The Reason Why You Will Never Become Customer Centric

Business failures are all around us, nothing new there then. If we go back a decade or so we saw the demise of Nokia, we’ve seen companies like Blockbuster crash and burn, and other companies in the High Street whether it’s in Europe or in the US disappear and never to be seen again.

Why is this so? When you look at the investment those companies were making there was no lack of intent to spend in understanding how the customer was changing. In the year that Apple introduced the iPhone Nokia was investing heavily in voice of the customer (VOC) surveys, customer satisfaction and NPS.

But they missed the point. Progressive Outside-In companies (think Amazon, Zara, Zappos, Emirates) are not about retrospective subjective analysis of perceived performance.

Also it isn’t about overlaying processes with a new language when fundamentally the very systems and processes were never designed to deliver customer experiences. Those now creaking processes were designed with a factory mindset centred around production line thinking, throughput and waste. Hence the challenge for many is more fundamental as it’s not about rejigging what you’re doing – it is about a complete rethink to move outside in the way that you do business.

Remarkably even in the third decade of the 21st century there are still those companies that think they can just tweak and change the language inside their organisations.

As if doing better advertising and marketing to customers and talking about ‘new’ services on top of their existing infrastructures and IT systems hacks it. The actual reality is somewhat different.

Senior Executive commentary

Top teams and senior executives need to grasp this challenge. Roland Naidoo, a senior executive at African based entertainments company Multichoice puts the choice starkly:

“Would you measure how fast a 1600cc car performed around an F1 circuit. No? Then why would you try to measure customer experience AND improve it on processes and products there were never designed with experience in mind. Go on enter your 1600 into the next F1. Wonder how it would perform?”

Roland Naidoo, Multichoice Africa

Lipstick on a Pig? Surely not…

Those companies who understand that ‘outside-in’ thinking calls for a complete realignment and new appraisal of what the customer experience consists of.

Rather than, to coin a phrase, putting lipstick on a pig. You have actually got to think about what is it you’re trying to achieve; what does success look like for our customer? And then align across all functions, all systems and ways of working towards successful customer outcomes. Disney refers to this alignment as getting everybody to understand where true north is and not to do anything unless it contributes to that alignment. Imagine all new initiatives being assessed by a similar approach?

Are you working in a Rubik cube?

Another aspect which comes into play is this idea that traditional measurement* is predominantly subjective and retrospective. Progressive outside in companies are not reactive – they get scientific about the customer experience.

Measuring each interaction as it happens and if necessary course-correcting in real-time. They develop the ability to see around corners to understand what’s coming next. They don’t have to wait for analysis 2 weeks after an event to decide that some remedial action is required.

This knowledge in the instance of what is happening requires us to create this idea of ‘action in the moment’ for all our employees. Zappos**, for instance, give their employees the tools and the capability to be able to make decisions in the moment (without the need to escalate to supervisors).

Industrial Age thinking will kill you

And there is another challenge companies face if they are still organised around functional specialist silos. If you’ve recruited low paid people and given them a script to follow, manage them to average handle times and throughputs you’re going to fail.

Once more the outside-in companies have an edge here as they understand that to give your most precious resource (the customer) to the employees then you need the right people in the right place able to do the right things at that moment of truth.

So what is your organization doing? is it trying to put lipstick on the pig? is it just trying to overlay the existing process is an infrastructure with this new customer-centric way of talking and doing?

It is very simple. You need to get down to brass tacks of rethinking what customer experience is all about its implication for the organisation going forward. Those organisations that are taking this outside-in approach find the world becomes simpler, faster and much more directly oriented towards delivering successful customer outcomes and winning for the bottom line.


* Why does traditional measurement fail?
from the CX Rockstar aka James Dodkins at https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6566333517070954496/

** Zappos – Wow customer service: https://www.forbes.com/sites/micahsolomon/2018/09/15/the-secret-of-wow-customer-service-is-breathing-space-just-ask-zappos/#7da91ff01b2c

Roland Naidoo can be reached at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roland-d-naidoo-b403a029/

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OutsideIn goes ONLINE with Steve Towers

Hey, Steve here,

We all know times are difficult so I wanted to use the current challenges of many of us in self-isolation to our collective advantage and launch a spiffy online series of sessions focused on the very latest ‘Next practices’ to complement your customer experience/process certification.

Steve keynoting in Romania in March 2020

For the first time ever, I’ll be teaching Outside-In 2020 Vision Workshop starting soon with SIX sessions over SIX weeks, and then a Bonus seventh session.

