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Half-measures and full-measures

I used to work out at a gym that had a bothersome, but almost comedic tendency:  Whenever a piece of equipment broke down, someone would diligently and swiftly mark it with an “Out of Order” sign.  The particular machine would usually sit like that (broken, that is) for weeks on end.  Now, part of this [...]

By |2021-03-11T15:27:41+00:00March 11th, 2021|CX Strategy, CX Thoughts|Comments Off on Half-measures and full-measures

Don’t confuse your system with reality

Improving our processes is hard work.  There’s a lot of research and thinking that goes into the exercise of getting better at what we do.  Add to that the complexities and politics of change management—especially if your organization is large and/or well-established—and it can be daunting for sure.  People spend careers refining their approach to [...]

By |2021-03-08T16:26:03+00:00March 8th, 2021|Consulting, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Process Engineering|Comments Off on Don’t confuse your system with reality

Don’t let your most valuable resource go

I’m blessed to have been recruited to work in the field of Customer Experience.  I came to the practice of CX via Process Engineering (Lean Six Sigma, or LSS).  Using PE to better our CX is an incredibly fulfilling use of a legacy approach to improving what we do.  Years ago, before I was involved [...]

By |2021-03-01T16:33:25+00:00March 1st, 2021|CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Leadership, Process Engineering|Comments Off on Don’t let your most valuable resource go

Don’t tell me you love me

A few years back I was at lunch with a mentor and there was something we needed or wanted that we had to ask for.  The waiter replied somewhat along the lines of:  “Well, we’re not supposed to do that, but I’ll go ahead and do that for you.” We thanked him, but after he [...]

By |2021-02-25T16:39:46+00:00February 25th, 2021|CX Culture, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Leadership|Comments Off on Don’t tell me you love me

Chesterton and his gate

One of my favorite Process Engineering tools is the Five Whys.  The basic principle is to consider a problem or imperfection, ask why it’s the way it is, and then ask why that explanation is so.  We keep digging (as the title suggests, five times, but your mileage may vary) until we’ve uncovered the true [...]

By |2021-02-22T17:37:25+00:00February 22nd, 2021|Consulting, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Leadership, Process Engineering|Comments Off on Chesterton and his gate

The risks of executive escalations

Executive escalations can be a real life-saver for an organization.  Whether it’s a high-profile Customer or just someone whose experience has gone completely off the rails, sometimes escalating dramatically can truly save the day for CX.  I recently had an experience that was saved by an executive escalation.  I happen to know a Senior Director [...]

By |2021-02-18T16:12:16+00:00February 18th, 2021|CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Leadership, Principles of Good CX|Comments Off on The risks of executive escalations

Maybe you are already “doing” CX

“You’re soaking in it.”  Do you remember that commercial for dishwashing soap that was supposed to be so incredibly good for your skin that the lady who’d gone in (to see Madge, remember?) for a manicure was unknowingly enjoying its benefits, thinking she was dipping her fingers into some wonderful skin tonic?  Or have you heard [...]

By |2021-02-16T16:20:58+00:00February 16th, 2021|Consulting, CX Culture, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, Leadership, Process Engineering, VoC|Comments Off on Maybe you are already “doing” CX

The struggle for feedback

I came across the following article I wrote in an earlier part of my consulting career (I was much thinner then).  Without knowing it at the time, I foreshadowed a lot of reflection that I use now as an executive CX consultant and Fractional CCO.  At the time my practice was mainly focused on training [...]

By |2021-02-11T16:27:37+00:00February 11th, 2021|Consulting, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts, VoC|Comments Off on The struggle for feedback

Don’t ask questions if you already know the answers

A good lawyer never asks a question for which he doesn’t already know the answer.  That’s not necessarily just about being smart and being prepared.  Frankly, it’s a manipulation technique used to sway juries and judges:  When they get a witness on the stand, the most important thing for an attorney is to control the [...]

By |2021-02-09T16:14:29+00:00February 9th, 2021|CX Culture, CX Strategy, CX Thoughts|Comments Off on Don’t ask questions if you already know the answers
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