Meetings are the most expensive activity in Customer Success Management, yet we often overlook their true cost. If we fully understood the financial and strategic impact of meetings, we would likely conduct far fewer unproductive ones. There are three key types of costs associated with meetings: Direct Cost, Opportunity Cost, and Prioritization Cost. Understanding these […] The post The True Cost of Meetings in Customer Success Management appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

Meetings as a Value Metric:Too often, we mistakenly equate the number of meetings with the value we’re providing to the customer. The assumption is that more meetings equal more engagement, and thus more value. However, this approach is fundamentally flawed. Value isn’t derived from the frequency of meetings; it’s derived from the outcomes those meetings […] The post Meetings as a Customer Success Metric: The Misguided Path appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your product, confident that it will make a significant difference for your customers. You’ve set up trials to let potential users experience its value firsthand. But here’s a critical question: Could your trial strategy be unintentionally driving customers away? Picture this: A potential customer signs up for your trial, excited […] The post Opt-In vs. Opt-Out Trials: The Hidden Impact on Customer Retention and Success appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

Imagine securing a new client who seems like the perfect fit for your product or service. The contract is signed, the initial transaction is completed, and everything appears promising. But as weeks turn into months, the client’s engagement dwindles. They barely use the product, seldom reach out for support, and renewal seems unlikely. What went […] The post From Transactions to Relationships: Unleashing Customer Potential with AX appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

Ever felt that knot in your stomach when it’s time to discuss contract renewals with a client? You’re not /alone. Renewals often carry an undeserved stigma—seen as adversarial negotiations rather than opportunities for mutual growth. But what if we could flip the script? What if renewals became a natural, even exciting, part of the customer […] The post Renewal Psychology: From an Adversarial Process to a Celebration of Success appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

Pods, a collaborative team structure, have been around for several years but have become increasingly popular in both Customer Success (CS) and Sales, especially as the former has become even more efficiency-focused in the past year. While Pods share some similarities between Sales and Customer Success, their core objectives and functionalities differ based on the […] The post Pods in Customer Success vs. Sales: A Side-by-Side Comparison appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

The concept of “pods” in Customer Success Management (CSM) continues to evolve, offering a flexible approach to structuring CSM teams within an overall coverage model strategy. Here’s a breakdown of how pods can fit into your CSM coverage models: The Core Concept of Customer Success Pods At its core, a pod is a cross-functional team […] The post The Role of Pods in CSM Coverage Models: The Evolving Landscape appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

The concept of pooled CSMs, where a pool of CSMs manage a portfolio of customers without dedicated account ownership, has emerged as an alternative approach to CSM org design. Here’s a breakdown of the current thinking on pooled CSMs, including the key requirements for success. Potential Benefits of Pooled CSMs Potential Challenges of CSM Pools […] The post Pooled CSMs: Benefits, Challenges, and Requirements for Success appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

There’s no such thing as a ‘tech-touch’ or ‘high-touch’ customer. There are only customers and their Appropriate Experience (AX). This is the modern take on Customer Success Management that leaders of world-class CS organizations operationalize around. While traditional approaches often relied on revenue-based customer segmentation, leading to inconsistent experiences and inefficiencies, AX prioritizes individual needs […] The post Beyond Touch Levels: Scaling Customer Success through Appropriate Experience (AX) appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more

In the realm of Customer Success (CS), understanding customer goals is the cornerstone of building meaningful relationships and driving long-term value. Traditional customer interactions often involve direct communication, allowing for immediate clarification of needs.  As I’ say all the time: No Goals. No Customer Success. Know Goals. Know Customer Success. The Goal Discovery Framework for […] The post The Goal Discovery Framework for Customer Success Management appeared first on Customer-centric Growth by Lincoln Murphy ..read more