The Startup Smoothie

Ever wonder how small steps can lead to significant milestones in professional growth? Hosam Hassan joins me to illuminate the birth of Starter Academy, where financial independence and professional development aren't just lofty dreams but tangible realities. With an emphasis on the power of incremental growth and the magic found in the ordinary undertaking the extraordinary, we unpack the unique ethos of Starter Academy that s...

Dominic Brasovano, also known as Dominic the CX Guy on YouTube, joins us on The Startup Smoothie to distill his expertise in Zendesk consulting and content creation into a potent blend of wisdom and strategy. As someone who navigates the evolving tech landscape with finesse, Dominic breaks down the significance of ethical business practices and the transformative role of technology in shaping customer interactions. He also peels ba...

Can the frenzy of a stock market saga be distilled into a compelling cinematic experience? In a new podcast series called "Spoiler Alert" we're joined by Jason McDonald to dissect "Dumb Money," a film attempting to capture the rollercoaster ride of the GameStop stock phenomenon. While Paul Dano's portrayal nabs some applause, we're left wanting more from the film's documentary-esque approach and ...

Listen in as we welcome back Craig Stoss, the Director of CX Transformation Delivery at PartnerHero, who offers a fresh perspective on enhancing customer experience with his innovative value-friction framework. Craig walks us through his theory, where he emphasizes the balance between the value customers seek when interacting with a company and the friction they experience in the process.

Tune in to our engaging discussion about pe...

Lizzie Keiper, the Director of Events at Support Driven, unravels her remarkable transition from being a community member to an invaluable asset of this leading online community platform. Lizzie shares the core essence of Support Driven, a community committed to empowering professionals in customer support and success. She discusses the community's mission, the impact of community-centric events, and the nagging issue of burnou...

In this episode, we navigate the challenging terrain of effective leadership with our guest, Benjamin Friedman. Together, we delve into the vital aspects of resilience, growth mindset, and strategic communication. Discover how to align your actions with your words, harness the power of feedback, and understand the crucial role of vision and mission statements. Benjamin shares valuable insights into different leadership styles neede...

What happens when you sit down with a serial entrepreneur who runs three growth marketing agencies? Jonathan Saeidian, a seasoned business operator who's embarked on a thrilling ride from spotting operational issues at an early age to launching his own venture from the ground up. Throughout our vibrant conversation, Jonathan emphasizes the significance of standard operating procedures and outlines how to automate and streamline...

Unlock new insights into AI development and its impact on customer support in our latest episode featuring an engaging conversation with CEO at Kodif, Chyngyz Dzhumanazarov, an expert in AI and product innovation. Learn about tech leaders' concerns and the compelling reasons why halting AI development is a shortsighted reaction, and instead, what should be the actual focus - policies and regulations for safe AI use. Chyngyz sha...

What's the secret behind maximizing team productivity, and how can you effectively navigate the job application process while juggling work-life responsibilities? Join us as we chat with Stacy Justino, the customer support manager at Loom, who shares her insights on fostering collaboration and setting the stage for success in both your team and your personal life.

In our conversation, Stacy reveals how her experience as a ...

Reddit has announced a paid API model, which has led to an unprecedented protest with over 8,000 subreddits going dark and countless third-party apps facing an uncertain future. Join us as we dive into the reasoning behind Reddit's move and the impact it's having on users, moderators, and the app ecosystem. We'll discuss the challenges Reddit faces in its pursuit of profits and an IPO, and whether they can strike a bala...

Ever wondered how to build a motivated and successful support team? Fernando Duarte, an expert in creating thriving support teams, joins us for an enlightening conversation on fostering teamwork, transparency, and trust. Together, we discuss the significance of accountability, visibility, and cultivating an environment where team members can comfortably learn from their mistakes and grow.

As we continue our chat, we dive into the n...

We have Lance Conzett, the CX Lead at Found, joining us for a kaleidoscope of conversations. We cover a wide range of topics including Zendesk best practices, phone support, the satisfaction of working on a product that genuinely interests you, acquisitions, and the impact of the pandemic on work dynamics.

One of the main highlights is the newly rolled out Zendesk AI, which introduces exciting features such as AI-powered summarizin...

In this episode, we're joined by Michael Doyle, the founder and CEO of Brand Iron, to dive into the powerful influence of branding and business development. Michael's insights shed light on how consistency plays a vital role in building relationships and establishing trust with customers. Rather than focusing solely on self-promotion, he emphasizes that effective branding and marketing strategies should center around assist...

Will Curran, founder of Endless Events and mastermind behind the #EventProfs Community shares his experience in event planning and content creation, strategies for avoiding burnout, scaling a business, and maximizing the value of attending conferences.

In our discussion, Will delves deeply into the benefits of participating in conferences and events, offering valuable advice on how to make the most of your attendance. He explores t...

Michelle Salatto, the Product Support Director at Entertainment Partners, sat down with us on The Startup Smoothie and shared insights on balancing proactive customer support with customer needs. We discussed the importance of proactive outreach and ensuring customer adoption and engagement with products. On the support side, we talked about capturing data, understanding clients' pain points, and sending this information to the...

We had the pleasure of talking to Sarah DeGeorge, a digital marketing strategist and mentor who specializes in helping business owners reduce their marketing-related stress. Sarah highlighted the significance of creating marketing materials that accurately reflect a business while remaining faithful to its objectives, products, and services. We also delved into the importance of comprehending a client's voice, mission, and targ...

Lydia Day, the Customer Operations Manager at CharlieHR, imparts her insightful beliefs on enhancing the employee experience and emphasizing customer obsession. We began by discussing the role of HR professionals and how HR departments prioritize the organization's interests and advocating for employees. Lydia's input here is especially significant as she shared her experiences working with HR professionals and explained ho...

In our conversation with Somya Kapoor, CEO and Co-founder of TheLoops, we delve into the evolution of CX from its beginnings to the present and future. One critical point that Somya emphasizes is the significance of contextualized data. She stresses the importance of not burdening the customer with finding their position in the product journey and avoiding exposing complexity to them. As well as the fact that she believes CX leader...

Scott Benson, a compliance and risk veteran with an impressive background in the startup industry, joins us on podcast to discuss the importance of compliance in ensuring excellent customer support. Scott explains why compliance should not be seen as simply a cost of doing business, stating that if companies are operating in a regulated space without the controls that are mandated by their regulatory obligations, it can be fatal fo...