Experience Action

Is “surprise and delight” really the secret to customer loyalty, or is reliability your real superpower? In this episode, we challenge one of CX’s biggest myths: that delight always wins. Many brands, especially in B2B, utilities, or financial services, build trust not through flashy moments but through consistent, dependable service. We explore how neglected touchpoints, like billing or scheduling, can become powerful moments of emotional connection when approached with a bit of personality and care. You’ll also learn how to build an “emotional bank account” that pays off during service hiccups, and why small, intentional improvements can be more impactful than chasing viral wow moments. Think TSA’s surprisingly fun social media presence as inspiration. Tune in to rethink what really drives customer trust—and how your brand can strike the right balance between consistency and creativity. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com What Are Micromoments & Why Are They So Important? -- https://experienceinvestigators.com/customer-journey-maps/tedx-jeannie-walters/ Download the free CX Mission Statement Workbook -- https://bit.ly/cx-mission-workbook Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

When half a billion customers interact with your service each year, you gain rare insight into what truly drives—or destroys—customer loyalty. In this CX Pulse Check, Jeannie welcomes Marcus Story, Corporate Director of Customer Experience and Social Customer Care at Delaware North, for a candid conversation about the state of travel and hospitality during the busy summer season. They take a hard look at American Airlines’ new customer experience advisory board—and the surprising lack of actual customers at the table. Marcus shares why involving real travelers is essential to driving meaningful change, especially as competitors like Delta and United prioritize more customer-focused strategies. The discussion also explores the evolving role of AI in hospitality. While automation and personalization technologies open new doors, Marcus and Jeannie stress that technology should complement—not replace—genuine human connections. Through personal stories, they highlight how small, thoughtful gestures can leave a lasting impact. Rounding out the episode, they examine United Airlines’ new airport arrival policy and what it reveals about communication gaps and the overall customer journey. Whether you work in CX or simply love to travel, you’ll walk away with fresh insights on balancing efficiency, innovation, and the timeless value of human touchpoints. About Marcus Story: Marcus brings nearly 20 years of experience managing and delivering exceptional customer and guest experiences across hospitality and service industries. Marcus, who has been a Delaware North team member for 13 years, is the leader of the company’s global customer experience strategy and platform, called GuestPath®. Before Delaware North, Marcus honed his customer experience expertise at well-known organizations like Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group. Aside from his direct experience, Marcus has earned certifications as a Certified Customer Experience Professional (via the Customer Experience Professionals Association) and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. He attended California State University, Sacramento, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and holds a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from California State University, Long Beach. Follow Marcus on... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusstory/ Articles Mentioned: - American Airlines names members of new Customer Experience Advisory Board (American Airlines Newsroom) -- https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2025/American-Airlines-names-members-of-new-Customer-Experience-Advisory-Board-MKG-OTH-06/default.aspx - How AI-powered CX strategies can better meet guest expectations (Hotel Dive) -- https://www.hoteldive.com/news/artificial-intelligence-cx-strategies-hotel-guest/749477/ - United Passengers Are Required to Check In Earlier Starting June 3 (Condé Nast Traveler) -- https://www.cntraveler.com/story/united-airlines-check-in-time-change Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Why do so many customer experience initiatives fail to gain traction? Often, the challenge isn't the strategy itself, but how we build bridges with skeptical leaders. CX leadership requires empathy, strategy, and communication. Stepping into a CX role means asking colleagues to embrace change, which can feel like added pressure. The most successful CX leaders recognize this challenge and approach it with empathy, connecting the dots between customer satisfaction and departmental goals—whether that’s showing finance how retention boosts revenue or demonstrating to operations how journey improvements reduce costs. Effective CX leaders also make abstract ideas tangible through tools like journey mapping, customer feedback videos, and direct quotes. These bring the customer experience to life, helping leaders understand how their decisions affect the customer. By inviting participation early, you turn resistance into collaboration. Customer experience is a commitment, not a department. As your initiatives grow, position yourself as a bridge—helping others see how CX can align with their goals—and watch them adopt customer-focused projects on their own. Curious about where to focus your CX leadership efforts? Visit cxicompass.com to answer 11 simple questions and receive personalized guidance on your next steps. Your journey to organizational alignment starts with understanding that change happens with people, not to them. