Customer Service Revolution

In this engaging discussion, John DiJulius, a customer service authority and bestselling author known for his work with top brands like Starbucks and Nordstrom, reveals how emotional connections are the currency in today's relationship economy. He emphasizes the importance of certainty over perfection and shares insights on creating unique, signature experiences. John highlights the need for consistent training and awareness among employees while also addressing common blind spots in service. Price wars are portrayed as a short-term strategy that can harm long-term loyalty.

In this insightful discussion, experts share five key strategies for enhancing customer experience by 2026. They tackle the idea of a customer service recession and emphasize the need for hiring based on service aptitude, not just experience. Microlearning emerges as a game-changer for training retention. The conversation highlights the diminishing effectiveness of traditional surveys and suggests measuring customer behaviors instead. Lastly, there's a focus on the critical link between employee experience and customer loyalty, with a reminder that AI should support, not replace, human interaction.

Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius discuss the concept of being in the 'certainty business.' They explore how uncertainty is a major source of anxiety for both customers and employees, and how organizations often neglect the human side of communication in favor of technical skills. John emphasizes the importance of providing certainty to build trust and improve customer and employee experiences. The conversation also covers practical strategies for leaders to communicate effectively during uncertain times, ensuring that updates are provided consistently, even when there is no new information to share. Takeaways: Uncertainty is a major source of anxiety in life and business. Organizations focus too much on technical skills and neglect empathy and communication. Providing certainty can build trust with customers and employees. Communication should be frequent, even when there is no new information. Leaders must communicate clearly during times of uncertainty. Bad news should be communicated early and with empathy. Updates can significantly reduce anxiety for customers and employees. Companies like Amazon excel in providing certainty through communication. Training should include a balance of technical skills and soft skills. The best brands deliver certainty, not just products or services. Chapters: 00:00The Certainty Business: Understanding Uncertainty 15:48Practical Applications of Certainty in Business 21:04Leadership and Communication During Uncertainty 24:19Key Takeaways for Reducing Uncertainty Links: Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

In this espisoder, our listeners ask John anything! Summary Your chance to ask John anything! In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson asks John R. DiJulius III questions submitted by our listeners. They discuss various aspects of improving customer service and employee engagement. They address the challenges of busy schedules, the importance of empathy, recognition, and training, and the role of middle management in driving customer experience. The conversation emphasizes the need for a human touch in customer interactions, even in an age of automation, and highlights the significance of creating a customer experience action statement as a guiding principle for organizations. Takeaways: Start with a customer experience action statement as a guiding principle. Employees may not care as much as entrepreneurs, but they can be engaged. Earned growth is a better KPI than traditional metrics like NPS. Empathy fatigue is real; leaders must help employees manage it. Recognition and appreciation are crucial for employee motivation. Training should allow for personal expression while maintaining professionalism. Middle management plays a key role in driving customer experience initiatives. Human interaction is essential, even in an increasingly automated world. Hiring for empathy and people skills is critical for customer service roles. The first commandment of customer experience is igniting the revolution. Chapters: 00:00Igniting the Customer Experience Revolution 11:58Balancing Budgets and Customer Experience Investment 15:06Re-energizing Employees Around the Mission 17:37The Role of Middle Management in Customer Experience 24:56Training for Consistency Without Scripts 27:31Future-Proofing Customer Experience 38:22Conclusion and Key Takeaways Links: Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

Denise and John dive into a Wall Street Journal report that reveals a staggering 93% of leaders believe their customer experience is broken. They highlight the immaturity of AI and warn against prioritizing efficiency over emotional connections. The duo argues for a human-centric approach, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence in customer service. Cultural barriers and declining people skills add to the CX challenges. They advocate for using AI to enhance, not replace, human interactions while exploring innovative ways to deliver personalized customer value.

Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution Podcast, Denise Thompson and John DeJulius discuss the concept of making price irrelevant through exceptional customer experiences. They explore how consistency in service, a zero-risk mindset, and equipping employees to articulate value can lead to customer loyalty and a competitive edge in the market. The conversation emphasizes the importance of focusing on the overall experience rather than just pricing strategies. Takeaways: Making price irrelevant is about the experience delivered. Consistency in service leads to customer loyalty. Competing in experience is more effective than competing on price. Zero risk mindset enhances customer trust and loyalty. Service recovery can increase customer loyalty after a mistake. Employees must be trained to articulate the value of services. Journey mapping helps understand customer experiences better. Great companies focus on the basics of customer service. Articulating reasons for higher prices is crucial for sales. Creating a signature experience differentiates a brand. Chapters: 00:00Making Price Irrelevant Through Experience 07:59Competing in the Experience Wars 15:59Zero Risk and Customer Loyalty 20:48Empowering Employees to Articulate Value Links: Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Blogs on Price Myths: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/4-price-myth-busters/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, John DiJulius discusses the common misconceptions surrounding pricing and customer retention. He emphasizes that many businesses misdiagnose their issues as pricing problems when, in fact, the root cause often lies in the customer experience. Through various examples and case studies, John illustrates the importance of understanding customer needs, improving service quality, and focusing on key performance indicators to drive business growth. He also highlights the need for leaders to shift their mindset regarding pricing pressures and to prioritize delivering exceptional experiences to their customers. Takeaways: Price is often used as an excuse for business failures. Customer experience is crucial for retention and loyalty. Many companies misdiagnose retention issues as pricing problems. Understanding customer needs goes beyond just asking them. Key performance indicators should focus on what truly drives growth. The experience provided can justify higher prices. Leaders need to shift their mindset about pricing pressures. Effective communication with customers is essential for retention. Improving service quality can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty. Businesses should focus on earned growth rather than bought growth. Chapters: 00:00Introduction and Personal Updates 02:07Price Myth Busting: Understanding Customer Perception 07:27The Importance of Customer Experience in Retention 12:18Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Success 18:45Value vs. Price: The Customer Experience Perspective 23:44Mindset Shifts for Leaders Facing Pricing Pressure Links: Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Blogs on Price Myths: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/4-price-myth-busters/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

Explore the transformative power of a 'yes' culture in customer service. Discover how eliminating 'no' can boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. Learn through engaging anecdotes like the milkshake metaphor, which highlights the importance of empowering employees. Delve into leadership roles in fostering autonomy and the potential of AI to enhance service while preserving human interactions. The emphasis on storytelling and proactive problem-solving strategies creates a memorable customer experience.

Summary: In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and Dave Murray discuss the critical importance of customer experience consulting across various industries. They explore how systems and structures can enhance customer interactions, the significance of internal communication, and the need for organizations to recognize their role in the customer experience. The conversation highlights successful client transformations, the impact of silos, and the essential link between employee and customer experiences. They also provide actionable insights for leaders looking to improve their organizations and ensure lasting change after consulting engagements. Takeaways: Customer experience consulting is essential for all industries. World-class service requires structured systems, not just slogans. Internal communication gaps often erode customer experience. Every employee has a role in the customer experience. Transformations can turn customer service initiatives into cultural norms. Silos within organizations can negatively impact customer engagement. Identifying internal issues is crucial for improving customer experience. Leaders must support their teams to enhance customer service. Small changes can lead to significant improvements in customer interactions. Measuring ROI is vital for understanding the impact of customer experience initiatives. Chapters: 00:00 Transforming Customer Experience Across Industries 01:05 The Importance of Systems in Customer Experience 05:56 Identifying Internal Barriers to Customer Experience 09:04 Tailoring Consulting for Diverse Industries 11:17 Client Transformations: Success Stories 15:56 Bridging the Gap Between Operations and Customer Experience 18:07 Signs Your Organization Needs Consulting Engagement 22:35 The Importance of Internal Culture 26:03 Empowering Middle Managers 27:30 Ownership of Customer Experience 29:48 The Role of Niceties in Communication 31:53 Supporting Employee Success 33:03 Ensuring Lasting Change After Consulting 36:09 Measuring ROI in Customer Experience 42:23 Scaling Without Losing Your Service Soul Links: Dave's Podcast with AlpinHaus: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/csr-221/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Blogs on Above and Beyond Culture: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/category/above-beyond-culture/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

Summary: Chief Revolution Officer John DiJulius speaks withRicky Arriola, the founder and CEO of Inktel Holdings Corp, one of the country's leading customer experience and business process outsourcing firms. Inktel provides outsourced customer experience solutions to Fortune 500companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and consumer brands.Its services include omnichannel contact center support, sales, order management, back-office processing, government BPO services, and fulfillment. The company has been repeatedly recognized as a Best Place to Work. Learn How Ricky became obsessed with building a world-class cx organization Why so many organizations trust Inktel with their customer experience How Inktel manages rapid growth without compromising its culture What the future of AI has in the contact center worldLinks This episode is sponsored by The Customer Experience Executive Academy. Learn more here Links: Inktel: www.inktel.com Ricky Arriola: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickyarriola/ Ask John! Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode: tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors: tdg.click/claudia Books: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Blogs on Above and Beyond Culture: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/category/above-beyond-culture/ Contacts: Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.