1721: Shankar Ganesh reveals the surprisingly simple strategies behind exceptional customer service experiences that companies can learn, and "steal" from the best in the business. By dissecting memorable service tactics from brands like Nordstrom and Zappos, Patel offers actionable ideas to create loyal customers who market your business for you. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://neilpatel.com/blog/customer-service-worth-stealing/ Quotes to ponder: "Customer service is one of the most powerful forms of marketing that exists." "When you give people more than they expect, they remember it." "Your customers are human beings. Treat them that way." Episode references: Zappos Insights: https://www.zapposinsights.com/ Disney Institute - Quality Service: https://www.disneyinstitute.com/courses/quality-service/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Brands Win Customer Loyalty (According to a Pro) is the question every business needs to answer. Discover why customers truly keep coming back and how you can create unbreakable loyalty with insights from Tamara Strauss, the marketing mind behind Premier Inn's standout success.Tamara reveals the real drivers behind customer experience, how to build loyalty beyond points and perks, and why authentic storytelling will define tomorrow's winning brands. Tune in to learn actionable retention strategies and customer engagement secrets that leading brands use to stand out and thrive.#CustomerLoyalty #CustomerExperience #BrandStorytelling
Discover actionable strategies for using SMS and email to boost customer loyalty, increase revenue, and optimize your marketing funnel. Learn best practices for campaign timing, automation, and integrating SMS with other channels. Nikita also discusses the evolving landscape of digital marketing, the impact of AI, and what sets Aspekt Agency apart in a crowded market.Whether you're a brand owner, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow your business through smarter retention marketing.
Send us a textBrands currently face a variety of challenges including rising customer expectations, generational differences, and increasing desire for seamless omnichannel experiences. CORA Loyalty is answering that call with a comprehensive portfolio that integrates next-gen tech, deep personalization, and strategic services. At the helm is Beth McCoy, President of CORA Loyalty, who joined Loyalty360's Industry Voices series to share her vision and strategies for evolving loyalty in 2025 and beyond."CORA Loyalty is a newly created portfolio made up of three separate companies or entities that some people may be familiar with from the loyalty marketplace," McCoy explains. These include RewardOps, an API-based rewards marketplace; Carlson Marketing Solutions, an enterprise-grade points bank and engagement platform; and Points at Work, a channel incentives tool tailored to employees and manufacturers.Together, they form an end-to-end loyalty ecosystem, bolstered by a services layer offering data science, digital marketing, and curated marketplace solutions.
Your customer says they're “satisfied.” So why didn't they come back? Stacy Sherman—a global keynote speaker and advisor with over 25 years of experience improving customer experience at leading B2B and B2C companies—challenges a metric many businesses still rely on: Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). She explains how CSAT became the standard, why it made sense in the past, yet no longer reflects what creates true customer loyalty today. “Satisfied” usually means nothing went wrong—but that's not enough to earn retention, repeat purchases, or referrals. If CSAT is still guiding your strategy, this episode will show you what it's missing—and what to measure instead. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
Marc Kramer, host of the award winning The Best Business Minds, interviews Zontee Hou author of "Data-Driven Personalization: How to Use Consumer Insights to Generate Customer Loyalty"
Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution Podcast, John DiJulius and Denise Thompson discuss the importance of transforming negative experiences into positive ones in customer service. They explore the concept of the Customer Bill of Rights, emphasizing the significance of consistency in service delivery. The conversation delves into the 'nevers and always' framework, which helps businesses establish clear expectations for customer interactions. John shares practical examples and insights on how to implement these principles effectively to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. In this conversation, John DiJulius III and Denise Thompson discuss the critical aspects of customer service, emphasizing the importance of consistency, transparency, and professionalism in interactions. They explore how to effectively roll out service standards, maintain awareness among employees, and create a positive work environment. The discussion also touches on the significance of living an extraordinary life and how personal habits impact professional responsibilities. Takeaways Turning a negative into a positive is crucial for customer experience. Inconsistency is the enemy of great customer service. The Customer Bill of Rights outlines what businesses should never or always do. Nevers and always help reduce employee and location roulette. Customer experiences should not depend on which employee a customer interacts with. Oversharing can negatively impact customer perceptions. Employees must remember they are always 'on stage' when interacting with customers. Clear communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings in service expectations. Businesses should focus on what they can do for customers, not what they can't. Creating a positive customer experience requires a commitment to service excellence. Consistency in customer interactions is crucial for service excellence. Transparency in communication fosters trust with customers. Establishing clear professional standards helps employees understand expectations. Mastering the basics of customer service can significantly improve experiences. Rolling out service standards requires context and engagement from employees. Maintaining awareness of service standards is essential for long-term success. Creating a fun work environment encourages adherence to service standards. Living an extraordinary life impacts not only personal well-being but also professional responsibilities. Habits play a significant role in shaping our actions and outcomes. Engaging employees in the training process enhances retention of service standards. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Personal Updates 02:06Turning Negatives into Positives in Customer Experience 10:07Understanding the Customer Bill of Rights 17:47Implementing Nevers and Always in Customer Service 25:33The Importance of Consistency in Customer Interaction 28:10Transparency and Communication in Service 29:05Establishing Professional Standards 30:36The Power of Basics in Customer Service 32:21Rolling Out Service Standards Effectively 35:51Maintaining Awareness of Service Standards 39:50Creating a Fun and Engaging Work Environment 42:49Living an Extraordinary Life and Its Impact Links Six Reasons Your CX Plummets When Your Business Skyrockets, and How to Fix It: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/download-reasons-your-customer-experience-plummets/ Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Employee Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/exea/ Interview Questions: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/resources/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Secret Service Blog: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/secret-service-turns-20-and-the-dijulius-group-is-born-with-superior-customer-service-as-the-single-biggest-competitive-advantage/
Summary: Back in February, we were joined on the show by Stuart Haselden, CEO of outdoor apparel company, Arc'Teryx. Hearing about his retail philosophy and personal story was absolutely fascinating, so we decided to revisit the episode for listeners who may have missed it the first time around. You've heard it before: "The customer is always right." For many businesses, that's sound advice. But for premium brands, the road to success often takes a different route. Rather than reacting to every shift in demand, it's about staying rooted in a philosophy: delivering quality, staying authentic, and fostering relationships that stand the test of time. Today's guest has fully embraced this approach, leveraging his brand's strengths to set a new standard of excellence in the technical apparel market. Stuart Haselden has been the CEO of Arc'teryx since 2021 and brings over 20 years of global experience in retail and premium brands to the company, having worked in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia for brands such as Away Travel, Lululemon, J.Crew, and Saks Fifth Avenue. His career began in the United States Army where he served as a Cavalry Officer—a defining experience for him that has shaped his views on leadership. It was also the beginning of a lifelong love of mountain and alpine sports, as Stuart learned to ski in the Austrian Alps while stationed in Germany. In this episode, Stuart shares how Arc'teryx has expanded its direct-to-consumer model while preserving the brand's authenticity. He explains how a relentless focus on performance and innovation has fueled the company's growth and set it apart in the competitive technical apparel space. Stuart also talks about the leadership strategies that have guided Arc'teryx's evolution—and how they're shaping its future. Highlights:Background on Arc'teryx and the road to becoming a premium brand (2:43)Stuart's history in retail and how he was introduced to the opportunity at Arc'teryx (4:19)Stuart discusses Arc'teryx's position in the Amer Sports portfolio (7:18)Competition in the technical apparel field and what differentiates Arc'teryx (8:35)Stuart describes how Arc'teryx maintains its authenticity while it grows (10:17)How Arc'teryx evolved from a retail model to a direct-to-consumer approach (13:07)Current scale of the business (15:15)Stuart discusses future expansion opportunities (16:55)The senior team at Arc'teryx (18:43)Stuart's management style and the leadership techniques he learned from Mickey Drexler (20:37)Stuart's predictions for retail in 2025 (20:54)Arc'teryx's unique sustainability efforts (21:54)How Arc'teryx adapts its retail spaces when entering new communities (23:21) Links:Stuart Haselden on LinkedInArc'teryx on LinkedInArc'teryx WebsiteICR LinkedIn ICR Twitter ICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.
