Experience Action

Why do so many customer experience initiatives fail to gain traction? Often, the challenge isn't the strategy itself, but how we build bridges with skeptical leaders. CX leadership requires empathy, strategy, and communication. Stepping into a CX role means asking colleagues to embrace change, which can feel like added pressure. The most successful CX leaders recognize this challenge and appr...

Customer experience failures often illuminate the path to real transformation. In this episode, we explore how common CX missteps—from disconnected tools and siloed teams to unused customer data—can undermine trust and stall growth. The pandemic exposed just how fragile customer loyalty can be. Brands like Peloton had to pivot quickly as expectations shifted overnight, revealing the importance of...

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...

What happens when we recognize employees as multi-dimensional humans instead of just job titles? The results can transform both customer and employee experience in powerful ways. In this CX Pulse Check, John Garrett, author of What's Your And? , shares how companies that invest in employee experience see powerful returns—like 28% revenue growth and 50% higher sales from customer-facing teams...

There's a world of opportunity waiting for marketing professionals looking to pivot into customer experience. In this episode, we tackle a timely question from a recent graduate wondering how to leverage his marketing background to break into CX. Marketing and customer experience share significant DNA - both focus on understanding customers, building relationships, and communicating value. Th...

What truly creates an exceptional employee experience? The answer goes far beyond competitive compensation and trendy office perks. Employee and customer experiences are inextricably linked - you simply cannot separate these two crucial elements of business success. When employees feel valued, aligned with purpose, and empowered to make decisions, that positive energy naturally flows through to cu...

What happens when customer experience principles meet public service? Jeannie Walters answers a thoughtful question and explores how government agencies and public institutions can create exceptional citizen experiences despite not being driven by traditional profit motives. The conversation begins with reimagining success metrics beyond customer acquisition and retention. For public sector organi...

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing customer experience—but are businesses applying it with care? In this compelling episode, CX expert Jeannie Walters sits down with Ovetta Sampson, an AI design leader with a decade of experience at IDEO and Google, to explore how companies can harness AI without compromising trust.  Ovetta challenges common assumptions with a powerful statement: “AI is ne...

Customer experience initiatives aren't delivering the results you expected? The answer might lie in a critical but often overlooked disconnect: the gap between your customer experience mission and your employee experience reality. In this thought-provoking episode, Jeannie Walters tackles a question about aligning a company's CX mission statement with the actual employee experience. When...

Trust is key to managing customer expectations in today’s fast-changing world. While perfection isn’t possible, transparency is—and customers deeply value honesty. When transparency is your default, disappointments become opportunities for connection. Take the supplement company that added flavoring to an unflavored product: instead of ignoring feedback, they addressed it openly, building stronger...

Customer experience leadership is not just about gathering insights—it's about securing genuine organizational buy-in. In this special episode of the Experience Action podcast, our host Jeannie Walters sits down with Sasha Fard , Country Lead for Customer Experience Management at Capital One Canada, to reveal the often-overlooked secret to successful CX implementation. Speaking from the bustl...

It's time for another CX Pulse Check to discuss current events and innovations in CX. In this illuminating conversation with Enrique Rubio, Founder at Hacking HR and Head of Global Community at Transform, and our host Jeannie Walters, we uncover how innovative organizations are finally bridging this gap through strategic use of data and technology. Fresh from their encounters at Qualtrics &ap...

What happens when you bring together experience leaders from healthcare and elite sports education? You discover powerful insights that transcend industries and reveal universal truths about creating exceptional experiences. Meet Heather Brace , Chief People Officer at Intermountain Healthcare with its 68,000 employees across six states, and Mike Milliron , Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy,...

The magic of attending a truly exceptional event stays with us long after we've returned home. What makes some events so memorable while others fade quickly from memory? In this episode, we tackle a listener question about customer experience best practices for event planners seeking to create standout experiences. Drawing from her extensive experience as both keynote speaker and attendee, Je...

Customer support leaders are often trapped in a cycle of "number narration" - reporting metrics without connecting them to organizational value. In this insightful episode addressing a listener's question about reporting as a new support leader, Jeannie dives into how to transform your customer support metrics into meaningful business impact stories. The key isn't just tracking...

Healthcare and customer experience have more in common than you might think. Brian Carlson, VP of Patient Experience at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins Jeannie Walters for a CX Pulse Check to explore these fascinating parallels that are reshaping how we think about caring for patients. In this episode, they discuss: A patient satisfaction scoring storyline that provoked strong reaction...

Ready to take your customer experience to the next level? In this episode, we dive deep into the essentials of establishing a proactive feedback strategy that not only gathers insights from customers but also transforms those insights into meaningful actions. Jeannie Walters shares her expertise on the significance of understanding customer sentiment and how to strategically implement feedback to...

Ready to elevate your customer experience game as a leader? In this engaging episode, we explore the pivotal questions every aspiring CX professional should ask during executive interviews. Jeannie shares practical advice on evaluating success metrics beyond traditional feedback loops, and the importance of resource allocation to drive effective strategy.  Listeners will uncover strategies for ass...

Unlock the potential of storytelling to revolutionize your brand's customer experience. Imagine creating not just a transaction but a true emotional bond with your audience. Join us as we dissect how storytelling transcends raw data and features, transforming them into authentic, relatable narratives. You'll discover how campaigns like Dove's Real Beauty can serve as a powerful blue...

It's time for another CX Pulse Check. We're thrilled to have Dr. Amy Climer, a leading expert in creativity and innovation, sharing her insights. Together, we explore tech advancements that are transforming customer experiences and creating new challenges.  We look at how we can navigate the fine line between innovation and distraction as technology evolves, offering a fresh perspective...

What if your commoditized product could command premium pricing and cultivate a loyal customer community? That's exactly what we explore in this episode, as we unlock the secrets of customer experience (CX) as a transformative strategy, even for products as seemingly interchangeable as sugar and coffee beans. We highlight the pivotal role of CX in brand differentiation and perceived value enh...

What if your training methods could bridge cultural divides and turn challenges into opportunities for growth? Join me, Jeannie Walters, as we unravel the complexities of creating an inclusive and accessible customer experience that caters to the diverse needs of your team. This episode contains insights into overcoming literacy and tech barriers with empathy, transforming potential roadblocks int...

It's time for the first CX Pulse Check of 2025. Special guest co-host Andrew Carothers, CCXP, joins Jeannie Walters to discuss the evolving landscape of customer experience in 2025, highlighting innovative strategies by companies like AT&T and Samsung alongside challenges posed by automation, as seen in the Waymo incident. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy, proactive engageme...

Discover the secrets to transforming customer experience from a mere concept into an actionable strategy that propels business success. In our landmark 100th episode of the Experience Action Podcast, I'm thrilled to share the pivotal elements of mindset, strategy, and discipline that can significantly enhance your organization’s customer journey. Together, we'll explore how understanding...

What if you could transform your customer experience strategy to drive tangible business results, like increased revenue and reduced expenses? In this milestone 99th episode of the Experience Action Podcast, we wrap up the year by reflecting on the successes and lessons learned in customer experience. Together, we'll explore five critical questions that will help you evaluate your priorities...