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Coaching Tips for Helping CSMs Move Beyond the Tactical

Customer Success leaders often run into a recurring theme when meeting with Customer Success Managers (CSMs): CSMs seem to be weighed down in tactical conversations with their customers and leave every call feeling they are adding little or no value to the business partnership. They often report that customers only want to speak about lacking […]

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How to Apply RA(S)CI Principles in Customer Success (and a FREE Template!)

If you’re wondering, “What the heck is RA(S)CI, and why should I care?” it’s okay! I’m here to help. And even if you’ve heard of it (or even used it) in the past, a refresher might come in handy. While it is a pretty common tool, not every team or company takes advantage of its […]

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The Sales to CS Handoff and the Triangle of Trust

I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes exceptional stand out amidst a sea of great. What is it about those who cut through the noise? I find myself circling back to one aspect time and time again. Little moments. Small but impactful inflection points. Today, many companies have these planned touchpoints scattered […]

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3 Steps to Getting Sales on Board with Your Customer Success Plan

Customer Success Plans are key to starting your customer relationships off on the right foot. CSMs use them to guide their first interactions with the customer, helping them clarify and set expectations, set up an action plan for moving forward, and establish critical milestones to work toward through the customer journey. They’re a great way […]

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Change Management in Customer Success: A Step-By-Step ADKAR Example

Customer Success is all about change. Changing processes. Changing systems. Changing the game. Yet, most CS professionals don’t take advantage of the benefits of extremely valuable change management principles. An entire philosophy dedicated to making change easier for people, and we’re not using it!? Change management in Customer Success means taking a proactive, forward-thinking approach […]

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6 Guiding Principles for Conducting a Killer Executive Business Review (EBR)

At a certain point, you’ve onboarded your customer, they’re up and running, and they’re using your product regularly. It’s time to sit back, relax, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. LOL. In your dreams! Of course, as your customers move through the many phases of the customer journey, Customer Success […]

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8 Keys to Preparing CSMs for Challenging Customer Conversations

Customers find their way into companies through various channels at different times. Their experience with your company and distinct use of products and services will always be unique. Companies tend to approach all customers with “one size fits all” processes and understanding. Instead, I recommend meeting customers as they are, instead of how we would […]

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How Employee Success Leads to Customer Success: An Interview with ESG CEO Michael Harnum

I’ve talked before about how internal engagement can help promote strong Customer Success. Here at ESG, we believe that employee success is not only helpful to a healthy and thriving Customer Success organization, it’s fundamental. Since the pandemic, employee satisfaction and retention are major focal points for businesses across the board. We expect to see […]

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The Dual Meaning of Customer Advocacy

In Toy Story 4, they introduce a new character to the toys named Forky. Bonnie, the little girl who owns the toys now, made Forky out of garbage. He’s basically a spork that totters around on two feet made from a broken popsicle stick. The little girl, Bonnie, loves Forky and views him as a […]

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10 Things to Remember When Making the Move from AMs to CSMs

The role of a Customer Success Manager (CSM) is consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing jobs in the world. LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report put Customer Success Specialist at number six in the U.S. with a 34% annual growth rate. At the same time, spending on XaaS continues to skyrocket. Gartner’s latest cloud forecast […]

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