Podcasts about CX

Send us a textThis episode sounds as good as it gets — huge thanks to Christopher Irwin-Dudek, VP of Marketing Communications at NICE, for joining me.We dive into a wide-ranging conversation covering:The new leadership vision at NICE and what it means for the futureWhether NICE sees itself as a CCaaS platform, an AI powerhouse, or bothThe evolving role of major CRMs in the contact center AI landscapeAnd a whole lot more behind-the-scenes insight from one of the most influential CX tech companies out thereIf you're in the contact center, customer experience, or enterprise tech space, this is a must-listen. Don't miss it. Tom Laird's 100% USA-based, AI-powered contact center. As the only outsourcing partner on the NICE CXone Customer Executive Council, Expivia is redefining what it means to be a CX tech partner. Learn more at expiviausa.com. Follow Tom: @tlaird_expiviaJoin our Facebook Call Center Community: www.facebook.com/callcentergeekConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tlairdexpivia/Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@callcenter_geekLinkedin Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9041993/Watch us: Advice from a Call Center Geek Youtube Channel

Chuck Salvo is the Chief Happiness Architect and culture strategist behind the R.A.V.E. movement —  "Respect and Value Everyone."    With over 30 years of leadership experience, including 15 years at Disney Institute, Chuck has dedicated his career to helping organizations design intentional cultures that drive employee engagement, customer loyalty, and sustainable growth.    He advocates for moving beyond generic slogans, urging leaders to embed respect, connection, and purpose into their company's DNA. Chuck's approach involves conducting in-depth cultural assessments through candid conversations with employees and customers, rather than relying solely on surveys.   He emphasizes the significance of aligning employee experience (EX) with customer experience (CX) to create a cohesive organizational culture.   Chuck believes in blending various organizational elements, such as HR, employee engagement, and customer service, to create a harmonious and effective workplace.   Furthermore, Chuck recommends that leaders be intentional in managing touchpoints throughout the employee and customer journeys.   Website:  Salvo Innovative Solutions, LLC.  LinkedIn: Chuck Salvo    Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

This week, I sat down with the brilliant (and brilliantly humble) Jim Lee—President of Crunch Labs—to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that doesn't just go viral, but sticks.We cover creator-led growth, product design that drives retention, the future of STEM education, and why customer experience starts way before someone hits “buy.”Plus, Jim shares how Crunch Labs turns YouTube magic into meaningful learning for kids (think: flywheels, diplomas, and a robot that teaches you to code), what it's like working with Mark Rober, and why they're building a free science curriculum that could change classrooms across the country.If you're building a subscription brand, running CX, or just trying to connect your content to your customer—this episode is full of takeaways you can actually run with.

The guys sit down with customer experience expert Jamaal Savwoir of Nextiva to discuss the state of the unified communications and CX market; plus, we reveal the top 10 IT service providers on this year's Channel Partners MSP 501 a day before you see them on the Channel Futures website.

Pete Jones is the founder and CEO of Grypp. He is based in the UK between London and Birmingham. Grypp is a visual platform that aims to help contact centers and the agents working within them see what their customers can see. This can be a transformative technology for many support environments and it is low cost and proven - in contrast to many of the AI projects we have covered recently on the podcast. Mark Hillary called Pete to get an ouline of the various ways in which a visual approach to CX can transform how the support process works and how this also creates opportunities for managing fraud and identity. As the conversation suggests: we need humans In CX so why are we restraining them by not allowing them to see what the customer can see?  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-jones-gryppcorp/ https://grypp.io/about-us/   Summary: Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the evolution of visual customer experience (CX) with Pete Jones, CEO of Grypp. They highlight how visual CX, which allows agents to see customer issues in real-time, can reduce communication inefficiencies and enhance customer service. Jones shares that one in five enterprises now use visual CX, and Grypp has released 20 new innovations in the past two years. They also explore the potential of visual CX in fraud prevention and its integration with AI to improve customer interactions and operational efficiency. Jones emphasizes the importance of immediate value and the potential for significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome back Christina Garnett, a fractional chief customer officer and CX strategist, who shares her insights on the evolving landscape of marketing and customer experience. With her extensive background in community-building and emotional intelligence, Christina discusses the importance of authenticity in a world increasingly influenced by AI and automation.Learn About...- The Human Connection in Marketing: Discover how the push for authenticity and emotional intelligence is becoming more vital as brands navigate the complexities of AI and technology.- Building Community: Christina emphasizes the significance of fostering genuine connections within teams and with customers, highlighting how these relationships can drive loyalty and enhance the overall customer experience.- The Role of Emotional Metrics: Explore why shifting focus from traditional quantitative metrics to emotional engagement metrics can lead to deeper insights and better customer relationships.- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Christina shares her personal journey of writing her upcoming book, revealing how community support played a crucial role in overcoming self-doubt.- Strategies for Mid-Career Marketers: Learn actionable tips on how to gain buy-in for innovative strategies by aligning your ideas with the goals and values of your organization.Our Guest...Christina Garnett is a renowned fractional chief customer officer, CX strategist, and communications advisor who specializes in creating impactful customer experiences. With her upcoming book, "Transforming Customer Brand Relationships," set to release in September, Christina is dedicated to helping brands build meaningful connections through empathy and emotional intelligence.Check out her last episode with us - 71! HERE~._.*._.~Making a Marketer is brought to you by Powers of Marketing - providing exceptional podcast experiences & online and in-person events since 2013. Check out episode 173, and if our show moves you, please share it and let us know your thoughts!Take our LISTENER Community Survey!!! HERE** Our editor Avri makes amazing music! Check out his music on Spotify ! **

The CX Goalkeeper Podcast joins the Customer Experience World Games 2025.With the incredible honor of interviewing captains, vice-captains, judges, and friends of the CXWG 2025.These are brief interviews that share the experiences of outstanding individuals who help charities improve.Customer Experience professionals worldwide come together to share their experience insights and help others.The CX World Games take place over 4-6 weeks, with expert CX captains guiding randomly created teams to work on the best solutions to challenges set by the organizers. Players contribute whatever time they have. It only takes a minute to come up with a brilliant idea.These challenges are real-life, proposed by charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that need help to improve their donor, volunteer, or beneficiary experiences.​All the entries are provided to the charities that will go on to make a difference from what the teams provide during the CXWG.Join us and be part of it.​

What is customer experience (CX) and why should we care?This week I'm joined by Brittany Fox, tech founder and CX expert, to talk about the biggest conversation happening across enterprise businesses right now - and how small business owners can use this to their advantage.Brittany shares why visibility is everything when it comes to your customer journey and how you can strengthen your customer experience from the minute you stop listening! .If you LOVED this episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram stories and tag us @contentqueenmariah and @cx_with_britt ⁠⁠LEARN THE DETAILS OF A CONTENT STRATEGY WITH MY FREE AUDIO GUIDE⁠⁠ KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

What's on your mind? Let CX Passport know...How do you actually build a culture that sticks — one that survives chaos, grows talent, and actually gets results?Eric Stone has spent nearly 30 years leading through culture. From building the “think tank” inside Enterprise Rent-A-Car to crafting his own hourglass framework, Eric takes us through real-world stories that show culture is more than posters and values. It's behaviors in action.CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome Eric Stone 1:15 The family road trip that inspired a book 2:46 Culture isn't a poster — it's action 3:38 Building a real culture with the “think tank” 5:54 Trust starts at interview, not orientation 8:38 Johnny the Bagger and culture ripple effects 12:54 Seeing the real frontline experience 14:05 The Hourglass approach 16:12 First Class Lounge 18:54 Culture turnaround — what it really takes 24:28 Why execution depends on cultureGuest links:

In this episode, we're diving deep into the art of connection with Doug Brown from CEO Sales Strategies. He is an expert at driving results, uniting teams, and delivering unforgettable customer experiences. You'll learn why today's customers are clamoring for connection, and how your business can meet that need by aligning your teams, sharpening your message, and understanding your buyers better than ever. We'll explore: Why great teams move in the same direction (and how to get yours there) How leaders set the tone for performance and culture by setting the example The power of understanding client objections before they derail your sale The secret to identifying your right-fit buyer and fine-tuning your messaging and marketing Why follow-up is the most overlooked part of both the sales and service cycle How to eliminate silos between sales, marketing, and customer service to create a seamless, connected experience Whether you're a business owner, CX leader, or growth-focused professional, this episode will challenge your thinking and offer practical strategies you can implement today.

Traditional banking services alone aren't enough to serve the diverse needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Banks need to go further and think of their digital footprint as a launching pad for SMB owners by adding value-added services. On the show today, Mark Valentino, President of Business Banking at Citizens, and Taira Hall, EVP and Head of Enterprise Payments at Citizens, join to talk about how the bank is building more comprehensive solutions through value-added services for SMB customers. Valentino and Hall dive into how the bank is moving away from a purely transactional relationship to become more of a command center for SMB owners, highlighting how SMB owners' needs and the broader focus on CX is leading this change. Tune into the show to explore how traditional FIs can evolve to become modern digital hubs for SMB owners through the addition of Value Added Services like spend management, a focus on APIs, and a robust partnership-first strategy. Both Valentino and Hall provide a strategic overview and practical examples – melding the worlds of business banking and payments together to forge a powerful narrative about how Citizens is evolving to meet the changing expectations of small business owners.

