CX Files

Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan

CX Files features your hosts, CX industry analysts Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan, speaking each week to leading analysts, thinkers, and practitioners focused on managing the Customer Experience (CX). In each episode Mark and Peter talk to their guests about the future of CX, the important trends, and what customers really expect from brands today.

  1. -13 H

    Gareth Bray - Premier CX - Why Customers Prefer WhatsApp

    Gareth Bray is Business Development Director and WhatsApp Guru at Premier CX. He is based in Odiham, Hampshire, UK. Over 100 billion WhatsApp messages are sent daily by users - that's more than a million messages on the platform every second. Between 1 to 3 billion of these daily messages is a customer talking to a business. Gareth was on the Meta team when they launched WhatsApp in Europe so he has a long background using this asynchronous messaging tool. In many global markets WhatsApp has entirely redefined customer service. In Brazil and India it can be used to locate local businesses and almost all businesses engage with customers using WhatsApp. It's not so prevalent in the US (although still over 100m users) or Europe, but should more companies be looking at this tool?  After all, as so many CX directors look to AI for a quick win, they could be exploring a tool that is used billions of times daily and offers a way to engage with customers that is much more convenient than webchat. It's also free for the customer and very low cost for the business. Mark Hillary called Gareth to explore WhatsApp and why more companies should be considering this messaging app. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-bray-207105a/ https://www.premiercx.co.uk/ --- Summary: Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the rise of WhatsApp as a customer service channel, particularly in Brazil and India, with Gareth Bray from Premier CX. WhatsApp's asynchronous support allows for convenient customer interactions, improving efficiency and reducing costs by 85%. Bray highlights that 1 billion people weekly message businesses on WhatsApp, and the platform's user base in the US is growing rapidly. WhatsApp offers features like decision trees, video clips, and integration with CRM systems, enhancing customer experience and agent efficiency. The platform's automation and AI capabilities are also emphasized, with a focus on agentic AI that allows customers to accomplish tasks within a flow.

    29 min
  2. You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    -13 H · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Introducing “Overclocked: Clock Clock Clock” (w/ George Civeris + Sam Taggart) from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Follow the show: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang Four gay guys, having finally had it, go dark woke and throw neck in this episode of Las Culturistas, the sister podcast of the iconic StraightioLab. Its hosts, George Civeris and Sam Taggart, join Matt + Bowen to form a cornucopia of homosexual men who throw prayers up for Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Linkin Park era in a very “they would all be doing Best Week Ever back in the day” way. They clock each other on their social media, the times they’ve publicly cried at events, and original radical optimism opinions. How much do they love Audrey Hobert? It’s in here. Lady Gaga’s potential next film? Well-researched theories are explored. And there are games! Play Haim Lick and consider Lizzo’s Pass along with the crew at home, or wherever you listen to podcasts!  Watch George’s special A Sense of Urgency on Apple and Amazon, see Sam’s upcoming shows in LA on March 24th and April 1st, and stream Haim! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. 12 MARS

    CCW Berlin 2026 - Feedback Direct From The Floor

    CCW 2026 took place at the end of February 2026 in Berlin. Peter Ryan was there on the conference floor. He took a microphone and tried to capture several comments and ideas from the delegates - what was the conference about and what were the key themes that people in CX are focused on in 2026? https://www.ccw.eu/en/ CCW conference delegates who spoke to Peter Ryan: Monika Röhr-Łukasik Axendi https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-r%C3%B6hr-%C5%82ukasik-596b3932/   Humphrey Davies BPO Search  https://www.linkedin.com/in/humphrey-davis   Daniel Castilla Alliance BPO https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-castilla-328b0734/   Corina Amza Rockstart https://www.linkedin.com/in/corina-a-73650660/   Chrissie Porter CCMA https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissie-spencer/   Simon Rainbow Pose CX https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-rainbow-5197393/   -------- NOTE: this recording was made on the floor of the CCW conference so the sound quality is not the usual quality we would use on the podcast, but we live and learn about the best ways to report from events like this! Summary: Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the CCW Berlin 2026 show, highlighting the event's international reach and focus on AI. Peter interviewed a number of people on the floor of the conference.  Key points included the need for broader event content beyond AI, the importance of networking, and the challenge of differentiating AI solutions. Attendees appreciated the international networking opportunities but criticized the over-focus on AI. Simon emphasized the need for clear AI use cases to enhance agent and customer experiences. The event was praised for its networking potential and international representation.

