Amazing Business Radio

The Four Pillars of a Known and Trusted Brand 

Shep interviews Marcus Sheridan, co-founder of PriceGuide.ai, co-founder of The Question First Group, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. He talks about his new book, Endless Customers, and how brands can build trust and differentiate themselves from competitors.  

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. Why is building trust important in business? 
2. How to get more customers? 
3. How can businesses stand out at the beginning of the buyer’s journey? 
4. Why is it important for businesses to adapt to buyers’ changing behaviors and needs? 
5. How has the shift to online research influenced how businesses approach customer interactions? 

Top Takeaways:   

• The more you know what your customers want, the better you can serve them. Your customers’ questions help you understand what they want, including their fears and concerns.  

• Becoming a teacher in your industry helps you establish yourself as an expert and builds trust with your audience. 

• Using content to showcase unique aspects of a business can be a game-changer. Demonstrating processes, sharing behind-the-scenes looks, or providing valuable insights into products can capture the attention and trust of potential customers. 

• Trust will always be critical in business. Continuously working towards being credible and trustworthy in the eyes of your customers will future-proof your business. 

• Marcus shares The Four Pillars of a Known and Trusted Brand: 

• Pillar #1. You’ve got to be willing to talk about what others in your industry aren’t willing to talk about. 

• Pillar #2. You’ve got to be willing to show what others in your space aren’t willing to show.  

• Pillar #3. You’ve got to be willing to sell in a way that nobody’s willing to sell.  

• Pillar #4. You’ve got to be more human in this time of AI and technology. 

• Plus, Marcus shares actionable tips on applying the four pillars in your business to make your brand stand out. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“80% of the buyer’s journey is done before they fill out that form on your website or call you. If you want to win during that period, you can’t be like everyone else.” 

About:   

Marcus Sheridan is a communication expert, keynote speaker, co-founder of PriceGuide.ai, and the co-founder of The Question First Group. He is the bestselling author of They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today’s Digital Consumer. His latest, Endless Customers: A Proven System to Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Become the Market Leader, is now available on Amazon. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.

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Building Emotional Connections and Customer Loyalty 

Shep interviews Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, owner of Cecchi’s Bar & Grill and author of Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D’. He shares insights from his extensive experience in the restaurant industry about how kindness and creating an emotional connection with customers help deliver exceptional service.  

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. What is hospitality mentality? 
2. What are the differences between technical service skills and the soft service skills (the softer, people-focused side of service)? 
3. Why is emotional connection important in business? 
4. What lessons can businesses learn from the hospitality industry? 
5. How can businesses identify candidates with a natural aptitude for delivering exceptional customer service? 

Top Takeaways:   

• The “hospitality mentality” is about the attitude and warmth that staff bring to their roles in serving customers. People crave acknowledgment and kindness, elevating a customer’s experience from good to amazing.  

• Customer service is not just about technical execution. Customers resonate with the “soft side” of service, which is all about the emotional connection that makes them feel welcome and motivates them to come back.  

• An emotional connection is a powerful tool in hospitality. Customers go to restaurants not just for the food but for the joy and comfort it brings them. When you understand and cater to the customer’s emotional needs, you can generate repeat business and nurture loyalty within your customer base. 

• Creating a great customer experience hinges on hiring the right people. Technical skills can be trained for, and experience can be earned. Look for candidates with a people-oriented mindset and a genuine passion for creating great customer experiences.   

• Building an amazing customer experience is all about the details. In a restaurant setting, details such as ensuring the music is just the right volume so as not to disrupt the conversation, lighting that sets the perfect mood, and friendly staff that acknowledge customers right away all contribute to the overall experience. 

• Kindness can be the golden rule in any industry. It’s a simple yet overlooked way to enhance customer and employee interactions and build loyalty.  

• Authentic leaders can transform a business. When owners or managers work alongside their staff, it elevates the whole team’s performance. It improves employee morale and connects with customers, making everyone feel appreciated and special. 

• Plus, Michael shares how running a restaurant is like being on a Broadway stage. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“If you’ve worked in a restaurant, you can work anywhere.” 

About:   

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina has nearly forty years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He is the owner of Cecchi’s Bar & Grill and author of Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D’. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio. 

