Tag: Outside-In

My Big STupid Outside-In Failure

I wasn’t always an expert in Customer Experience and Outside-In

In fact, when I became an Industrial Engineer I didn’t have the first clue about how to deliver Successful Customer Outcomes.

I’m going to share a personal story with you about one of my early failures…

It’s a little embarrassing to share, but I think it will inspire you.

It was a quest of five years looking for a standardized Home Loan process and system for a world-leading bank. My team and I visited 30+ countries, reviewed more than 40 IT suppliers, and talked with other top banks and mutual lenders. We sat down with the best business professors, authors and researchers and attended dozens of events on our quest…

And just as in Monty Python and the Holy Grail we returned home empty-handed. You can imagine the investment of time, energy, and budget to realize there isn’t such a thing as an Ideal Home Loan process and system (despite what the big consultancies and IT vendors had told us).

Our senior executive team in the bank was incredulous. In fact, deep down I doubted my own capabilities, I was exhausted and had failed with one of the biggest projects in the bank’s history. Or so I thought…

That is when the truth hit me square between the eyes. We were thinking of our business in the wrong way. My enlightenment was complete when Steve Jobs, in the same year 1997, said the now immortal words “You have got to start with the Customer Experience and work backwards to the Technology, not the other way around”

I had finally got it – we had to think Outside-In, put the customer at the center of everything, and realize using out-of-date business thinking has no place in the 21st century.

1997 – Apple World Developers Conference

Everything changed for me in May 1997.
Since then I have worked with the world’s leading companies learning and adopting Outside-In as a way of being. 
Trust me, if I can do this so can you.

In fact, you even have it better than me. You can bypass all the trouble I went through by simply learning from my mistakes.

I laid out a safe and sensible plan for you here: https://bit.ly/GCCACXP

The one you love…

What do you most admire in the ones you love? Remind yourself that is one of the many reasons you love them, whether it is a partner, child or stranger. Think about that and enjoy the feeling.

Steve Towers

Thoughts for your CX Day

Being uncomfortable should be comforting as it demonstrates you are in a change state. Learn to foster discomfort and make it your friend, It is indeed wise counsel.

Steve Towers

What do you most admire in the ones you love? Remind yourself that is one of the many reasons you love them, whether it is a partner, child or stranger. Think about that and enjoy the feeling.

Steve Towers

You are only as good as the way you feel. That’s why you need to focus on things that make you feel good. What is the one thing that today could make you fell grateful? Then you will feel good.

Steve Towers

Why do so many organizations struggle to become truly customer-centric?


I’m going to do a bit of “Q&A” today.

First question…
QUESTION: Why do so many organizations struggle to become truly customer centric?

Production line thinking passed its sell-by date?


ANSWER: They are using an out of date mindset. The thinking is borrowed from the industrial age when optimising production and throughput was the thing. That way of thinking is about production management, efficiency, effectiveness and elimination of waste. Does that feel familiar? 
Next question…

QUESTION: What is (probably) the biggest hurdle to overcome on the way to becoming Outside-In?

Hurdles to Outside-In thinking

ANSWER: It is getting passed this industrial age mindset and all the things that come with it… our reward structures… our approach to employee engagement… the processes and systems…
Alright, one more…

QUESTION: If listening to the customer is so important what is ‘best practice’?

Do you really understand customer needs?

ANSWER: Often times many companies are trying to drive forward by only looking in the rear view mirror. That is listening to subjective perceptual feedback, rather than at every interaction 100% of the time.

The GOOD news is…
In the ACX Masters program, we show you step-by-step how to handle these challenges so you don’t have to Fall into the Bear Pit.
You can get the full scoop and preview here: https://bit.ly/GCCACXP

Cheers for now!
Steve

PS. We have got to get more scientific about the customer experience!
I have just done a 3-minute explainer video for Outside-In – see it here: https://bit.ly/OIDifference

Step #1 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE* https://bit.ly/OI2021now

Step #2 – Get The Training:

Certified Outside-In Master® | https://bit.ly/COIM2021

Certified Process Professional Master® | https://bit.ly/CPPM21

Accredited Customer Experience Master® | https://bit.ly/ACXM2021

Step #3 – Get the Software:
Parallel | https://workinginparallel.com

Step #4 – Connect With The Community:LinkedIn | https://bit.ly/Steve2021
Blog | https://bit.ly/CXO2021
BPG Website | https://bit.ly/BPG2021
Steve Towers Web | https://bit.ly/SBT2021
Twitter | https://bit.ly/SteveTowersTwitter
YouTube | https://bit.ly/ST_Youtube

You may be doing things right, but are you doing the right things?

