Management consultants in highly successful separate firms, Wayland and Cole collaborate to offer a comprehensive system for putting customer relationships at the center of a business and give managers the tools for implementing customer-based strategies to improve profitability and growth.

A new data-driven approach to building customer relationships that fuel sustainable business growth Igniting Customer Connections explores how organizations of all sizes can build powerful and profitable customer relationships in a today's increasingly complex, fast-paced, and fragmented marketplace. Written by the president of one of the world's largest marketing firms, the book provides expert insights about connecting with customers effectively across all channels and over time. The central premise is a refreshingly different, evidence-based approach called Return On Experience and Engagement, or ROE2, which delivers a new way to inspire and measure customer connections—and improve business results. The traditional marketing campaign—a battle for attention with a clear launch date and endpoint—no longer works. Marketing is faster and more complex than ever, and consumers now have the power to turn off the message. Igniting Customer Connections explores the benefits of a new approach that enables companies to connect with customers, rather than just talk at them. Topics include: Why classic ROI is losing relevance as a way to measure results—and to budget marketing spend How to make powerful connections by taking full advantage of "atomic moments of truth" Amplifying the impact of customer experience and engagement Creating a continuous, measurable, repeatable process for growth The key to winning customers and building long-term business is creating positive customer experiences that inspire ongoing engagement—from Facebook "likes" to purchase decisions. Based on data and stories drawn from dozens of top brands and thousands of consumers, Igniting Customer Connections helps marketers create long-term brand equity and sustainable business growth.

"To provide the ultimate in customer service, every member of the service team needs to turn customer interactions into "peak experiences." Filled with effective techniques that borrow from principles of psychology, Great Customer Connections presents a unique step-by-step program that lets you: connect with customer's individual personalities; use the "secret phrases" that make customers feel great; tell them anything without upsetting them; stop having to say "no" - permanently; and defuse any crisis and take command of each interaction - even with your most difficult and unclear customers."--BOOK JACKET.

"The vast majority of word-of-mouth happens offline, in everyday conversations. This book offers simple concepts plus practical guidance for individual professionals, teams, and complex organizations to be part of those conversations in ways that grow their business"--

Creating Authentic Customer Connections in a High-Tech World In The Relationship Economy, author John DiJulius teaches business leaders about the importance of relationship building in the digital age. He argues that in spite of (and because of) the advances in tech, we've become a less connected society. We have dramatically evolved away from face-to-face communication, and the skill of building rapport is evaporating. This means that customer personalization and relationships are more important now than ever—and they will be the key to success for businesses moving forward. As he aptly states, “Being able to build true sustainable relationships is the biggest competitive advantage in a world where automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are eliminating the human experience, which is what creates the emotional connections that build true customer loyalty.” This book reminds readers of the importance of personal connections and shows them how to attain meaningful, lasting relationships with their customers.

Today's brands face an apparent choice between two evils: continue betting on their increasingly ineffective advertising or put blind faith in the supposedly mystical power of social media, where "likes" stand in for transactions and a mass audience is maddeningly elusive. There has to be a better way . . . As Lennon and McCartney wrote a half century ago, money can't buy you love. But in today's world, where people have become desensi­tized-even disillusioned-by ad campaigns and marketing slogans, that maxim needs an update: Money can't even buy you like.

Continuing Merritt's "Taking Control" series, this book offers businesspeople a practical guide to improving their customer service operations. Using case studies and interviews, author Jack Burke shows businesses how to use customer service to strengthen customer loyalty and promote the company as a whole.

"Discover the power of meaningful connections with 'Customer Connections: A Guide to Effective CRM.' This short and simple ebook is your roadmap to building lasting relationships with your customers. From understanding the basics of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to navigating common challenges and exploring future trends, this guide empowers businesses of all sizes. Learn the essentials of effective communication, data management, and loyalty-building strategies. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this ebook provides practical insights to enhance your customer connections and elevate your business success."

Business Models for Transforming Customer Relationships What if there were a way to turn occasional, sporadic transactions with customers into long-term, continuous relationships--while simultaneously driving dramatic improvements in operational efficiency? What if you could break your existing trade-offs between superior customer experience and low cost? This is the promise of a connected strategy. New forms of connectivity--involving frequent, low-friction, customized interactions--mean that companies can now anticipate customer needs as they arise, or even before. Simultaneously, enabled by these technologies, companies can create new business models that deliver more value to customers. Connected strategies are win-win: Customers get a dramatically improved experience, while companies boost operational efficiency. In this book, strategy and operations experts Nicolaj Siggelkow and Christian Terwiesch reveal the emergence of connected strategies as a new source of competitive advantage. With in-depth examples from companies operating in industries such as healthcare, financial services, mobility, retail, entertainment, nonprofit, and education, Connected Strategy identifies the four pathways--respond-to-desire, curated offering, coach behavior, and automatic execution--for turning episodic interactions into continuous relationships. The authors show how each pathway creates a competitive advantage, then guide you through the critical decisions for creating and implementing your own connected strategies. Whether you're trying to revitalize strategy in an established company or disrupt an industry as a startup, this book will help you: Reshape your connections with your customers Find new ways to connect with existing suppliers while also activating new sources of capacity Create the right revenue model Make the best technology choices to support your strategy Integrating rich examples, how-to advice, and practical tools in the form of "workshop chapters" throughout, this book is the ultimate resource for creating competitive advantage through connected relationships with your customers and redefined connections in your industry.

Engaging, practical, and immediately useful for any business and its messengers on how to talk about their business and connect with their customers. The vast majority of word of mouth happens offline, in everyday conversations. In The Science of Customer Connections, Karrh offers simple concepts plus practical guidance for individual professionals, teams, and complex organizations to be part of those conversations in ways that grow their business. With clear language and a sense of humor, Karrh guides readers step by step to create: A message that is memorable, interesting to buyers, and built to share A growing set of messengers who include your story in their everyday conversations Management habits that build consistency and scale Readers will be equipped to engage customers and employees, build trustworthiness, and grow profitably—without necessarily having to change their business model, offerings, pricing, distribution, or people. Instead, they can quickly elevate the way that everyone close to the business talks about it, consistently resulting in stronger cross-selling and upselling of additional products and services, higher customer satisfaction, and more consistent employee engagement. Inspirational real-world examples are presented from entrepreneurs and career changers, growth companies, and large global organizations.