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Designing Effortless Customer Experiences 

Shep interviews Jason Ten-Pow, CEO of bespokeCX, president of ONR, and author of UNBREAKABLE: A Proven Process for Building Unbreakable Relationships with Customers. He talks about the State of CX Research, highlighting how brands can excel by creating tailored, effortless, and professional customer experiences. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. What makes an “unbreakable” customer relationship, and how can companies achieve it? 
2. What are the key components of a tailored customer experience strategy? 
3. How does digital transformation impact customer experience? 
4. What common mistakes do businesses make in providing effortless customer experiences? 
5. How can proactive communication improve customer satisfaction? 

Top Takeaways:   

• Businesses that prioritize professionalism in their interactions gain a threefold advantage over their competitors. Being professional is about more than just being polite. It’s about being knowledgeable, reliable, and meeting customer expectations.  

• Companies that excel in creating low-effort experiences are four times more likely to outperform their competitors. Make it easy for customers to navigate and interact with your brand, whether online or in person.  

• Customers have high expectations, not just from your direct competitors, but from every interaction they have with any brand. Companies must consistently deliver what customers expect to stand out, providing reliable and consistent service.  

• Digital interactions are often the first point of contact between a customer and a brand. Companies must design these platforms with the customer in mind. They need to be intuitive, easy to navigate, and filled with up-to-date information.  

• One of the biggest challenges customers face when it comes to having a convenient experience is channel jumping or switching between different modes of communication. There should be continuity across channels where customers can transition from one service channel to another without losing their place in the conversation and having to repeat themselves.  

• Be proactive in communication, especially during service disruptions. Customers appreciate when businesses reach out with information, including updates before they even have to ask. 

• Plus, Shep and Jason discuss how different customers have varying expectations based on their demographics and preferences, and why brands must understand these differences and tailor how they engage with them accordingly. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“Because many customer experiences are now digital, you’re not just competing with others in your industry. You’re up against companies that are the gold standard, like Amazon. To build unbreakable relationships, you must meet and exceed those high expectations.” 

About:   

Jason Ten-Pow is a research, consulting, and customer experience expert. He is the CEO of bespokeCX, president of ONR, and author of UNBREAKABLE: A Proven Process for Building Unbreakable Relationships with Customers.   

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio. 

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How to Overcome Mediocrity in Business and Customer Service 

Shep interviews John Rossman, managing partner at Rossman Partners, keynote speaker, business advisor, and best-selling author. He talks about his new manifesto, The Pig, The Lipstick, and The Playbook of Champions (available to download at no charge), and discusses how companies can combat mediocrity and create a culture of innovation. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How can businesses avoid settling into mediocrity in customer service? 
2. What role does humility play in improving a business’s customer experience? 
3. What is the innovator’s dilemma? 
4. How can companies ensure they are accurately measuring their customer experience? 
5. How does the concept of a ‘success trap’ affect a company’s customer service? 

Top Takeaways:   

• Humility is critical in recognizing where a business might be falling short. It allows companies to honestly assess their customer service and product offerings and make necessary changes.  

• The real risk is setting goals that are too easy and reaching them instead of aiming high and always pushing yourself to do better. Mediocrity becomes the norm when businesses stop striving for greatness and settle for ‘average’ performance. 

• Embracing failure as a part of the innovation process can benefit businesses. This mindset allows companies to experiment and take “big bets” that lead to breakthroughs. 

• Customer metrics and feedback should not solely focus on the average experience. Paying attention to the outliers who express extreme satisfaction or dissatisfaction helps businesses address significant pain points and improve their overall service, which benefits everyone. 

• Having a clear framework and language within a business can help your team know when innovative thinking is expected and when precision in execution is required. A healthy culture encourages employees to innovate and go the extra mile in delivering an amazing customer experience. It also trains employees to implement structured processes that ensure that the consistency and quality of service remain excellent. 

• Adopting a mindset of continuous improvement prepares companies for future challenges. Regularly assess your internal processes and external industry trends to identify areas where you can improve.  

• Plus, Shep and John discuss the perils of constantly playing defense in business. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“I truly believe in humility as a starting point for change. Recognizing where we fall short with customers is crucial to being able to innovate and thrive.”  

About:   

John Rossman is the managing partner at Rossman Partners and the best-selling author of Big Bet Leadership, The Amazon Way, Think Like Amazon, and his latest, The Pig, The Lipstick, and The Playbook of Champions. (Be sure to download the book for free!)  

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.  