CX Metrics are being abused and misused… see how the road to hell may be paved with good intentions.

Jeff Bezos implemented these Inspirational Five Principles for global domination

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos employed 
rules and principles to make the company successful that are revealed in a new book,  “Flywheels: How Cities Are Creating Their Own Futures.”

The book was written by Tom Alberg, an early-stage investor and ex-Amazon board member of 23 years, and he explained Bezos'”Day1″attitude.

The book also talks about how Bezos overcame the company’s early difficulties in attracting investors.

Alberg described the rules that Bezos followed at work based on his experience watching the tech magnate make judgments.

Customer Obsession

In his book, Alberg noted, “The most important thing is customer obsession.” He went on to say that too many organizations, in his opinion, focus on their competition rather than Their customers.
According to Bezos, who testified before a congressional committee, “Customers Are consistently, delightfully unsatisfied.

We are continually inventing on behalf of our clients out of a desire to delight them” Alberg writes. According to him, Bezos made moves that harmed Amazon’s short-term business line but benefited customers and ultimately helped Amazon become a trillion-dollar company.

Continuous Invention & Innovation

“Continuous invention and innovation” is the second principle. According to Alberg, client happiness and inventiveness are inextricably linked. “When making decisions, customer happiness and innovation are powerful touchstones,” he added.


When you ask yourself, “What is the best decision for the customer?” it becomes much easier to make decisions. “Is there a way to invent our way to a solution?”and”Is there a way to invent our way to a solution?” Alberg writes.

Operational Excellence

According to Alberg, the third principle championed by Bezos is operational excellence. “Two-pizza teams,” “one-click shopping,” “single-threaded leaders,” and “working backward/becoming Outside-In” are some instances.

One of Bezos’ more inventive techniques is the”two-pizza rule,”which aims to avoid wasting a full day on unproductive meetings.

So, how does it work?
The more people you have at a meeting, the less productive it will be. The notion is that instead of expressing their viewpoints and ideas, most people will end up agreeing with each other (groupthink).

What is the solution?
Never have a meeting where two pizzas aren’t enough to feed everyone. According to Alberg, the fourth principle underpinning Bezos’ decision making process at Amazon is to think long-term.

Think long term

This can be everything from starting a new business to investing in new technology. Bezos’ early use of AI is one example.

“Jeff told the board that he intended to apply AI in every element of the business when firms were just beginning to understand the possibilities of machine learning and AI,” he wrote. The next step for Bezos was to employ AI experts and instruct the existing engineers on how to use AI.

According to Alberg, Amazon produced and made AI capabilities available to clients on Amazon Web Services, originally run by Andy Jazzy, now the new global CEO since the Jeff Bezos exit. Making AI available to employ in their businesses actually to compete against Amazon.

Staying Optimistic

Alberg noted that his fifth principle, and probably the most important, is his “staying optimistic for the future and how we are only in Day 1.” Bezos’ “Day 1” mindset is founded on the broader premise that, “while the internet and Amazon may appear mature to many, we are still at the beginning, according to Bezos.

Alberg commented, “It is his greatest expression of optimism about what the future will hold.”

These concepts are “not hidden,” according to Alberg. “However, you must adhere to them at all times, something most businesses are unwilling or unable to do.”

What is the Best Decision for the Customer?

Tom Alberg


Get the book: https://bit.ly/CXObsessed

Watch Bezos talking about Customer Obsession: https://youtu.be/Yr_vQgzAgDM

Image Credit: CC: Daniel Oberhaus, 2019

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)

The Most Practical, Pragmatic & Applicable Customer Experience qualification

Professionals & Masters in Customer Experience & Process Management

Learning By Doing is our mantra. The ACX and CPP programs look for your application of the world-beating techniques with a 1 on 1 assessment from your Coach. We don’t train you in how to pass a test, we coach you in how to deliver CX Transformation.

