Episodi

  • 236: How can I make customer experience a true competitive advantage?

    236: How can I make customer experience a true competitive advantage?
    Jan 15 2026
    Summary In this conversation, Denise Thompson and John R. DiJulius III explore the critical elements of customer experience that can provide a competitive advantage in today's relationship economy. They discuss the importance of creating emotional connections with customers, building systems that reduce risk, and developing a signature brand experience that is memorable and unique. The conversation also highlights the need for consistent training and awareness among employees to ensure that customer service remains a priority. Through real-world examples, they illustrate how organizations can transform their customer experience and foster loyalty. Takeaways: Emotional connections are the currency of the relationship economy.Customers prioritize certainty over perfection in their experiences.Memorable moments can differentiate a brand from its competitors.Transforming customer experience requires a systematic approach.Organizations must identify and address their blind spots in service.Price wars are a short-term strategy that can harm long-term growth.Training employees on customer service is essential for success.Regular audits of customer service practices can reveal areas for improvement.Creating a signature experience is crucial for brand loyalty.Consistency in service delivery builds trust and customer retention. Chapters: 00:00The Relationship Economy and Customer Experience 09:25The 10 Commandments of Customer Experience 10:29Emotional Connection: The Currency of Relationships 11:36Zero Risk: Building Customer Trust 16:04Creating a Signature Brand Experience 21:18Real-World Application of Customer Experience 24:27The Blind Spots in Competitive Advantage 26:26Price Wars vs. Experience Wars 30:46Reinforcing Customer Experience Principles 33:34Taking Action: The Customer Service Aptitude Test Links: Company Service Aptitude Test: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/c-sat-forms/individual-c-sat/ 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.
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    33 min
  • 235: Five Strategies for Customer Experience Success in 2026

    235: Five Strategies for Customer Experience Success in 2026
    Jan 8 2026
    Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius discuss five essential customer experience strategies for 2026. They explore the concept of a customer service recession, the importance of hiring for service aptitude, the effectiveness of micro learning in training, the need to rethink customer feedback mechanisms, and the critical connection between employee experience and customer experience. They also touch on the role of AI in enhancing customer interactions while maintaining the human element. The conversation emphasizes actionable strategies for leaders to create loyalty and improve service without relying on discounts or gimmicks. Takeaways: Companies must build measurable, coachable, and consistent customer experience strategies.The customer service recession presents an opportunity for competitive advantage.Hiring for service aptitude is more important than ever due to declining soft skills.Micro learning is an effective way to reinforce training and improve retention.Surveys are becoming less effective; businesses should measure actual customer behavior instead.Employee experience directly impacts customer experience; leaders must prioritize both.Recognition and appreciation are crucial for employee retention.Investing in learning and development increases employee loyalty.AI can enhance efficiency but should not replace human interaction in customer service.Leaders should focus on fixing broken promises in their service delivery. Chapters: 00:00Navigating the Customer Service Recession 07:00Hiring for Service Aptitude 16:18Micro Learning: The Future of Training 23:01Rethinking Customer Feedback 30:58The Employee Experience Connection 41:07AI's Role in Customer Experience Links: Interview Questions: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/interview-questions-2/ Micro-learning example 1 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c4NU69YcPz8?feature=share Micro-learning example 2 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NgpJXbGonpc?feature=share 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.
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    46 min
  • 234: Mastering the Certainty Business

    234: Mastering the Certainty Business
    Dec 18 2025
    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.
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    31 min
  • 233: Your CX Questions Answered

    233: Your CX Questions Answered
    Dec 11 2025
    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.
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    40 min
  • 232: Is the AI CX Broken?

    232: Is the AI CX Broken?
    Dec 4 2025
    Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DiJulius discuss the findings of a Wall Street Journal intelligence report on the impact of AI on customer experience. They explore the disconnect between AI's potential and its actual implementation in businesses, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and human interaction in customer service. The conversation highlights cultural barriers to effective customer experience transformation and the need for a human-centric approach in the AI era. They also discuss how companies can innovate customer value by leveraging AI effectively. Takeaways: 93% of leaders say their customer experience is broken.AI is still in its infancy and needs careful implementation.Companies are chasing AI for efficiency but missing emotional connection.Cultural dysfunction is a major barrier to customer experience transformation.AI can personalize customer interactions but should not replace human touch.76% of executives feel behind on AI transformation.Emotional intelligence is crucial in customer experience.AI should supplement, not replace, human interaction.Companies winning with AI are inventing new categories of customer value.A human-centric approach is essential in the AI era. Chapters: 00:00The State of Customer Experience and AI 03:43The Challenges of AI in Customer Experience 08:47Cultural Barriers in CX Transformation 14:03Emotional Intelligence in Customer Interactions 19:07The Human Element in AI Integration 24:21Innovating Customer Value with AI 29:13The Future of Customer Service and AI Links: The Experience Gap, AIs Imminent Impact on CX: Code and Theory, Wall Street Journal Report 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.
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    37 min
  • 231: Making Price Irrelevant

    231: Making Price Irrelevant
    Nov 20 2025
    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.
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    24 min
  • 230: Price Myths BUSTED

    230: Price Myths BUSTED
    Nov 13 2025
    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.
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    27 min
  • 229: The Answer is Yes, Now What's the Question

    229: The Answer is Yes, Now What's the Question
    Nov 6 2025
    Summary In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, Denise Thompson and John DeJulius discuss the importance of fostering a 'yes' culture in customer service. They explore how the word 'no' can negatively impact customer interactions and emphasize the need for employees to focus on what they can do to assist customers. Through engaging anecdotes, including the milkshake metaphor from Cameron Mitchell restaurants, they illustrate how empowering employees to say 'yes' can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. The conversation also touches on the role of leadership in creating an environment where employees feel confident to say 'yes' and the potential of AI in improving customer service experiences. Takeaways: The word 'no' should be eliminated from customer service interactions.Empowering employees to say 'yes' enhances customer satisfaction.A positive mindset is crucial for effective customer service.Leaders must create a culture that supports employee autonomy.Understanding customer needs is key to providing excellent service.Training employees to focus on solutions rather than problems is essential.The milkshake metaphor illustrates the importance of a 'yes' culture.Regularly auditing policies can help identify areas for improvement.AI can streamline customer service but should not replace human interaction.Storytelling is a powerful tool in reinforcing company culture. Chapters: 00:00Welcome and Introduction 02:13The Power of 'Yes' in Customer Service 08:10The Milkshake Metaphor 16:23Empowering Employees to Say 'Yes' 19:58Creating a 'Yes' Culture 26:38The Importance of Customer Experience 34:02Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links: HBR Article, Stop Trying to Delight Your Customer: https://hbr.org/2010/07/stop-trying-to-delight-your-customers 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
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    38 min