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Ultimate Guide to Customer Journey Maps -- https://experienceinvestigators.com/ultimate-guide-to-customer-journey-maps/ CX Success Statement Workbook -- https://bit.ly/cx-success-workbook Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Customer experience failures often illuminate the path to real transformation. In this episode, we explore how common CX missteps—from disconnected tools and siloed teams to unused customer data—can undermine trust and stall growth. The pandemic exposed just how fragile customer loyalty can be. Brands like Peloton had to pivot quickly as expectations shifted overnight, revealing the importance of clear communication and leadership. True CX success begins with executive alignment, a defined mission, and a strategy that ties customer insights to business outcomes. Empower your teams to challenge assumptions and stay attuned to what matters now—not yesterday. Ready to transform your approach to customer experience? Take our quick assessment at cxicompass.com to discover your organization's strengths and opportunities. Share this episode with colleagues who are passionate about customer-centricity, and join us in turning experience insights into strategic action. Resources Mentioned: Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Are you keeping pace with what your customers really expect? Customer behaviors—where they abandon journeys, which tools they use, and how they move between channels—reveal critical, unspoken expectations. Your competition isn’t just your industry; it’s every standout experience your customers have elsewhere. AI holds powerful potential—but not as just a cost-saver. When applied strategically, it becomes an experience amplifier, enabling personalization, speed, and emotionally intelligent interactions at scale. Modern customers build their own journeys across brands, platforms, and touchpoints. To stay relevant, CX leaders must respond with modular strategies, real-time responsiveness, and a bold, values-driven identity. The next generation of customers is already telling us: loyalty is earned through alignment, not just convenience. Curious about where to start? Visit CXIMembership.com for on-demand resources, live events and a community of professionals tackling these same challenges. The future of CX demands we become true experience investigators – approaching our work with both strategic discipline and genuine curiosity about what tomorrow's customers will expect. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Learn more about CXI Membership™ and apply -- http://CXIMembership.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

What happens when we recognize employees as multi-dimensional humans instead of just job titles? The results can transform both customer and employee experience in powerful ways. In this CX Pulse Check, John Garrett, author of What's Your And?, shares how companies that invest in employee experience see powerful returns—like 28% revenue growth and 50% higher sales from customer-facing teams who feel valued. From knitting groups at ServiceNow to Starbucks choosing people over AI, we explore how personal passions at work drive connection, loyalty, and business success. John also highlights the need to support high-performing employees to prevent burnout and sustain long-term engagement. This conversation is a compelling reminder: when people can be themselves at work, everyone wins—employees, customers, and the bottom line. About John Garrett: John Garrett—award-winning author and people-centric leadership speaker—is on a mission to create thriving workplaces. What the CPA-turned-professional comedian turned two-time Emmy nominee may do best is champion the human side of professionals, consulting with organizations to develop more productive cultures while shining a light on their people’s rich lives outside of work. And his book, What’s Your “And”?, was named a Distinguished Favorite by the Independent Press Awards and it was recently featured in Forbes. Learn more about John and "What's Your And?" at https://thejohngarrett.com or https://whatsyourand.com/ Follow John and What's Your And on... X/Twitter: https://x.com/The_JohnGarrett X/Twitter: https://x.com/Whats_Your_And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/John_R_Garrett Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WhatsYourAnd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohngarrett/ Articles Mentioned: - Why These Companies Let Team Members Share and Explore Personal Passions at Work (Built In Seattle) -- https://www.builtinseattle.com/articles/why-these-companies-let-team-members-share-and-explore-personal-passions-work - To Leverage Employee Passion, Save It for When It Counts (Harvard Business School) -- https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/in-cost-cutting-era-save-passion-for-when-it-counts - Starbucks doubles down on baristas, not AI, to fix its customer crunch (Business Insider) -- https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-investing-humans-rivals-bet-ai-2025-5 Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

There's a world of opportunity waiting for marketing professionals looking to pivot into customer experience. In this episode, we tackle a timely question from a recent graduate wondering how to leverage his marketing background to break into CX. Marketing and customer experience share significant DNA - both focus on understanding customers, building relationships, and communicating value. The key difference? While marketing often zeroes in on conversion, CX professionals must adopt a holistic view of the entire customer journey. Your marketing skills in audience segmentation, messaging, and basic journey mapping provide a solid foundation, but success in CX requires shifting your perspective to consider how customers feel at every touchpoint, from first awareness through ongoing loyalty and even departure. The full customer journey extends far beyond the sale. You have foundational skills that will set you apart in customer experience, and you're joining a field known for collaboration and knowledge sharing. Connect with the CX community, explore resources like our Learning Center at experienceinvestigators.com, and embrace the journey of continuous growth that defines this dynamic profession. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Learn more about CXI Membership™ and apply -- http://CXIMembership.com Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

