The Employee Experience Matters

Continuing our in-depth look at customer-experience expert Shep Hyken’s recent article, “Top Customer Service and CX Predictions and Trends for 2024,” let’s consider his prediction that the employee experience will be just as important as the customer’s. Buzz, Buzz, Buzz The customer service industry, just like everything these days, is…
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Customers Are Getting Smarter

Earlier this year, customer-experience expert Shep Hyken posted an article titled “Top Customer Service and CX Predictions and Trends for 2024”, in which he distilled his five favorites. These include his belief that customers will continue to get smarter, that the employee experience will be just as important as the…
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The Paradox of Skill

One phenomenon that often goes unnoticed in the business world, and yet lurks within the fabric of every company, is the paradox of skill. This paradox manifests when highly skilled employees perform their tasks with such finesse that their expertise becomes nearly invisible. Their proficiency makes the complex seem effortless,…
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Moving Beyond the Carrot and Stick

Employee management is an ever-evolving practice, one where expectations and effective solutions continue to change. For a long time, managers have relied upon rewards and punishments, upon carrots and sticks, to control their employees. However, more and more employees are responding negatively to this philosophy, and thoughtful leaders are now…
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Balancing Automated and Human Customer Service

The most important component of the customer experience—the combination of products, services, brand reputation, discoverability, and more—is easily customer service. In fact, one could say that no matter what your industry is, it’s your most important product. No wonder so many businesses are seeking new and innovate ways to enhance…
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The Full Spectrum of the Customer Experience

Customer service transcends the boundaries that most people picture when they consider the term. It is no longer relegated to a department or call center, and has evolved into a holistic approach encompassing every interaction the customer has with your brand. This includes the initial discovery phase and the post-purchase…
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Mystery Shopping Is a Win-Win for You and Local Businesses

Do you have strong opinions about customer service? Have a discerning taste for quality? Believe in supporting local business? Of course you do. But did you know that you can help your local businesses to not only survive the pressures of mega-chains and the Internet, you can also help them…
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When Easy Ain’t So Easy

In the world of customer experience, the term easy gets bandied about quite a bit. We all want seamless experiences, from finding the right products and services to using them once we’ve made the decision. Nevertheless, we’ve all found ourselves grappling with complexities beyond our expectations—and even beyond our abilities…
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