In this must-listen episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, host Sean V. Bradley, CSP, and co-host LA Williams sit down with Shep Hyken, the internationally renowned customer service and customer experience expert, best-selling author, and keynote speaker, to explore the critical role exceptional customer experience plays in today's automotive industry. "They're not just comparing you to another dealer. They're going to compare you to the best experience they ever had." — Shep Hyken As the market navigates post-pandemic shifts and economic challenges like high interest rates and limited inventory, Shep shares actionable strategies that dealerships can implement right now to stand out. From customer engagement to loyalty-building techniques, Shep dives deep into what it takes to create an unforgettable experience at every customer touchpoint. "You must model the behavior you want others to do toward others." — Shep Hyken Listen in to hear why focusing on existing customers, embracing innovative tools like Podium, and modernizing your approach to customer service can lead to massive revenue growth. Are you prepared to elevate your dealership's customer experience and boost retention in today's competitive market? Tune in to find out how to turn service into a powerful driver of long-term success. Key Takeaways: ✅ Enhancing customer retention is often more beneficial and cost-effective than solely focusing on acquiring new business. ✅ Leveraging technology and AI, such as Podium, can significantly improve customer interactions and streamline dealership operations. ✅ Maintaining a positive work culture among employees directly influences the quality of customer service delivered. ✅ Leading dealerships prioritize creating a seamless and consistent experience across all customer touchpoints, setting them apart in service delivery. About Shep Hyken Shep Hyken is a globally recognized customer service and experience expert, acclaimed keynote speaker, and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. As the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations, he has dedicated his career to helping organizations build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. Since founding Shepard Presentations in 1983, Shep has worked with over 1,200 clients, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, across various industries including retail, healthcare, technology, and financial services. His client list includes notable organizations such as American Airlines, AAA, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Aetna, Abbott Laboratories, and American Express. Shep's dynamic presentations are known for their high energy, humor, and practical insights, often incorporating magic to engage audiences. He has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking profession and holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. An accomplished author, Shep has written several bestselling books on customer service and experience, including "Moments of Magic," "The Loyal Customer," "The Cult of the Customer," "The Amazement Revolution," "Amaze Every Customer Every Time," "Be Amazing or Go Home," "The Convenience Revolution," and "I'll Be Back." His articles have been featured in hundreds of publications, and he is a regular contributor to Forbes. Shep is also the creator of The Customer Focus™ program, designed to help organizations develop a customer service culture and loyalty mindset. Through his work, he emphasizes that customer service is not just a department but a philosophy that should permeate every aspect of an organization. Navigating the Automotive Customer Experience: Embracing AI and Building Loyalty Key Takeaways Customer Satisfaction and Experience are Distinct: Understanding the difference and focusing on both can elevate a dealership from best in class to world class. Leveraging Existing Customer Relationships: Prioritizing current customer engagement and retention is more cost-effective and profitable than focusing solely on new lead acquisition. Artificial Intelligence as a Game-Changer: AI innovations are transforming the dealership landscape by enhancing customer interactions and streamlining operations. Enhancing the Customer Experience in Automotive Retail In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, dealerships must adapt their strategies to exceed customer expectations. Sean V. Bradley and Shep Hyken dive into the intricacies of customer satisfaction and experience, two interrelated yet distinct components that every dealership should master. According to Hyken, "The way that whole thing is handled, is it easy? Is it hassle-free?" Such questions underscore the need for seamless web interfaces and responsive sales teams to create an unparalleled service atmosphere. Customer experience encompasses every interaction a consumer has with a dealership, from visiting the website to consulting with a salesperson. For car dealerships aiming for world-class status, it's crucial to transcend industry standards and look outside the industry for inspiration. As Hyken wisely notes, "They're going to compare you to the best experience they ever had." This calls for analyzing experiences provided by leaders like Amazon and Walmart to ensure dealerships offer frictionless, memorable interactions that build long-term loyalty. Retention vs. Acquisition: The Loyalty Revenue Stream Prioritizing existing customers over acquiring new ones can seem counterintuitive, yet it's a strategic pivot that aligns with both customer retention and profitability. As discussed by Sean V. Bradley, focusing on your current customer base can lead to higher conversion rates and increased revenue. "NADA says that a prior customer is a 65% closing ratio and a much higher gross profit," he remarks, emphasizing a shift towards maintaining strong relationships with your existing clientele. Moreover, service departments play a pivotal role. With a "service customer to your point is seven times as likely to purchase a vehicle if they service a car," embracing service excellence not only ensures immediate customer satisfaction but also strengthens their connection to the brand, making them more likely to return for future purchases. The foundational principle is clear: solidify customer loyalty through consistent, exceptional service, thereby reducing churn and boosting long-term profitability. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Dealerships Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to reshape traditional dealership models by optimizing customer interactions and operational efficiencies. Shep Hyken highlights AI's potential in generating personalized and high-quality customer interactions. "AI needs to be smart enough to not give the wrong answer," Hyken advocates, outlining the balance between maintaining human oversight and deploying AI for scalable customer service solutions. Podium's AI-powered platforms offer tools that handle after-hours inquiries, schedule test drives, and maintain conversational consistency across multiple platforms, ensuring a seamless transition between digital and in-person interactions. In an age where most touchpoints before a sale are digital, embedding AI in CRM systems elevates customer experiences. As Bradley affirms, "If your AI is integrated with your CRM, if your AI is integrated with your online reputation strategy…it is next level." By streamlining these processes, dealerships can enhance engagement, nurture relationships, and ultimately drive more sales. The automotive industry stands at a pivotal juncture where transformation is not just necessary but imperative. By understanding the nuances between customer service and experience, fostering robust relationships with existing customers, and embracing cutting-edge technologies like AI, dealerships can not only survive the intricacies of the modern market but truly thrive in it. The insights shared by industry experts provide a roadmap to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, ensuring loyalty and profitability in uncertain times. Resources: Podium: Discover how Podium's innovative AI technology can unlock unparalleled efficiency and drive your dealership's sales to new heights. Visit www.podium.com/mcs to learn more! Dealer Synergy & Bradley On Demand: The automotive industry's #1 training, tracking, testing, and certification platform and consulting & accountability firm. The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Mastermind Group in the Automotive Industry! With over 29,000 members, gain access to successful automotive mentors & managers, the best industry practices, & collaborate with automotive professionals from around the WORLD! Join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today! Win the Game of Googleopoly: Unlocking the secret strategy of search engines. The Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast is Proudly Sponsored By: Podium: Elevating Dealership Excellence with Intelligent Customer Engagement Solutions. Unlock unparalleled efficiency and drive sales with Podium's innovative AI technology, featured proudly on the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast. Visit www.podium.com/mcs to learn more! Dealer Synergy: The #1 Automotive Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm in the industry! With over two decades of experience in building Internet Departments and BDCs, we have developed the most effective automotive Internet Sales, BDC, and CRM solutions. Our expertise in creating phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, strategies, and templates ensures that your dealership's tools and personnel reach their full potential. Bradley On Demand: The automotive sales industry's top Interactive Training, Tracking, Testing, and Certification Platform. Featuring LIVE Classes and over 9,000 training modules, our platform equips your dealership with everything needed to sell more cars, more often, and more profitably!