In collaboration with CCW Europe Summit 2025:CCW Europe Summit 2025 unites CX pioneers to solve today's challenges and shape tomorrow's solutions. Dive into next-gen AI, journey redesign, and customer-centric growth with leaders from Google, Nestlé, Ryanair, and more.Spot are limited! Join the event join the movement:Use the discount code CXGOALKEEPER20 for 20% additional discount!.https://europe.customercontactweekdigital.com/events-ccweurope-What if your biggest setback could spark your biggest insight? In this episode, Darshan Mehta shares powerful “aha” moments that shaped his life, career, and even the launch of his restaurant. You'll discover how insights are hiding in plain sight — if you know where to look.About the GuestDarshan was born in India and raised in the US. He has been coming to Thailand every year since 1989 to teach in the Master's in Marketing (MIM) program at Thammasat University. In 2020, he moved to Thailand and founded three Thai companies, iResearch (SaaS software), Aha Brands (F&B) and Aha Enterprise (construction) and a non-profit Big Mango.His entrepreneurial spirit stems from starting his own branding and marketing consultancy to help others for more than twenty-five years to grow their business and thrive. In February 2024, he opened Carmina on Sukhumvit Soi 20 to introduce a symphony of Modern Latin cuisine to Bangkok.Drawing upon his years of strategy experience, Darshan is also the author of a best seller titled, “Getting to Aha! Why Today's Insights Are Tomorrow's Facts,” to help business leaders understand and leverage changing consumer preferences. In addition to his full-time business roles, Darshan has taught in the US, Sweden, and in Thailand. He a has traveled to more than 90 countries. Forbes Magazine recently featured Darshan has one of 9 CMOs to watch.You can follow Darshan on his podcast, Getting to Aha!,Relevant Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehtaThe Top 3 Key LearningsAha moments are insights that reveal deep truths — they often come from combining facts, trends, and emotion.Talking to customers is essential — the most valuable ideas are found through real conversations and listening for pain points.Evoking emotion in business drives exponential impact — when you move customers emotionally, they come back and bring others.Chapters00:00 Introduction to CCW Europe Summit 202501:15 Welcome to the CX Goalkeeper Podcast01:51 Guest Introduction: Meet Darshan02:27 Values Driving Professional Career04:08 Defining Aha Moments05:54 Restaurant Business Insights08:48 The Power of Insights and Market Research15:57 Artificial Intelligence and Future Trends20:25 Golden Nugget and ConclusionFollow & Subscribe to the CX Goalkeeper Podcast:Apple Podcast: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/appleSpotify: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/spotifyWe'd love to hear your thoughts — leave a comment or share your feedback!

In this episode, Kathryn Korostoff, market research thought leader and founder of Research Rockstar, tackles an often-overlooked challenge in successful AI deployment: organizational structure. While AI promises efficiency and innovation in market research and customer insights, many teams are still held back—not by technology, but neglecting the value of small wins and organizational silos. Kathryn shares key insights from her conversations with Benjamin de Seingalt, Esq., Corporate Counsel and Director of Compliance and Privacy, MarketVision Research. We explore: Why research teams miss opportunities to get early wins with AI How outdated organizational structures limit collaboration across customer insights functions What research leaders can do to overcome these roadblocks for market research, CX, UX, and VoC teams Whether you're optimizing qualitative research processes or enhancing quantitative research workflows, this conversation will help you think beyond tools and tactics—and toward sustainable transformation.  ✅ Like what you hear? Subscribe and join us as we explore ways to strengthen our market research skills and build smarter teams. Conversations for Research Rockstars is produced by Research Rockstar Training & Staffing. Our 25+ Market Research eLearning classes are offered on-demand and include options to earn Insights Association Certificates. Our Rent-a-Researcher staffing service places qualified, fully-vetted market research experts, covering temporary needs due to project and resource fluctuations. ***We believe it: Inside every market researcher, is a Research Rockstar!*** Hope you enjoy this episode of Conversations for Research Rockstars. http://www.researchrockstar.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ResearchRockstarTraining LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/2038750 877-Rocks10 ext 703 for Support, 701 for Sales  Info@ResearchRockstar.com

Hey CX Nation,In this week's episode of The CXChronicles Podcast #261 we were capturing live interviews at Customer Contact Week at The Caeasar's Forum in Las Vegas, NV.We joined 5,000+ attendees, from 49 states, 51 countries, and spent time meeting & learning from 250+ of the largest solution providers in the CX & customer contact center space. Let's call it what is folks, this is essentially the "Super Bowl of CX" the best & brightest companies in our game gather at CCW to talk shop & share their latest & greatest features, gadgets & services.Our guest interviews for this IRL (in-real life) event episode included: Peter Nilsson (Microsoft), Michael Kinsella & Tomas Piacek (Klearcom), Ashu Dubey (Alhena AI) Janet Vito & Emily Cash (Cyara). Each of the guests in this episode had unique points of view on the state of CX/CS/Customer Support & what the future of business will look like in today's world thanks to our favorite new little buddy, AI. **Episode #261 Highlight Reel:**1. CXC IRL Interviews from CCW Las Vegas 20252. Learnings from 250+ leading solution providers in customer contact3. Things that are top of mind for CX/CS/Support executives4. Improving your customer experience & building alongside AI for the future5. Examples of world-leading AI companies/solutions to keep your eyes onClick here to watch CXCP #261 On CXC YoutubeClick here to learn about Customer Contact WeekHuge thanks to everyone for joining us on this week's episode of The CXChronicles Podcast and featuring their work and efforts in pushing the customer & employee (agent) experience space into the future.If you enjoy The CXChronicles Podcast, stop by your favorite podcast player hit the follow button and leave us a review today.For our Apple & Spotify friends, make sure you are following CXC & please leave a 5 star review so we can find new listeners & members to expand our customer focused community.You know what would be even better?Go tell one of your friends or teammates about CXC's content,  strategic partners (Hubspot, Intercom, Zendesk, Freshworks, Forethought AI & Ascendr) + check-out the CXC Healthzone to learn more about our CX/CS/RevOps focused on-demand services.Are you looking to learn more about the world of Customer Sales & Marketing, Customer Experience, Customer Success, Employee Experience & Revenue Operations?Click here to 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, go check out the CXChronicles Youtube channel to see our customer & employee focused business content. Reach Out To CXC Today!Support the showContact CXChronicles Today Tweet us @cxchronicles Check out our Instagram @cxchronicles Click here to checkout the CXC website Email us at info@cxchronicles.com Remember To Make Happiness A Habit!!

This week, I sat down with two of the sharpest minds in the retention and CX space to talk about what really drives long-term loyalty—especially in the skincare and wellness world.We get into subscriptions, lifecycle marketing, cancelation logic, and why the prettiest packaging in the world won't save you from bad UX. AJ shares how U Beauty builds obsession-worthy routines (with zero fluff) and Nikki breaks down why your “other” cancel reason is a goldmine of insight.If you're building a brand with high repeat potential, scaling retention ops, or just tired of running in circles with your post-purchase strategy—this one's a must-listen.

Nicola Collister and Jerry Briggs talk to Peter Ryan about AI in CX We have talked many times on this podcast about AI and the hype aound what it can do for CX designers and managers. But what can it really do? We are being flooded with AI-themed ideas on LinkedIn daily, but it is also clear that many AI projects are failing (Gartner says that 85% of AI projects are failing at present). In this episode Peter Ryan aims to do some myth-busting. Where is AI in CX today? What are the real use cases and where is the hype? Peter talked to two CX leaders - in the UK and US - to discuss their thoughts on the realities of using AI in CX today... This episode features the guests: Nicola Collister CEO and Founder of Custerian - based in Bowden, near Manchester UK https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-collister-7b34ba2/ https://www.custerian.com/chat-to-us   Jerry Briggs CEO and Owner of ApexCX - based in Washington DC, USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerryhbriggs/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/apexcx-customer-experience-support-services/   Interview led by Peter Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ryan-montreal/ ---- Summary Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the hype cycle surrounding AI in customer experience (CX) with guests Nicola Collister and Jerry Briggs. They highlight the disparity between AI adoption in the US and China, noting that many US companies are still in the hype phase, while Chinese companies are using AI for practical applications. The conversation emphasizes the need for strategic AI implementation aligned with business goals, rather than just adopting AI for the sake of innovation. They also discuss the importance of understanding AI's limitations and potential negative impacts on both customers and employees. The guests stress the need for clear communication and realistic expectations from AI vendors and consultants.  

