The Modern Customer Podcast
Businesses across all sectors are constantly seeking new ways to elevate their customer experience offerings and drive customer loyalty. One fascinating model is the cruise industry. Cruise ships offer a 24/7, 'live-in' customer relationship model, forcing a relentless focus on swift problem resolution and exceeding expectations to avoid tarnishing the entire experience for passengers. With over 40 years of experience in the cruise industry, Paul Rutter, author of “You Can't Make This Ship Up,” has witnessed firsthand the evolution of customer experience on cruise ships. His role as a...
info_outline How to Manage CX Teams in Times of Change with Dale Carnegie’s CEOThe Modern Customer Podcast
Emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the way businesses interact with their customers, while rapidly shifting expectations demand adaptable, emotionally intelligent leaders. Joe Hart, CEO of Dale Carnegie Training, understands this dynamic landscape. His insights on managing change, embracing technology with a human touch, and cultivating a customer-centric culture offer a roadmap for customer experience leaders. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future.
info_outline Capital One's Strategy for Customer-Centric SuccessThe Modern Customer Podcast
Customer-centric banks like Capital One excel by focusing on user-friendly technology, readily available customer service, and financial tools designed to empower individuals in managing their finances. Lauren Liss, Head of Premium Products, Marketing and Rewards at Capital One, discusses the importance of a customer-centric culture and the role of rewards programs in creating memorable customer experiences. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future.
info_outline How To Transform Customer Support with AIThe Modern Customer Podcast
Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity to reimagine customer support. Chatbots like ChatGPT are already outperforming contact center staff in some cases, proving their ability to understand and handle customer queries. William "Bill'' Raduchel, author of The Bleeding Edge, draws on decades of tech industry experience to share insights on the transformative power of technology, spanning from Silicon Valley's early days to the current era. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The...
info_outline How ThredUp Leverages AI to Enhance Customer Experience in the Secondhand MarketThe Modern Customer Podcast
The secondhand market is booming, fueled by consumer shifts towards sustainability and value. With shoppers demanding the same seamless experience they expect from traditional retail, customer experience (CX) is crucial for resale platforms. ThredUp, an online leader, illustrates how strategic CX drives success in this unique market. ThredUp’s CEO and Co-Founder, James Reinhart, understands the complex customer journey in resale and focuses on addressing pain points at every stage. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book...
info_outline How To Champion Your Customer Experience Programs With Better Public SpeakingThe Modern Customer Podcast
The world of customer experience is constantly changing. To succeed, you need to give impressive presentations that win support for your customer programs. Jacqueline Farrington, author of “The Non-Obvious Guide to Better Presentations: How to Present Like a Pro (Virtually or in Person)”, shared her insights on the Modern Customer Podcast. Her tips can help you refine your presentation skills and champion your customer experience programs. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future.
info_outline Want to invest in Customer Experience? Question the Downside of FailureThe Modern Customer Podcast
The key to better customer experience? Design interactions that are easy and straightforward, and prioritize understanding your customers. Matt Watkinson, author and CEO of Methodical joins us to discuss how his experience navigating uncertainty can be used to create exceptional customer experiences. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future. Enroll in the ROI of Customer Experience course here: https://customerexperienceroi.com/
info_outline Why Customer Satisfaction is Declining (and How to Fix It)The Modern Customer Podcast
Customer satisfaction is on a downward spiral, according to data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Forrest Morgeson, ACSI’s Director of Research shares reasons behind this concerning trend. Enroll in the ROI of Customer Experience course here: https://customerexperienceroi.com/ Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future.
info_outline From B2B to B2C Thinking: Elevating Client Experience with Surbhi Kaul at Juniper NetworksThe Modern Customer Podcast
Exceptional customer experience (CX) isn't just for B2C companies anymore. B2B organizations are now recognizing its vital role in their success. Surbhi Kaul, Vice President of Global Customer Experience at Juniper Networks, exemplifies this shift. With over 10,000 employees and $5 billion in annual revenue, Juniper Networks is at the forefront of networking innovation. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future.
info_outline Wharton Professor Stefano Puntoni Offers Insights on Generative AI and Customer Experience Use CasesThe Modern Customer Podcast
Generative AI, a rapidly evolving technology, is poised to revolutionize various aspects of business, particularly customer experience (CX). A GBK Collective study reveals that over 50% of U.S. senior executives have already embraced generative AI, and this trend is expected to accelerate. Professor Stefano Puntoni, a leading marketing and AI expert at Wharton shared his insights on the impact of generative AI on CX during a recent podcast interview. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Customer Of The Future....
info_outlineFor most people around the world, the excitement of attending an in-person event has been replaced by sitting in front of a computer screen. As the coronavirus pandemic cancels in-person events of all sizes around the world, more companies than ever before are taking their events online. But staring at a screen isn’t nearly as engaging as seeing something in person, and many companies and event attendees have struggled with the new format.
Abhishek Vanamali, CMO of Zensar Technologies, is a strong believer in virtual events. Although they can’t exactly replicate in-person events, he believes virtual events are the future and have the potential to offer amazing, engaging experiences for organizers and attendees.
Vanamali’s advice to create an amazing virtual event comes down to this: stop thinking about limitations and embrace what’s possible.
Many organizations focus on what virtual event platforms can’t do—things like not being able to network one-on-one, raise a real toast or test out new products. But to plan a successful virtual event, no matter if it is a huge conference or a small team meeting, organizers must change their thinking to see what’s possible. Vanamali says that everything we thought isn’t possible virtually is actually possible in some form. The first step for event organizers and marketers is to educate themselves and discover the possibilities of virtual events.
Virtual event technology has come a long way in recent years, even before the pandemic hit. There are numerous platforms available that offer features like registering attendees, facilitating breakout sessions and allowing attendees to chat with each other during sessions.
When looking at the possibilities of virtual events, the sky's the limit. Technology makes it possible to create nearly any kind of event in a unique and memorable way. Vanamali shared the example of a high-end auction house that was forced to take its auction online. Instead of being weighed down by the idea of selling high-end art without customers seeing it in person, the company created a full-blown production. It ran an all-day virtual event complete with green screens, professional lighting, expert auctioneers and interactive content to tell the story of the art. The virtual auction wasn’t simply a recreation of an in-person auction—it was a new type of event that leveraged technology and helped the company sell $420 million of art online.
One of the biggest challenges of virtual events is keeping participants engaged. It’s one thing to sit in a room with hundreds of other people and absorb a presentation, but it’s completely different to be alone at home with dozens of distractions. The Zensar Technologies annual sales meeting addressed this challenge when it added a gamification element for its 300 attendees. While the event was happening virtually on one screen, attendees were also using a companion mobile app to scan AR markers on presentation slides. The person who scanned the most markers over the three-day meeting won a grand prize, and participants got competitive as the leaderboard changed. Zensar also used the app for trivia contests and quizzes between sessions. Vanamali says participants were engaged by the unique gamification piece, which led them to pay more attention to the content and have a better experience.
The global pandemic has put virtual events at the forefront of business, and they aren’t going away any time soon. Now that companies have seen the potential of virtual event technology, more events will stay virtual or adopt a hybrid model. To create a great virtual event, remember to embrace technology and consider its many possibilities instead of getting weighed down by its limitations.
This week’s podcast is sponsored by Zendesk.
Things are a little weird right now. The sudden change in the world—and the world of business—has created new challenges. A lot of companies are struggling to keep up with what matters most: their customers. Zendesk is here to help. They put together a six-month complimentary Remote Support Bundle. To learn more visit www.Zendesk.com/modern.