Send us a textIn an era of short attention spans and digital overload, traditional loyalty communications are increasingly falling flat. For Yosef Peterseil, COO and Co-Founder of Blings, the solution lies not just in better content, but in a more engaging medium altogether. "We're all in a video world. We're all on TikTok and YouTube and Netflix, and that's what we're used to consuming."Founded in 2019, Blings is a technology company helping brands deliver personalized customer communications replacing static emails and generic SMS with real-time, dynamic video. At the core of this transformation is the company's patented MP5 video format, which allows personalized videos to be rendered directly on the end user's device.
Is customer experience still a true brand differentiator—or has it lost momentum? Across industries, customer experience (CX) is under pressure. While many companies claim to put customers first, the reality often tells a different story: broken systems, disconnected teams, and blurred ownership are hindering meaningful progress. Stacy Sherman and guest Sean Albertson take a direct look at what's going wrong and offer a path forward with clear, practical steps leaders can apply now. They also introduce a new CX community—created to connect professionals, exchange ideas, and reinforce the value of customer experience as a core business discipline. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
On this episode of That Makes Cents, we are speaking with Rob Pace, the founder and CEO of HundredX, on the future of customer loyalty and how brands can drive it and not just hope for it.
If brand loyalty is so critical, why does it feel like most companies are treating it like an afterthought by propping it up with outdated programs and hoping customers won't notice? Agility requires a complete rethinking of how we approach customer loyalty — not as an afterthought at the end of the funnel, but as a core driver of long-term brand value and experience strategy. Today, we're going to talk about the evolution of customer loyalty and what brands need to do to keep up in a time when consumers have more choices, higher expectations, and less patience. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Raj De Datta, CEO and Co-Founder of Bloomreach. About Raj De DattaRaj De Datta is Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experiences that powers brands representing 25% of retail Ecommerce in the US and the UK. Raj is a multiple-time entrepreneur. Raj is also the bestselling author of “The Digital Seeker” – a playbook for digital teams to win big. Before launching Bloomreach, he was entrepreneur-in-residence at Mohr-Davidow Ventures, served as Cisco's director of product marketing, and was on the founding team of telecom company FirstMark Communications. Raj also worked in technology investment banking at Lazard Freres. Raj serves on the Council for Player Development for the US Tennis Association, the Board of RepresentUs, a bipartisan organization focused on democracy reform, and is a Founder Partner at seed-stage venture capital firm Founder Collective and an individual investor in over 20 start-ups. RESOURCES Bloomreach: https://www.bloomreach.com https://www.bloomreach.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brandsOnline Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrandDon't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150Get the Bloomreach report: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/winning-playbook-for-loyaltyConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
91% of consumers today make buying decisions based on a brand's purpose—not just its products. Yet most entrepreneurs are still stuck pitching features, funnels, and stats.In today's episode, I dive deep into the Purpose Story, the third foundational story from Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall. You'll discover how your deeper mission—not your marketing tactics—is the real engine for sustainable growth, trust, and community.If you want to build a brand that people believe in, not just buy from, this episode will show you how to craft a Purpose Story that rallies your audience, inspires loyalty, and helps you create a movement—not just a business.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy people crave meaning, not marketing—and how to give it to themHow to craft a Purpose Story that builds community and loyaltyThe three-part story arc to make your mission stick (Normal → Explosion → New Normal)Prompts to help you find the moment your mission was bornHow to embed your Purpose Story across your business: hiring, marketing, sales, and leadershipReal-world examples of micro and macro Purpose Stories in actionKey Takeaways✔️People don't follow products—they follow purpose.✔️Movements are built by sharing stories, not selling offers.✔️Your Purpose Story is the mirror where your audience sees their values reflected.✔️Alignment isn't a buzzword—it's a business strategy.✔️Purpose-driven brands create loyalty that transcends features, prices, or competitors.✔️Your mission deserves to be shared—and to invite others to stand alongside it. Timestamps[00:00] – Why most brands are focusing on the wrong thing[02:00] – Welcome to Part 4 of the Stories That Stick series[05:00] – What is a Purpose Story, and why does it matter?[07:00] – How Purpose Stories create emotional alignment[10:00] – The three-part storytelling framework for your Purpose Story[12:00] – Prompts to uncover your mission-defining moment[14:00] – How to make your Purpose Story relatable and real[18:00] – Tips to avoid “sanitizing” your story—keep it raw and resonant[21:00] – Where to use your Purpose Story across your brand[24:00] – Real-world example of crafting a Purpose Story[27:00] – Final invitation: Write and share your Purpose Story this weekChoose Your Next Steps:Take 30 minutes and journal: What broke your heart? What woke you up?Craft a rough draft of your Purpose Story (normal → explosion → new normal)Share it somewhere—email, social media, a team meeting, or a video post.Tag me on Instagram @itsgeorgebryant so I can celebrate your movement with you!This is the fourth episode in a special 5-part podcast series on mastering storytelling for entrepreneurs, based on Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall.Download your free companion workbook to reflect, take action, and make the most out of this series.Click here to access the workbook!Make sure to listen to the other episodes in the series too (linked below) to complete your storytelling blueprint!Ep. 591 Stories That Stick: The Four Stories Every Entrepreneur Needs to TellEp. 593 The Value Story – Sell the Transformation, Not the ThingEp. 595 The Founder Story – Turn Your Why Into ConnectionJoin The Alliance – The Relationship Beats Algorithms™ community for entrepreneurs who lead with heartApply for 1:1 Coaching – Scale your business with simplicity, alignment, and purposeLive Events – Get in the room where movements are born: mindofgeorge.com/event
Customer experience & customer service are important for long-term success, yet they are not interchangeable. Stacy Sherman and Max Ball, Principal Analyst at Forrester, discuss the differences and leadership best practices so you are doing both right. You'll also hear new trends to be mindful of and plan for, including gig CX, artificial intelligence, chatbots, and other technologies to solve customer needs versus creating pain points. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
In this episode, Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics and 2025 recipient of Retail Council Canada's Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year award, joins me on the mic. Our inspiring conversation explores Jenn's remarkable journey from food industry sales to building a nationally recognized Indigenous beauty brand now available in Sephora, Canada, and JCPenney.Jenn's entrepreneurial story begins with a vivid dream in January 2015 featuring Indigenous girls covered in lip gloss, just months after she got sober from battling alcoholism. Her discovery of generational trauma stemming from her grandparents' residential school experience became the driving force behind creating a brand that could break cycles and build something meaningful for Indigenous communities.The conversation reveals how personal tragedy - losing her brother BJ to suicide just before launching - nearly ended the venture but ultimately became the motivation to persevere through countless challenges. Jenn candidly discusses the mental resilience required for entrepreneurship, comparing the journey to Nike founder Phil Knight's struggles detailed in "Shoe Dog."Cheekbone Beauty has carved out a unique position in the competitive cosmetics market by pioneering what Jenn calls "indigenous beauty" - products that are clean and safe for humans and genuinely sustainable for the planet. The brand eliminates harmful ingredients like dimethicone and isodiacaine that negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, directly connecting to Indigenous land stewardship values.Jenn shares crucial insights about customer loyalty and product-market fit, revealing their impressive 55-65% customer return rate compared to the industry average of 30%. Their hero product, the UniFi complexion pencils, has revolutionized how customers think about the foundation by promoting natural skin visibility while providing beneficial skincare properties.The discussion covers modern marketing realities for independent brands, with Jenn emphasizing that authentic user-generated content from real customers far outperforms expensive influencer campaigns. She details costly lessons learned from failed marketing initiatives in 2024, confirming that scrappy, organic marketing remains most effective for small brands.Jenn positions artificial intelligence as essential for competitive survival while acknowledging environmental concerns that sustainable businesses must consider in their impact reporting. She views AI as potentially levelling the playing field initially, though she expects larger corporations to capitalize on these tools quickly.The episode provides valuable advice for fellow entrepreneurs, with Jenn emphasizing speed and leveraging available tools while learning from mistakes quickly. Jenn's target demographic of 35-55-year-old women challenges assumptions about indigenous beauty brands, with Fair Shades being their top sellers.This conversation offers inspiration and practical insights for independent retailers, beauty entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building purpose-driven businesses that create positive community impact while achieving commercial success. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
