16 - From Google to Customer Success Heros - Claire O'Regan

In this episode, Marley Wagner, a digital customer success consultant with a wealth of experience, takes you on a journey through the digital customer success landscape. Discover how to get started with digital customer success, achieve work-life balance, and how to be a good customer success professional.

In this episode, you’ll find the answers to these two questions: 

• What does a digital customer success consultant do?
• What is digital customer success experience?

Plus, if you were wondering where to start when creating a digital CS practice, you’ll hear about the shortest way to get started in digital customer success, and how to identify and stand up for your personal needs in the workplace.

Don’t miss out - tune in to learn from Marley’s digital customer success experience and get some useful tips for succeeding in the digital world.

Follow Marley Wagner!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

In today’s episode, we will be breaking into Customer Success and how to stand out when applying for a job in CS with Shannon Nishi. Shannon is the Director of Customer Success at Customer.io, and has been through a bunch of interviews on both sides of the chair herself. 

So in this episode, she shares with us:

• How to read your audience
• Processes for business continuity
• How to write a resume that speaks to the hiring manager
• Resume red flags and how to avoid them
• Mistakes to avoid in your job interview
• How to best prepare for a job interview
• What to ask at the end of a job interview

Thinking about giving customer success a try? Join us for expert tips on writing standout resumes and acing job interviews. 

Don’t miss out - polish your skills and get ready to seize opportunities! Because opportunities will come, but it’s a matter of how we react that will make all the difference.

Follow Shannon Nishi

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Vicky Kennedy, Founder of Echtus, a customer education service, shares her insights on why it is important to strategically design customer education. She takes us through her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, highlighting her experience in higher education and the transition to the tech industry. If you want to know more about incorporating targeted customer education into your Customer Success strategy, then this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What is customer education?
• What is the purpose of customer education?
• The value proposition of customer education for business 
• Mistakes to avoid when starting out with customer education 
• Challenges in customer education
• Vicky’s entrepreneurial journey
• Being entrepreneurial in your current role 

Tune in and learn with us - from insights and entrepreneurship to everything you need to know about customer education.

Follow Vicky Kennedy

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Nicky Feeney, ClickUp's global success enablement manager, shares her journey from account management to crafting her unique role within the tech industry. She’s managed to get promoted to her new role in only three months. 

In this episode, you’ll hear how it happened. We focus on the importance of fine-tuning interactions with supervisors and clients, emphasising the significance of celebrating victories alongside addressing challenges.

Here's what we cover in our interview:

• Creating your role in customer success
• Career lessons for CSMs
• The importance of nurturing soft skills as a CSM
• Creating a vision and executing goals
• The 4 pillars of customer success enablement

Tune in for an inspiring conversation - one that will motivate you to craft the best customer success story.

Follow Nicky Feeney!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

My guest in this episode is Julie Fox - one of the Top 100 Customer Success Strategists, and one of the 25 Creative Leaders. She is a people leader who deeply cares about her team; and cares about them as humans, taking care of their wellbeing at work. Her current role is Sr Manager of Customer Success at FloQast. 

Julie's story is far from ordinary, with roots in special education and strides in commercial real estate. However, with a special interest in coaching and a growth mindset, she managed to transition to a completely different career i.e. what she does now.

She says that being a leader is endlessly fulfilling, as you are in a position to help others unlock their full potential. And it's a privilege to be part of people's stories.

Here's what we covered in our interview:

• Creating opportunities for yourself and changing careers
• How to motivate your team as a team leader
• The benefits of a feedback-driven approach
• Lessons learnt from our careers
• Developing teams by fostering human connection

I am sure you will enjoy this episode and our conversation. 

Follow Julie Fox!

Recommended book: Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Recommended tool: Gong

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

In this episode, we join forces with Elizabeth Italiano, a Go-To-Market Expert and Founder of What Not To Do, to talk women in tech - challenges and solutions. 

Elisabeth's plentiful experience in the industry makes this episode a real conversational treasure chest. So, be prepared to get tons of insights on:
 
 

·       How to overcome the current challenges faced by women in tech

·       Why women need to be more assertive (and how to do it)

·       Negotiation skills women need to adopt

·       The significance of having go-to people/mentors

·       Predictions for trends in sales leadership

The episode is packed with actionable steps for women leaders - and everyone in between - to catalyse gender diversity in tech.

We round out the discussion with the need for self-advocacy with some great examples, emphasising that the common humility found in women needs to step back. Get ready to absorb the wisdom and become that advocate for change, setting a new standard for an inclusive and equitable tech environment. 

Join us, and let's move the needle together.

Follow Elizabeth Italiano!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Unlock the secrets to thriving in customer success and the nuanced craft of cross-selling with the insightful Kristen Gray Psychas from Banzai. In our latest episode, Kristen, a trailblazer in the customer success landscape, offers a treasure trove of strategies that promise to elevate your career trajectory. Her transition from international relations to influencing the growth of a publicly-traded tech giant is nothing short of remarkable. But it's her candid sharing of how she navigates professional waters as a neurodivergent individual and new mother that truly enriches this conversation. This is more than just a lesson in business - it's a heartening glimpse into personal triumph and growth.

