This is the public square for all things contact center. This is where the world’s best Call & Contact center professionals come to get better at delivering a great experience for customers. Your contact center mentors - Amas Tenumah & Bob Furniss
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The podcast presents valuable insights from contact center leaders, tailor-made for their industry peers. We cover a diverse array of topics, such as AI integration, agent turnover management, revenue impact assessment, and transitioning perceptions from cost to value centers for starters.
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Because no one pictures themselves working at a call center, First Contact: Stories of the Call Center is a monthly podcast about how tech leaders and entrepreneurs found their way into the contact center industry.
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The Podcast for Contact Center and Customer Experience Leaders! Learn Best Practices, New Technology, Tips & Tricks, and more. Listen in!
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Established for 50 years, Ansafone Contact Centers offers world-class customer experience and brand care for its clients and business partners who are in need of call center services such as inbound calls, outbound calls, live 24/7 customer support, secured HIPAA -compliant text messaging, live chat, and more. Our podcast series is a media form to show and educate others in the industry or businesses interested in partnering with us on the real-case scenarios, ins and outs of the call center ...
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Summary In this episode, Amas and Bob discuss the complexities of hybrid work, particularly in the context of contact centers. They explore the evolution of remote work, the challenges of engaging employees in a hybrid environment, and the strategies leaders can implement to ensure success. The conversation highlights the importance of digital comm…
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Vivian Malandrin, Senior Manager of Customer Experience at Amazon Brazil, explains how customer obsession fuels Amazon's continued success. She emphasizes the company’s strong culture and leadership principles that prioritize customer needs. She also describes how real-time feedback and anecdotes drive innovation and improvements. “Customer obsessi…
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In this episode of First Contact: Stories of the Call Center, Christian Montes sits down with customer experience (CX) expert Annette Franz to explore the vital connection between employee experience (EX) and delivering exceptional CX. Annette shares her insights on building a customer-centric culture, effective journey mapping, and the role of dat…
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Thomas Lehner, Director of Global Support and Operations at Spryker, shares his journey from entrepreneur to global leader in customer experience. He emphasizes the role of an entrepreneurial mindset in fostering innovation, sustainable value, and effective feedback loops for continuous improvement. He also discusses the importance of aligning prod…
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**Key Highlights:** 1. **Introduction:** - Bob enjoys the banter with Amas about customer service challenges. 2. **Sister's Experience:** - Amas shares a story from his sister about difficulties in returning items, highlighting widespread customer service frustrations. - Discussion shifts to training as a core issue in service quality. 3. **The Tra…
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**Podcast Summary: Tackling Contact Center Attrition** In this episode, Amas and Bob dive into the persistent challenge of attrition in contact centers. They reminisce about Amas's experience running a center in the mid-2000s, where the attrition rate hovered around 7-9%. Surprisingly, even after 15 years, the current rate remains about the same. T…
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Shareth Ben, Chief Customer Officer at Apptega, shares insights on executing customer success strategies in large organizations. He emphasizes the role of change management, internal collaboration, and data-driven decision-making in driving competitive advantage. He also highlights the importance of aligning internal processes to enhance customer o…
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Anne-Sophie Engert, Head of Customer Care and Conversion at Sonova, stresses why boards should invest in contact centers by showcasing their potential to drive profits through superior customer experience. She explains that metrics such as CSAT, NPS, and repeat purchase rates measure success and demonstrate the financial return on investing in cust…
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In this episode, Amas and Bob dive into the ongoing struggle with knowledge management in contact centers—a problem that's been around since the Clinton administration. Despite years of technological advancements, knowledge management remains a significant challenge, with many customer service representatives still struggling to find the right info…
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Neal Dlin, Founder of Chorus Tree and the VP, Customer Service Experience at Aviso Wealth, critiques the outdated practices of 2024 contact centers, advocating for a shift from a manufacturing-based model to a human-centered approach. He stresses the need to understand employees and customers as individuals, challenges outdated KPIs, and underscore…