Customer experience (CX) can be a game-changer when it comes to differentiating your brand. Get your CX to a good place by creating a true relationship with your customers - not just selling to them. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear how from Allen Adamson. He's the Co-Founder of Metaforce and Author of many books, including Seeing the How. Catch the full episode here

The CX Goalkeeper Podcast joins the Customer Experience World Games 2025.With the incredible honor of interviewing captains, vice-captains, judges, and friends of the CXWG 2025.These are brief interviews that share the experiences of outstanding individuals who help charities improve.Customer Experience professionals worldwide come together to share their experience insights and help others.The CX World Games take place over 4-6 weeks, with expert CX captains guiding randomly created teams to work on the best solutions to challenges set by the organizers. Players contribute whatever time they have. It only takes a minute to come up with a brilliant idea.These challenges are real-life, proposed by charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that need help to improve their donor, volunteer, or beneficiary experiences.​All the entries are provided to the charities that will go on to make a difference from what the teams provide during the CXWG.Join us and be part of it.​

What happens to marketing when AI controls the entire purchase funnel?Steven Van Belleghem, global CX thought leader, keynote speaker, and author, joins us to unpack how AI isn't just changing workflows, it's rapidly  transforming customer decision-making itself.Uncover how customer expectations are shifting, how brands can prepare for AI-powered shopping assistants, and why the brands of the future must be search-visible, review-backed, and emotionally resonant. Steven warns that most companies are only focused on internal AI efficiencies… while ignoring how customer journeys are being upended in real time.We also explore his framework for “The Offer You Can't Refuse,” why authenticity is overrated, and what a 1% human experience should look like when everything else is automated. If you're a CX leader, marketer, or executive wondering what to do when the funnel disappears and your customers outsource their decisions to algorithms—this is the conversation you can't afford to miss. Key Moments:00:00 The Rise of LLMs in Search and Their Impact04:29 Introducing Steven Van Belleghem, CX Expert, Author, and Keynote Speaker07:22 Steven's Journey: From Family Business to AI Expert13:22 The Future of AI in Customer Experience and Branding34:55 Steven's Four Pillars of Success37:26 Examples of European Companies Excelling in Customer Experience40:12 The Power of Small Changes in Customer Experience46:51 Authenticity vs. Artificial Experiences51:49 The Impact of AI on Customer Experience55:10 Leadership's Role in Customer-Centric Culture01:02:06 Lightning Round: Steven's Personal Inspirations and Advice –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

What does it take to deliver human-centered customer experience across nearly 200 resorts and 22,000+ employees? On this episode of The Modern Customer Podcast, I'm joined by Derek De Salvia, Chief Customer Officer and EVP at Hilton Grand Vacations. Derek leads the company's global CX strategy and brings a practical, people-first lens to metrics, personalization, and leadership at scale. We talk about moving beyond NPS, using real-time feedback to drive smarter decisions, applying AI to elevate both guest and employee experience, and staying meaningfully connected to the frontline. Ready to see what future-ready CX leadership really looks like? Hit play to hear how Hilton Grand Vacations is using data, AI, and frontline insight to stay ahead. This episode is sponsored by SCAYLE, the flexible and scalable eCommerce platform built to grow enterprise brands pain-free.  Visit www.scayle.com to learn more 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. Follow Blake Morgan on LinkedIn For regular updates on customer experience, sign up for her weekly newsletter here. 

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Professor Mohamed Zaki of Cambridge University discusses his new book “Data-Driven Customer Experience Transformation.” Mohamed explores the shift from product-centric to customer-centric business models, distinguishing customer satisfaction from delight, and leveraging AI and data analytics to predict customer behavior. Mohamed also shares his insights on omnichannel experiences, personalization strategies, and real-world case studies, including Caterpillar's CX transformation.

What does it take to build truly intelligent customer experiences at enterprise scale? In this episode of the AI in Business podcast, Shardul Vikram, Chief Product Officer of SAP Application AI, returns to explore the critical role of generative AI in transforming CX across industries. From telecom to healthcare, Shardul breaks down how leading firms are aligning data strategy, automation, and personalization to drive measurable impact in both B2C and B2B environments. Shardul outlines SAP's vision for “intelligent CX” — where AI doesn't just automate tasks but bridges the gap between front-line support and back-office execution. Throughout the episode, he underscores how tools like SAP's CX AI Toolkit and GenAI copilot (Juul) are helping service agents anticipate customer needs, detect anomalies in real-time, and reduce wait times without sacrificing trust or compliance. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/e2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on Emerj's flagship' AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/43Gxevp ----------------------- 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 episode of Insights Unlocked, hosts Nathan Isaacs and Bobby Meixner welcome customer experience (CX) leader Tabitha Dunn to discuss the intersection of empathy, artificial intelligence, and change management in building truly customer-centric organizations. Drawing on her executive experience leading CX and digital transformation at global brands, Tabitha shares actionable insights for business leaders navigating innovation and AI implementation—without losing sight of the human element. Listeners will learn why beginning with an "empathy tour" is essential, how to avoid common pitfalls in transformation initiatives, and why governance and usability must be balanced in any AI strategy. Plus, she shares how CX leaders can broaden their influence by becoming fluent in cross-functional collaboration, change management, and business impact storytelling. Topics Covered: The Empathy Tour: Why leaders must deeply understand employee and customer perspectives before initiating change. AI with Purpose: How to evaluate AI technologies through the lens of real human needs—not hype. Governance Meets Usability: Balancing privacy, personalization, and user experience in AI-driven systems. Cross-Functional Buy-In: Tips for engaging finance, IT, and product teams in CX-driven transformation efforts. Skills for Modern CX Leaders: Why CX professionals should add sales training, change management, and project management to their toolkit. Avoiding Common Missteps: The three most frequent reasons transformation initiatives fail—and how to prevent them. Tabitha to the Rescue: How Tabitha steps in to course-correct projects that are stalling or misaligned. Resources & Links: Tabitha on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabithadunn Stage 2 Capital (https://www.stage2.capital Bobby on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmeixner Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Today's interview is with Nikola Mrkšić, Co-founder & CEO of PolyAI, a leading supplier of Conversational AI for automated customer service. We talk about some recent research of theirs that finds that the phone still reigns in customer service, making the contact center into a ‘command center,' why voice channels aren't relics of the past but are, in fact, essential infrastructure, that customer service interactions are becoming increasingly contentious and what their AI capabilities are doing to help with that. This interview follows on from my recent interview – The future of CX and agentic CX – Interview with Sid Banerjee of Medallia – and is number 544 in the series of interviews with authors and business leaders who are doing great things, providing valuable insights, helping businesses innovate and delivering great service and experience to both their customers and their employees.

In collaboration with CCW Europe Summit 2025CCW Europe Summit 2025 unites CX pioneers to solve today's challenges and shape tomorrow's solutions. Dive into next-gen AI, journey redesign, and customer-centric growth with leaders from Google, Nestlé, Ryanair, and more.Spot are limited! Join the event join the movement:Use the discount code CXGOALKEEPER20 for 20% additional discount!.https://europe.customercontactweekdigital.com/events-ccweurope_It was an absolute pleasure to have Bruce Temkin, one of the founders of customer experience and a leading figure in the field, on the CX Goalkeeper Podcast. Bruce's vast experience and insights into customer experience, transformation, and leadership are truly inspiring.Bruce currently leads the Qualtrics XM Institute and has been focusing on customer experience and employee experience for a long time. He has a deep understanding of how people think and feel in different contexts, whether they're customers, employees, colleagues, partners, fans, or patients. His mantra, "Experience matters, because people matter," is a testament to his dedication to improving experiences for all.Episode Chapters00:00 Game Start01:09 Bruce Temkin introduces himself02:01 Bruce shares the values that drive his life03:50 Discussion on Experience Management06:44 The difference between CX and XM08:37 Bruce shares the six laws of Experience Management14:33 Bruce's favorite law of Experience Management16:11 Key leadership lessons from Bruce's career21:04 Bruce's vision for the future of Experience Management30:02 How to contact Bruce30:39 Bruce's golden nuggetDeep Dive into the DiscussionUnderstanding Experience ManagementThe Difference Between CX and XMThe Six Laws of Experience ManagementEvery interaction creates a personal reaction,People are instinctively self-centered,Customer loyalty is about emotions,Customer feedback isn't enough,Unengaged employees don't create engaged customers, andOperational silos can cause bad customer experience.Key Leadership Lessons from Bruce's CareerBruce's Vision for the Future of Experience ManagementFollow & Subscribe to the CX Goalkeeper Podcast:Apple Podcast: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/appleSpotify: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/spotifyWe'd love to hear your thoughts — leave a comment or share your feedback!

Returns don't have to be a retail black hole. Inspired by The Future of Commerce article on retail omnichannel returns, this episode explores how retailers are transforming return processes from a logistical burden into a strategic growth opportunity.We break down five practical strategies—including in-store incentives, green returns, membership programs, refurb and resale, and data-driven insights—that reframe returns as moments to build trust, collect valuable feedback, and encourage repurchase. As customer expectations for flexible, seamless experiences grow, retailers that nail the returns process stand to gain more than they lose.What You'll Learn in This Episode:1. In-Store Return Bonuses to Boost Foot TrafficOffer discounts or loyalty points to drive returns into physical locationsConvert return visits into new purchases2. Green Returns and Second-Chance SalesPromote eco-friendly return options and resell open-box or refurbished itemsReduce waste while recovering value and attracting deal-seekers3. Premium Return Perks for MembersMonetize return convenience via loyalty programs or paid tiersDeepen engagement with high-value customers4. Repair and Refurb StrategiesAssess and recondition lightly used or returned itemsSalvage inventory and avoid costly write-offs5. Mining Returns as a Data GoldmineUse AI and analytics to identify return patternsImprove product descriptions, inventory management, and personalized marketingKey Takeaways:Returns are no longer just a cost center—they're a customer experience momentOmnichannel flexibility is now a competitive differentiatorIn-store return strategies can boost revenue and brand engagementData from returns can improve operations and reduce future return ratesStrategic returns management helps retailers shift from defense to offenseSubscribe to our podcast for expert insights on retail innovation, customer experience, and operational strategy. Visit The Future of Commerce for in-depth research on how omnichannel experiences are redefining the industry. Share this episode with retail leaders, CX strategists, and anyone looking to turn returns into revenue.

