David Powers

CX RIOT RADIO

CX Riot Radio is a Blue Collar Customer Experience Podcast that analyzes life and customer service in this algorithmic dystopia we're living in. With a focus on the Trades and Contact Centers with healthy(??) twists of cyberpunk and rants. Rarely any guests, but if you wanna come on and yap, reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Author

David Powers

Category

Technology

Podcast website

linktr.ee

Latest episode

May 20, 2026

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Episodes

Let's Read the State of Customer Experience Report (Part 1) 02.07.2025

Genesys' 2025 State of Customer Experience report came out, so let's give it a gander! In part 1, we'll look at the consumer side. For part 2, we'll look at the CX leader side. So, let's go. Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

Want to Win With AI? Keep Your People 25.06.2025

Are companies using AI the wrong way? Let's explore why replacing employees with AI can be ethically questionable, economically dangerous, and a red flag for poor leadership. Learn why the future of work should be about augmenting people, not replacing them, and how smart businesses can use AI to empower teams, not eliminate them. Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

The Danger of Dirty Data 18.06.2025

In this video, we tackle the silent profit killer in home services companies: bad data. From sloppy call notes to incomplete job details, “garbage in, garbage out” can wreck your scheduling, drain your profit, and leave your team fighting avoidable fires all day long. David Powers breaks down why clean, accurate data is the backbone of a thriving plumbing, HVAC, or electrical business — and how to...

Leveling Up the Call Center With Performance Pay (Classic Episode) 11.06.2025

Discover how performance-based pay and gamification can revolutionize your contact center. In this video, we break down why flat salaries kill motivation, and how daily goals, leaderboards, and performance incentives can transform your agents into top-performing customer experience pros. We’ll cover: Why performance pay boosts motivation and retention How gamification increases engagement and prod...

Leading Through Chaos 04.06.2025

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the brutal reality of leading and hiring in a fast-paced, ever-changing plumbing call center. If your company suffers from shiny-object syndrome and corporate whiplash, this one’s for you. Learn how to build a team that thrives in chaos, how to coach those who struggle with constant change, and the mindset every agent and leader needs to succeed. Here's...

4 Pillars of the Blue Collar Call Center (Classic Episode) 28.05.2025

Another blast from the past, but still very relevant today :) Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

from formfill to revenue generator 21.05.2025

Are you just answering phones… or are you driving revenue, loyalty, and reputation every single call? In this episode, we break down the real difference between being a Human Formfill and becoming an Opportunity Maker. This is a wake-up call for frontline reps in plumbing, HVAC, and home services who are ready to LEVEL UP. Learn how to: ✅ Build instant rapport ✅ Create massive value in seconds...

Where Marketing Goes to Thrive... or Die 14.05.2025

Let's break down why your call center is the hidden engine of your business—and why ignoring it is costing you serious money. You’re spending thousands on marketing to generate leads, but those leads are only as good as the team answering your phones. This episode dives into: ✅ The real ROI of customer service✅ How the call center drives customer loyalty and repeat business ✅ What happens w...

Don't Automate Away What Makes Your Brand Unique 07.05.2025

In this 10-minute power talk, we break down why automating or outsourcing your customer experience can destroy your brand if you’re not careful. Your call center isn’t a cost center, it’s the heartbeat of your business. Whether you're keeping it in-house or partnering with an outsourced team, this is your reminder: don’t hand off what makes your company human. Watch this if you care about prot...

Creating a Dispatch Score Card and Attendance Policy [WalkThrough] 30.04.2025

Let's pretend that you're taking on a team of Dispatchers as a supervisor or manager. You are tasked in creating a scorecard for individual dispatcher performance, and since attendance has been a bit of an issue, an attendance policy that is firm but fair. This episode of CX Riot Radio walks you through creating both. Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

BURN THE SHIPS 23.04.2025

Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

CaffCX Classic: Pay Your Dues! | Call Center Talk 16.04.2025

A Blast from the Past: Everyone, regardless of career path should spend one year (at least) in a customer-facing position. Starting at a new company? Spend a few days or weeks in their customer service department to take the pulse of the company. In most companies, the further you go up the chain of command, the further away from the customer you get. This can lead to bad business decisions. Anywa...