This training will be held online in a live weekly interactive video class. You’ll get your questions answered, see live-action, and practice with others. Each week will be about 3 hours.

If you’ve already found value in customer experience and process thinking, and want to go farther, I hope you join these sessions.


DATES for the Six LIVE Sessions (and timezones)

South Africa – Register Here Now  >> Monday: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 <<

Australasia – Register Here Now  >> Tuesday: April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12 <<

USA – Register Here Now  >> Wednesday April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13 <<

Europe – Register Here Now  >> Thursday April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14 <<


PRICES

Session One Only (to test if this works for you) USD 97 AUD EURO
Session 1-6
(early bird) USD 297 AUD EURO
Session 1-6 USD 597 AUD EURO


Explore Deeper Outside-In

This will be an opportunity for people already using the CEMMethod to go farther and to systematically explore significant areas of process and customer experience transformation. Working together as a group we can learn from and be inspired by each other, as well as gain from Steve’s experience.

We will learn…

  • New Outside-In principles.
  • New methods and formats.
  • Learn more about advanced Outside-In practices.
  • How to deal with challenges we’ve encountered – in our own work and with the people in our organisations.
  • Learn and begin to deploy the Outside-In Customer Performance Landscape. This is a powerful tool that literally connects the dots of everyone and everything an enterprise does.
  • How to integrate the different approaches and formats into a single approach.

Woven into the teaching, we’ll have the opportunity to explore unexpected aspects of Outside-In and the CEMMethod as they emerge.

Because this work is operating on a different level than most of us are accustomed to, frequently small (or big) “misunderstandings” on the part of the unconscious mind can hold us back — until our system “gets it.” We will explore how to identify these “misunderstandings” and how to create new insights and “aha” moments.
 
DATES for the Six LIVE Sessions (and timezones)

South Africa – Register Here Now  >> Monday: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 <<

Australasia – Register Here Now  >> Tuesday: April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12 <<

USA – Register Here Now  >> Wednesday April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13 <<

Europe – Register Here Now  >> Thursday April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14 <<


My personal interest in teaching this

From my experience so far, I believe thinking and practising Outside-In has the potential to guide each of us individually on a path that is transformative. And because it brings more wisdom, clarity, compassion, and humour, it can bring needed healing and transformation to our world.

I would like to support those wanting this deep transformation, and those wanting to coach others, to have the skills and experience that will make this possible. That’s the purpose of this Advanced Outside-In Training for 2020.

I’ll be including as much as I can fit in of what I’ve learned over the past two decades exploring this work in my own life.
 

Seeing Outside-In online soon

Live Online Video Training

This will be an online course, so you can participate from any location. We’ll have interactive video, so it will be much like in-person training — except you won’t have any travel costs.

A big benefit from this course will be participating in the paired exercises with coaching available. Each exercise will take us into different Outside-In territory. 

Training Dates & Times

We’ll meet approximately 3 hours, once a week, for 6 sessions.
After the training, there will be a bonus coaching session to help integrate the learning.

DATES for the Six LIVE Sessions (and timezones)

South Africa – Register Here Now  >> Monday: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 <<

Australasia – Register Here Now  >> Tuesday: April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12 <<

USA – Register Here Now  >> Wednesday April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13 <<

Europe – Register Here Now  >> Thursday April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14 <<


PRICES

Session One Only (to test if this works for you) USD 97 AUD EURO
Session 1-6
(early bird) USD 297 AUD EURO
Session 1-6 USD 597 AUD EURO

How this Online Training Works

  • The training will happen online through Zoom.
     
  • This will be an extended training, meeting approximately 3 hours, once a week, for 6 sessions. Each session we’ll learn at least one new format. As with the live training, I’ll demonstrate each new method, you’ll be able to practice each method, and we’ll have time for discussion afterwards.
     
  • We’ll be able to include everyone’s video feed so that we can see and hear each other. When I’m talking you’ll see and hear me. Then when I do a demonstration, you’ll be able to see me and the work I am doing. When there’s a discussion, we’ll be able to see who is sharing.
     
  • We’ll be able to do exercises in pairs, by using Zoom’s “room” feature. Each pair will have their own “video room” to do the exercise, and you’ll be able to raise your hand and call me into your room if you want coaching assistance. Once the exercise is done we’ll return to the meeting as a group.
Access the recordings of the sessions, anywhere anytime to suit your Needs.