Paul Turley, Senior Director Ireland at ServiceNow, discusses the role of AI in customer service and emphasises the importance of combining artificial intelligence (AI) with emotional intelligence (EQ) Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape of customer service, but a fundamental challenge persists: fulfilling the consumer desire for both rapid service and authentic human understanding. While Gartner predicts generative AI adoption will soar to 80% this year, true success hinges on understanding the customer. According to industry research, most (84%) of business leaders agree that consumers have higher expectations for service now than in the past. To close the gap between investment and impact, AI must enhance, not just automate, customer service. As organisations race to implement AI in customer experience (CX), they're at an inflection point. They can create strong and enduring relationships if customers enjoy AI support services. However, hard-earned brand loyalty is at risk if customers dislike these services. This means it is crucial to understand and cater to CX preferences, shaping truly customer-centric strategies. The future of customer relationships = AI + EQ Consumers no longer just want AI that gets the job done; they want AI that understands them, incorporating a level of emotional intelligence (EQ). This means that AI should be able to interpret and respond to human emotions, such as understanding when a customer is upset and responding appropriately. As our annual Consumer Voice Report 2025 confirmed, people have long seen AI-powered chatbots as efficient but emotionless. In Ireland, more than two-thirds (68%) of consumers say they fail to understand emotional cues, often missing tone, urgency, or frustration. Still, expectations are evolving. In line with the broader Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, 65% of consumers in Ireland believe AI will be able to detect emotions within the next 12 months. Put simply, consumers expect AI to streamline interactions, anticipate their needs, and complement human agents. Companies that successfully integrate AI with human-driven customer service will not only improve efficiency but also deliver a more intuitive, empathetic, and seamless experience, building stronger and more trusted customer relationships. High stakes, low trust: the AI trust gap People embrace AI for its speed and convenience in low-stakes tasks, but in emotionally charged situations, they expect AI to work alongside humans, not replace them. As AI's capabilities continue to expand, many people will reevaluate the trust they place in this technology, even for future use cases they cannot yet envision. Some tasks will always require human oversight, and AI's role is not to supplant human judgment but to support it in the right contexts. The next stage of adoption involves identifying those conditions while expanding the understanding of its potential, with a focus on governance, reliability, and risk management. As the opportunities for AI grow, businesses have a crucial window to close the trust gap and position AI as a reliable tool, not just for today's known applications but for the many possibilities ahead. The customer paradox - what we value in humans, we criticise in AI (and vice versa) Consumers want speed, yet will opt for human-led interaction. They want accuracy and seamless continuity, but will shy away from AI-led services. In short, what consumers want from their customer service does not align with their channel preferences, which creates a fundamental paradox. However, regardless of the scenario, the key to resolving this contradiction lies in a proactive AI-powered service. The best customer service is invisible: no waiting, no repetition, no friction. Younger, on-demand consumers already anticipate this - for example, today's buyers rarely visit in-store for device support. Where this was once commonplace, they now expect devices to update, troubleshoot, a...

We're in Cannes! Expert speakers drop in to discuss unshittifying CX, the 'eye-watering' financial impact of dull media and how to unearth more insightful trends. Guests: Yael Cesarkas, Executive Strategy Director, R/GA; Dr Karen Nelson-Field, Founder, Amplified Intelligence; Adam Morgan, co-founder, eatbigfish; Amy Daroukakis, Founder, Culture Connectors. Hosted by Rica Facundo, Managing Editor - APAC, WARC.

This week on Tapod, Bonnie Crook steps in as guest co-host and we catch up with Lauren Humphrey, Co-Founder and CEO at The Mintable All of us think we're great Managers right? But the fact is most people leave their role due to their Manager, so how do we actually give feedback that doesn't suck? With 5 generations in the workplace, it's different strokes for different folks, but at the end of the day, being a good person is a great start! Thanks to Check Work Rights for your support this month. 

Get Your Free SEO Audit HereCX Index here In this episode of Ecommerce Australia, host Ryan Martin sits down with Mareile Osthus, ex-CCO of The Iconic and now co-founder & CEO of Humii, Australia's leading online mystery shopping powerhouse. Mareile reveals how traditional metrics like Net Promoter Scores fail modern e-commerce brands and how Hume's real-time, unbiased mystery shopping data is exposing hidden friction points that cost retailers millions in lost revenue and repeat customers.Tune in to discover:✅ Why your NPS is lying to you, and what to track instead✅ How to spy on your competitors' real CX without integrations✅ The shocking average refund times hurting Aussie retailers✅ Common blind spots killing conversion & repeat purchase rates✅ How small to medium brands can harness enterprise-grade insights on a startup budgetIf you think your customer journey is ‘good enough', think again. This episode will challenge you to benchmark, fix blind spots fast, and turn your CX into an unbeatable growth engine.

Episode 248: At Dominion Energy, keeping the lights on isn't just a priority—it's the single biggest driver of customer experience. But as customer expectations continue to evolve, the bar keeps rising. Customers don't just want to know when their power will be back, they want to know why it is out. And they expect that experience to be as seamless, informed, and intuitive as downloading and using their favorite mobile apps. Meeting those expectations requires transparency, empathy, and a companywide commitment to service. In this episode, Utibe Bassey, vice president of customer experience, shares how Dominion Energy's mission-driven culture empowers this commitment, and how the company is harnessing tools like NPS Prism to better understand what customers need and how they perceive the service they receive—especially during critical moments like outages. That feedback helps teams act faster, communicate better, and focus on what really matters to customers. And it is, truly, a team sport. From operations and audit to communications and compliance, delivering a great experience takes cross-functional alignment and a shared sense of purpose. It's a culture where colleagues often rotate into different areas to build a greater understanding of the customer experience. Through data-driven decision making, a customer-centric mission, and an “all in” commitment to serve, Dominion is proving that customer-centricity can be a utility's greatest source of power.  Key Topics Covered: Communicating clearly about service disruptions Aligning teams around the customer journey Bridging the gap between customer perception and reality NPS Prism as a tool to inspire and inform improvements Meeting rising customer expectations in a utility context The value of empathy and transparency in customer communications Cross-functional teamwork and shared CX goals Strengthening a customer-centric culture Guest: Utibe Bassey, Vice President of Customer Experience, Dominion Energy Host: Rob Markey, Partner, Bain & Company Give Us Feedback: Help us improve the podcast. Want to get in touch? Send a note to host Rob Markey. Notable Quotes: [6:00] “We have a term that we say, ‘all in service,' because we're all in service of the customer. We want people, whether they're front line facing or they're in audit, supply chain, or ethics, to connect the dots between … even if it's three or four steps removed, it impacts how customers see our company.” [13:00] “The main thing our team tries to keep front and center for all of our stakeholders is that we need a shared outcome.” [32:00] “When you have an organization whose colleagues think about the customer in a way that connects themselves to the customer, even personally, this stuff is like wildfire.” Additional Resources: Bain & Company's Case Study with Dominion Energy: How a National Leader Turned CX Ideas into Action with NPS Prism

"We've built a smarter AI — not just to summarize performance, but to help you win more business." — Ted Lee, SmarTrak At Cisco Live 2025 in San Diego, Ted Lee, founder of SmarTrak, joined Technology Reseller News publisher Doug Green to announce the launch of SmarTrak.AI v3 — a major upgrade designed to reshape how Cisco partners and end customers manage lifecycle, subscriptions, and enterprise agreements. The big news? SmarTrak is now serving two audiences: Cisco partners: SmarTrak v3 offers a prescriptive, AI-powered platform that enables sellers, CX teams, and renewals specialists to drive more efficient lifecycle management, retention, and expansion. End customers: For the first time, SmarTrak's solution is being made available directly to enterprise users, helping them monitor their internal Cisco assets, optimize spend, and better manage long-term agreements. “Partners use it to grow business,” said Lee. “Now, end customers can use it to control spend and manage their Cisco investment proactively.” Backed by enhanced AI capabilities, SmarTrak.AI v3 delivers high-level business summaries, proactive alerts, and actionable insights tailored to real-world Cisco implementations. According to Lee, beta testers have already reported “tremendous adoption and growth within weeks.” Built from the ground up in just the past two years, SmarTrak's platform was purpose-built to take advantage of the latest in AI innovation — and now v3 replaces even its own earlier AI stack with a more robust, intelligent engine. With growing demand from both partners and enterprise buyers, SmarTrak is poised to become a key intelligence layer in Cisco lifecycle strategy. “We're seeing interest from customers who never had this kind of visibility before,” Lee shared. To learn more or request a demo, visit smartrak.ai.

Owen Campbell is the operations director at Kura. He is based in Glasgow, Scotland. Kura is a BPO based in the UK, but also with operations in South Africa. They have a number of clients from various regulated industries and Owen talked to Mark Hillary about the differences between a client that has complete control over all their services and a client from a more regulated environment. What needs to be considered when working to design CX for a regulated industry? https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-campbell-a4602b173/ https://www.wearekura.com/   SUMMARY Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the complexities of customer experience (CX) in regulated industries with Owen Campbell, Operations Director at Kura, a BPO focused on culture and people development. Campbell highlights Kura's work with heavily regulated sectors like healthcare, utilities, and financial services, emphasizing the importance of compliance and agent training. He notes that while innovation may take longer in regulated environments, it is still possible. Campbell also discusses Kura's strategic planning sessions, the importance of data security, and the shift towards outcome-based models for advisors. He predicts increased use of AI and automated compliance in the coming years.