Using Comfy Nostalgia to Win Back Customers 09.04.2025

Let's talk about customer experience in the World... of Warcraft. Classic, to be specific. Video reacted to: https://youtu.be/ENfygNM1Ev4?si=r35gbf7E95juWaZm Here's the LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx

no gods no managers 02.04.2025

Traditional call center management is broken—micromanagement, meaningless KPIs, and top-down leadership kill employee morale and customer experience. This episode flips the script, advocating for servant leadership where managers serve their frontline teams, not control them. Let's explore how empowering employees leads to better customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. Inspired by punk...

Don't Weaponize Data 26.03.2025

In today’s workplace, being data-driven is essential—but too many leaders weaponize data instead of using it to empower their teams. In this video, we’ll break down how to balance analytics with emotional intelligence , making data work for your people, not against them. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The power of data-driven decision-making 📈 ✅ The dangers of weaponizing metrics 🚨 ✅ How to use KPIs...

Leaning Out Your Call Center 19.03.2025

Are you overcomplicating your call center operations? In this video, I break down how to run a small, lean, and highly effective call center for a plumbing, HVAC, or trades business—without the bloated tech stack or unnecessary complexity. ✅ Why a massive tech stack slows you down ✅ The smallest viable tech stack you actually need ✅ How to balance efficiency with great customer service ✅ The d...

Coaching 12.03.2025

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/caffcx Let's talk about coaching. A lot of people have a negative association with the word, as a lot of the time, coaching is reserved for when an employee screws up. In fact, a lot of the time, employees only talk to a supervisor when they messed up, and that's pretty messed up if you ask me. Oh well, let's talk about it.

Your Supervisors Need to be Fast, Too 05.03.2025

Everyone talks about how call center agents need to be fast, efficient, and have a sense of urgency—but what about team leads and supervisors? The truth is, they need all that and more. A great call center supervisor isn’t just keeping an eye on KPIs; they know exactly what's happening on the call floor at all times. They’re aware of call queues, agent performance, and customer needs in real time....

We Need to Talk About Empathy Statements 26.02.2025

istg empathy statements were created by a sociopath or a lazy QA manager. They're awkward, they're clunky, they're unnatural, and real people don't talk like that. So, what's the best way of showing you care and understand the customer? Fixing their issue, whatever it might be. Fix it, fix it quick, and fix it right. Boom. Headshot yo. But empathy statements? This is one of tho...

Power Lists and Time Blocking 19.02.2025

On this very after school special episode of CX Riot Radio, we dive deep into the.... We talk about the Power List and Time Blocking. Mostly we talk about Google Calendar. Because without systems, life is chaos, and chaos leads to rotmaxxing. At least for me. I don't really like rotmaxxing (lie), and I doubt you do either. Rotmaxxing does not make for a good life (truth), and we must fight aga...

not everyone is going to figure it out at work 12.02.2025

Hi guys! Today's episode is about the people who 'figure it out' at work with little direction, and the people who need detailed SOPs, manuals, walkthroughs, and flowcharts. One is not inherently better than the other, they're just different working styles, and both need distinct management techniques. Also, you can't get mad at people who underperform that you haven't coac...

excellence is a choice 05.02.2025

Most people settle for "good enough."Why? Let's break down why excellence needs to be a daily activity. If you want to lead, inspire, and dominate in your industry, it's time to stop making excuses and start executing. LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment: What does excellence mean to YOU?

Why Remote Work is Good (or can be) 29.01.2025

Hi! This episode is kind of rambling, no script or notes, just pure tiktok diagnosed adhd core to be honest, but I talk about running remote teams and how it can be easier than running a raiding guild in world of warcraft. So, come hang out in my garage, have a coke and a smile, and let's talk about it.

Strive For Excellence, NOT Perfection 08.01.2025

Focus. Mindset. Clarity. Action. These are the things that will catapult you to excellence. Create systems and checklists WITHOUT being too rigid, and execute with the end result in mind. Welcome to Season 3 of CX Riot Radio. Merch: https://cx-riot-radio.printify.me/products Books: https://caffcx.blogspot.com/p/cx-riot-radio-books.html

HAPPY NEW YEAR I LOVE YOU 01.01.2025

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