What truly creates an exceptional employee experience? The answer goes far beyond competitive compensation and trendy office perks. Employee and customer experiences are inextricably linked - you simply cannot separate these two crucial elements of business success. When employees feel valued, aligned with purpose, and empowered to make decisions, that positive energy naturally flows through to customer interactions, driving better results for everyone. The foundation of great employee experience rests on three essential pillars. First, a purpose-driven culture rooted in a clear mission statement gives employees something bigger than themselves to work toward. Second, employees need clarity around what success looks like and how their specific role contributes to it. The third pillar is genuine empowerment through proper tools, training, trust and support. While benefits and compensation matter, they're merely table stakes. The true elevation of employee experience comes when people connect to purpose and understand that customer experience is everyone's business. Ready to transform your employee and customer experiences? Visit experienceinvestigators.com for resources or join our membership at cxmembership.com to access on-demand courses that will help you build a truly customer-centric organization from the inside out. Resources Mentioned: Download the free CX Mission Statement Workbook -- https://bit.ly/cx-mission-workbook Get the Employee Journey Map Template -- https://bit.ly/ejmtemplate Learn more about CXI Membership™ and apply -- http://CXIMembership.com Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

What happens when customer experience principles meet public service? Jeannie Walters answers a thoughtful question and explores how government agencies and public institutions can create exceptional citizen experiences despite not being driven by traditional profit motives. The conversation begins with reimagining success metrics beyond customer acquisition and retention. For public sector organizations, value creation takes different forms—like operational efficiencies, higher compliance rates, and broader service accessibility. Jeannie explains how connecting back to purpose through an experience mission statement creates the foundation for meaningful improvements that align with public good. Journey mapping emerges as a powerful tool for identifying friction points in citizen interactions. By examining specific processes with clear goals and scope, organizations can simplify procedures, humanize interactions, and clarify requirements—addressing common complaints about government bureaucracy. The podcast explores practical strategies for co-creation with citizens, employee empowerment, and designing for inclusivity. Jeanne shares compelling examples of public institutions that transformed service delivery models to reach underserved populations, demonstrating that creativity and empathy can flourish even within government frameworks. Her insights on communication improvements, measuring meaningful metrics, and sharing success stories provide a roadmap for any public sector organization ready to elevate their citizen experience. Ready to transform your organization's approach to citizen service? Listen now for actionable strategies that respect people's time, needs, and dignity—ultimately strengthening public trust and delivering on your mission. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing customer experience—but are businesses applying it with care? In this compelling episode, CX expert Jeannie Walters sits down with Ovetta Sampson, an AI design leader with a decade of experience at IDEO and Google, to explore how companies can harness AI without compromising trust. Ovetta challenges common assumptions with a powerful statement: “AI is neither artificial nor intelligent.” From chatbots that fabricate policies to biased algorithms in loan approvals, she shares eye-opening examples of how AI can go wrong—and what to do about it. Learn why AI needs continuous testing, feedback loops, and what Ovetta calls “Mike Tyson proofing” to avoid delivering broken experiences. She also offers a practical framework for implementation: focus AI efforts on your most frustrating customer touchpoints, not just where it’s easy. Looking to use AI more effectively in your organization? Ovetta is offering listeners an exclusive discount on to our listeners. Start building smarter, safer customer experiences. Use the coupon code "experience" for a 50% discount on one of the following: Coupon Code is: experience Redeem at www.rightainow.com/appointments About Ovetta Sampson: Named one of the Top 15 People in Enterprise Artificial Intelligence by Business Insider in 2023, Ovetta Sampson is a tech industry leader who has worked with multiple technologies to help solve some of the biggest problems facing multiple industries. Leading engineers, designers and researchers, at top companies such as Microsoft, IDEO and Capital One, Ovetta has been designing and developing machine learning, artificial intelligence and enterprise software solutions for more than a decade. She left her last job as Director AI and Compute Enablement at Google to found Right AI, a consultancy that helps organizations and businesses minimize the human engagement risks when implementing AI. Follow Ovetta on... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ovettasampson/ Articles Mentioned: A Contact Center Chatbot Invents Company Policies, Now Customers Want Out When Algorithms Deny Loans: The Fraught Fight to Purge Bias from AISingapore Airlines Elevates Customer Experience With $45 Million Investment In Changi AirportResources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Customer experience initiatives aren't delivering the results you expected? The answer might lie in a critical but often overlooked disconnect: the gap between your customer experience mission and your employee experience reality. In this thought-provoking episode, Jeannie Walters tackles a question about aligning a company's CX mission statement with the actual employee experience. When organizations promise customers convenience, empathy, or frictionless interactions while their employees struggle with clunky systems, bureaucratic processes, or micromanagement, the disconnect creates more than just employee dissatisfaction – it undermines the entire customer experience strategy before it reaches a single customer. The episode reveals how employee and customer experience together uncovers powerful insights about your organization. By analyzing the connections between employee engagement and customer satisfaction, you can identify patterns that highlight best practices to replicate or problem areas to address. Remember: your CX mission statement exists to help everyone understand their role in providing meaningful experiences – not just to external customers but to internal ones too. When employees feel the values you claim to uphold, they become your most powerful advocates for delivering those same values to customers. Ready to create true alignment between what you say and what you do? Listen now and transform your approach to experience. Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators Website -- experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Trust is key to managing customer expectations in today’s fast-changing world. While perfection isn’t possible, transparency is—and customers deeply value honesty. When transparency is your default, disappointments become opportunities for connection. Take the supplement company that added flavoring to an unflavored product: instead of ignoring feedback, they addressed it openly, building stronger relationships. Whether it’s a service delay or a product change, a simple heads-up can turn complaints into appreciation. Expectations are shaped by every brand interaction—not just yours. That means your competition isn’t just your industry, but every company your customers engage with. Successful businesses continuously revisit promises and review touchpoints to close gaps before they widen. Empathy is your strongest tool. Change is hard, but clear, compassionate communication—explaining the “why” and how you’ll help—builds trust and respect. Want to level up your strategy? Take our free CXI Compass assessment at cxicompass.com to find your top priorities. Understanding expectations is the first step to exceeding them. Resources Mentioned: Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Customer experience leadership is not just about gathering insights—it's about securing genuine organizational buy-in. In this special episode of the Experience Action podcast, our host Jeannie Walters sits down with Sasha Fard, Country Lead for Customer Experience Management at Capital One Canada, to reveal the often-overlooked secret to successful CX implementation. Speaking from the bustling Medallia Experience 2025 event in Las Vegas, Fard dismantles the common misconception that actionable Voice of Customer data alone drives change. The real challenge? Getting cross-functional leaders to not just review customer feedback but commit to acting on it. What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Fard's practical approach to change management. Following ADKAR principles (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement), he demonstrates how CX professionals must transform themselves into skilled salespeople for their initiatives. "You need to be a good salesperson too," Fard advises, "because you're selling an idea, you're selling an approach." This means understanding stakeholder objectives, speaking their language, and showing how CX directly supports their goals—not overwhelming them with metrics and industry jargon. The most compelling takeaway? Start small, demonstrate value, and scale gradually. By securing incremental commitments rather than demanding wholesale change, CX leaders can build the credibility needed to expand their influence. This approach earned Capital One the Global CXPA Impact Award, recognizing their success in driving tangible business outcomes through customer experience initiatives. Ready to transform how you approach CX leadership? Follow Sasha Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashafard/ Resources Mentioned: Medallia Experience -- https://www.medallia.com/experience/ Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

It's time for another CX Pulse Check to discuss current events and innovations in CX. In this illuminating conversation with Enrique Rubio, Founder at Hacking HR and Head of Global Community at Transform, and our host Jeannie Walters, we uncover how innovative organizations are finally bridging this gap through strategic use of data and technology. Fresh from our encounters at Qualtrics' X4 conference, Enrique and Jeannie explore how our experiences as consumers now directly shape our expectations as employees. They examine Apple's $500 billion US investment through this lens, discussing not just the business implications but what it means for talent development and organizational design. The conversation turns to Ford's data-driven approach to employee experience, revealing how established companies with strong legacies can use analytics to understand workforce needs around career development and digital readiness. Perhaps most provocatively, they challenge prevailing wisdom about remote work. Discover how connecting the dots between customer and employee experience can create competitive advantage where expectations are constantly evolving. About Enrique Rubio: Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert, keynote speaker and founder of global communities. Enrique is currently an advisor to the community he built, Hacking HR, a global learning community operating at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world; and the Head of Global Community at Transform, building a global community of local chapters covering every