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***Episode Highlights:** 1. **In-Person Events vs. Online Meetings:** - Amas and Bob discuss the value of attending in-person events in an era dominated by virtual meetings. They argue that face-to-face interactions foster deeper connections, networking, and learning opportunities that virtual settings can't fully replicate. 2. **The Importance of …
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🎧 In today’s episode, Nate Brown shares his expert insights on leveraging customer-centric models and community to boost brand loyalty. Learn how integrating digital communities can transform customer interactions and feedback into a strategic advantage for your business. Nate discusses the crucial role of transparency and co-creation in deepening …
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Michael Fulvio, Director of Customer Experience at SNIPES, advises against the usual focus on Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) as a KPI. He stresses using diverse data points like incident rates, first reply times, and fulfillment metrics to address customer issues, improve operations, and drive revenue, thus enhancing the customer experience. By broad…
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Neelam Sandhu, Former Chief Elite Customer Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, & SVP Sustainability, shares insights on transforming sales strategies to focus on customer success. She discusses aligning sales with customer-centric approaches, the impact of technology on relationships, and key strategies for long-term engagement. Prioritizing customer…
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In this episode of the Contact Center Show, co-hosts Bob Furness and Amas reconnect to discuss the evolving landscape of contact centers, focusing on the challenges faced by agents in today’s complex work environment. They delve into the increasing isolation that many agents experience, particularly with the rise of remote and hybrid work models. A…
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In this episode, Craig Stoss, a Customer Experience Consultant with over 25 years of experience in the CX industry, explores the complexities of navigating the latest CX tech stacks, emphasizing the need to align technology with customer value. He discusses the impact of AI, analytics, and decision-making tools, highlighting their role in shaping a…
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Welcome back to the Contact Center Show! Amas and Bob kick off a new season with a dynamic conversation about the state of contact centers and the experiences of contact center agents. **Amas:** "Bob, it’s so good to see you again. How have you been?" **Bob:** "I’m doing well, Amas. It’s great to be back in front of the mic." The duo dives into the…
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In this episode, Lisa Del Fabbro, Customer Experience Manager of Lamour, explores the evolving role of CX leaders. She highlights the importance of listening to agents, data-driven decision-making, and AI integration. Del Fabbro stresses that agents' insights are vital for effective CX strategies, ensuring leaders stay connected to the customer’s f…
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In this episode, Nate Brown, Co-Founder of CX Accelerator, explores the servant challenger mentality in customer service, stressing the fusion of service and innovation. He champions a mindset where organizations meet and exceed customer expectations by fearlessly questioning norms. Nate emphasizes that embracing this approach is about satisfying c…
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The JEPPP Philosophy: Milan Batinich’s Guide to Professional Fulfillment
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Join us for an enlightening episode of First Contact: Stories of the Call Center, featuring Milan Batinich, a dynamic speaker, coach, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals discover joy, energy, passion, peace, and purpose—what he calls 'JEPPP'—in their careers. Milan brings a wealth of experience from operational and sales roles across …
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Sri Velamoor, Vice President of Global Support and Product Enablement at Workiva, discusses the importance of customer experience as a revenue growth driver. He emphasizes the necessity of addressing customers' emotional needs by aligning his concepts with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. He also illustrates how exceptional customer experience can give…
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Podcast Summary: The Future of Contact Centers with Amas and Bob Hosts: Amas and Bob Topic: The evolving landscape of contact centers and the impact of AI technology. Key Points: Introduction: Amas and Bob reunite to discuss the future of contact centers, emphasizing their long-standing involvement and passion for the industry. Industry Predictions…
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Andreas Janssen, CEO at Blauband GmbH, discusses human intelligence in customer support on the Contact Center Prospectus podcast. He stresses AI's role in enhancing processes but emphasizes human agents' irreplaceable abilities in personalized customer experiences. He also highlights customer support's strategic value for growth and satisfaction, u…
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Chancy Chen, Head of Omnichannel Customer Experience at T&T Supermarket, explores the evolution of omnichannel experiences in retail, emphasizing the shift in consumer behavior during and after the pandemic. He highlights the importance of a seamless approach to customer service, transforming it from a cost center to a revenue generator. He also de…