According to The Times, employees now face an average of nine organizational changes per year, up from two before 2020, leading to increased change fatigue. So, how can you lead a change management strategy to help reps effectively navigate these changes?Shawnna Sumaoang: Hi, and welcome to the Win-Win podcast. I’m your host, Shawnna Sumaoang. Join us as we dive into changing trends in the workplace and how to navigate them successfully. Here to discuss this topic is Sobia Younus, the senior manager of sales learning and enablement at ApplyBoard. Thank you for joining us, Sobia. I’d love for you to tell us about yourself, your background, and your role. Sobia Younus: Sure. I really appreciate this opportunity. So I’m leading the sales learning and enablement team at ApplyBoard, a leading ed-tech platform that’s reshaping how international students access global education. So I lead a global sales enablement framework that focuses on performance process and people and my role. Spans everything from onboarding and ever boarding to performance improvement initiatives that firsthand impact the revenue. But to rewind a bit, my journey has never been linear, and I believe that’s been my strength. So while I’ve always been rooted in international education, my niche has always been B2B and B2C sales, and that helped me build a strong understanding of client behavior, market trends, and grow through meaningful engagements. I have been with ApplyBoard for almost six years. I initially joined the CX team, which gave me insight into the student journey and operations side of how applications are being processed. From there, I transitioned into the sales role where I gained the firsthand experience of navigating the field. Finally in 2021, I moved into sales enablement, and that’s where everything came together. It blended my passion for education, my CX foundation, and my love for sales performance into one purpose driven role. I think today I focus more on building scalable strategic enablement programs that build and drive revenue, empower people, and connect the dots between learning, growth and results. Personally, to me, and I really wanna share that, I believe that for me, enablement is where storytelling meets the strategy. That’s what make it so exciting, and what excites me the most about my work today is the blend of strategy and human behavior. Most importantly, understanding how people learn, they stay motivated, and how the right tool and messaging can turn a sales team into a high performing empowered force. That’s why I’m so excited to be here today because platforms like Highspot make a real difference. SS: Amazing. Well, we’re excited to have you here, and given your extensive experience in education management, I’d love to learn from you what are some of the unique challenges that reps in the industry face, and how can enablement help them navigate these challenges? SY: So that’s a very important subject. So one of the most unique aspects of international education industry is how deeply it influenced by external elements like immigration reforms, global mobility trends, and even geopolitical shifts. So unlike other industries where salespeople can rely on relatively stable products or markets, education is often at the mercy of forces beyond control. And as a result, salespeople in this space aren’t just selling a service. They’re actually navigating constant change, managing expectations, and often having to realign their strategy in real time. And a great example is what recently we saw last year, the government introduced caps on your international student permits and tightened eligibility for post-graduation work. Permits. So these changes had an immediate impact on student demand, also program selection and school preferences. So practically overnight, our sales rep has to understand the implications, shift focus away from programs that no longer align with student goals and reposition alternatives that still offered strong appeal to students. This is where enablement became mission critical. And an apply board. We don’t just see enablement as a static function. It is a real time strategic engine that basically supports business agility. So within days of those updates, our team not only delivered the sessions, so we created and rolled out sales plays and updated talk tracks and Highspot. We designed objection handling strategies on Highspot to help our. Salespeople reposition options with clarity and assurance. So in short, we didn’t just inform, we equipped, so that is important. Our goal was to turn uncertainty into clarity so that salespeople could keep on building trust and drive impact through their communication. And I believe that enablement also reinforces a culture of agility. So in industries like ours, change is inevitable. But when enablement is done right. It actually becomes a competitive advantage. SS: Amazing. And I know that at ApplyBoard, you actually switched off a previous enablement platform and moved to Highspot. What motivated you to reevaluate and change your enablement tech stack? SY: So when we initially built our enablement infrastructure at Apply board. Our primary focus was on structured learning. So naturally our, you know, tech stack leaned towards a traditional LMS. It served its objective at that time, like building, onboarding courses and track completion. But as our sales organization matured. So did the scope of our needs. So we realized that enablement couldn’t just live in siloed training modules. It had to be integrated into the daily flow of work. And our sales team needed not just learning, but relevant and up to date resources and real time support to navigate, you know, fast-paced industry changes. So in short, we needed more than an LMS. We needed a true enablement platform that could function as a CMS, a single source of truth, and I would love to call Highspot a strategic one-stop shop. So that’s what motivated our ship to Highspot. We wanted a one-stop solution where onboarding and ever boarding training and sales plays and competitive insights all could live together. A platform that doesn’t just share knowledge, but it gives. To our salespeople when they need it in a way that fits how they work. So it was a mindset shift from how do we train people to how we enable performance? And Highspot gave us the ash to just do that. SS: Change management is absolutely crucial, especially during major product or policy updates. What are some of the common pitfalls that organizations can face during change and how can they avoid them? SY: It’s a very crucial issue, and it is often underestimated and not because organizations don’t recognize its importance, but because they assume communication alone is enough. One of the most typical pitfalls is treating change as an announcement rather than a proper process. So when major product updates or you know, changes happen, especially in the industry like international education where external shifts can be sudden and high stake, simply informing teams isn’t enough. You need to enable them. So, and other pitfall that I wanna mention over here is failing to connect the why behind the change. So, if sales reps or CX teams don’t understand how an update or change a product shift ties back to their goals or the client’s goals. It usually creates resistance. Or worse disengagement. So change without clarity leads to confusion. And I always believe that change without a proper plan leads to chaos. So one more typical misstep that I wanna mention over here is not planning for reinforcement. So even when the rollout goes smoothly, but without a continuous enablement, like quick one pages or talk tracks, or life scenarios and sales place, trust me, all behavior will return. People default to what they know when things get tough, you know? But at ApplyBoard, we’ve learned this through the hard way, that effective change management start with empathy and end spend with enablement. So we ensure teams understand the work, the why, and how of every change, and we don’t stop at emails. We provide field ready tools, align managers as change champions, and use platforms like Highspot to make resources easily accessible and track the engagement, which is very important. So we all know that change is inevitable, but chaos is optional and you can do wonders if you treat enablement as a bridge between strategy and execution. SS: In your opinion, what is the strategic advantage of an enablement platform when navigating change? SY: So, in my opinion, the strategic advantage of an enablement platform during especially the time of change, is simple. It turns information into action at scale and in real time. So change, especially in the fast moving industries like international education. Often creates a gap between what the business knows and what the field needs. So product evolves, policies, they change and market fluctuates. But if your sales teams can’t access the right information at the right moment, trust me, execution suffers. So this is where an enablement platform becomes mission critical. It just centralizes the word, the why and how of change into one cohesive experience. So instead of scattered emails, you know, outdated decks or reactive training sessions, you get a single source of truth, which is updated, which is searchable, relevant, and embedded in the daily workflow. I’m so glad to say that at Highspot has given us the ability to roll out updates with precision and speed, and when major changes hit, you know, like the recent PGWP reforms, we can respond with focus sales plays, updated talk tracks, training modules, and enablement briefs in one place. We are not just informing the salespeople, we are empowering them to act immediately with clarity, with the right message. So that’s the advantage of a strong enablement platform like Highspot, that it turns change into action. It aligns teams to keep a clear narrative, gives clear visibility into what’s working, also helping you execute with assurance and stay ahead. SS: And I know Plays have been a key lever in helping your reps navigate change, such as, you know, with a recent government policy update that impacted your go-to-market strategy, how did you leverage plays to support this initiative and, and ensure global team alignment? SY: So to be very honest, Sales Plays have become one of our most powerful tools for driving clarity during moments of change. A great example, as you said, and I mentioned earlier as well, the IRCC updates last year, that significantly impacted which programs and institutions were feasible for students creating a sudden shift in our go-to market approach as well. So we knew that without quick and organized actions, this could lead to inconsistent messaging, confusion in the field and you know, lost trust with our clients as well. So we leaned heavily on sales plays and Highspot to bring structure to the chaos. So first we worked cross-functionally with the product team CX and the market expert to streamline these changes into actionable insights. So we took it this way, so we help them understand what it meant. What was changing and how it impacted our clients and the students. Then we created some tailored sales place that included updated talk tracks to help salespeople position alternatives with with clarity and empathy and segmented school lists like highlighted eligible and ineligible programs, suggested outreach. Templates and objection handling approach. Also, we did some live enablement sessions to walk them through our strategy and create some space for q and a as well. But most importantly, next steps for the salespeople. And because the sales play lived in Highspot, we could monitor. The engagement, the usage, and the adoption globally. So this gave us clear visibility into where reinforcement was needed and allowed the regional leaders to support their teams more effectively. And honestly, in moments like these sales plays are a vehicle for alignment, clarity, and assurance. They help us go from reactive to proactive insurance. Our teams aren’t just informed, but they’re ready. SS: That’s impressive. And you also implemented a Learning Tuesday initiative to drive engagement, which has helped you achieve a remarkable 91% recurring usage in Highspot. Could you share more about this practice and, and how you’re driving adoption of the platform amongst your reps? SY: So one of the most important lessons that I have learned in my enablement journey is this. If you want to build a culture of learning, don’t push your salespeople, walk in their shoes. So understand their reality, their pressures, and how they spend their day and apply aboard are salespeople are constantly engaging with clients, pitching multiple destinations, helping clients navigate multiple schools and programs. So for them to be effective, clarity is everything. And it comes from knowing your product, your destination, your message by heart. And that insight shaped our approach to drive Highspot adoption as well. So instead of just treating enablement as a checklist, we focus on making learning relevant, timely, and useful. So that’s where Learning Tuesday was born. It’s a recurring initiative, you know, to share short, impactful learning that fits easily into the flow of the week. So each Tuesday we choose a specific focus area of our sales team, whether it’s like a destination or a school or a program or any product update and build a supporting asset and a quick quiz in Highspot to provide timely, practical resource that aligned with what salespeople are actively navigating in the field. So the goal was simple. Like make learning part of their workflow, not an interruption to it, you know? And it’s very important to understand. And because we use Highspot to highlight success stories across the teams. So this approach helped us reach a 91% recurring usage rate and Highspot, because salespeople weren’t being told to learn. They chose to learn and it was because the assets and focus areas were so relevant, timely, and help them, uh, do their jobs. And I believe that and its score that enablement isn’t just about sharing information. It is about supporting people by giving them the right tools and add the right time and helping them see the difference it makes SS: Again, impressive. And as a results driven leader, what are some of the key metrics that you track to effectively drive change initiatives? SY: That’s a great point. And you know, one that really reflects how enablement has evolved as a function, especially in ApplyBoard, so early in our en enablement journey. Like many other teams, we are primarily focused on the surface level metrics, like number of views and number of assets viewed, and or how often an asset was viewed. But we quickly realized those numbers can be misleading. For instance, if two people viewed three assets a hundred times, the view count may look impressive, but it doesn’t tell you anything about who’s engaging, how many people are engaging or whether it is actually driving behavioral change. So we took a step back and asked ourselves that, what does meaningful engagement look like? What actually signals that our enablement efforts are influencing performance. So that led us to create a more focused Highspot performance, you know, engagement framework, one that actually prioritizes impact over bulk. So we started tracking. Metrics that showed the full picture of how salespeople were using and applying enablement in their work. I will share some examples, like number of unique people viewing the assets, not just the total views, monthly and weekly hours spent on Highspot, both overall and segmented by the projects. Also, the completion rates of assessments and the onboarding courses. Especially tied to the onboarding milestones and also initiatives like Learning Tuesdays. Also, engagement with the sales players and the field tools, especially during the moments of change. And when I say engagement, I mean time spent on these assets and how many people viewed the assets, and most importantly, a correlation. Between Highspot engagement and sales OKRs, like win rates or ramp-up time. So this shift actually helped us move from reactive reporting to proactive decision making. So instead of just knowing what’s being clicked or now we understand what’s actually being used. What is actually being retained and you know, what is actually impacting their performance. So it has helped us improve our, you know, Highspot approach by removing the low performing resources and focusing more on what actually helps our salespeople in the field. And I believe that an enablement metrics shouldn’t just measure activity. They should measure momentum. And when you focus on the right ones, they become a powerful lever for driving lasting change. SS: Amazing. Well, Sobia, I’m hoping you can share with me. Since implementing Highspot, what business results have you achieved and do you have any wins you can share? SY: So many. I can gladly say that. So many wins since we started using Highspot. So many wins. So we have seen some clear improvements in key sales. Performance metrics that support our business goals. While many things can influence results like market changes or team growth, but enablement has played a very important role in keeping that progress going. Like I said earlier in international education and ed tech sector, things move fast. We are always dealing with changes, immigration updates, and new information, and at the same time, we are growing quickly and bringing in people from all sorts of industries. So some with sales experience, but little international education experience and knowledge and others with the opposite. So enablement helps bridge that gap early on. This mix actually led to longer ramp up times, like longer than typically 50 to 60 days. As a new hire, they were learning about both the product and the education sector. So you know, it was taking a lot of time for them to learn all of that. But by building a structure. Role specific onboarding program within Highspot. We changed the game, our onboarding program. Now delivers destination training, platform fluency, and process enablement all in one centralized, searchable space, high sport. So as a reserve, we’ve successfully brought ramp up time just under 30 days on average. So the acceleration has had a clear impact on early client engagement and revenue readiness. Highspot just didn’t, you know, help us organize the asset. It helped us succeed. Successfully execute onboarding, scale their learning across borders, and you know, prepare salespeople to thrive in one of the most dynamic industries out there. Also, I can say this with assurance that enablement helped translate change into action, and Highspot was the strategic engine that allowed us to do that with speeds, scale and clarity. SS: Last question. If you could share one crucial lesson learned from your experience supporting teens through change, what would it be? SY: So, one very crucial and important lesson that I’ve learned is that successful change isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating alignment, trust, and momentum. So I’ve seen that teams respond best when they understand the why. Feel heard in the how. Can see themselves in the what’s next? So change sticks when it’s not just implemented, but truly internalized. And you know, that’s where sales enablement plays a crucial role by equipping teams with the right messaging, timely training, and actionable resources to navigate change with clarity and assurance and platform like Highspot make that happen successfully at scale. SS: Sobia, again, thank you so much for joining us. I really appreciate your insights. SY: I really appreciate that you having me here. It’s a pleasure and I truly enjoyed sharing, you know, all of the experience and learning. SS: To our audience, thank you for listening to this episode of the Win-Win podcast. Be sure to tune in next time for more insights on how you can maximize enablement success with Highspot.

