The CX Cast

Angelina and Martin are joined by returning guests Maxie Schmidt and Dipanjan Chatterjee to explore the fascinating psychology and data behind consumer purchasing decisions. Drawing from their latest Forrester research, we unpack why people say they buy versus why they actually do—and how brands can use this knowledge to better serve their customers. We discuss: Why traditional surveys fall short and how to uncover real motivations How the MaxDiff method can be used to identify primary, secondary & situational purchase drivers Cross-country and category insights and the four buyer segments   To illustrate, purchase driver rankings for cosmetics and beauty and purchase driver importance for cosmetics/beauty in France are shown below. Purchase Driver Ranking In Eight Countries: Cosmetics/Beauty Purchase Driver Importance For Cosmetics/Beauty in France

Originally episode 147, this recording kicked off a theme we've continued to cover: employee CX. Show Notes: Originally episode 147, this recording kicked off a theme we've continued to cover: employee CX. VP, Principal Analyst Maxie Schmidt and former CX Cast host Sam Stern dive into how incentivizing better CX scores encourages unintended behaviors, stepping into the shoes of employees who “game the system." The lesson: design the system carefully in the first place to encourage the right behaviors for better CX. Related content: 332: How To Set CX Metrics Goals - Forrester 147: Paying Employees For CX Is A Bad Idea (Part 1) - Forrester 148: Paying Employees For CX Is A Bad Idea (Part 2) - Forrester

This week, Principal Analyst Max Ball joins to explain the history and current state of AI in the contact center. Max highlights the immediate improvements brought on by AI and outlines areas where AI still has far to go. We also touch on the challenges faced by human agents and the confusion around terminology like "agentic" and "agents."

High-Tech firms operate in fiercely competitive and price-sensitive industries, making CX a potentially transformative differentiator — if implemented effectively. Principal Analyst Su Doyle joins us to share practical CX strategies tailored for high-tech firms, emphasizing the importance of aligning CX with business objectives, leveraging customer success programs, and adopting performance-focused approaches to drive growth and improve customer relationships.

All those reasons why customer obsession is too hard don’t matter. Customer experience wins business. VP, Principal Analyst Shar VanBoskirk explains how customer obsession is not just a goal, but a continuous practice that can lead to significant improvements in customer experience and business efficiency. She shares real world examples, challenges in measuring customer obsession, and future directions for the research. We discuss:  How customer obsession aligns with business strategy and operations  How mindsets need to shift for continuous practice  How to assess a firm’s customer obsession  Where to find insight to improve customer obsession practices  To learn more, join Shar for her keynote and much more interactive content at CX Summit North America.

Does a CX team’s position in the organization affect its influence? Principal Analyst Judy Weader shares insights from recent survey data and qualitative research, revealing that there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The placement of CX teams varies widely across different companies and industries, but organizational dynamics go beyond the org chart. The burden is on the CX leader to drive influence and flex with the nonlinear nature of CX maturity. Judy offers a decision-making framework to help organizations determine the best placement for their CX functions, emphasizing the role of executive sponsorship and the necessity for CX leaders to be proactive in their roles.

James McQuivey, VP Research Director at Forrester and leadership expert, dives into the art of effective customer experience leadership. He highlights that true leadership goes beyond management, emphasizing the need for a clear vision and strong interpersonal relationships. Discover how visible actions significantly boost employee motivation and the power of shared purpose in driving team engagement. McQuivey also discusses the emotional rewards of nurturing team growth and the challenges leaders face in today's volatile environment, highlighting the importance of fostering trust and culture.

Why should CX professionals care about brand experience (BX)? Forrester VP, Principal Analysts Dipanjan Chatterjee and Thomas Husson join the podcast to discuss the challenges organizations face in delivering a total experience and shed light on how BX can help drive growth.

Dive into the intricacies of cultivating a customer-centric culture in organizations. Discover a three-step blueprint for transforming employee behaviors that drive customer loyalty. Delve into the essential characteristics of organizational culture, from purpose to rituals, and how they influence customer experiences. Learn about collaborative innovations between customer experience and security teams. Finally, explore practical leadership strategies to guide cultural change and foster ongoing engagement in customer-focused practices.

Join David Brodeur-Johnson, a Principal Analyst at Forrester specializing in employee experience, as he reveals the powerful connection between employee and customer experiences. He discusses how empowering employees can lead to improved customer trust and satisfaction. Learn about the importance of creating a safe space for honest feedback and the role of leadership in driving action from employee insights. Discover strategies for effective listening and the use of technology to enhance both employee and customer journeys.