Summary IIn this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius discuss the importance of personalized customer service and the techniques of 'Secret Service' that can enhance customer experiences. They explore how to implement these techniques effectively, the significance of knowing clients personally, and the evolution of customer service terminology. The conversation also highlights memorable customer service experiences and the impact of community in customer relationships. Takeaways Personalization in customer interactions is crucial. Utilizing CRM systems can enhance customer relationships. Listening to customers can reveal valuable insights. Sending personalized follow-ups shows genuine care. The 'Ford' method helps in remembering client details. Creating a community around your service fosters loyalty. The evolution of customer service terminology reflects industry growth. Memorable experiences can significantly impact customer loyalty. Secret Service techniques can differentiate your business. Chapters 00:00Welcome and Introduction to Customer Experience 01:11Building Personal Connections with Clients 05:21Understanding Client Goals and Interests 09:41The Importance of Data Entry and CRM Systems 14:14Creating a Community Through Customer Relationships 21:49The Evolution of Secret Service to Customer Service Revolution Links Six Reasons Your CX Plummets When Your Business Skyrockets, and How to Fix It: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/download-reasons-your-customer-experience-plummets/ Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Employee Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/exea/ Interview Questions: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/resources/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Secret Service Blog: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/secret-service-turns-20-and-the-dijulius-group-is-born-with-superior-customer-service-as-the-single-biggest-competitive-advantage/ Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.
Send us a textAs one of the NBA's most recognized franchises, the Cleveland Cavaliers are deeply woven into the cultural and civic fabric of their city. Behind the high-octane action on the court is a strategic and increasingly sophisticated approach to fan engagement powered by the Cavaliers Marketing team. Central to the marketing team's success is the role Jeremy Halek plays as the Senior Director of Consumer Marketing. With a background that blends data science and marketing strategy, Halek has helped the organization reshape how it defines and delivers value to fans, emphasizing emotional connection, personalized engagement, and long-term loyalty.
This week, our host Ian Truscott and our resident marketing strategist and former Forrester Research Director Jeff Clark discuss the role of the CMO and marketing post-sale, in reducing churn, increasing customer lifetime value, and loyalty in a B2B SaaS environment where there is reduced friction to switch. In this episode, they discuss: Customer loyalty in the experience economy Five CMO considerations for customer loyalty Managing the brand gap Nurturing customer relationships Formalizing customer advocacy programs As always, we welcome your feedback. If you have a suggestion for a topic that's hot for you that we should discuss, please get in touch using the links below. Enjoy! — The Links The people: Ian Truscott on LinkedIn and Bluesky Jeff Clark on LinkedIn Mentioned this week: Customer Loyalty in the Experience Economy — the CMO's Perspective Get Your Buyers AMPED with our Customer Journey Back to Brand - Blog post Rockstar CMO: The Beat Newsletter that we send every Monday Rockstar CMO on the web, Twitter, and LinkedIn Previous episodes and all the show notes: Rockstar CMO FM. Track List: Stienski & Mass Media - We'll be right back Coming Back Again - Kings of Leon You can listen to this on all good podcast platforms, like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textIn this episode of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Industry Voices, Loyalty360 sits down with Chris Jones, Senior Vice President of Engagement Solutions at ITA Group, for a detailed discussion on the evolving strategies driving customer loyalty in today's competitive landscape. With decades of experience spanning consumer products, financial services, and retail, Jones brings a practitioner's perspective to agency strategy offering tactical insights and evidence-based guidance to brands seeking to create meaningful, lasting customer connections.
Imagine if your business could create the same unforgettable experiences as Disney. In this episode, Stacy Sherman uncovers Disney's customer service strategies with Dennis Snow, a 20-year veteran of Walt Disney World. Discover how to delight your customers beyond mere satisfaction. Learn to design processes from the customer's perspective, create memorable "wow" moments, establish nonnegotiable behaviors, authentically empower your employees, and lead by example. By the end of this podcast, you'll be ready to transform every customer interaction into something extraordinary. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy .
Corporations don't usually take the extra steps to appreciate their customers... why? We talk about how corporations typically approach business ROI, and why small business owners can significantly grow their revenue by making customer loyalty part of their strategy. This episode is sponsored by Prime Payments USA. You've worked hard for your money... so why let another business take what's yours? Go to https://www.primepaymentsusa.com/ Enjoy the show and want to support it? Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/GoodAdvice
Don't Miss SPF Live at My Gym in NJ on July 18th and 19th!https://events.vincegabriele.com/july2025 In this episode of the Ask Vince Podcast, Vince keeps it real, sharing no-nonsense insights that every fitness business owner needs to hear. He kicks off by spotlighting the upcoming Mastermind Event on July 18th and 19th at Gabriele Fitness—a game-changing experience designed to help you maximize your gym's revenue, keep clients longer, and build a rock-solid community.But this episode isn't just about making money—it's about mindset, accountability, and making your health a priority. Whether you're crushing it or barely keeping your head above water, Vince's honest, straight-talk approach will hit home. Key Topics Discussed:1. Mastermind Event Announcement:Vince breaks down what you can expect at the event, including powerful strategies for increasing your gym's lifetime customer value. If you're serious about your business, this is a can't-miss opportunity. 2. Understanding Lifetime Customer Value (LCV):Vince gets into the nitty-gritty of how to boost your revenue through three main drivers:Stay Longer: Proven ways to keep your clients coming back.Pay More: Smart pricing strategies that don't scare clients away.Refer More: How to turn your happiest clients into your biggest advocates. 3. The Power of Accountability:You don't need more yes-men. You need friends who aren't afraid to call you out when you're slacking. Vince talks about the value of having people in your life who keep you honest—whether it's about your business or your personal health. 4. Health as an Asset or Liability:Vince pulls no punches as he explains why business owners often let their health fall apart and how this can destroy your success. It's a wake-up call for anyone who thinks they can “figure it out later. 5. Value Over Price:Stop fixating on what you charge—start obsessing over the value you deliver. Vince shares how creating memorable experiences and personalized touches can keep clients around for years. Don't Miss SPF Live at My Gym in NJ on July 18th and 19th!https://events.vincegabriele.com/july2025 If you're a gym owner seeking answers on how you can grow your gym, make more money, and have more freedom to do what you love, visit www.vincegabriele.com or book a call by CLICKING HERE!
