What CSMs Should be Experts In (and what they Shouldn't)
Nov 1, 2023
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The podcast explores the balance of how specialized Customer Success Managers (CSMs) should be in their customers' businesses. It emphasizes the importance of curiosity, resourcefulness, and focus on customer goals. The hosts discuss the role of curiosity in customer engagement, leveraging available resources, and managing expectations within Customer Success teams. They also highlight the importance of CSMs being experts in bridging the gap between customer goals and the company's product. The episode concludes with a discussion on enabling and supporting the Customer Success team.
31:28
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Quick takeaways
Customer success managers should focus on bridging the gap between customer goals and their product.
Instead of trying to become experts in every aspect of a customer's business, CSMs should utilize available resources for expertise and support.
Deep dives
Focus on bridging the gap between customer goals and your product
As a customer success manager working with a large number of different customers, the key is to become an expert in bridging the gap between your customers' goals and your product. By understanding their goals and how your product can help them achieve those goals, you can provide valuable guidance and support.
Leverage available resources instead of trying to know everything
Rather than trying to know everything about each customer's business, it is more effective to leverage the available resources. These resources can include subject matter experts within your company, webinars, trainings, content, and other materials. By using these resources, you can provide your customers with the expertise they need while relieving some of the pressure on yourself to be an expert in all domains.
Curiosity is key, but you don't need to know everything
While it's important to be curious about your customers' businesses and goals, it is not necessary to know every detail. Being curious allows you to understand their language and unique challenges, but it's more important to connect their goals with your product and focus on delivering value. Remember, you can always rely on your company's domain experts and resources to help you address specific customer needs.
ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Navigating the complex world of Customer Success Management (CSM) often raises the question: How specialized should a CSM be in their customers' businesses? In episode 48 of Impact Weekly, Johan and Lincoln explore this intricate balance, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, resourcefulness, and focus on customer goals. Tune in to find out what CSMs should really be experts in—and what they shouldn't.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: “When working with a large amount of different customers, how do you manage to become an expert in each of their businesses and absorb everything you should know about them?”
TOPICS BEING ADDRESSED:
The role of curiosity in customer engagement and understanding
The importance of leveraging available resources for CSMs
Managing expectations within Customer Success teams
QUOTES: Lincoln Murphy (23:15): "If you're not curious about your customers, you're going to have a hard time as a CSM."
Johan Nilsson (24:47): "Being the expert on bridging the gap between the customer's goal and your product—that's where we should be the experts."
Lincoln Murphy (28:12): "If you have CSMs thinking they need to be experts in everyone's business, then as a Head of Customer Success, you've failed in managing expectations."
Lincoln Murphy (25:40): "Being curious gets them to talk about themselves and connects the dots between the process they have to go through and their goal attainment."
Johan Nilsson (30:00): "Curiosity will get you so far. Be curious about your customers and their business."
Do you want more of this? Check out Impact Academy for interactive Customer Success training programs. https://www.impactdemy.com/
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Submit it here.
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