Since 2006 we have helped qualify 140K people across 132 countries using the codification of the next practices from the world’s leading practitioners and companies.

There are thousands of terrific testimonials and across our 40+ global partners operate across all verticals with Coaches who are also expert practitioners. That ‘been there and done it’ experience extends way beyond the theory into a toolkit that can scale all the way to enterprise transformations.

Come and join us to experience the difference and earn yourself the Accredited Customer Experience Masters qualification starting November 29 for two or four days.

Register Here: https://bit.ly/GCCACXP

Recent Testimonials:
Thanks 🚀 Steve Towers ACXC, CPPC, COIC. This was hands down the best CX course I have been on so far. Looking forward to applying everything I learned on the course in my new role.  Kendall Ursula Rÿnders, AskAfrica, South Africa.

Hi Steve, thank you for opening my eyes to opportunities these few days, didn’t know I was sitting on a gold mine 😂, great content, great delivery. My perspective about my profession has completely changed, thanks for that.
Adwoa Asare – Asamoah. Head CX, CalBank PLC 

Argyle Digital: CX/UX Leadership Forum. I am excited to say there was 100+ attendees on your session and you were a wonderful and integral part of the event’s success and we truly appreciate your time, insight, and expertise.
Brittany Sullivan, Senior Producer, Argyll, United States

It’s been an honour and privilege to participate and attend the ACX-M course, It was an eye-opener and quite a revelation for me, I became conscious of these important concepts and aspects of customer experience, Thank you for showing us the way. Product Specialist at Laerdal Medical, India

Thank you Steve for the high quality & insightful training you delivered
Your innovative approach, critical thinking & up to date case studies facilitated this achievement 👍
Muath Al-Azzam, Principal Services & Operations Specialist at Dubai Municipality

I have to say, every day since I left Denver, I have been able to apply some bit of learning that I got during the ACXM event into not only my job, but my personal life as well. Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done to advance the field of customer experience!
Brett Gill, United States

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)

BP Group Signs New Partnership with Skai, Africa

BPG
London, England, Johannesburg & Cape Town, South Africa & Denver, Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, England Oct 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — BP GROUP confirms new African Partnership with Skai

As the Customer Experience begins to dominate the attention of global leaders BP Group, leaders in business transformation and outside-in thinking and practice announced today their official partnership with Skai based in South Africa.


Kamani Naidoo, who is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Skai, has expressed her excitement to have signed this partnership deal with the BP Group and to serve customers/clients in the African continent and globally seeking to grow the Customer Experience discipline, Digitized Transformation levers and Strategic initiatives. Kamani, who is passionate about customer experience, uses the method of customer experience as a forefront by integrating this discipline into AI, Robotic, and Machine learning solutions. With her being a customer experience leader by practice (Africa, UAE, and UK) expresses a deep need to empower and enable individuals and businesses by coaching and mentoring, imparting her skills, knowledge, and experience into understanding and showcasing the value that Customer experience has to offer more so from a strategic point of view and how this discipline contributes valuably intrinsically and extrinsically by probing natural organic behaviors. 

Skai is well known across the African continent, the UAE, and UK, and operates within the private and government sectors with training, and consultancy offerings delivered by a team of globally recognized CX consultants acknowledged as specialists in customer experience and realignment to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Shaun Naidoo, the Co-Founder, and Accounts Director of Skai expressed that they have decided to partner with the BP Group as global leaders in the Customer Experience and Business Process industry with long-term clients in 132 countries and another 44 partners across all continents. “The potential benefits of the partnership will be our incorporation of the Next Practice approaches,” said Shaun “into medium and large traditional institutions needing to upskill and meet the increasing challenges presented by the shifts brought about by both the pandemic, evolving customer and opportunities of the digital age”. 