In this conversation, Dan Antonelli & Ryan Redding delve into the critical role of branding, digital marketing, and the long-term investment required for effective SEO. The conversation also highlights common misconceptions about the process of creating unique brand identities and the operational challenges businesses face in their growth journey. They emphasize the need for businesses to invest adequately in marketing channels, to leverage data for decision-making, and to engage with their communities through grassroots efforts. Don't forget to register for Tommy's event, Freedom 2025! This is the event where Tommy's billion-dollar network will break down exactly how to accelerate your business and dominate your market in 2025. For more details visit freedomevent.com 00:00 The Responsibility of Branding 03:02 Kick Charge Creative's Evolution 06:06 The Importance of Digital Marketing 08:58 SEO vs. PPC: The Long Game 11:53 The Power of Branding in Home Services 15:00 Creating Unique Brand Identities 18:09 The Process of Effective Branding 21:00 Common Misconceptions About Branding 23:54 The Impact of Branding on Business Growth 26:57 Operational Challenges in Business Growth 29:51 The Philosophy Behind Responsible Branding 32:20 Building A-Plus Teams and Effective Marketing Strategies 39:55 The Importance of Branding and Community Engagement 40:04 The Role of Logos and Intellectual Property 44:54 The Power of Grit and Adaptability in Business 51:32 Leveraging Storytelling for Customer Loyalty 59:16 The Mindset Shift After Rebranding
"It's the whole totality of the experience and how we treat our customers to show that they're valued.”Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Carwash Association (ICA), and ICA Research Director Bob Klein discuss the findings of ICA's 2025 Q1 Pulse Report, covering the health of the industry, customer satisfaction, and the balance between price and wash value for car wash customers.Top 5 Episode Highlights:The Health of the Consumer Drives the Health of the Industry – Eric and Bob discuss how customer sentiment and behavior shape industry growth, with pricing dissatisfaction often offset by strong perceptions of value—especially among subscription customers.The Price vs. Value Perception – Car wash owners must recognize the emotional side of pricing and focus on the totality of the customer experience to show value. The conversation draws insights from Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) like Chick-fil-A, where customer engagement plays a key role in perceived value.Subscribers Who Become Transactors: A Retention Opportunity – 54% of former members continue washing their vehicles at the car wash where they previously had a membership, providing an opportunity for operators to re-engage and build long-term loyalty.Loyalty Programs: A Disconnection Between Customers and Operators – The Pulse Report has asked about loyalty for nine years, and customers consistently cite loyalty programs as a key retention driver. However, operators do not prioritize them, signaling a missed opportunity to strengthen customer relationships.Industry Growth & Supplier Outlook – Projections for year-end growth increased slightly from 5% to 6%, with 6 in 10 retailers increasing prices in 2024. Meanwhile, supplier optimism has softened, with forecasted growth of 5%, and their top concerns remain hiring, rising costs, and employee retention. To counteract these challenges, suppliers are investing in training and helping car wash owners enhance customer value.Eric and Bob begin the conversation by examining the overall health of the car wash industry, which is closely tied to consumer sentiment. They emphasize that while customers may resist price increases, strong value perception—especially among subscribers—helps mitigate dissatisfaction.The discussion then shifts to how car wash owners should interpret the Pulse Report's price/value findings. Eric and Bob stress that customer experience is in the operator's control. They highlight how Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), like Chick-fil-A, focus on hospitality and engagement to reinforce customer loyalty—a model the car wash industry can learn from.Bob also references an article he authored in the 2025 Q1 issue of Car Wash Magazine, which explores the five key principles used by the QSR industry to enhance the value proposition and customer experience.The episode also covers the behavior of subscribers who become transactors, noting that 54% of former members continue to use the car wash where they had a subscription. This presents a valuable opportunity for operators to create a dialogue with past members and encourage repeat business.For the past nine years, the Pulse Report has surveyed both customers and operators about loyalty strategies. The data shows that customers strongly value loyalty programs, yet operators do not prioritize them, highlighting a gap in retention efforts.On the growth and supplier side, there is a slight uptick in year-end growth projections from 5% to 6%, and 6 in 10 retailers increased prices in 2024. Looking ahead, the Q2 issue of Car Wash Magazine will explore 12 key factors businesses should consider before implementing price increases.Supplier sentiment, however, is less optimistic, with a softening outlook despite a projected 5% increase. The top three concerns for suppliers remain hiring, rising costs, and employee retention. To stay ahead, suppliers are focusing on training initiatives and working to help car wash operators deliver stronger customer value.
In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Alex Genov, the Head of Customer Research and Marketing Insights at Zappos. Join them as they discuss the importance of customer insights and empathy in creating remarkable products and services, and explore misconceptions about data reliance, channel optimization, and hospitality. Alex also touches on the role of emotions in customer experiences and the challenges and opportunities of delivering excellent customer service in the digital realm.
Send us a textHealth and wellness have become foundational to the modern lifestyle, with consumers redefining what fitness looks like shifting from traditional gym routines to more holistic and mobile-friendly approaches. Walking, hiking, cycling, and fitness-tracking apps are now integral parts of personal health journeys. This evolution has created new opportunities for customer-centric innovation, and few brands are leaning into this shift as effectively as Fleet Feet. Founded in 1976 by two women in Sacramento, California, Fleet Feet has grown from a single boutique running store into the country's largest franchisor of locally owned and operated specialty running retailers. Today, it operates more than 280 stores across 40 states, offering expert outfitting, training programs, and a strong sense of community. At the heart of Fleet Feet's loyalty strategy is its recently relaunched Fleet Feet Milestones program—an initiative that reflects both its legacy and its forward-thinking ethos. Joining us for this edition of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Brand Stories is Abbey Gurley, Senior Manager of Customer Loyalty at Fleet Feet, who shares how the brand is building emotional loyalty, supporting franchisees, and using customer data with care.