Today's guest is Carolene Méli, a ghostwriter for live entertainment executives and whose career has been anything but predictable.She started out studying nutrition, but what followed was a 20-year adventure in the live entertainment world. Carolene spent 11 of those years as the Guest Experience Manager of VIP Experiences at Cirque du Soleil, traveling to 17 countries, managing six different shows, and creating magical behind-the-scenes moments for audiences across the globe.Then—like so many of us—the pandemic flipped everything upside down.Carolene gets real about what it was like to lose a job she loved, face the uncertainty of solopreneurship, and navigate the deeply humbling moment of asking her parents for financial help. But her story doesn't stop there. With the help of therapy, community, and a ghostwriting mastermind, she found her footing again—this time, by helping top-tier execs in entertainment shape their personal brand and voice on LinkedIn.If you've ever had to rebuild, reroute, or reinvent yourself completely, this one's for you. Carolene's story is packed with honesty, courage, and the kind of hope you might need to hear right now.Episode TakeawaysCarolene Méli unique career journey from nutrition to ghostwritingHer 11-year experience with Cirque du Soleil and the leadership and storytelling skills she developedThe impact of the pandemic on her career and the pivot to solopreneurshipThe emotional and financial challenges that come with starting over—especially asking for helpThe role of therapy in her healing and professional rebirthHow community and collaboration (like a ghostwriting mastermind) helped her growLessons in resilience, reinvention, and letting go of "shoulds"Why personal branding matters, especially for execs in creative industriesConnect with CaroleneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolenemeli/ Thanks for listening to The Career Flipper!If you enjoyed this episode, let's spread the word! Share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review—it helps other career flippers find the show.Let's Stay Connected:Join the community: thecareerflipper.comTikTok: @thecareerflipperInstagram: @thecareerflipperpodGot a career flip story? I'd love to hear it—and maybe even have you on the podcast! Whether you've completed your flip, are just starting, or are in the thick of it, submit your story here: https://www.thecareerflipper.com Want to support the show?Looking for a speaker? I'd love to talk about career changes at your next event.Collaborate through sponsorships or affiliates! Let's work together.Email me: hello@thecareerflipper.comCheck Out My Customer Service CoursesBefore my career flip, I led customer experience teams and created online courses that have helped over 12,000 students worldwide. Whether you're switching to customer service or sharpening your skills to run your own business, these courses are packed with practical tips. Learn more at thecareerflipper.com/courses.Other Ways to Get Involved:Buy me a coffee!Explore my furniture flipsMusic CreditsSeason 1: Intro and outro music by audionautix.com. Season 2: Intro and outro original music by Jenny Dempsey, recorded in a home studio.What's the best that could happen?

In this episode of Builders Wanted, we sit down with Dar Miranda, VP of Customer Engagement at DailyPay, to delve into the innovative strategies behind real-time financial management for workers. Explore how financial stress impacts employee engagement, the shift towards employee-centric pay models, and the bold moves Daily Pay is making to transform traditional payroll systems.-------------------Key Takeaways:DailyPay's mission to provide employees faster, more flexible access to earned wages.Financial stress causes a significant impact on employees' focus, productivity, and job satisfaction.The integration of AI will help solve customer problems and drive growth, but will not replace humans.-------------------“ The trend that I'm watching most closely is the integration of AI to proactively solve customer problems, but also unlock new growth avenues. So it's not just about reactively answering questions or the ability to reactively answer questions quickly, it's about shifting AI from this like cost center efficiency play  to a revenue and loyalty driver.” – Dar Miranda-------------------Episode Timestamps:‍*(05:36) - The boldest thing DailyPay is building right now‍*(11:25) - The surprising way users engage with DailyPay ‍*(21:15) - Where Dar draws the line between automation and human connection ‍*(32:01) - A CX trend Dar is watching closely ‍*(36:27) - What every CX leader should start or stop doing‍*(38:55) - Dar's advice for builders creating empathetic customer experiences-------------------Links:Connect with Dar on LinkedInConnect with Kailey on LinkedInLearn more about Caspian Studios-------------------SponsorBuilders Wanted is brought to you by Twilio – the Customer Engagement Platform that helps builders turn real-time data into meaningful customer experiences. More than 320,000 businesses trust Twilio to transform signals into connections—and connections into revenue. Ready to build what's next? Learn more at twilio.com.

On this episode of Human Centered, host Nick Brunker welcomes Nick Yecke, Executive Director of Experience Strategy at VML, to explore the fascinating evolution of customer experience (CX). Inspired by Yecke's recent article in eXp Magazine, they chart a course through CX's history, from the early "Service Era" and "Satisfaction Era" through the "Relationship Era" and the current "Experience Economy." The conversation then dives deep into what Yecke terms the "Predictive and Autonomous Era," where AI, data analytics, and automation are set to reshape how businesses anticipate and fulfill customer needs proactively. They discuss key pillars like hyper-personalization, AI-driven self-service, emotion and context recognition, "Invisible CX," and the critical importance of ethical considerations and trust in this new landscape. Tune in to understand how the lessons of the past are shaping a future where CX becomes more intuitive, efficient, and deeply human-centered.You can read Nick Yecke's article, "Looking Back, Looking Forward," in eXp Magazine here, beginning on page 48.

