Customer Engagement is a Contact Sport and Much More…

September 12, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy, Again It doesn’t matter how cheaply you sell your services and products; customers will not buy from you if your customer service is lousy. Spirit Airlines, the most hated brand in the US,  has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year. This… Read Full Article

Do You Really Need a CRM Degree?

August 29, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

Do You Really Need a CRM Degree?  Here’s a Better Alternative… When CX business leaders consider advancing their careers, one option that often comes up is pursuing a customer relationship management (CRM) degree. After all, customer experience has become a top differentiator in today’s market, and organizations that excel in building relationships gain a significant… Read Full Article

Rolling Out New Customer Experience Training in a Hybrid Work World

August 29, 2025 | By: Dave Murray

Rolling out new Customer Service content to an entire organization has never been simple—and today’s hybrid workplaces make it even more complex. With employees splitting time between remote work and the office, the challenge is no longer “What do we share?” but also “How do we reach everyone effectively?” One organization, PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees… Read Full Article

The Demise of Face-to-Face Interactions has led to a Customer Service Crisis

August 22, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

We used to go to dinner, but now we order through apps like DoorDash. We used to go to the stores, but now we buy online. We used to work in offices, but now we work from home. We used to meet potential dating partners at social events, but now we swipe right on dating… Read Full Article

Keep Call Centers in America Act

August 18, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

“…all Americans deserve good service. When folks pick up the phone and ask for help, they shouldn’t have to deal with AI robots or be routed to someone across the world. This bill puts American workers first and ensures people can talk to a real person who understands them when they need help,” said Senator Jim… Read Full Article

As a Result of Bringing Back the Human Connection Starbucks Closing 90 Mobile-Only Stores

August 01, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

A central part of Starbucks’ turnaround strategy—led by CEO Brian Niccol—is a renewed emphasis on human connection between employees and customers, shifting away from a tech-heavy approach. More than five years after introducing mobile-order-only pickup stores, the company is phasing out the concept, citing a lack of the inviting atmosphere it aims to cultivate. Starbucks… Read Full Article

Costco’s Insane Return Policy Correlates with Insane Growth

July 22, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

Costco’s strong reputation for customer service likely played a key role in its recent membership surge, adding approximately 5 million new members between 2023 and 2024. As of its fiscal Q2 2025 earnings call in March, total membership surpassed 78 million. Following this growth wave, Costco plans to open 29 new locations in 2025. One… Read Full Article

Mastering the Norm Factor

May 23, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

On May 20, 2025, at the age of 76, George Wendt, the beloved actor who played Norm Peterson, passed away. Norm played a pivotal role in my career. The original title of my first book was Mastering the Norm Factor, referring to the popular 90’s sitcom “Cheers,” based on a bar in the Boston area,… Read Full Article

How Delta Airlines Has Made Price Irrelevant

May 19, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

While most airlines chased customers with low fares, Delta has taken a different approach—banking on the idea that travelers would pay more for a better experience. That bold strategy has paid off: Delta is now the highest-earning airline in the U.S. and the most profitable, with a rare customer loyalty level in the industry. “We… Read Full Article

How to Build Incredible Connections in Client Meetings

May 05, 2025 | By: John DiJulius

If you are in sales, an account executive, or business development, you want to stand out from all the other smart people who do what you do. Relying solely on your professional expertise will not be a differentiator. Professional expertise, by itself, is a commodity in your industry. You need something more. You want to… Read Full Article