John Sebastian is probably best known for his time with the ‘60s band, The Lovin’s Spoonful. But in 1976, he scored a #1 hit with Welcome Back, the theme song to Welcome Back, Kotter. A sitcom about a wise-cracking teacher who has returned to his high school alma-mater to teach a remedial class of students, Welcome Back, Kotter featured a group of students who are viewed by most as misfits. But they are also their own close-knit little community. As John Travolta’s Vinnie Barbarino puts in the pilot episode, “This is my place. And these, these are my people.”

That feeling of community that drew Gabe Kotter back to James Buchanan High School isn’t all that different than the feeling that drew Erica Marois back to ICMI. After several years away from the contact center industry, Informa, the parent company of ICMI and HDI among others, asked her to come back to the community she always knew was home.

• The Complexities of the Grocery Industry• The Importance of Community in Contact Centers• Getting Reacquainted with the Contact Center Industry• The Evolution of Work-from-Home Dynamics• Fostering Community Engagement and Connection• The Convergence of IT Support and Customer Experience• Innovative Community Engagement InitiativesConnect with Erica on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericastrother/

Reach out to Erica via email: [email protected]

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

Bruce Campbell’s return as Ash in the 1992 cult classic, Army of Darkness, illustrated how the specific words we use are critical to success. After his accidental transportation to 1300 A.D., Ash must retrieve the Necronomicon, the Book of the Dead, before he can return home. But to close the portal opened by the book, he must first recite the 3-word phrase, “Klaatu Barada Nikto.” It turns out that using a single wrong word has serious consequences.

You probably won’t have to battle an army of the dead because you miscommunicated with a customer, but those who’ve been involved in customer service and support know that customer interactions can feel like a battle. Kevin Steele learned that shifting your perspective of the customer can turn an adversarial interaction into a partnership and he joins to share how to make that happen.

• Mac vs. PC• The Reluctance to Engage with Support• Shifting Perspectives• Building Trust through Communication• Navigating Customer Relationships• The Power of Feedback• Exploring Cthulhu and the UnknownConnect with Kevin on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevsteele/

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

20 years ago, American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, blanketed the airwaves with Since U Been Gone. The song explores the aftermath of a now-ended relationship. While break-up songs often express longing, regret, and sadness, Since U Been Gone is a realization of how much better things are now. It also expresses the feeling of finally recognizing red flags that have been in plain sight for a while.

These feelings are not exclusive to romantic relationships. People get emotionally connected to software they use at work all the time. And sometimes, they start rethinking their commitment, especially when the relationship feels one-sided. Reagan Helms has led Support at Planning Center for 15 years and during his last appearance on the show during Season 2, he compared his relationship with his support platform to marriage. But recently, that relationship soured and he’s moving on.

• Warning Signs in SaaS• The Migration Dilemma• Vetting New Solutions• AI That Actually Works• Preparing for ChangeConnect with Reagan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reagan-helms/

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

NSYNC’s 2000 hit, Bye Bye Bye, has been streamed over a billion times on Spotify. The late 90’s and early 2000’s saw a resurgence of the “Boy Band” – a term applied to vocal groups consisting of young men whose performances were marketed primarily to girls and young women. Boy Bands were often “created” rather than forming organically. The 60’s band The Monkees, is perhaps the first example. The template for success had already been established by New Kids on the Block in the early 90s. Backstreet Boys proved the template worked and NSYNC followed it, achieving similar success.

From The Monkees to Meneudo to K-Pop, history has shown that a solid foundational, well-choregraphed template leads to success more often than simply “wingin’ it.” The same is true of leading people. But the disappointing reality for many first-time leaders is that they’re often expected to wing it and hope for success. Erika Taylor-Beck is on a mission to help leaders stop wingin’ it and start churning out success using tried and true methods.

• The Importance of Leadership Training• Communication and Culture in Leadership• Handling Difficult Conversations• The Role of Documentation • Documenting Successes and Building Rapport• Transitioning from Peer to Manager• The Art of Delegation• Tailoring Leadership Styles to Individual NeedsConnect with Erika on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-r-taylor-beck/ Authentic Foundations – https://authenticfoundations.podia.com

Book a Free 30-Minute Strategy Session – https://cal.com/erika-taylor-beck-4esqwd/30min

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

Let’s hit rewind this week and take a quick listen to some moments from some of my favorite episodes from thefirst quarter of the year.

This episode features great moments from John Walter, Ian Storm, Chris Gillen, Neal Woodson, Afshan Kinder, Mike Kendall, and Beth Karawan.

Chapters

John Walter – 1:01

Ian Storm – 7:33

Neal Woodson – 10:14

Afshan Kinder – 13:18

Mike Kendall – 15:28

Beth Karawan – 18:12

A long time ago, in a podcast season far, far away, it is a dark time for the inhabitants on planet earth. A novel virus has caused a global pandemic. A year in, many are adjusting to a “new normal” that includes working from home when possible. The social isolation has resulted in an explosion of media including niche podcasts.