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Madelene Motin, Head of Customer Service at STRONGER, shares her extensive experience in customer service. She explains how customer service can evolve from a cost center to a growth driver. She shares examples of leveraging customer feedback, proactive strategies, and cross-department collaboration. She also highlights transforming customer servic…
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Steve Kaay, Contact Center Consultant at Kaay Enterprises LLC and an industry veteran with 30+ years, challenges the belief that outsourcing diminishes quality. He advocates for outsourcing's potential to enhance customer interactions by selecting the right BPO partner and investing in agent training. He also stresses the importance of culture and …
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Harini Gokul, Chief Customer Officer at Entrust, discusses how contact centers drive growth and impact the business's bottom-line revenue. She emphasizes customer engagement and proactive problem-solving and challenges the view of contact centers as cost centers. She also discusses changing mindsets, the importance of agent turnover, AI's impact on…
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Pat Ferdig, Chief Customer Officer at 441 Locals, highlights the need to address systematic resistance to sub-par performance. He points to the crucial role in driving growth and advocates reframing contact centers as pivotal to company expansion, not just cost centers. He stresses a human-centric approach, including listening to agents and integra…
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In this episode, Tracey Virtue, Chief Customer Officer at NEOGOV, highlights transforming contact centers into a competitive edge, primarily as vital customer feedback sources for other departments. With a wide range of her experiences within other departments, Tracey underscores contact centers' holistic impact, aiding organizational growth. She s…
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Transformative Leadership: Harnessing AI and EQ for Better Customer Interactions: Thomas Paley
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In this episode of "First Contact: Stories of the Call Center," Christian Montes interviews Thomas Paley, Director of Corporate Telecommunications and Contact Center Services at Hilton Grand Vacations. Thomas discusses his leadership philosophy, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, team empowerment, and soft skills. He also explor…
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In this podcast episode, we sit down with John Coulter, Vice President of Call Center Outsourcing Services at Five Star Call Centers. With over a decade of experience in the industry, John has been a trailblazer in transforming call centers into key drivers of business growth and customer loyalty. He shares his journey from starting on the phones t…
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Lauren Volpe, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Zip Co, emphasizes reframing contact centers from cost centers to value-added assets, highlighting AI's impact on enhancing the experiences of agents and customers. She shares insights from testing AI applications, stresses clear communication about AI benefits with agents, and underscores data ana…
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Candace Wallace, Chief Customer Officer at Relias, discusses the importance of putting the customer at the center of contact center scaling and the role of self-service in meeting customer needs. She emphasizes the need for personalized experiences based on data analysis and customer feedback. Wallace also explains why downward trends in metrics li…
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In this episode, Gemma DePalma, COO of Foria, stresses the significance of forming a well-rounded hybrid customer happiness team. She underscores the importance of integrating this team with other departments like marketing and operations. Gemma offers insights on empowering the team to transform negative experiences, the importance of active liste…
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Speed of Business, The ROI of Empathy and Innovation in CX: Jay Baer
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Join us for an enlightening discussion with Jay Baer, a pioneer in customer experience and digital marketing, now turned tequila influencer. This episode explores pivotal themes shaping the future of customer service and business strategy. Jay offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on accelerating business responsiveness, leveraging empa…
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Patrick Martin, Coveo's EVP of Customer Experience, delves into crafting a seamless customer journey. He stresses consistency across touchpoints, directly impacting a company’s bottom line. Martin draws from a PwC study, highlighting the costs of subpar experiences and the need to adapt to evolving customer demands. AI's integration in service, alo…
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Florian Schroeder, Head of Customer Success at Stepstone, discusses transforming contact centers from cost to value centers. He explores the importance of managing the customer journey, the collaboration between customer success, sales, and leadership, agent turnover, and the impact of contact centers on revenue and the organization's success. Flor…