Prepare to be inspired as we discuss the pivotal role of understanding customer goals and the transformative power of effective communication for fostering long-term relationships. Kristen's expertise shines as she reveals how kickoff and QBR meetings can become a goldmine for identifying expansion opportunities within your current customer base. We delve into the synergy between customer success and sales strategies, highlighting how transparency with clients can lead to prosperous upsells and cross-sells. Moreover, Kristen's perspective on embracing neurodiversity offers a fresh lens on collaboration, showing us how diverse minds can propel innovation and strengthen team dynamics. Join us for an episode that's as enlightening as it is empowering, charting a path for professional excellence and inclusive teamwork.

Follow Kristen Gray Psychas!


This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

Join us as we celebrate the 100th episode of the Women in Customer Success Podcast with a special guest - Aurore de Saint-Exupéry, a passionate Customer Success Manager at  ClickUp who took the road less travelled. Aurore transitioned from the high-end retail world into the tech industry, manifesting her belief that caring, loyalty, and teamwork are the secret ingredients for success in any industry.

Aurore's journey to ClickUp, her dream company, was filled with intense preparation, professional advice, and a few nerve-wracking interviews. The moment she discovered the job opening, she embarked on a challenging ride, connected with the right industry expert, continuously learning about the role and its challenges and presented a highly successful case study that got her a job. Learn about the steps she took to land the interview, prepare for this transition and nail the interview process. 

The world of luxury retail and customer success might seem worlds apart, but Aurore talks about the principles for serving customers that are universal across roles and industries. She shares her strategies for succeeding as a new CSM, emphasizing the importance of product knowledge, undertaking extra projects and approaching her role as a customer coach, making sure they feel guided and supported. 

We also touch on the joy of travelling, immersing oneself in new cultures, and living abroad. Join us for this episode and hear the inspiring journey Aurore took to embrace her dream career in Customer Success. 

Did you know?

• Aurore was born in Paris and has lived across France, the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan
• She started her career in luxury retail (Chanel & Louis Vuitton) 
• Avid traveller
• Transitioned from non-tech into SaaS Customer Success 
• Aurore was promoted to a Sr CSM within a year 
• Direct descendent of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of the book 'The Little Prince' - one of the best-selling books in history!

In this episode, you'll learn about: 

• Aurore's career entry in luxury retail and its lessons on customer experience
• Process of applying for Customer Success role without previous tech experience 
• Interview preparation for non-tech and non-saas experience
• Hiring Manager's perspective on hiring for a non-traditional background
• Learning curve as a first-time Customer Success Manager
• Standing out as a 'newbie', setting high standards and getting promotion-ready

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

Join us as we sit down with Margriet Paagman, who remarkably transitioned from a sales role in a global printing company to leading the EMEA customer success team at Contentstack.

Margrit shares her journey filled with challenges in adapting to a new industry, culture, and language, and how her team's support was instrumental in her success. She transitioned from hardware to the Saas industry where she started as an account director and climbed the corporate ladder to become the VP of Customer Success at Insided.

In this episode, you'll hear proven strategies and experiences of leading teams through significant changes like mergers and acquisitions, highlighting the importance of transparency and communication. 

We talk about the qualities of an effective leader, emphasizing the importance of listening and helping team members maximize their strengths. We're also dispelling myths about career progression. 

So, tune in and don't miss out on an opportunity to hear practical advice on career growth and leadership.

Follow Margriet!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie

This episode is proudly brought to you by Vitally.io, the leading all-in-one customer success platform. Visit vitally.io/women today to schedule your demo and get your Airpods.

In this podcast episode, Amy Downs, the founder and CEO of Customer Obsessing Consulting, talks about her journey from being a software engineer to becoming a customer success leader and the lessons she learned along the way. The episode delves deep into the principles of humble leadership, the importance of creating a safe space within organizations, and the need for a customer-centric approach in business.

Drawing inspiration from the principles of servant leadership, Amy emphasizes the role of humility in leading teams that are supportive and customer-focused. Her insights, inspired by Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, hold critical lessons for leaders seeking to foster an environment where employees feel valued, not inferior.

Amy is sharing her unique consultative approach to customer success, from journey mapping, segmentation strategy, and digitization to team culture. 

In this episode, you'll learn about: 

• Amy's career journey from software engineer to company CEO
• Humility and servant leadership as a catalyst for career growth 
• Embracing intuition as women's superpower 
• Empowering organizations to be customer-centric

Follow Amy Downs and Customer Obsessing Consulting!

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About Women in Customer Success Podcast:

Women in Customer Success Podcast is the first women-only podcast for Customer Success professionals, where remarkable ladies of Customer Success connect, inspire and champion each other.

Follow:

Women in Customer Success

- Website - womenincs.co

- LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/womenincs

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenincs.co/

- Podcast page - womenincs.co/podcast

- Sign Up for PowerUp Tribe - womenincs.co/powerup

Host Marija Skobe-Pilley

- Website - https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/

- Coaching with Marija: http://marijaskobepilley.com/programs

- Get a FREE '9 Habits of Successful CSMs' guide https://www.marijaskobepilley.com/9-habits-freebie