The Potential benefits of the partnership will be our incorporation of the Next Practice approaches

Shaun Naidoo, co-founder, Skai

Steve Towers, BP Group CEO, welcomes their newest partners, Skai “Since 1992 we have led the way with the battle-tested proven methods and approaches to help corporations and government institutions realize the benefits of delivering Successful Customer Outcomes” He added “we very much look forward to now supporting Skai in bringing progressive approaches to the African region and beyond by mentoring and coaching businesses, introducing and elevating the unemployed through the methods of design, assisting the CX community within South Africa, Africa, and the UAE. We are pleased to strike this partnership agreement as Skai is active in helping the complete CX community, through a number of associations including the Academy of Customer Experience (ACE), CXSA and the PMI embrace progressive approaches to elevate CX into key strategic and operational roles.” 

James Dodkins, CEO of Rockstar CX and BP Group Senior Partner, added “CX has come so far in the last few years and it is especially refreshing to see such explosive community growth across Africa. With this new exciting partnership, we will assist in growing the professionalism of individuals and organizations alike.”

*************************

Contact:
Steve Towers – steve.towers@bpgroup.org
+44 (0) 7429 518277 | +1 970 368 5454
linkedin.com/in/stevetowers

************************************************

James Dodkins – james.dodkins@bpgroup.org
+44 (0) 7809703073
linkedin.com/in/jamesdodkins

************************************************

Kamani Naidoo – kamani@skai.co.za
+27 (0) 722382745
linkedin.com/in/kamani-naidoo-b0940423/

************************************************

Shaun Naidoo – shaun@skai.co.za
+27 (0) 729322445
linkedin.com/in/shaun-n-4925754a/

************************************************

5 Immediate Comprehensive Tools for You to Absolutely Become Outside-In

Get Your Hands-on double-quick with these five tools that enable you and your company to become Outside-In. In this five-day rapid-fire series access the tools that help you to become truly customer-centric from the Outside-In.

When the Book Outside-In The Secret was written more than a decade ago few of us could have appreciated the profound impact it would have globally for so many organizations. It is with great pleasure I now share some of the key differentiators for people embracing the Outside-In view of the world with this 5-day mini-series ‘Outside-In Concepts Party’.

Companies like Amazon, Zappos, Emirates, BMW, Southwest Airlines, Gilead Sciences, and Uber have redefined their industries. Find out how and make their success your own.

See the one-minute preview and get immediate access to the five-day mini-series ‘Outside-in Concepts Party’. You won’t regret it 👍

Cheers,

Five Sessions Reviewing the most practical tools for Outside-In success

PS. There are FIVE mini videos to show you how!

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)

Employee Liberation for Successful Customer Outcomes!

I am happy to invite you to the #VIIICongresoDEC, a reference event in CX in which I will be participating as a keynote speaker.  

This year it is about Employee Experience and its relationship with Customer Experience. October 5th. Do not miss it! 
https://asociaciondec.org/eventos/congreso/congreso-2021/ 

Employee Engagement


It should stand to reason that great Customer Experiences are born with fantastic Employee Engagement. Why is this so often not the case? There are three attitudes that top teams can apply to help their people provide the ultimate experiences – both engineered and free-flowing.

It is perhaps simpler than most people think…

Successful Customer Outcomes

A concept not well understood comes from Apple’s playbook of crafting Successful Customer Outcomes. One of Steve Jobs most famous quotes highlighted a different starting point to craft truly successful customer outcomes. For many leaders, the stark contrast between Industrial Age thinking and Customer Age/’Outside-In’ practice provided a platform to liberate their employees from scripts, tasks, and outputs. The best of these examples shows us all a better way.

Simple truth often misunderstood – do you get it? Really?

Measurement Systems

How are you currently measuring success? Is it by the number of jobs done, tasks completed, and outputs achieved? If those things represent your major Key Performance Indicators, or the more fashionable Objectives and Key Results then you may need to think again.

Why so? Liberating employees from the shackles of these measures will produce better customer experiences, improved bottom lines, and enhanced shareholder value from the get-go. Creating Results-Oriented Communication (Jim Sinur) is a quantum leap from the industrial era praxis. We will review those next practices and layout a plan to deliver immediate and sustained results.