major city and region in the world. Enrique is one of the top 100 HR global influencers. He was the founder and CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Before Management Consultants, Enrique worked in the telecommunications sector as a Senior Project Engineer for Telefonica and several other companies in the early to mid-2000s. Enrique is a guest author in several blogs about innovation, management and human resources. Most recently Enrique worked as an advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Inter-American Development Bank. Enrique frequently speaks about topics ranging from DEIB, future of work, HR strategy, employee experience, technology, among others. Additionally, Enrique designs hundreds of learning programs for the HR community in the form of events and short-term programs. Enrique is a Fulbright Scholar, and Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Maxwell School at Syracuse University. Follow Enrique on... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/ Articles Mentioned: Apple’s $500 billion U.S. investment: What HR leaders need to know (HR Executive) Ford's data-driven approach to Employee Experience (Diginomica) Resources Mentioned: Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

What happens when you bring together experience leaders from healthcare and elite sports education? You discover powerful insights that transcend industries and reveal universal truths about creating exceptional experiences. Meet Heather Brace, Chief People Officer at Intermountain Healthcare with its 68,000 employees across six states, and Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Officer at IMG Academy, the world-renowned training ground for elite athletes. Both leaders share a remarkable commitment to turning feedback into action. Our host, Jeannie Walters, had the privilege of interviewing them at the X4 conference hosted by Qualtrics in Salt Lake City in March of 2025. Their organizations have rejected traditional annual surveys in favor of frequent, targeted listening programs that capture real-time sentiment. As Heather explains, "What does an employee remember? Probably what happened in the last 30 days." Both have created what they call "closed-loop" feedback systems where they not only collect insights but transparently communicate the actions they'll take as a result. The most compelling revelation? Their data shows that employee engagement hinges on surprisingly simple human elements. At Intermountain Healthcare, they discovered that employees who stay past the four-year mark typically remain for ten years or more. This insight drove them to map the complete employee journey, identifying critical moments where intervention could improve retention. Meanwhile, IMG Academy has developed highly personalized approaches that align students, parents and staff around individualized development plans. As Mike powerfully states, "We've found you can do more damage than good if you ask for insights and then just sit on it." Ready to transform your organization's approach to experience? Listen now and discover how these leaders have built cultures where feedback drives meaningful change, accountability matters, and experiences are designed around authentic human needs. Follow Heather Brace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-brace/ Follow Mike Milliron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-milliron-6a234713/ Resources Mentioned: Qualtrics -- https://www.qualtrics.com/ Experience Investigators -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

The magic of attending a truly exceptional event stays with us long after we've returned home. What makes some events so memorable while others fade quickly from memory? In this episode, we tackle a listener question about customer experience best practices for event planners seeking to create standout experiences. Drawing from her extensive experience as both keynote speaker and attendee, Jeannie walks through practical recommendations that can elevate any event, regardless of size or budget. We start with seemingly small touches that make significant impacts - from double-sided name tags that don't flip around to clear wayfinding that helps attendees navigate unfamiliar venues confidently. These foundational elements create a sense of care and competence that permeates the entire experience. Beyond logistics, we explore how thoughtful programming, personalized communications, and intentionally curated networking opportunities build meaningful connections between participants. We emphasize the importance of inclusivity through accessibility accommodations, dietary options, and creating sensory-friendly spaces where introverts and others can recharge. Looking toward the future, we imagine how artificial intelligence might transform events through personalized agendas while preserving space for those serendipitous hallway conversations that often become highlights of in-person gatherings. Have you experienced an event that completely exceeded your expectations? Or perhaps you're planning one yourself? Want to create an unforgettable event experience? Let’s make it happen! Jeannie Walters brings real-world customer experience insights, engaging storytelling, and actionable strategies to help your audience think differently about CX. Whether it’s a keynote, workshop, or panel discussion, we’d love to help make your event stand out. Visit ExperienceInvestigators.com to learn more and to book Jeannie for your next event! Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Customer support leaders are often trapped in a cycle of "number narration" - reporting metrics without connecting them to organizational value. In this insightful episode addressing a listener's question about reporting as a new support leader, Jeannie dives into how to transform your customer support metrics into meaningful business impact stories. The key isn't just tracking first response time, resolution rates, or customer satisfaction scores - it's understanding why these metrics matter and how they directly contribute to retention, revenue, and organizational success. When leadership doesn't see this connection, customer experience initiatives become vulnerable to cost-cutting measures despite their crucial role in protecting brand reputation and driving business growth. Whether you're new to leading a support team or looking to more effectively communicate your department's value, this episode provides actionable guidance for building meaningful scorecards that balance performance tracking with strategic business alignment. Ready to stop being a number narrator and start showing real business impact? This episode will show you how. Resources Mentioned: CX Success Statement Workbook -- https://bit.ly/cx-success-workbook Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Register for our webinar: What The C-Suite Needs to Know -- https://bit.ly/CXNeedToKnow Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Healthcare and customer experience have more in common than you might think. Brian Carlson, VP of Patient Experience at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins Jeannie Walters for a CX Pulse Check to explore these fascinating parallels that are reshaping how we think about caring for patients. In this episode, they discuss: Despite the challenges facing healthcare, Brian's powerful reminder resonates throughout our conversation: "We do far more right than we do wrong." Healthcare professionals perform life-saving, transformative work every day, often in difficult circumstances. The evolution of patient experience isn't about criticizing what's wrong but enhancing the incredible care already happening. Ready to bridge customer and patient experience in your organization? Connect with Brian on LinkedIn to follow his insights, and explore our resources at experienceinvestigators.com to support your experience journey. About Brian Carlson: Brian Carlson has over 20 years of experience in large academic health systems and private group practices. He is currently the Vice President of Patient Experience at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) (http://www.vanderbilthealth.org), where he has significantly improved patient experience and operational efficiency since 2007. Brian has a proven track record of driving financial and operational success. At VUMC, he enhanced the patient experience percentile rank and developed programs to boost workforce culture and patient engagement. Previously, he served as CEO/COO of Olean Medical Group and Practice Manager for Obstetrics & Gynecology at Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation. He holds dual master's degrees in Health Services Administration and Business Administration from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wittenberg University. Follow Brian on... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrcarlson-nashville Articles Mentioned: Press Ganey CMO on 'The Pitt': Doctor Report Cards Are Really About Systems (Newsweek) -- https://www.newsweek.com/press-ganey-cmo-pitt-doctor-report-cards-are-really-about-systems-2029009 What Lush learned from three years of being mostly offline (Marketing Brew) -- https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2025/02/24/lush-anti-social-media-strategy AI-driven research uncovers how physician media choice shapes online patient experience (Nevada Today) -- https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2025/ai-physician-communication Resources Mentioned: Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- http://cxicompass.com Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Ready to take your customer experience to the next level? In this episode, we dive deep into the essentials of establishing a proactive feedback strategy that not only gathers insights from customers but also transforms those insights into meaningful actions. Jeannie Walters shares her expertise on the significance of understanding customer sentiment and how to strategically implement feedback to enhance business results. We explore the common pitfalls companies face when they collect data without a cohesive strategy. Furthermore, we discuss the necessity of a robust feedback loop, where organizations not only analyze customer behaviors but actively inform customers about changes being made based on their input. Trust is essential in fostering a customer-centric culture, and knowing how to close that loop can turn casual customers into loyal advocates. Are you ready to learn how to refine your customer experience strategy? Tune in for actionable insights that can help you strengthen relationships with your customers, turn insights into actions, and truly understand what your customers are telling you. Resources Mentioned: Take the CXI Compass™ assessment -- cxicompass.com Experience Investigators Website -- experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)

Ready to elevate your customer experience game as a leader? In this engaging episode, we explore the pivotal questions every aspiring CX professional should ask during executive interviews. Jeannie shares practical advice on evaluating success metrics beyond traditional feedback loops, and the importance of resource allocation to drive effective strategy. Listeners will uncover strategies for assessing an organization's commitment to customer experience, from cultural fit to the resources available for successful execution. Whether you're a seasoned CX leader or looking to break into leadership, this episode is packed with actionable insights that will prepare you for success. Tune in to discover how to turn customer experience discussions into impactful actions and position yourself as a leader who can drive sustainable customer-centric initiatives. Resources Mentioned: Take the CXI® Compass assessment -- http://cxicompass.com/ Experience Investigators Website -- https://experienceinvestigators.com Want to ask a question? Visit askjeannie.vip to leave Jeannie a voicemail! (And don't forget to follow Jeannie on LinkedIn! www.linkedin.com/in/jeanniewalters/)