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How AI Can Make Customer Service Seamless and Effortless 

Shep interviews Damon Covey, general manager of unified communications and collaboration at GoTo. He talks about how AI can enhance communication, increase productivity, and augment employee capabilities. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How can businesses enhance their customer service experience using AI technology? 
2. How do unifying communication channels improve the efficiency of customer support? 
3. What makes conversational AI a valuable tool for improving customer interactions? 
4. How can AI be used to augment a company’s existing customer service team rather than replace it? 
5. Why is it essential for businesses to consider customer communication preferences when designing support systems? 

Top Takeaways:   

• In customer service, “boring” means delivering consistent, reliable service without any issues or drama.  

• Unified communications brings together all the different ways customers can interact with a company, including texting, calling, emailing, or chatting on social media. Integrating all these channels enables customers to choose their preferred way to communicate without complicating things for customer support agents.  

• Conversational AI helps businesses be more responsive to customer needs. By using conversational AI, businesses can provide accurate responses and handle inquiries even outside of business hours. 

• Years ago, AI technology was expensive, making it difficult for smaller companies to afford. Today, innovations in AI have made it accessible at a fraction of the cost, enabling small businesses to implement it effectively. AI being more accessible helps small businesses provide the same advanced customer service options as large corporations and compete more effectively in the market. 

• Just like new employees, AI systems need training to perform well. Businesses provide AI with specific instructions and information, allowing it to respond correctly to customer inquiries. Guaranteeing AI acts within the parameters set by the business, maintaining quality and accuracy in interactions.  

• AI helps businesses by taking over routine tasks and repetitive work like summarizing calls or setting up appointments, freeing employees to focus on more complex tasks, especially those needing creativity and judgment.  

• Plus, Shep and Damon discuss ways businesses can embrace AI strategically. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“Customer service should be so good that it’s boring.” 

About:   

Damon Covey is the general manager of unified communications and collaboration at GoTo, an all-in-one customer experience platform powered by AI. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.   

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How Investing in the Right Technology Can Transform Customer Experience 

Shep interviews Alexandre (Alex) Hadade, Co-founder & CEO of Birdie, an analytics platform that transforms customer feedback into actionable insights. He discusses becoming a customer-centric organization by leveraging AI to understand customer behavior and improve products and services. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How can companies leverage artificial intelligence to improve customer experience? 
2. What challenges do businesses face in becoming truly customer-centric? 
3. How does AI compare to traditional surveys in measuring customer satisfaction? 
4. How can customer feedback effectively enhance products and services? 
5. What role does AI play in analyzing customer churn and retention? 

Top Takeaways:   

• To meet customer needs, businesses must continuously adapt to new expectations and technologies. This means engaging with customers in modern, meaningful ways and committing to making improvements.  

• With the advancement of AI, customer experience teams can now manage and analyze large volumes of data more efficiently. This capability helps identify customer needs and resolve issues faster than ever before, making it easier for them to put processes in place to improve customer experience. 

• AI not only help with front-facing customer support but it can help identify reasons behind customer churn and dissatisfaction that might not appear in customer feedback. It can analyze behavior patterns and predict trends that help businesses preempt customer issues, and enhance customer satisfaction.  

• Despite the increase in CX spending from $7 billion to $12 billion in 2023, Net Promoter Scores are still declining across industries. Aligning customer experience technology investments with actual customer needs makes sure they lead to improved service and product satisfaction.  

• Customer satisfaction isn’t just about resolving complaints; it’s about preventing them. By understanding and improving both products and processes, companies can reduce churn and increase the likelihood of customers recommending the business to others. 

• The rapid changes in technology mean that businesses must continually adapt to meet evolving customer expectations. What worked a couple of years ago may no longer be enough. Keeping processes and customer interaction approaches up-to-date with modern technology is how businesses stay relevant and competitive. 

• Plus, Shep and Alexandre discuss what happens when companies invest in the wrong customer experience technology. Tune in!  

Quote:  

“When you connect the dots between what your customers say and their actual behavior, you uncover how to improve your products and services and make great business decisions.” 

About:   

Alexandre Hadade is the Co-founder & CEO of Birdie. He has more than 25 years of experience in business, with a passion for helping businesses utilize technology to deliver excellent customer experiences. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio. 

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How Customer Complaints Impact Loyalty and Retention 

Shep interviews Bill Price, President & Founder of Driva Solutions and Amazon’s first global vice president of customer service. He talks about his new book, Zero Complaints: The Path to Continuous Value Creation, and explores the aspirational goal of eliminating customer complaints to enhance customer retention, reduce costs, and increase revenue. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How do you get zero customer complaints? 
2. What benefits do businesses gain by proactively eliminating customer complaints? 
3. What is the cost of customer dissatisfaction? 
4. Why is it important for company executives to engage directly with the customers? 
5. What are the potential revenue losses associated with unresolved customer complaints? 