Ever wondered what it takes to put on an SBC Event? Today's Episode of iGaming Daily goes under the hood of the inaugural SBC Summit Americas, which kicks off this week in Fort Lauderdale, with one of the key names behind making it happen - Aidan Brain, SBC's Vice President of Conference Production. Aidan takes Joe through the whole process, from the inception of the event itself, when they started planning the agenda, the extensive preparation lasting more than one year, the process involved in planning the event, and importance of industry feedback. Aidan also speaks about the choice of location, why Fort Lauderdale works for both the US and Latin American audiences, and the advantages with more predictable good weather. Joe also asks about the logistical complexity of organising the event, and Aidan discusses the industry collaboration involved, the importance of timing, maximising the opportunity presented by next year's FIFA World Cup, and integrating English, Spanish and Portuguse speakers in one event. They also chat about the conference agenda, including the high-level speaker roster, the First Pitch startup competition, the challenges in constructing an agenda that appeals to the diverse attendee base, and building it around transcendental knowledge. Finally, they chat about the closing party, headlined by the iconic Steve Aoki. Host: Joe StreeterGuests: Aidan BrainProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: Scott FultoniGaming Daily is the official podcast of SBC Summit Malta. Taking place from 10-12 June at the Intercontinental in Malta, SBC Summit Malta is the definitive casino and betting event where European companies and professionals converge to explore cutting-edge insights, gain transformative skills, and forge impactful connections with senior decision-makers. Get your tickets now at sbcevents.com.iGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.
Click the link to learn more and get your tickets to see Vince and Ari speak at the SPF Mastermind July 18th and 19th.https://events.vincegabriele.com/july2025 Podcast SummaryIn this rare and insightful interview, Vince Gabriele sits down with Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan. From its humble beginnings in 1982 with a $20,000 bank loan and a staff of two, Zingerman's has grown into a community of businesses with over 750 employees and annual revenues exceeding $80 million . Ari shares the principles and practices that have guided this growth, emphasizing a commitment to quality, community, and a unique organizational culture. This conversation offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders aiming to build sustainable and values-driven enterprises. 5 Key Points DiscussedVisionary Leadership: Ari discusses the importance of having a clear vision and staying true to core values in guiding business growth.Community Engagement: Insights into how Zingerman's fosters a strong sense of community among employees and customers.Innovative Business Model: Exploration of Zingerman's unique approach to business expansion through a community of businesses rather than traditional franchising.Employee Empowerment: The role of open-book management and employee ownership in creating a motivated and accountable workforce.Resilience and Adaptation: Lessons learned from navigating challenges and adapting to changing market conditions while maintaining the company's mission. Click the link to learn more and get your tickets to see Vince and Ari speak at the SPF Mastermind July 18th and 19th.https://events.vincegabriele.com/july2025 If you're a gym owner seeking answers on how you can grow your gym, make more money, and have more freedom to do what you love, visit www.vincegabriele.com or book a call by CLICKING HERE!
Send us a textIn a highly competitive and commoditized fuel retail landscape, Petro-Canada, a Suncor business, is refining what customer loyalty looks like. Celebrating 50 years of serving Canadians coast to coast, the brand is leveraging deep insights, digital transformation, and purpose-driven partnerships to build emotional loyalty and maintain its relevance in an evolving market. At the heart of this initiative is Amanda Mitchell, Head of Loyalty at Petro-Canada, alongside Monica Stevenson, Strategic Partnerships Manager. With decades of combined experience in loyalty, marketing, and customer engagement, the duo is leading efforts to make Petro-Points, one of Canada's longest-running loyalty programs, more impactful, accessible, and emotionally resonant. Mitchell and Stevenson recently joined Loyalty360's Ethan Perry on the Leaders in Customer Loyalty podcast to discuss how Petro-Canada is innovating in loyalty, managing complexity, and preparing for the next generation of customer expectations.
Send us a textFor brands aiming to deepen engagement and create meaningful loyalty experiences, the traditional "earn and burn" model is no longer enough. In today's Industry Voices, Mary Luckey, Reward Strategy Director at Maritz, shares her perspective on how loyalty programs must evolve to remain relevant — and why reward strategy is at the heart of that transformation. With more than two decades at Maritz — and experience across both consumer and B2B loyalty programs — Luckey focuses on what she calls "the really fun part" of loyalty: shaping the rewards members earn. "My role is about working with account teams and clients to ensure they offer the right rewards — whether it's merchandise, gift cards, travel, or experiences — and crafting redemption experiences that truly drive loyalty," she explains. At Maritz, the approach to customer loyalty goes well beyond points and transactions. Luckey describes loyalty as a relationship, not a straight line, emphasizing that customer engagement must be seen as a living journey rather than a single outcome. "Since Maritz has always focused on people and behavior change, we design loyalty journeys that tap into emotions," she says. For example, encouraging members who redeem for a major travel reward to create a photo book afterward helps them savor memories and dream about the next trip — subtly pulling them deeper into the brand experience.
Executive escalations are becoming more frequent—and damaging. In this episode, Stacy Sherman exposes the hidden patterns behind these high-impact customer moments and why they're often signs of deeper issues across teams, systems, and culture. She shares practical strategies to prevent escalations before they start, drawn from her own leadership experience and an eye-opening conversation with Pablo Payet, Customer Experience and Success Specialist at Granicus. You'll hear a real story of a customer with seven unresolved tickets and the internal scramble that followed—plus how to build CX frameworks that create consistency, ownership, and trust at scale. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
Want a fresh set of eyes on your business? Get ahead of the chaos—book your call now: https://calendly.com/spf-leo/spf-mastermind-discovery-call What's up, guys—Uncle Vinny here.I'm back behind the mic after some travel and life stuff… but this one's important.We're diving into two big topics today: tariffs and retention—and how both are about to smack gym owners right in the face if you're not paying attention. I break down what I've learned from some seriously smart finance people (not from watching the news), and explain how this stuff could affect your clients and your business.But most importantly—I'm sharing exactly what we did at Gabriele Fitness to drop our attrition rate to 1.5%. That's the lowest it's ever been. I'm talking real strategies, real results—no fluff. If you're trying to keep your members happy, showing up, and not canceling, you'll want to hear this one. Top 5 Key PointsFocus on What You Can Actually ControlYou can't control the economy, politics, or what China does. But you can control your fitness, your food, your time, your team—and how hard you work. Do that.Fear is in the Air—That Affects SpendingTariffs are creating uncertainty, and uncertainty makes people think twice before spending money. If your clients feel unsure, your gym could end up on the chopping block—unless you show them you're worth every penny.Keep What You've GotWhen it gets harder to bring in new leads, your best bet is to double down on the clients you already have. Our motto: Operation: Don't Lose Anybody. That's how we cut attrition to 1.5%.Add Real Value (Not More Sessions)Personalization, connection, and community win. Automated birthday emails don't cut it. We did stuff like personalized holiday videos and ran an epic March Madness event just for members. That's what people actually care about.Don't Be Afraid to Lead HardWhen someone tries to cancel or go on hold, challenge them. Remind them why they started. People are secretly begging to be led—especially in times like these. Be the leader they're looking for. Want a fresh set of eyes on your business? Get ahead of the chaos—book your call now: https://calendly.com/spf-leo/spf-mastermind-discovery-call If you're a gym owner seeking answers on how you can grow your gym, make more money, and have more freedom to do what you love, visit www.vincegabriele.com or book a call by CLICKING HERE!
Ever had a customer walk in, get chased for months, and your team still greets them like it's Day One? Yikes. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, we're calling out the CRM habits that are quietly killing your deals—and showing you how to fix them. Jen breaks down how internal notes create smooth BDC-to-sales handoffs, how to log objections and buying triggers that actually close, and why skipping CRM updates might be why your customer disappeared. If you want loyal buyers and not just new leads, it starts with smarter follow-ups, stronger recaps, and tighter processes. Let's make your CRM your best closer. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |
According to a new user testing survey released last month, more than 2/3 of consumers in the US, Australia, and the UK are willing to pay an average of 25% more for their purchases made from their favorite brands. The average person remains loyal to as many as six brands with the most loyalty being associated with grocery, food, clothing, footwear, phone, and electronics brands.