 Recordings You Can Review
Each training session will be recorded, and you’ll have the opportunity to view the recording as many times as you like in between sessions. If you have to miss a session, you can catch up by viewing the video. The recordings will remain available (to training participants only), until 2 weeks after the last training session.

Extra Support
Included in this training, I’m offering a follow-up group coaching session, (meeting online and recorded), just for participants in this training. The intention of this coaching session is to support you in integrating your new learnings about Outside-In, in your life and your ongoing practice. You’ll be able to share how things are going and ask questions about challenges, or anything else.
 
Who is Eligible
If you’ve already found value in customer experience, process thinking or Outside-In, and want to go farther, I do hope you will join us on this exciting journey. Of course, if you have gone on further to become a Master or Champion this training will help you be even more effective.
Check with us if you have any questions.


DATES for the Six LIVE Sessions (and timezones)

South Africa – Register Here Now  >> Monday: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 <<

Australasia – Register Here Now  >> Tuesday: April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12 <<

USA – Register Here Now  >> Wednesday April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13 <<

Europe – Register Here Now  >> Thursday April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14 <<


PRICES

Session One Only (to test if this works for you) USD 97 AUD EURO
Session 1-6
(early bird) USD 297 AUD EURO
Session 1-6 USD 597 AUD EURO

 
Technical Requirements
To participate you’ll need access to the internet, and have a computer or laptop with a webcam. We’ll ask you to participate in a very brief set up a meeting ahead of time, to make sure you can log into the meeting successfully.

Investment: $297 EARLY BIRD – $597 FULL PRICE –  Register Here Now
This includes…

  • the online course of 6 sessions,
  • the 1 follow-up coaching session, and
  • access to video recordings during the training period
  • an advanced copy of my new book ‘Outside-In 2020 vision’
  • access to a dedicated and exclusive WhatsApp Outside-In group
  • certification and accreditation
  • lifetime access to The Experience Manager

Because this is an extended training, after each session if you have suggestions or questions you’d like me to address at the next meeting, you can email or WhatsApp them to me.


DATES for the Six LIVE Sessions (and timezones)

South Africa – Register Here Now  >> Monday: April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11 <<

Australasia – Register Here Now  >> Tuesday: April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12 <<

USA – Register Here Now  >> Wednesday April 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13 <<

Europe – Register Here Now  >> Thursday April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14 <<


PRICES

Session One Only (to test if this works for you) USD 97 AUD EURO
Session 1-6
(early bird) USD 297 AUD EURO
Session 1-6 USD 597 AUD EURO


Group Size: We’ll be limiting the group size, so register soon if you want to be sure to have a seat at the ONLINE table.
 
If you’ve already found value in Customer Experience, Process Management or Outside-In, and want to go farther, I hope you join this training.

I am very much looking forward to it and meeting with you soon,

Steve Towers

Customer Experience world-class online training

The online ACX Masters program gives Customer Experience and Business Transformation leaders the opportunity to go beyond surface-level presentation and get hands-on, practical takeaways to enable their own successful, business-wide transformations.

Attracting 100,000+ global professionals for those handling seismic business change, this Masterclass provides a Fast track look into customer experience management, change, leadership, BPM and CX space, and the challenges that leading industry professionals are overcoming, both on a macro and micro level.

See the full ACX Masters Level 1-5 online agenda at https://www.cxexecutive.com/agenda.html

Gain the insights from the 2020 Amazon Number One bestseller, ‘Dare! Behind The Scenes Of The Best Business Transformation Project In The World.’ And how large and small organizations can transform their people, processes and performance rapidly with an inclusive approach that delivers successful business and customer outcomes.

How to Avoid the Metrics Trap AND FREE book

Guest this week is CX Guru, James Dodkins:

Download James Dodkins latest book ‘Foundations for Customer Centricity’ and learn how the very best companies avoid the Metrics Trap http://bit.ly/cxFoundations

I saw a quote the other day about how increasing testing won’t improve education and It made me think of the parallels between that and business.

Too many times we think in order to get better we need tighter measures over our everyday tasks and activities. However in actuality, the most successful organisations on the planet think more like a football (soccer) team and are more interested in the measures that directly impact success, the most important being the score.

So next time you find yourself wanting to increase your measures maybe you could take a football (soccer) team view and measure less but more important things.

Download James Dodkins latest book ‘Foundations for Customer Centricity’ and learn how the very best companies avoid the Metrics Trap http://bit.ly/cxFoundations


You can also reach James
photo James Dodkins
Chief Customer OfficerBP Group

Website: www.bpgroup.org
Address: 124 New Bond Street, London, W1S 1DX