Success League Radio Kristen Hayer

Have you grappled with the complexities of customer success programs, especially in a year fraught with industry shifts and layoffs? Join our host Kristen Hayer and our esteemed guest, Parul Bhandari, founder of South Asian Success, as we tackle the evolution of Customer Success and the imperative of retention focus in today's businesses. They discuss  the controversial role of CS teams in managing renewals, drawing on our own initial stumbles to highlight the essential preparation and skill-building necessary for triumph in this domain.

Parul and Kristen don't shy away from the contentious debate on revenue stewardship after the first sale, pondering the reconfiguration of compensation structures and how it can challenge CSMs to promote customer value and revenue growth simultaneously. Plus, we dissect the strategic placement of Customer Success within organizational hierarchies and how it reflects on their pivotal role in maintaining revenue streams.

They also share personal accounts of how machine learning and generative AI are revolutionizing the way we analyze data, communicate with customers, and streamline strategic planning. Tune in and arm yourself with the insights to propel your customer success initiatives into the future.

Ever wondered what's in a job title? Jeff Heckler, a seasoned Customer Success guru, joins the podcast to unravel the significance of titles in the CS world and how they impact both personal and organizational dynamics. As we traverse Jeff's journey from business intelligence to leading the charge in customer engagement, you'll learn how titles such as "Head of Customer Success" can translate into real-world challenges and triumphs. 

Navigating the corporate ladder isn't simply about climbing; it's about mastering the rungs you step on. This episode will illuminate the often overlooked emotional labyrinth that accompanies promotions and leadership roles. For those feeling out of step with traditional career paths, our discussion on entrepreneurial leadership may just spark the inspiration needed to carve out your own success story in the world of Customer Success.

Join us for a candid conversation that promises to leave you with a fresh perspective on your role in Customer Success and how to leverage your position for maximum impact.

Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your Customer Success journey with Ryan Ballein, a trailblazer in the CS arena. You'll hear invaluable insights from Ryan's transition from sales to leadership and his expert strategies for building a robust CS function from the ground up. Kristen and Ryan's conversation focuses on implementing digital-first customer engagement, emphasizing automation's role in freeing up CS managers for more meaningful work, thus amplifying customer satisfaction and employee fulfillment.

Unlock the secrets of customer value with Lakshmi Neelakantan from SAP, as we delve into the world of Platform as a Service (PaaS). Lakshmi has an extensive background in computer science and offers valuable insights, from leveraging the SAP Business Technology Platform to accelerating the journey of value realization for customers.

Listen as we discuss fostering customer relationships that make renewals second nature. With Lakshmi's expertise, this episode is a journey into the heart of Customer Success in the ever-evolving platform ecosystem.

Ever wondered what it takes to leap from being an individual contributor to a leader? Jump in as we pique your curiosity and unravel this mystery with Sumitra Narayanan, a seasoned professional at Braze who leads a CS scale team. Sumitra generously shares her experiences, discussing her path from a humble contributor to becoming a key leader in her field. Her tale is laced with lessons, insights, and a wealth of knowledge that will prove invaluable to those looking to chart a similar course in their careers.

The conversation progresses to explore the art of decision-making as a leader, and how to maintain harmony between employee happiness and business needs. We also cast a spotlight on the emerging leadership trends in customer success, emphasizing the importance of balancing empathy for people with the drive for results. 

Join us on this revealing journey into the heart of leadership in customer success!

Ready to revolutionize your customer success strategies? Join me, Kristen Hayer, founder and CEO of The Success League, as we decode how to achieve this by harnessing the power of Total Search. Buckle up for an engaging discussion with Prasanna Dhungel, co-founder and managing partner of GrowByData. We’re breaking down how marketing tools like Total Search can drive efficiencies in customer success programs. Together, we'll navigate through the importance of understanding what your customers are searching for on Google, and how these insights can help you stay ahead of market trends and threats.

We'll also share some insights on how to use Google as a resource to understand platform evolution, and assess your brand's online presence. Get ready to explore the need for customer success leaders to be proactive and adaptable in the fast-paced digital world.

Listen in as we analyze the changing landscape of customer success and the day-to-day tasks of being a frontline employee. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights into the world of customer success!