Top Takeaways:   

• Striving for zero complaints is about aiming to continuously improve and provide value for the customer. While it may not be entirely realistic to have zero complaints, the aspiration drives companies to proactively identify and manage issues before they become a point of friction for the customers. 

• It costs more to attract new customers than to retain current ones. A frictionless experience can make customers more likely to buy more, return, and recommend a business to others. Customers with consistently positive experiences are more likely to share them with friends and family. Companies that focus on reducing complaints and enhancing the customer experience often see higher retention rates and increased revenue. 

• Frequent complaints should serve as signals that something in the business process needs fixing. Businesses must listen attentively to what customers say and capture feedback from the frontline employees. 

• Handling customer complaints can be costly for businesses. It involves maintaining support centers, training staff, and investing in the technology to manage issues. Reducing complaints means these expenses can be minimized, resulting in significant cost savings. 

• There’s value in handling complaints well, as it can result in increased customer loyalty. However, it’s to prevent complaints from happening in the first place. By eliminating common pain points, businesses can focus on delivering exceptional experiences rather than resolving issues. 

• Plus, Shep and Bill discuss the role of a Chief Problem Officer and how the presence of a CPO in organizations leads to happier customers and employees. Tune in!  

Quote:  

“When you treat your customers well and give them an easy, frictionless experience, not only will you keep them, but they’ll tell their friends about your business.” 

About:   

Bill Price is the President & Founder of Driva Solutions, LLC. and the co-author of four books, including The Best Service is No Service, Your Customer Rules!, The Frictionless Organization, and his latest, Zero Complaints. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.

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Using Artificial Intelligence to Analyze and Activate a Better CX 

Shep Hyken interviews Sid Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer at Medallia, an experience management platform organizations use to provide excellent customer and employee experience. He talks about how modern businesses can capture, analyze, and act on customer feedback using AI-powered tools that turn customer insights into meaningful improvements. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How can companies utilize new technologies like generative AI to improve customer satisfaction? 
2. How can companies use digital and conversational signals to understand customer feedback better? 
3. What role does AI play in analyzing customer data and providing actionable insights? 
4. How can companies effectively activate their customer data to make informed business improvements? 
5. How does AI’s cost-effectiveness influence its use in customer experience? 

Top Takeaways:   

• Customer experience data is essential for companies to improve their products and services. By collecting feedback from various sources like surveys, chat, online reviews, social media, and customer interactions, companies can identify what makes customers happy and what they can improve. 

• While surveys are still important, the advent of social media and other digital platforms provides customers with new ways to provide feedback. Meeting the customers on their chosen platforms helps them gather more data and better understand what customers experience and expect. 

• AI can analyze data in massive amounts and detect patterns, trends, and opportunities for improvement that might be missed by humans. Using AI is not just about having the latest technology, it is about empowering employees to provide better, quicker, and more personalized service. 

• Data should be easily accessible, not stuck in department silos. A CX platform brings it all together, organizing and turning it into actionable insights. 

• Many companies get stuck collecting and analyzing data without taking action and implementing improvements that benefit customers. Activation is critical because it turns data and information into meaningful actions that improve customer experience.  

• Technology will not replace human interactions, but it will enhance them. Tools like AI will provide frontline employees with real-time access to information and insights that will empower them to help customers more efficiently. 

• Plus, Shep and Sid discuss what companies and customers can look forward to in the future when transforming CX and businesses with AI. Tune in!  

Quote:  

“Technology that previously cost hundreds of thousands is now accessible at a fraction of the cost. When you layer new innovative technology, like AI and automation, into the data that customers have given you, you can turbocharge your ability to transform customer experiences.” 

About:   

Sid Banerjee is the Chief Strategy Officer at Medallia. Before his career at Medallia, he was the founder of Clarabridge and served as the Chief XM Strategy Officer at Qualtrics. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.

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Building Heart-Centered Customer Relationships 

Shep Hyken interviews Brian Hamilton, chairman of LiveSwitch. He talks about creating a heart-centric company culture led by leadership that genuinely cares about both employees and customers. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. What is the biggest enemy of good customer service? 
2. How can companies get better customer feedback? 
3. What should companies look for when hiring customer service employees? 
4. How can businesses move beyond customer satisfaction metrics? 
5. What role does empathy play in customer service?  