The CX Goalkeeper Podcast joins the Customer Experience World Games 2025. With the incredible honor of interviewing captains, vice-captains, judges, and friends of the CXWG 2025.These are brief interviews that share the experiences of outstanding individuals who help charities improve.Customer Experience professionals worldwide come together to share their experience insights and help others.The CX World Games take place over 4-6 weeks, with expert CX captains guiding randomly created teams to work on the best solutions to challenges set by the organizers. Players contribute whatever time they have. It only takes a minute to come up with a brilliant idea.These challenges are real-life, proposed by charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that need help to improve their donor, volunteer, or beneficiary experiences.​All the entries are provided to the charities that will go on to make a difference from what the teams provide during the CXWG. Join us and be part of it. ​

Think cybersecurity is just an IT issue? Think again. Eden Data founder & CEO, Taylor Hersom, joins us to expose how security is no longer just about avoiding breaches — it's a powerful tool for building customer trust, boosting sales, and standing out in a crowded market.He shares why smart companies are making cybersecurity part of the brand conversation and how marketing and CX leaders can leverage security to win hearts (and wallets). We also dig into the uncomfortable truth that most data breaches aren't the work of sophisticated hackers — they're caused by everyday human mistakes.From the surprising details behind the Coinbase breach to the silent risks of AI misuse, Taylor pulls back the curtain on what's really threatening your customer experience. If you think your team is in the clear, this episode might change your mind. Key Moments:00:00 Who is Taylor Hersom, Founder & CEO of Eden Data?04:39 Taylor's Journey to Cybersecurity07:49 Building & Scaling Eden Data29:53 Current Cybersecurity Threats39:20 Client Engagement and Cybersecurity as a Sales Strategy45:56 Cybersecurity Training and Human Error47:54 Leveraging AI in Cybersecurity50:32 Future Threats and Everyday Security Tips57:43 Recovering Trust After a Data Breach59:35 Building a Culture of Cybersecurity –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

Ever wonder what half a billion minutes of AI-powered customer service actually sounds like?  On the latest Modern Customer Podcast, I chat with Benjamin Gleitzman, CTO & Co-founder of Replicant. We dive deep into how their enterprise-grade AI is transforming customer service, moving beyond frustrating IVRs to deliver full-call resolution for even the most complex issues. This AI doesn't just sound natural; it thinks on its feet, adapts in real time, and helps customers solve complex problems. It's set up to handle an emergency roadside service scenario, just like the Replicant AI agents that have automated millions of calls for North America's largest roadside assistance providers. Learn why this is a "now or never" moment for voice automation, and how AI can drive massive cost savings while boosting customer satisfaction. We tackle everything from empathy to human + AI handoffs! This episode is sponsored by Replicant. Ready to experience it yourself? You can talk to Replicant's AI agent right now: 

Mazda launched the current generation CX-5 in 2016. Over the last decade, Mazda has given the CX-5 some updates, but Mazda's biggest mover hasn't seen a massive generational shift. Even though Mazda has stretched its second-gen CX-5's underpinnings for almost a decade, it's still Mazda's anchor in the hotly contested compact crossover space. Without any major changeups for 2025, the CX-5's powertrains shouldn't be a huge surprise. Powering the CX-5 is either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four or a turbocharged 2.5-liter I4. Both powertrains shuffle their respective ponies through a six-speed automatic transmission. On this episode of Quick Spin, host Wesley Wren hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Mazda CX-5 and puts it through its paces. Wren takes you on a guided tour of the '25 CX-5 and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Wren takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Wren chats with Autoweek's Patrick Carone about the Mazda CX-5, the competitive set, and more. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Mazda CX-5 special. 

Are you keeping pace with what your customers really expect? Customer behaviors—where they abandon journeys, which tools they use, and how they move between channels—reveal critical, unspoken expectations. Your competition isn't just your industry; it's every standout experience your customers have elsewhere.AI holds powerful potential—but not as just a cost-saver. When applied strategically, it becomes an experience amplifier, enabling personalization, speed, and emotionally intelligent interactions at scale.Modern customers build their own journeys across brands, platforms, and touchpoints. To stay relevant, CX leaders must respond with modular strategies, real-time responsiveness, and a bold, values-driven identity. The next generation of customers is already telling us: loyalty is earned through alignment, not just convenience.Curious about where to start? Visit CXIMembership.com for on-demand resources, live events and a community of professionals tackling these same challenges. The future of CX demands we become true experience investigators – approaching our work with both strategic discipline and genuine curiosity about what tomorrow's customers will expect.Resources Mentioned:Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.comLearn more about CXI Membership™ and apply -- http://CXIMembership.comWant to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Hey CX Nation,In this week's episode of The CXChronicles Podcast #260, we welcomed Patrick McCullough, President of Hallmark Business Connections, based in Kansas City, MO. Just like you rely on Hallmark to strengthen your personal relationships, you can count on them to keep your business going and growing.We help businesses by turning customers into advocates, employees into champions and companies into more connected environments all through the power of an unexpected Hallmark card.Nothing better than a "tangible thank you" in a world where everything seems to be moving towards digital. In this episode, Patrick and Adrian chat through the Four CX Pillars: Team, Tools, Process & Feedback. Plus share some of the ideas that his team at Hallmark Business Connections think through on a daily basis to build world class customer experiences.**Episode #260 Highlight Reel:**1. Hallmark cards -- the game changer in a digital world 2. Leveraging traditional mediums to grow your business & CX efforts3. Why tangible gifts & notes are still extremely beneficial in business 4. Expanding your tool-kit for customer & employee shout-outs 5. What we can learn from Hallmark about remaining relevant over decadesClick here to learn more about Patrick McCulloughClick here to learn more about Hallmark Business ConnectionsHuge thanks to Patrick for coming on The CXChronicles Podcast and featuring his work and efforts in pushing the customer experience & customer success space into the future.If you enjoy The CXChronicles Podcast, stop by your favorite podcast player hit the follow button and leave us a review today.For our Spotify friends, make sure you are following CXC & please leave a 5 star review so we can find new listeners & members of our community.For our Apple friends, same deal -- follow CXCP and leave us a review letting folks know why you love our customer focused content.You know what would be even better?Go tell one of your friends or teammates about CXC's content,  our strategic partners (Hubspot, Intercom, & Zendesk) + they can learn more about our CX/CS/RevOps On-Demand services & please invite them to join the CX Nation!Are you looking to learn more about the world of Customer Experience, Customer Success & Revenue Operations?Click here to grab a copy of my book "The Four CX Pillars To Grow Your Business Now" available on Amazon or the CXC website.Reach Out To CXC Today!Support the showContact CXChronicles Today Tweet us @cxchronicles Check out our Instagram @cxchronicles Click here to checkout the CXC website Email us at info@cxchronicles.com Remember To Make Happiness A Habit!!

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4kw3gQJ ----------------------- 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 episode of Insights Unlocked, we dive into the rapidly evolving intersection of UX design and artificial intelligence with Greg Nudelman, UX architect at Sumo Logic and author of UX for AI. Hosted by Sean Treiser, this conversation explores why conventional UX tools and mindsets are no longer sufficient in an AI-driven world—and what design leaders can do to keep pace. Greg challenges the status quo, likening traditional UI workflows to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, especially as AI becomes the centerpiece of digital experiences. He introduces the concept of “iceberg UX,” where visual design is only the surface, and the real value lies in content, data, and AI interactions beneath. He advocates for retiring “lorem ipsum” and instead prioritizing real, meaningful output that aligns with user context and workflows. Key topics include: Why UI alone won't cut it in the era of AI, and what “iceberg UX” really means The death of lorem ipsum and the rise of content as core design output How to use the “value matrix” to assess risk and ROI in AI predictions Practical frameworks for incorporating AI, data, and empathy into design processes The skills UX and product teams need to thrive in a world of intelligent agents Why Greg believes UX professionals must move fast or risk becoming obsolete Greg also previews his AI UX bootcamp and shares insights from his viral content experiments, underscoring how AI is reshaping not just products but also how we market and communicate. Whether you're a product designer, UX strategist, or CX leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink your role in a world where machines are increasingly not just tools—but collaborators. Episode links: Greg on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregnudelman/ UX for AI book https://www.uxforai.com/c/ux-for-ai-book Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Today's interview is with Sid Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer at Medallia, a leading provider of customer and employee experience management solutions. I first talked to Sid 11 years ago on this podcast when he was Founder & CEO at Clarabridge. This time around, we talk about what has happened in those intervening years, what brought him out of ‘retirement', how to balance the human touch and AI in CX, the future of both CX and agentic CX, the role of LLMs in disrupting the dashboard-centric use cases for CX, trends in omnichannel and a whole bunch of other things. This interview follows on from my recent interview – Customer-centric innovation and Amazon's PRFAQ – Interview with Marcelo Calbucci – and is number 543 in the series of interviews with authors and business leaders who are doing great things, providing valuable insights, helping businesses innovate and delivering great service and experience to both their customers and their employees.