Welcome to the first episode of our six-part Dealer Competencies series! We're kicking it off with Marketing—because before you can deliver great service, you need to get in the door.Hosts Joe Jones and Dave Chatmon sit down with Dale and Grant Gray from Creature Comforts in Ontario, Doug Kidd from Temp Control in Nashville, and Lennox leaders Vikram Seal and Tim Harleson. They explore what works for HVAC marketing, from costly TV ad missteps to unforgettable community-first strategies like Movies by the Lake.This episode goes beyond buzzwords to unpack how dealers can build lasting customer loyalty, strengthen their brand identity, and create marketing strategies that don't just generate leads, but generate trust.ON AIR is a Lennox Learning Solutions Production.
In Season 10, Episode 16 of the Remarkable Retail Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Steve Dennis open with a deep dive into the latest turbulence in the retail world. They tackle the U.S. administration's wobbly trade policies, slowing home sale, and rising inventory risks stemming from ongoing tariffs. They also dissect challenges facing the luxury sector, with Kering posting disappointing numbers and growing concerns around the Saks/Neiman Marcus deal amid financial instability. Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble bucks the trend, announcing 60 new stores in 2025, reinforcing that physical retail remains far from dead.The second half of the episode features a compelling live interview from Shoptalk in Las Vegas with Neil Tenzer, Vice President, Customer Loyalty, Insights and Engagement at Tractor Supply Company (TSC). Neil provides a masterclass in building a robust loyalty program with real impact. He shares his unique journey—from a Nordstrom associate to a strategy consultant to a senior executive at TSC—and how these experiences shape his approach to customer engagement.Neil walks through the evolution of Tractor Supply's Neighbors Club, which now boasts over 39 million members and accounts for 80% of company revenue. He highlights how spending time on customers' properties—understanding their lives firsthand—informs everything from reward program design to personalization strategy. Neil also discusses how TSC thinks differently about loyalty economics: rather than banking on reward breakage, they aim for full reward utilization to deepen customer engagement.Listeners get a firsthand look at TSC's approach to micro-segmentation, omnichannel loyalty, and personalization efforts that bridge online and in-store experiences. Neil offers insights into experimental tactics, the application of agentic AI for personalization, and the cultural commitment at TSC to putting the customer first—literally in every loyalty and personalization decision. The episode closes with Neil's advice to fellow retailers. About NeilNeil Tenzer is Vice President of Customer Loyalty, Insights & Engagement at Tractor Supply Co. where he is privileged to lead the Neighbor's Club - one of the largest and fastest growing loyalty programs in retail! With 38+ M members and $12+ B in sales, the program leverages robust analytics and data science to connect each customer with the most compelling marketing and uniquely relevant offers. Neil has 20 years of experience employing data and analytics to lead multinational organizations through growth and turnaround strategy across the healthcare, consumer, and retail spaces. Neil holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Oxford. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
Send us a textIn this episode of Navigating the Customer Experience, we talk with Justin Baer, an entrepreneur passionate about blending comfort and style into professional wear. Justin shares his journey from a tech-focused entrepreneur to founding Collars & Co., known for their innovative Dress Collar Polo — the perfect hybrid of dress shirt style with polo shirt comfort.Originally a side project launched during the pandemic, Justin's brand has grown exponentially, boasting over 300 SKUs, a 20,000 sq ft warehouse, and 20+ employees. Featured on Shark Tank, The Wall Street Journal, and Men's Health, Collars & Co. is more than just apparel — it's a community dedicated to excellence, integrity, and creativity.Highlights Include:Entrepreneurial Journey: Justin always had a knack for business, growing up in a family where Wall Street Journals replaced Sports Illustrated. After years in tech and software, the discomfort of daily dress shirts in NYC inspired him to create a new kind of apparel.The Launch Story: Using a Shopify store, DIY photoshoots, and a TikTok video filmed by his daughter, Justin's first shirts sold out almost immediately — proof of demand for stylish comfort.Customer Experience Focus: Transitioning from B2B to direct-to-consumer, Justin emphasizes constant learning, using data-driven A/B testing to refine online shopping experiences. They prioritize customer support, treating every customer "like a celebrity."Key Skills Sharpened:Video editing and social media marketing (vital for brand building),Accounting and financial acumen (essential for growth),Customer service excellence (building a brand voice and culture internally and externally).Essential Tools: Shopify and Triple Whale (for e-commerce attribution) are vital to their daily operations.Book Recommendations: The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes, highlighting the power of letting data sell for you.Customer Perspective: As a shopper himself, Justin values social proof, return policies, and responsive support — factors Collars & Co. strives to excel at.Expanding the Line: While Collars & Co. began with menswear, a women's collection is underway, recognizing the significant demand and opportunity in women's fashion.What's Next: Justin is excited about launching a performance dress shirt line in partnership with Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team, offering high-tech, cool-to-the-touch fabrics for modern professionals.Mindset on Challenges: Justin embraces adversity, viewing problems as opportunities to improve — a philosophy that has fueled Collars & Co.'s rapid success.Find Justin Online:Website: www.collarsandco.comLinkedIn: Justin BaerInstagram/TikTok: @collarsandcoclothingClosing Thought: Justin's story is a reminder that true innovation often comes from solving personal problems — with grit, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Whether you're looking for entrepreneurial insights, fashion industry tips, or inspiration to chase your own ideas, this conversation offers invaluable lessons.
What if the way you measure customer support is setting your team up to fail? What if prioritizing speed is costing you real relationships? And what if the real customer experience (CX) advantage isn't more tech, but a culture where teams are actually happy to help? In this episode, Stacy Sherman and Priscilla Brooke share bold strategies to move beyond reactive service and redefine it as true customer success. You'll learn how to use employee well-being as a KPI, foster cross-functional collaboration, and implement AI in ways that enhance—not replace—your team's impact. If you're serious about creating loyalty—not just closing tickets—this conversation will change how you lead. Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
In this high-flying episode, we sit down with Gene Conrad, President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland Florida. Sun 'n Fun is one of the largest aviation events in the country and welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually. Key Takeaways: ✈️ Safety First – Safety is the primary focus for the airshow, and should be for your business as well.
