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

journey map signature experience

Customer Journey Map

April 29, 2024 | By: John DiJulius

Using Customer Journey Mapping to Create Your Brand’s Signature Experience What is a Customer Journey Map, and why do you need one? Discover the importance of a customer journey map and how to build one, plus examples and templates to create your own.  A well-thought-out customer journey map will enable you to establish a signature… Read Full Article

Retail strategy by John DiJulius

Retail Strategy: Experience, Experience, Experience

March 04, 2024 | By: John DiJulius
When it comes to retail strategy, the three most important words are no longer location, location, location. They are now experience, experience, experience! For the last century, the phrase "location, location, location" has always been the number one retail strategy of brick & mortar brands. Where your business was located trumped nearly everything else. A... Read Full Article

Brand Loyalty Increases with These 6 Components of CX

January 30, 2024 | By: John DiJulius

To create brand loyalty and customer evangelists, you must (1) operate at a high level in six distinct areas of business and (2) constantly evaluate your company’s customer service across each category, separately, and as categories overlap. Physical: Deals with the actual brick-and-mortar component of your operation. These are the physical elements that are more… Read Full Article