Here’s a piece on flawed measurement systems: https://www.cxobsession.com/2020/07/27/call-canters-fail/

Are you employees like caged birds?

So please join me on CX day 2021 in Spain and we will demonstrate a better way!
https://asociaciondec.org/eventos/congreso/congreso-2021/ 

Congreso 2021

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)

What Rests, Rusts. Step Up to the Bright, Shiny New Accredited Customer Experience® Program

Delivered by Been There and Done It Professionals for Professionals

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

The ACX Program features the Accredited Customer Experience Professional®
(ACXP® 2 day x 5 hours per day)
LIVE online INTERACTIVE

The ACX Professional & ACX Master program

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

The ACX Program also includes Accredited Customer Experience Master®
(ACXM® 4 day x 5 hours per day)
LIVE online INTERACTIVE

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

Australia & Oceania | Americas | South Africa | Europe | GCC – Middle East

Testimonials… hear what others say…

It’s been an honour and privilege to participate and attend the ACX-M course, It was an eye-opener and quite a revelation for me, I became conscious of these important concepts and aspects of customer experience, Thank you for showing us the way.
Product Specialist at Laerdal Medical, India

Thank you Steve for the high quality & insightful training you delivered
Your innovative approach, critical thinking & up to date case studies facilitated this achievement 👍
Muath Al-Azzam, Principal Services & Operations Specialist at Dubai Municipality

I have to say, every day since I left Denver, I have been able to apply some bit of learning that I got during the ACXM event into not only my job, but my personal life as well. Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done to advance the field of customer experience!
Brett Gill, United States

Thank you Steve for another enlightening and engaging course that just keeps challenging the way we do things®
Edwin De Lange, South Africa

Thanks again for four great and inspiring days.
Christian Becker, Germany


It’s been great training with lots of new tools that we will be able to implement soon I hope. Super interesting information, I am looking forward to reading your book as well. I really appreciated your energy and enthusiasm throughout the training.
Silvia Fernandez Calvo, Spain

Let me take this opportunity to thank Mr. Steve. Your teachings are timeless and they stick perfectly and forever in our minds. We shall never forget you wherever we find ourselves on this planet. Thank you so much, Steve 🙏
Benignus Otmar, Tanzania

Thank you, the experience was enlightening, empowering, educating, encouraging, and engaging.
Natasha Doren, South Africa

Thank you, Steve, I have never enjoyed anything more than the CX course, The weight of knowledge I gained and the enlightenment that I got is indescribable.
Reem Elsadig, Sudan

Thanks, Steve for such an excellent program, the dedicated manner you use to share with us your wonderful knowledge and wisdom in CX, and the time to respond to all our questions! God bless you, thanks a lot!
Yanese Angeles, Dominican Republic

You started me out on this journey my friend. Thanks for letting me live out my passion!
Molly Redenbaugh, Iowa, United States

Thank you! It’s been an amazing journey and you have been a great mentor.
It was an honor taking your class, I am now a confident CPP Master🙏🏾
Masele Masudi Msita, Tanzania

Thank you Steve for your high-quality wonderful Master. I thought the course was brilliant. Thank you for everything.
Ashraf Mohamed, Philadelphia, USA

Thanks again, Steve. Not only have you been a fantastic mentor to me but you have taught me how to mentor others. Thanks for being so supportive and getting me through.
Chandan Chhabra, Delhi, India

Another fantastic learning, personal and professional development experience with you!
Lyall Shapiro, Australia

Do you want to embrace advanced Customer-Centric thinking and become Outside-In?

https://lnkd.in/djWxB8m

👉 Step #1 – Review the upskilling options to become an ACX Professional & ACX Master: https://lnkd.in/dANgYX59

👉 Step #2 – Get The Book: Outside-In The Secret *FREE*  https://bit.ly/OI2021now

👉 Step #3 – Connect With The Community: https://linktr.ee/SteveTowers

👉 Step #4 – Keep Pace with Change: Recent Keynote – The Hard Benefits of XM | https://cemnext.com/xmroi2023

👉 Step #5 – Review the Testimonials Accredited Customer Experience Professional – BPG (bpgroup.org)