Send us a textIn the final chapter of a compelling three-part series on the Customer Success Playbook, hosts Kevin Metzger and Roman Trebon sit down once more with communication strategist Mary Schmid to explore whether artificial intelligence can play a meaningful role in building trust. With AI Fridays in full swing, the conversation veers into uncharted territory: can AI actually help us become better listeners, or are we outsourcing our empathy to machines?Detailed Analysis: AI in customer success is no longer theoretical; it's operational. From onboarding workflows to meeting recaps, AI is here to streamline. But the question Mary Schmid challenges us with is not can AI help, but how and where should it be used? With characteristic wit and wisdom, she makes it clear: AI can emulate empathy, but it can't feel it. The result? AI may simulate care, but it can't substitute human connection.The group reflects on how AI, while useful for efficiency and summarization, may inadvertently encourage disengagement. Roman candidly shares how AI-generated transcripts have made him a lazier listener—a relatable confession for many knowledge workers navigating tech overload. Mary counters with a powerful reminder: presence is a choice. No matter how smart your tools, nothing replaces being fully in the conversation.This episode offers a practical and philosophical blueprint for integrating AI responsibly. Use it for insights, yes. Use it for speed, definitely. But never let it replace your human instinct to connect. Mary leaves us with a challenge: show up with your eyes, ears, and heart—because no algorithm can replicate that.Bonus treat: Mary created a downloadable resource exclusively for Customer Success Playbook listeners. Grab it at maryschmid.com/csb — it includes free resources and even complimentary access to her book.Now you can interact with us directly by leaving a voice message at https://www.speakpipe.com/CustomerSuccessPlaybookCheck out https://funnelstory.ai/ for more details about Funnelstory. You can also check out our full video review of the product on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4jChYZBVz2Y.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.
People don't just buy products – they buy stories. So how do you tell yours in a way that sticks, connects, and builds loyalty?In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez explains how you can write a brand story that does more than just sell – it builds a loyal customer base. You'll learn how to craft your story, why embracing your struggles can make your brand more relatable and inspiring, and how to weave your customers into your story so they see themselves in your mission.Plus, you'll hear real-life examples from past guests like Conchita Pleasant, the founder and CEO of Nefertiti's Secrets and Ray Phillips, the CEO of Soap Sox, who turned personal challenges into powerful brand stories that inspire and connect.By the end of this minisode, you'll have tools to craft a story that doesn't just explain what you do – it'll show why it matters.So, what's your story? Share it with us (or even just a piece of it) in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.Sources: If you want to know more about Nefertiti's Secrets, listen to Conchita's story here: How Looking Back Can Lead to Forward-Thinking Business Ideas - This is Small BusinessIf you want to know more about Soap Sox, listen to Ray's story here: From Concept to Reality: Building and Validating Your Business Idea - This is Small BusinessHow to Tell a Compelling Brand Story [Guide + Examples] - HubspotPeople Buy Feelings, Not Things - Tony RobbinsStart with Why - Simon Sinek
We're bringing back one of our most popular episodes—and for good reason. This conversation struck a chord with so many of you, and its insights are just as relevant today as when it first aired. Regret is one of the most intense and universal human emotions. It often comes with guilt, remorse, or shame—but it also holds the power to drive growth, transformation, and better decision-making, both in life and in business. In this encore episode of Doing CX Right, Stacy Sherman is joined by Daniel H. Pink, renowned author of five New York Times bestsellers. Together, they unpack the surprising value of regret and how embracing it can help leaders and customer experience professionals show up more intentionally—for their teams, their customers, and themselves.
#342 In today's episode, we are joined again by Katie Fawkes from Ecamm. She and Erik Fisher discuss the importance and power of community around your business and discover how Katie and the Ecamm team fashioned the 'ECAMM fam' into a genuine cornerstone of their business model. (Original Air Date - 2/26/24) What we discuss with Katie: + Brief overview of Ecamm, a live streaming and video production software studio for Mac + The importance and role of building community in feedback for marketing and development decisions within Ecamm + Growth of Ecamm's community and the necessity for a dedicated team to manage it + Introduction of community moderators and their selection process + The active role of moderators in community improvement and rule enforcement + Importance of engaging with customers where they spend time and being accessible + Empowering customers to promote the brand through word-of-mouth + How community initiatives like Creator Camp benefit business goodwill and customer relationships + Positive outcomes from Creator Camp and its role in community strengthening + The impact of Ecamm's visual approach to live video interactions in building trust and authenticity + Evaluation and selection process of tools like Mighty Networks, Circle, Slack, and ultimately, Discord Links and resources from this episode: Ecamm Seth Godin - Tribes Mighty Networks Circle Slack Ecamm.tv/community Ecamm.tv/discord Thank you, Katie! If you enjoyed this episode with Katie Fawkes, let us know by clicking on any of the links below to send her a quick shout-out! For more information go to MillionaireUniversity.com To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AI voice agents are already on the front lines — answering calls, switching languages, and gathering insights from every interaction. But automation alone won't deliver great customer experiences (CX). The key is doing it right. In this episode of Doing CX Right, Stacy Sherman and Richard Lin, CEO of Anyreach, explore how to deploy voice AI with transparency, personalize at scale, and prepare for a future where AI isn't just assisting humans — it's talking to other AI. Because the real ROI isn't in automation alone — it's in how you design the experience. Smart choices turn AI from a cost-saver into a brand-builder Learn more at Access our FREE Customer Experience Audit Tool: Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous Book time with Stacy through this
Why do residents leave? Why do prospects walk away?Often, it's not rent or amenities—it's silence.In this episode of Multifamily Collective, Mike Brewer brings the heat on what truly separates thriving properties from the ones stuck in the mud: radical prioritization of response and resolution. The phone rings. The emails stack. And too often, the customer gets lost in the shuffle. But it doesn't have to be that way.Mike challenges Multifamily leaders to make customer response their bonfire—the thing they rally around. He unpacks how quick replies and swift solutions don't just boost resident satisfaction—they spark loyalty, retention, referrals, and reputation.
Wondering how to move from customer success or service into a true customer experience leadership role—without needing a new title? In this episode, Stacy Sherman explores what it really means to lead CX from wherever you sit in the organization. If you're looking to expand your influence, gain visibility, and make a broader impact on your company's customer journey, this conversation is for you. Discover the mindset shifts and strategic actions that can set you apart—and why now might be the perfect time to step into a CX leadership path. Book time with Stacy through this Learn more at Grow as a CX Professional with our numerous
Dr. Yoram Solomon is a trust and innovation expert, founder of the Trust Building Institute, and author of 19 books, including The Book of Trust. He holds 22 patents and was a key contributor to Wi-Fi and USB 3.0 technologies at Texas Instruments. With a PhD in Organization and Management, an MBA, and a Law degree, he teaches entrepreneurship and innovation at SMU and has published 400+ articles in outlets like Inc. Magazine. A former Plano ISD Board Trustee and IDF Paratrooper, he is dedicated to helping organizations build trust and drive innovation. SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy welcome Dr. Yoram Solomon, founder of the Trust Building Institute and author of The Book of Trust and The Trust Premium. With decades of experience in innovation and trust research, Dr. Solomon breaks down why trust is not just a soft skill—it's the most powerful sales differentiator. Backed by research and real data, he explains how customers are willing to pay nearly 30% more when they trust their salesperson. From first impressions to consistent behavior, this conversation is packed with actionable ways to build trust and set yourself apart in a skeptical marketplace.KEY TAKEAWAYSTrust as a Differentiator: Customers are more loyal and willing to pay more to work with trustworthy salespeople.Empathy and Authenticity: Seeing things from your client's perspective is essential to accelerating trust.First Impressions Matter: What you say and how you act in early interactions can build or erode trust quickly.The Trust Premium: Customers are willing to pay about 29.6% more for services from someone they trust.Industry Impact: Trust has different weight across industries but remains critical everywhere.No Trust Discount: Without trust, companies must offer significant discounts to attract new business.Behavior is Key: Honest pricing, transparent communication, and consistency all build trust.HIGHLIGHT QUOTES