Relentlessly pursued by one of these aspiring Rebel podcasters, the renowned CX expert, Brian Dunphy, has acquiesced an invitation to appear as a guest. Little does Brain know that this interview is actually a covert mission to uncover the secret plans of the Disney+ IVR.

• How this native New Yorker ended up “down unda”• The transformation of Postmates• His journey to Warby Parker• The transition from “insourcing” to “outsourcing” • Lessons from launching Disney+ Support Operations • Advice for Customer Support in any galaxy and any timeConnect with Brian on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-dunphy/

C-Lect Consulting – http://www.c-lect.com

Darth Vader Cover Art – https://www.deviantart.com/keyadfdf/art/MLBB-Argus-Darth-Vader-PNG-1027375004

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll start a podcast and quickly gain the kinds of fans depicted in this scene from Only Murders in the Building. Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin’s characters not only share an interest in true crime podcasts, but they also start their own podcast while investigating a murder in their apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start a podcast. Podcasts are a medium for connection and community engagement, says Priscilla Brooke. She leads the Podcaster Success team at Buzzsprout, a podcast hosting service known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use.

• Understanding Buzzsprout and Its Role• The Evolution of Podcasting• Expectations vs. Reality in Podcasting• Launching the 'Happy to Help' Podcast• The Vulnerability of Podcasting• Understanding Customer Support Dynamics• The Impact of Automation on Customer Expectations• Building Personal Connections in Customer SupportConnect with Priscilla on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-brooke-91595854/

Buzzsprout – https://www.buzzsprout.com/

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

It’s only fitting that this 1977 #1 Country Hit is sung by Johnny Paycheck. The David Allen Coe written song inspired a 1981 film of the same name. The narrator of the song has realized that he should leave his job, but he hasn’t quite worked up the nerve to quit. Many people have found themselves in similar situations, clinging onto their job security despite knowing they’re in the wrong role or company.

Job Security is a thing of the past, says Sarah Betts – at least in the way it’s typically been viewed. She reveals a new kind of job security that she learned from Support Driven’s Scott Tran and we discuss why it’s so difficult to find a new role today and strategies to overcome those challenges.

• The Changing Landscape of Job Security• Upskilling and Networking• Recognizing When to Leave a Job• The Impact of Job Hopping on Career Opportunities• Navigating the Job Market Today• The Importance of Fit in Employment• Empowerment and Identity in CommunicationConnect with Sarah on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-betts-dunn/

Vizit – https://www.vizit.com/

National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival – https://www.fiddlecontest.org/

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

Love him or hate him, Drake’s 2013 hit, Started from the Bottom, is unforgettable. It resonates, not only because of its musical simplicity, but also because it celebrates the rise from scrappy beginnings to success. It’s the epitome of “The American Dream.”

Most of us will not realize the kind of success that Drake has, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start from the bottom and reach heights we didn’t expect. A consistent theme I hear from leaders in Customer Support and Customer Service is exactly that – they started from the bottom as an agent and then realized the “job” could be a successful career. Alisha Joseph started from the bottom, and she joined the show to talk about how support roles can be transformational for people.

• The Importance of Customer Support Opportunities• The Impact of Support Roles on Personal Growth• The Value of Diverse Backgrounds in Customer Service• Second Chances and Success Stories in Support Roles• Leadership and Empathy in Action• Building Future LeadersConnect with Ali on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alijoseph/

Savvy Service Pro Learning Solutions – bit.ly/SavvyServicePro

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/

Ridley Scott’s 2007 film, American Gangster, told the story of Harlem drug lord, Frank Lucas. Frank, played by Denzel Washington, confronts Nicky Barnes about the quality of the product he’s distributing in this scene. Nicky isn’t exactly receptive to this feedback. His focus is on short-term profits while Frank takes a longer-term view of the business and customer perception of the brand. Quality, be it the quality of a product, or the quality of service are huge components of brand reputation.

For any product or service, ensuring consistent, high-level quality comes at a cost. This is also true of contact centers. New advancements in technology are changing the financial cost of an effective quality assurance program, while also presenting new value to the businesses who care about how customers perceive their brand. ApexCX Sr. Consultant, JD Fairweather, brings his expertise to this conversation about the evolution of QA in contact centers.

We discuss: • Introduction to Quality in Contact Centers• The Evolution of QA Processes• Challenges in Quality Assurance and Agent Evaluation• The Emerging Role of AI in QA• Transforming Quality Assurance for Better Insights• The Future of QA in Contact CentersConnect with JD on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdfairweather/

ApexCX – https://apexcx.com/

Music courtesy of Big Red Horse – https://bigredhorseband.com/

Brought to you by Happitu – https://happitu.com/