In collaboration with CCW Europe Summit 2025:CCW Europe Summit 2025 unites CX pioneers to solve today's challenges and shape tomorrow's solutions. Dive into next-gen AI, journey redesign, and customer-centric growth with leaders from Google, Nestlé, Ryanair, and more.Spot are limited! Join the event join the movement:Use the discount code CXGOALKEEPER20 for 20% additional discount!.https://europe.customercontactweekdigital.com/events-ccweurope_Want to know the real reason why CX efforts fail — and how to fix them? In this episode, Eric Smuda reveals why strong governance is the secret to driving CX success. Learn how uniting teams and technology can boost growth, eliminate silos, and create powerful customer experiences.About the GuestEric Smuda has built a distinguished career based on the belief that taking care of customers to drive organic growth is the most reliable way to help companies succeed. In his various roles, he has focused on translating the voice of the customer into operational improvements, new product and service introductions, and transformational customer experiences that have led to market share, revenue and profitability growth.The list of companies he has worked for as a CX leader or consultant represents some of the most well-known brands in the world: Hertz, Avis Budget, Hewlett Packard, Walgreens, Humana, Mattress Firm, Duke Energy and TopGolf, among others. He is currently the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) for Likewize, a device protection company in Dallas, Texas.Relevant Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsmudaThe Top 3 Key LearningsGovernance Drives Growth: Governance connects silos and creates shared accountability — making sure every team is aligned to meet customer needs.People Over PowerPoints: Real CX change happens when leaders collaborate in person, share goals, and build trust — not just through frameworks.Tech is a Partner, Not a Replacement: AI and digital tools must enhance human roles, not replace them. The balance between tech and people is key to future CX success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:12 Eric's Background and Values03:47 Importance of Governance in CX05:20 Creating Effective Governance Frameworks09:47 Addressing Resistance and Building Trust11:43 Future of CX: Technology and Human Collaboration17:31 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKeywords: customer experience, CX governance, Eric Smuda, CX Goalkeeper, cross-functional collaboration, digital transformation, customer journey, seamless customer experience, AI in CX, servant leadership, CX podcast, Gregorio Uglioni, governance frameworks, customer-centric growth, tech and human collaboration, breaking silos, customer insights,Follow & Subscribe to the CX Goalkeeper Podcast: Podcast Page: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/PodcastApple Podcast: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/appleSpotify: http://cxgoalkeeper.com/spotifyWe'd love to hear your thoughts — leave a comment or share your feedback!

ABOUT JAIME SCHWARZ:BIO: Jaime Schwarz is an award-winning copywriter and creative director, having worked with over 100 brands at NYC agencies before starting his entrepreneurial journey.In 2017 he authored the world's first NFT-focused patent and launched BrandTherapy.coach, a product market fit-focused consultancy built on the technique of letting the brand speak for itself. After co-founding seven startups and consulting for dozens more, in 2022, Jaime pivoted into the web3 world by using AI to literally teach brands to speak for themselves and co-founding The TeamFlow.Institute using team intelligence to maximize the momentum of decentralized teams to create the Company Betterment Industry. He also co-founded ParallelWorlds.us and positioned it as the world's first spatial transformation company. Since then, once his patent was granted, he has been building MRKD as an IP-founded venture focused on empowering the IP economy through co-creationism. He serves on the board of Wayfinders on the Hudson, is an advisor to XRSI.org, and lives in Hastings on Hudson with his wife and two boys.Jaime's LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/jaimeschwarzWebsites:brandtherapy.coach (Company)jaimeschwarz.com (Portfolio)calendly.com/getbrandtherapy/30min (Other)Email: jaimeschwarz@gmail.comSHOW INTROWelcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast EPISODE 79 … and my conversation with Jaime Schwarz an award-winning copywriter and creative director, founder of Brand Therapy and a number of other ventures.On the podcast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.    he NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgJaime Schwarz spent years work in the fast-paced world of New York advertising agencies where he came to deeply understand brands. Since then, his entrepreneurial journey has led to patent awards, and a few business ventures that truly bring things to the NXTLVL. We'll get to all of that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts…                 *                                  *                                  *OK so where to start on this one...You know… I try to lead teams by being authentic and transparent. Candid when it matters to get to the heart of the matter and circumspect when sharing the whole story it might not be appropriate. But thinking about my interview with Jamie Schwarz makes me sit back in my chair and consider what I think I know.I think I know a little about a lot and I say that not lacking humility, but I've been always compulsively curious about stuff. All kinds of stuff.I like to know why things work the way they work, how people got to the places they got to in their careers, how history unfolds and the story of culture is our told and retold. And all sorts of other stuff. I like reading about quantum physics but will confess I still get confused about how traveling at the speed of light and coming back to your origin will mean that you come back years in the future while the passage of time for you may only be a few moments. I loved the movie interstellar. I don't know things like that just sort of confused me, but they fascinate me nevertheless.I digress.I think I probably know a little bit about enough and in some cases it just might be that I know enough to be dangerous as the saying goes. One of the motivations to doing the podcast is that I get to speak to lots people who are just way smarter and tuned in than me…and I generally add here that the bar is actually set pretty low because there are so many really smart people in the world.I like studying about the things that I try to engage in conversations about. I'll read books, watch hours of online content – presentations, speeches and interviews. I'll dig up articles and make sure that I show up ready to go for a conversation.Early on in the podcast series I had someone thank me for showing up well prepared. I just sort of thought that that was my responsibility to make sure that if someone was offering their time to have a discussion that I would have done my necessary background preparation to make it worth their while. Some interviews I sort of set as stretch goals - people who I want to talk to because they have deep insight on areas that I am interested in but in which I may not have more than an intermediate or novice education. My wife, a veteran of print and television journalism, a multi-book author, strong advocate of radical listening and who also has the uncanny ability to see way beyond the immediate conversation would always say to me that when in discussion you need to leave the interview questioning whether you know more about the person at the close of the conversation than you did when it started. That's an interesting starting point when entering a conversation because it sets the basic premise for who's doing the talking - how much listening is going on and how you listen not to simply add your own opinions, solve the problem or give advice, but to dig deeper in your understanding, resulting in better attunement.I will confess that sometimes I am fully aware that my enthusiasm for subject matter leads to jumping in, offering personal experiences and contributing ideas. Conversations can chase multiple ideas, but I also think that's a result of what I consider as associative thinking - one idea connects to another and sets off a cascade of related or interdependent subjects. And then a whole array of rabbit holes lay before us. Each one leading to a delightful journey. Oh now which one to choose – why not all – let's go!I have come to use these introductions to podcast interviews as replacements of a sort for a blog I used to write for VMSD magazine called “Brain Food.” I take the time to consider what the conversation with my guest is about and set to musing on ideas that emerged in the conversation. Some of them are personal, stories that resonate deeply with personal or professional experiences. Others are thought bubbles that I offer up for further investigation. I think that most of this episode is like thought bubbles. It covers the nature of branding and relationships with consumers, trust in marketing and storytelling, NFTs and creating derivative works and related IP legal issues, Web 3.0, Deconstructivism, co-creation in a digital mediated world, Ai and collective intelligence, the pace of change, art and digital twinning and the inherent value of co-creative works, quantum computers and hacking bitcoin, object permanence in the digital space… and, and, and you get the idea. There is so much here that you might say it lacks focus, but I think it actually offers up the idea of complexity in our fast-paced digitally mediated world where interdependencies reign, everything is connected to everything in one multi-dimensional system and to what end it is sweeping us along. We can come to these various rabbit holes of conversation because Jaime Schwarzis an award-winning copywriter and creative director, having worked with over 100 brands at NYC agencies before starting his entrepreneurial journey.In 2017 he authored the world's first NFT-focused patent and launched BrandTherapy.coach, a “product market fit-focused” consultancy (about which he speaks in our talk) that is built on the technique of letting the brand speak for itself. After co-founding seven startups and consulting for dozens more, in 2022, Jaime pivoted into the web3 world by using AI to literally teach brands to speak for themselves and co-founding The TeamFlow.Institute using team intelligence to maximize the momentum of decentralized teams to create the Company Betterment Industry. He also co-founded ParallelWorlds.us and positioned it as the world's first spatial transformation company. Since then, once his patent was granted, he has been building MRKD as an IP-founded venture focused on empowering the IP economy through co-creationism. I could have prompted Jaime with any of these subjects and just sat back and taken it all in.ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.  The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Our Channel Futures Channel Influencer series continues with Vonage channel leader Kristy Thomas. She talks to Craig and James about the state of CX, the alignment of different sales motions at Vonage and how partners can approach the market as technology and business continue to evolve rapidly. Plus, the importance of a little self-reflection.

On this episode, host Sima Vasa talks to Ania Rodriguez, CEO and Founder of JourneyTrack and Chairwoman of the Board at Key Lime Interactive. Ania shares her founder journey from launching a UX consulting firm to building a venture-backed SaaS company in the emerging category of journey management. With a clear-eyed view of the differences between UX and CX, she explains how aligning with executive-level metrics creates staying power — and why data integration, category creation and capital strategy all matter when shifting from services to product. Key Takeaways: (02:12) Ania's background combines engineering, people and systems for innovation. (08:09) UX focuses on micro journeys while CX strategy operates at higher levels. (09:36) CX covers the full customer relationship, from awareness to advocacy. (11:15) C-suite now cares about CX, tying it to business outcomes and metrics. (12:36) CXPA is more strategic than most UX organizations. (15:30) Journey management tools connect insights to actions using integrations. (17:42) Journey management surfaces insights faster. (19:03) Time to first value is a crucial metric for SaaS adoption and success. (22:03) Knowing your financials and finding a niche are vital for entrepreneurs. Resources Mentioned: JourneyTrack | Website Key Lime Interactive | Website Thanks for listening to the Data Gurus podcast, brought to you by Infinity Squared. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation. #Analytics #MA #Data #Strategy #Innovation #Acquisitions #MRX #Restech