CS School

Customer Success Collective
  • 4.4 (5)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Tired of overly niche customer success conversations that might as well be in a different language? CS School is the podcast that strips customer success back to basics. Tune in so you don’t zone out. Ever wanted to have a full overview of how segmentation works in customer success? Check out CS School. Always wondered what the psychology behind CS is? Head to CS School. Wanna know the best way to tackle renewals? Find out at CS School.

  1. Cultural intelligence in customer success with Jomilsa Sousa

    10/13/2025

    Cultural intelligence in customer success with Jomilsa Sousa

    Can customer success strategies be replicated across different regions and cultures? In this episode, we sit down with Jomilsa Sousa, a Customer Success Manager based in Dubai, to explore why standardized playbooks often fall short in international markets. Jomilsa shares her firsthand experience contrasting customer success approaches between the UK and the Middle East, revealing how communication preferences, relationship-building expectations, and client engagement vary dramatically across regions. From tech-driven approaches in some markets to high-touch, personal interactions in others, she explains why adaptability and human connection trump rigid frameworks. Key topics include: 🎙️ The limitations of standardized customer success playbooks in global markets 🎙️ Cultural nuances in communication and relationship-building across the Middle East 🎙️ How to educate clients about the value of customer success in different contexts 🎙️ The importance of customizing strategies while maintaining core principles Tune into this episode for valuable insights on building meaningful relationships and driving success across cultural boundaries.

    43 min
  2. How AI is redefining the CSM role with Adam Parsons

    09/30/2025

    How AI is redefining the CSM role with Adam Parsons

    Customer success is at an inflection point. AI isn't just a buzzword – it's fundamentally rewriting what it means to be a CSM. Yet adoption in CS is lagging, and those who wait risk being left behind. In this episode of the CS School podcast, we're joined by Adam Parsons, Client Success Director at Degreed, to explore how AI is transforming the role – from task-driven execution to insight-driven strategy. We break down where AI adds real value today (research, news analysis, and client intelligence), how to experiment with the right tools, and why curiosity and intentionality will separate leaders from laggards. Adam draws from his own journey to highlight the mindset shifts needed to thrive in a future where CSMs act as strategic partners, not just problem-solvers. If you want to stay relevant – and indispensable – in a rapidly changing landscape, this episode is your roadmap.

    37 min

  3. 09/24/2025

    How customer success impacts GTM with Akash Singh

    Akash Singh joins us to discuss the importance of customer success in go-to-market (GTM) strategy.

    28 min
  4. Redefining customer experience with Raymond Otero, Microsoft

    08/28/2024

    Redefining customer experience with Raymond Otero, Microsoft

    In this episode of CS School, we're joined by Raymond Otero, the Director of Global Customer Experience (Strategic Programs) at Microsoft, about the intersection of customer experience (CX) and customer success (CS). Raymond discusses the evolution of CX and CS, the cultural shift towards customer centricity, the use of technology in CX, and the measurement of CX success. Raymond shares a case study of how Microsoft integrated CX and CS with Adobe, resulting in cost savings, improved app performance, and increased customer satisfaction. He also addresses common misconceptions about CX and CS and offers advice for implementing CX initiatives in small to medium-sized businesses. Key takeawaysCX and CS have evolved significantly in recent years due to technological advancements and changing customer expectations.CX and CS are not limited to customer service or support; they encompass the entire customer journey and focus on proactive engagement and value realization.Cultural shifts towards customer centricity have improved customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty.CX and CS initiatives should involve collaboration across departments, including marketing, product development, and sales.Metrics such as net promoter score (NPS), customer satisfaction (CSAT), and customer effort score (CES) can be used to track and measure CX success.Implementing CX initiatives in small to medium-sized businesses requires starting with one metric, collecting data, and demonstrating the return on investment to gain buy-in from leadership.ResourcesAttend Ray's keynote session "Anticipating customer needs: Proactive services and analytics strategies for support teams" at Customer Support Summit on October 9, 2024.Connect with Ray on LinkedInJoin the CSC Slack community

    42 min
  5. Emotional intelligence in customer success with Jenelle Friday

    08/08/2024

    Emotional intelligence in customer success with Jenelle Friday

    Think empathy is the key to customer success? It's just the tip of the iceberg! Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the real game-changer, not just for your clients, but for YOU too. We were lucky enough to chat with EQ champion Jenelle Friday, VP of Customer Success at Forecastable, about emotional intelligence (EQ) and its importance in customer success. We discuss the four pillars of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Janelle emphasizes the need for self-awareness as the foundation of emotional intelligence and the importance of understanding oneself and one's emotional triggers. Emotional intelligence is essential to customer success and involves self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Key takeaways from this episode:Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence and involves understanding oneself, emotional triggers, and past experiences that shape behavior.Building authentic relationships in the workplace requires empathy, curiosity, and active listening.Difficult conversations can be navigated with emotional intelligence by understanding one's own fears and the motivations of the other person.Embracing change and being open to new perspectives are key aspects of emotional intelligence in customer success. Leaders need to prioritize emotional intelligence (EQ) in their interactions with team members and customers.A relationship-driven approach is more effective than a sales-focused approach in business.Training and development in EQ are essential for leaders and customer success teams.EQ is crucial in the evolving digital and automated world.EQ can lead to personal and professional transformation.Connect with Jenelle on LinkedIn to learn more about this fascinating topic and transform your approach to customer success, work-life and beyond!

    45 min
  6. CS Ops: The innovative frontier of customer success with Roger Mendez

    06/05/2024

    CS Ops: The innovative frontier of customer success with Roger Mendez

    We discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that CS Ops presents, as well as the specific skill sets and pathways that aspiring professionals in this domain should cultivate. Join us as we unpack the intricacies of CS Ops, learn about Roger's day-to-day operations, and explore the future of this vital aspect of customer success within the tech industry. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, this episode promises to be an informative and engaging exploration of a field that is rapidly gaining prominence. How CS Ops differs from traditional customer successTransition into CS OpsImportance of personalization and proactivityCross-functional collaborationData-driven approachScaling and operational excellenceOvercoming challengesA typical CS Ops dayBreakthrough momentsFuture of CS Ops

    46 min

  7. 04/11/2024

    How to onboard a new Customer Success Manager with Jess Galenski

    CS School

    31 min

  8. 03/14/2024

    CSMs: The customer's guide to advocacy with Cristy Rahman

    CS School

    36 min
See All (35)

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Tired of overly niche customer success conversations that might as well be in a different language? CS School is the podcast that strips customer success back to basics. Tune in so you don’t zone out. Ever wanted to have a full overview of how segmentation works in customer success? Check out CS School. Always wondered what the psychology behind CS is? Head to CS School. Wanna know the best way to tackle renewals? Find out at CS School.

Information

  • Creator
    Customer Success Collective
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Product Marketing Alliance LTD
  • Show Website
    CS School