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Tune in as we sit down with Josh Feast, the innovative mind behind Cogito, to discuss the transformative impact of technology on human emotions and connections within the fast-paced world of call centers. Josh shares invaluable insights into the development and application of AI and real-time guidance systems, the essence of effective leadership in…
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This is episode 1, Season 5 of First Contact Podcast: Stories of the Call Center! We're thrilled to bring you an incredible journey into the heart of customer service, with our special guest, Francis, a visionary leader with over 30 years of groundbreaking experience in the contact center industry. Transforming Contact Centers through Servant Leade…
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Bob, it has been a while since we have talked to the contact center show audience, and there are some rumors that I want to put to bed. Bob, the word on the street is we got rich and famous and we stopped putting out new show. I've gotten some responses from our fans. Can you put these rumors to bed? What actually happened here? Bob Well, as you ca…
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Empathy-Driven Contact Centers: From Complaints to Connections: Dr. Natalie Petouhoff
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Our last episode of Season 4 brings a refreshing perspective to the forefront of business transformation. Join us as we converse with Dr. Natalie Petouhoff, the visionary business consultant who has spearheaded transformative initiatives for giants like Salesforce, Hulu, General Motors, and Procter & Gamble. Together, we explore the core essence of…
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🎙️ Exciting News! Our latest podcast episode is now LIVE! Join us as we sit down with industry pioneer, Chris Robinson from Awaken, who has been at the forefront of customer communications for over 20 years. Dive deep into the evolution of self-service, the intricacies of onboarding in today's digital landscape, and the strategies to tackle churn e…
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From Nearshore to Global: Contact Center Outsourcing Excellence: Neal Topf
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In this insightful episode, we sit down with the dynamic Neal Topf, co-founder of Callzilla, the powerhouse behind some of the most outstanding outsourced contact center and business process services globally. With its roots firmly planted in sunny Miramar, Florida, Callzilla has been a beacon of excellence, pushing the boundaries of customer care …
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From Customer to Leader: Bridging Gaps in Contact Center Operations: Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis
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Welcome to another exciting episode of our podcast! This week, we are thrilled to have Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis with us. A known disruptor, operations geek, advocate for DEI, and a Silver Globee award recipient for Executive Excellence, Dr. Hui is a force to be reckoned with in the contact center industry. n this episode, we delve into her vast experience…
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In the rapidly evolving world of contact centers, the convergence of knowledge management and artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of transformation. This latest episode welcomes Micah Peterson, a seasoned professional with over 15 years in the knowledge management sector. As a Knowledge-Centered Services (KCS) certified expert, Peterson…
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Welcome to the newest episode of First Contact: Stories of the Call Center! In this episode, we're joined by none other than Dan Greenwell, the CEO of Customer Dynamics. With over three decades of business experience in executive roles, Dan has a wealth of insights and knowledge to share. His company, Customer Dynamics, is a leading force in creati…
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Amas and Bob take a look back a their third season of the Contact Center show. "I plan to spend the offseason doing nonprofit, keisha Warrior Princess, we aims to educate women on the importance of self exams and of gynological appointments annually."- Bob I'm increasingly getting feedback from people who are not deep into the contact center, but a…
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Bob and Amas discuss how you should prepare for CCaas: Three out of four contact centers today have not yet made the move. Every vendor is telling companies to make this move. The improvements are happening in their new cloud system. We're getting close to the point where this would be a baseline requirement. CCaaS allows agents to use all of their…
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Amas and Bob tell you how to separate the hype from reality with GPT: - AI will eliminate 75% of call center jobs. AI will even make your bed. These are some of the real headlines about what generative AI things like Chat GPT will do to the contact center. - I think the next knowledge will be the impact. It's going to affect the way that we write k…
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Get ready to dive into the newest episode of our podcast, where we had an engaging and insightful conversation with the brilliant Jim Iyoob, Chief Customer Officer at Etech Global Services. 🎙️ Jim is at the helm of a company that is known for its outstanding customer engagement solutions, including contact center services, customer support, sales, …
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