Top Takeaways:   

• To provide excellent customer service, you have to genuinely care about people. Start with the mindset of serving the other person by understanding what it is like to be in their shoes.  

• No matter how good your product is, if you don’t have the experience and service to support it, and if you don’t have people who love what they do and love the customers, you will fail. 

• Your employees are just as valuable sources of feedback as your customers. While customer surveys and digital feedback are helpful, the most valuable insights often come from direct observation and conversations. Watch customers interact with your product or service, and regularly check in with your frontline staff who interact with your customers daily. Your employees on the front lines can often spot patterns, challenges, and opportunities for improvement that might not show up in a survey.  

• Pay attention to what customers are not telling you. Sometimes, customers accept inconveniences but don’t voice them. Mystery shop your own company and call your customer support line to learn what your customers experience when they do business with you.  

• Pride is the biggest obstacle to providing excellent customer service. When employees or businesses let pride take precedence, they block out constructive feedback and hinder growth. Everyone in the organization, from new hires to top executives, must be open to learning and change . 

• Embracing technology should enhance, not replace, the human connection. Technology like video conferencing, AI, or automated systems should be used to simplify processes and build meaningful connections.  

• If you want to lead, you have to love people. Training employees to care about customers is important, but true leadership is about setting an example.  

• Plus, Shep and Brian discuss why empathy and interpersonal skills are just as valuable as technical experience. Tune in! 

Quote:   

“Before you think about customer satisfaction scores and metrics, focus on truly understanding the customer. Train your people to be “the other guy” and see through your customers’ eyes.” 

About:   

Brian Hamilton is the chairman of LiveSwitch, a leading expert on entrepreneurship, and the founder of America’s first fintech company, Sageworks. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.   

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Future-Proofing Your Business Through AI Integration 

Shep Hyken interviews Simon Kriss, Chief AI Officer at simonkriss.ai and author of The AI Empowered Customer Experience . He talks about how companies can maximize AI’s impact on customer experience, service delivery, and productivity. 

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:   

1. How can AI simplify the process of delivering a seamless customer experience? 
2. How can AI enhance customer service while balancing technology and human interaction? 
3. What is the impact of AI on customer service jobs? 
4. How can customer support roles evolve with AI? 
5. How can companies ensure their data is ready and accessible for AI to enhance customer experience? 

Top Takeaways:   

• AI is revolutionizing the customer experience by automating processes to make them faster, cheaper, and more efficient. By integrating AI into customer support, companies can meet their customers’ needs while simultaneously reducing operational costs. 

• The key is to use AI without losing the human touch. Customers still appreciate human interactions, but they also want convenience. AI can support this by handling routine tasks, allowing human agents to focus on more complex and meaningful interactions. 

• When starting with AI, building a tolerance for failure is important. Think of AI as an employee working on your business and realize that if you don’t train them properly (making sure AI can access your knowledge base, practicing writing clear and correct prompts, etc.), they will not deliver what you want. 

• As AI continues to evolve, it will change how customers interact with brands. In the future, individuals might rely more on AI to make decisions for them, like choosing which brands to do business with. Companies need to ensure their data is accessible and optimized for AI to keep up with customer expectations.  

• Will AI cause people to lose their jobs? Every new technology causes job loss. But, it is less about job elimination and more about job transformation. Many roles currently held by human employees that deal with simple, repetitive tasks can now be automated with AI. These changes can open new roles and opportunities, such as employees shifting to monitoring AI systems or developing AI-driven solutions.  

• AI can offer deeper insights into customer preferences and behaviors. By analyzing past interactions, it can predict what kind of service or products a customer might need next. This can enhance customer experience by helping companies anticipate customer needs.  

• Plus, Shep and Simon explore how AI continues to shape customers’ daily lives and how companies can leverage it to their advantage. Tune in! 

Quote:  

“When it comes to customer service and experience, leaders need to think about how they can explore AI. What new things can they do? What new services can they offer? If you had a magic wand, what would you want to do for your customers that you can’t do today? And, how can AI enable that?” 

About:   

Simon Kriss is the Chief AI Officer at simonkriss.ai. He is a keynote speaker, author of The AI Empowered Customer Experience, The AI Empowered Customer Experience, podcast host, and one of CX Network’s top 50 customer experience influencers to follow in 2024. 

Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.   

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