The Modern Customer Podcast

This week on the Modern Customer Podcast, Mastercard's Executive Vice President of Global Customer Care, Lance Gruner, shares how he leads a strong team focused on delivering exceptional customer service. With 25 years of cross-industry experience, Lance is a master of Voice of the Customer programs, customer-focused leadership, and the cultural shifts that create loyal customers and fuel business...

Contact centers are undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of artificial intelligence. In this episode of The Modern Customer Podcast, Mike Lytle, CEO of Teleperformance in the USA, the Philippines, and Canada, discusses his journey to the top and the transformative role of AI in contact centers. With 500,000 employees globally, Teleperformance is implementing AI to enhance customer...

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, John Rossman, author of 'The Amazon Way' and his newest book 'Big Bet Leadership' joins us. He shares leadership strategies for navigating extreme change and digital transformation, focusing on topics like AI, cost reduction, and rethinking operating models for customer-centricity.  Rossman shares insights from top leaders like Jeff Bezos and John Legere,...

TODAY'S THE DAY … My new book hits the shelves! There are many leadership books, and there are many customer experience and customer service books. However, very few books combine these two topics. I am excited to announce that my new book, "The Eight Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building a Business Around Today's Customer," is now available. The book explores eight theme...

This week on The Modern Customer podcast, we're joined by Joseph Michelli, author, influencer, speaker, and consultant with over 25 years of experience. He'll share insights from his work with iconic brands like Mercedes and Starbucks, revealing the strategies behind launching and maintaining thriving customer experience programs. Joseph emphasizes the significance of emotional connection in custo...

How does a CMO ensure the customer experience remains at the forefront of their brand's strategy? In this episode of the Modern Customer Podcast, Alison Hiatt, the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Growth Officer at Vera Bradley Designs Inc., shares her invaluable insights from her journey in marketing, including experiences with iconic brands like Starbucks and Amazon. Discover how Alison views C...

Creating a customer-centric marketing technology stack is essential for delivering exceptional customer experiences.  In this week's episode of The Modern Customer podcast, Darrel Alfonso, Director of Marketing Strategy and Operations at Indeed.com, shares his expertise in constructing and leveraging a successful marketing technology stack. Blake Morgan  is a customer experience futurist, keynote...

Transforming customer experience in the B2B space isn't just about front-end interactions—it's about mastering the backend and organizational dynamics.  This week on The Modern Customer podcast, John Durocher, Chief Customer Officer at Calix, brings decades of expertise demonstrating how robust infrastructure and strategic restructuring can revolutionize B2B CX. His practical insights reveal how t...

Contact center technology is transforming, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies. AI integration is proving to be a game-changer, promising efficiency, cost savings, and a more personalized customer experience. Sheila McGee-Smith, a renowned contact center analyst with 35 years of experience, has observed this evolution closely. Her insights highlight how AI...

The retail landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with wavering consumer loyalty and economic volatility presenting formidable challenges. Stephen Rogers, Managing Director of Deloitte's Consumer Industry Center, shares Deloitte's 2024 retail outlook, providing a strategic roadmap for retailers to thrive amidst this shifting landscape. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist,...

Customer experience (CX) is no longer a series of isolated touchpoints. Today, companies leverage platforms to create continuous, data-driven customer journeys. Ted Moser, senior partner at Prophet and author of "Winning Through Platforms," highlights the transformative power of this approach. This week on The Modern Customer podcast, Ted emphasizes that building a successful customer experience t...

The economy changes. Politics shift. Competitive advantage isn't found in products alone, but in the exceptional experiences that foster customer retention and advocacy. Join me and bestselling author of "Keep Your Customers", Ali Cudby on The Modern Customer Podcast. We're not offering tips and tricks, but a mindset shift to unlock unshakeable customer loyalty.  Her MINT methodology isn't just a...

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 4...

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 custo...

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 e...

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 tech...

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 c...

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...

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 b...

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...

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...

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...

The auto industry speeds through a transformation, driven by factors like electric vehicles, self-driving tech, and the increasing importance of customer experience. Craig Antonucci, Chief Experience Officer at AutoCar Trucks discussed his company's approach to customer experience and how they are leveraging AI to improve it. AutoCar Trucks, a manufacturer of heavy-duty vocational trucks, takes a...

Retention is not just about keeping customers and employees; it's about creating experiences so compelling that they never want to leave. Joey Coleman, author of "Never Lose a Customer Again" and "Never Lose an Employee Again," shares how to transform your approach to customer and employee retention using his First 100 Days methodology. He has worked with Volkswagen Australia, Zappos, and Whirlpoo...

Most discussions on revolutionizing customer service in the digital age highlight the importance of technology and personalization. Jason Finkelstein, the Chief Marketing Officer of Gladly, shares how Gladly stands out as the only customer service platform built around people, not tickets, emphasizing personalized, seamless interactions at scale. Blake Morgan  is a customer experience futurist, ke...