Too many companies still ask customers to fill out surveys after an interaction—then call it a “Voice of the Customer” program. But according to new research, more than half of all customer feedback never makes it into those survey boxes. That feedback is often already being provided in live chats, phone calls, and service messages, but it’s rarely […]

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This year, AI went from conversation starter to operational centerpiece. Companies everywhere are chasing faster response times, deeper personalization, and round-the-clock automation.  But the last few months have offered a sobering counterpoint: More AI doesn’t always mean better experiences—for businesses or their customers.  This month, I’m highlighting three real-world stories that reveal the double-edged nature of AI. […]

The post When AI Moves Too Fast for Its Own Good appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

Trust is the currency of relationships—whether with employees, customers, or partners. Yet, in today’s world, it’s a currency in short supply. According to a 2024 survey by the Qualtrics XM Institute, only 50% of consumers trust the brands they do business with, and less than one-third of employees feel their company consistently delivers on its promises […]

The post Building Trust in Business: The Hardest—and Most Rewarding—Work appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

For decades, I’ve had the honor of helping companies like Starbucks, Mercedes-Benz, Zappos, Airbnb, and The Ritz-Carlton elevate their customer experience. I’ve seen firsthand how businesses succeed by creating unforgettable customer journeys, securing repeat business, and generating referrals through meaningful interactions. I’m proud of my work, the relationships I’ve enjoyed, and the impact my consulting […]

The post Are You Designing a Legacy appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

In this ever-evolving technological era, business leaders are increasingly turning to tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to navigate the challenges of a tight labor market, inflation, and changing consumer preferences. While AI is a game changer, it has yet to rival human empathy, compassion, or gratitude. I am currently working on a book that will […]

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In Love and Profit, James Autry acknowledges that love is seldom associated with leadership, but… Good management is largely a matter of love, or if you are uncomfortable with that word, call it caring because proper management involves caring for people, not manipulating them.  Peter Senge, M.I.T. professor and author of bestselling books like The […]

The post What’s LOVE got to do with Business? Everything! appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

In case you missed it, Drew Desilver and Jordan Lippert from the Pew Research Center released results on U.S. consumers’ perceptions of tipping. From my perspective, here is the central finding: 72% of U.S. adults say tipping is expected in more places today than it was five years ago…The adoption of point-of-sale tablets, apps and digital […]

The post If You Are Tired of Being Asked to Tip for Minimal Service – You Are Not Alone! appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

MBWA – Managing by Walking Around: In 1982, management consultants Tom Peters and Robert H. Waterman wrote a breakthrough book, In Search of Excellence. Peters and Waterman advocated for a management style called MBWA (Managing By Walking Around) in that book.  Anastasia Belyh, co-founder of cleverism.com, describes MBWA as: The theory is both simple, yet often misunderstood. Although […]

The post Moving Feet & Opening Ears: Leading Team Member & Customer Loyalty appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

More Engaged, More Quietly Quitting When it comes to global employee engagement, the opening lines of Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities apply: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the […]

The post Good News & Bad News: Navigating the Challenges of Employee Engagement appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.

It’s Like Christmas Most people eagerly await the release of a blockbuster movie, the start of something like baseball season, or Christmas. However, I anticipate the annual report from Salesforce Research titled The State of the Connected Customer. You are probably thinking, “Joseph, you need a life.” In the recently released 5th edition of the […]

The post How to Build Trust Digitally & Personally – Lessons from 17,000 Customers & Business Buyers appeared first on CEOWORLD magazine.