    22 min
  4. 26 FÉVR.

    Roger Barlow - LATAM Translations - AI Has Changed Translation Into Interpretation

    Roger Barlow is Director of LATAM Translations. He is based in São Paulo, Brazil. Roger is British and has lived in Brazil since 1998. Since 2001 he has focused on helping Brazilian companies engage with a global audience. This involves a significant amount of translation from and to Portuguese. Multilingual CX is a subject we have often covered on CX Files so Mark decided to call up  Roger because of his experience managing a company that is entirely focused on translation. How has AI impacted translation and will we see a complete replacement of translation because AI can now do this work? The answer may be surprising. AI is getting better, but the reality is still that many humans don't understand each other so there are many subtle messages and meanings that may still require human attention. CX leaders considering a complete move to automated multilingual support may need to take these ideas on board - day-to-day basic services can be automated, but it's still not possible to achieve 100% accuracy using AI in translation or interpretation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-barlow-87270991/ http://latamtran.com.br/en/   Summary: Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan discuss the impact of AI on translation services with Roger Barlow, who runs LATAM Translations in São Paulo. Barlow highlights that while AI can handle basic translations, it struggles with nuances and context, especially in complex documents like ESG reports. He notes that most of his work comes via email, and the pandemic led to a permanent shift to remote work - WFH is now normal. Barlow also mentions that AI is often used without permission, leading to errors. He predicts a potential pushback against AI-driven translation due to its limitations in conveying subtle meanings and maintaining document quality.

    23 min
  5. 19 FÉVR.

    Michael Gray - Spacial Working - Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay

    Michael Gray is the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Spacial Working. He is based in London, UK. Spacial Working is focused on helping companies to create a flexible work environment that embraces both working from home and working in offices. The aim is to create a flexible arrangement that works well for the company and employees. The media often reports that WFH is finished and most employees are heading back into offices, but the reality is quite different. There is less WFH than during the pandemic period, but it has plateaued and is not dropping much further - so there is much more flexibility today compared to 2019. But many companies still struggle to make it work well so what does Michael advise? https://spacialworking.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgray7/   Summary: In this CX Files episode, Mark Hillary speaks with Michael Gray, Chief Strategy Officer at Spacial Working, about what the pandemic really changed — and what it didn't — in customer experience operations. Gray explains that work-from-home in the contact center industry is not a temporary COVID experiment but part of a much longer evolution enabled by technology and workforce expectations. While some executives continue pushing return-to-office mandates, the evidence shows the future is hybrid: organizations must redesign recruitment, training, management, and performance measurement rather than simply sending agents home with laptops. Flexible working can improve retention and productivity, particularly for parents, carers, and geographically distant employees, but only if supported by proper monitoring, communication structures, and culture. The real challenge for CX leaders is no longer deciding whether remote work works — it is learning how to operationally manage a permanent hybrid workforce. Disclosure: Mark Hillary is a research adviser to Spacial Working

    29 min
  6. 12 FÉVR.

    Jacqui Turner - Turner Corner - CX For Vulnerable Customers

    Jacqui Turner founded the Turner Corner Leadership Academy. She is based at Great Malvern, which is close to Stratford-Upon-Avon in the UK. The academy is focused on customer service training, leadership programmes and coaching interventions. Training followed by coaching with Jacqui's team has been proven to make training much more effective, in terms of staff productivity, performance and business results. In this discussion with Peter Ryan, Jacqui talks about vulnerable customers. How do businesses define their vulnerable customers and how can they design CX that works better for customers with special needs or the need for greater consideration? Vulnerability in CX design is often overlooked, but it is essential and for many types of regulated business this is mandatory. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-turner-leadership-trainer/ https://turnercorner.co.uk/   SUMMARY: Peter introduces Jacqui Turner, who emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing vulnerabilities in customer service. Jacqui highlights that vulnerability can manifest in various forms, including age, health issues, financial struggles, and digital illiteracy. She stresses the need for organizations to have policies and training for handling vulnerable customers across different communication channels. Jacqui also advocates for AI technology to be designed with vulnerability in mind to maintain accessible communication.

    36 min

À propos

CX Files features your hosts, CX industry analysts Mark Hillary and Peter Ryan, speaking each week to leading analysts, thinkers, and practitioners focused on managing the Customer Experience (CX). In each episode Mark and Peter talk to their guests about the future of CX, the important trends, and what customers really expect from brands today.

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