Customer Success Talks

Real Challenges, Experts Advice

Welcome to Customer Success Talks: Real Challenges, Expert Advice – the podcast for everyone passionate about CS! Whether you're transitioning into CS or a CSM with around three years of experience, this podcast is here for you. Our discussions tackle day-to-day CSM challenges in a practical way, ensuring value for everyone. Hosted by Bayron Toruno, a true CS enthusiast, each episode features in-depth conversations with industry experts, real-life stories, and actionable advice. Join us and be part of our community, where we grow and succeed together!

  1. MAR 25

    Becoming a Customer Success Leader for the First Time | How to Navigate Your First Leadership Role

    In this episode, Stefan Kiefer, a seasoned Customer Success leader, helped us understand what it really takes to transition from an individual contributor to a CS leader for the first time.Stefan shares valuable insights on leadership, coaching, and mentoring, and how to strike the right balance between guidance and autonomy. We dived deep into the realities of managing teams, building trust, navigating authority, and communicating effectively as a new leader. Key Takeaways:- Leadership is about helping others succeed, not just yourself.- Curiosity drives effective coaching and team growth.- Balance guidance with trust — avoid micromanagement.- Communication and vulnerability are cornerstones of strong leadership.- Building a supportive, transparent environment fuels performance. In this episode, Stefan Kiefer, a seasoned Customer Success leader, helped us understand what it really takes to transition from an individual contributor to a CS leader for the first time.Stefan shares valuable insights on leadership, coaching, and mentoring, and how to strike the right balance between guidance and autonomy.We dived deep into the realities of managing teams, building trust, navigating authority, and communicating effectively as a new leader.Key Takeaways:- Leadership is about helping others succeed, not just yourself.- Curiosity drives effective coaching and team growth.- Balance guidance with trust — avoid micromanagement.- Communication and vulnerability are cornerstones of strong leadership.- Building a supportive, transparent environment fuels performance. Connect with Us: Stefan Kiefer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-kiefer-a917665a/ Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/ Follow us on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/ Tik-Tok @customer.success6 Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/ This episode is part of the series “Becoming a CS Leader for the First Time.”

    56 min
  2. MAR 11

    How to Write Messages That Get Replies | Jen Allen-Kanuth

    In the fast-paced world of Customer Success, every email counts but how do you make yours stand out in a crowded inbox? In this episode Jen Allen-Kanuth, sales trainer and co-founder of DemandJen, to uncover the psychology and strategy behind writing emails that get real responses. We break down what separates an ignored message from one that drives meaningful conversations from understanding the buyer’s mental spam filter to crafting subject lines that capture attention in under three seconds. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why intention is the foundation of every effective email. - How the law of least effort influences your reader’s behavior. - Ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT to personalize your outreach. - What makes a subject line trigger the right kind of curiosity. - Real examples of cold emails that actually worked. Get to know how DemandJen and how Jen help sales teams defeat customer status quo and earn buyer attention. https://demandjen.com/ Connect with Us: Jen Allen-Kanuth - https://www.linkedin.com/in/demandjen1/ Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/ Follow us on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/ Tik-Tok @customer.success6 Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/ Whether you’re a Customer Success Manager, Sales professional, or anyone who lives in their inbox, this episode will help you write smarter, more human emails that connect and convert. 🎧 Tune in now and start mastering the art of intentional communication.

    53 min
  3. FEB 25

    Everyone Has a Brand—Are You Controlling Yours?

    In this episode, I had such a real and human conversation with Sandy Yu, founder of Revenue Retention Advisors and a long-time advocate of authentic personal branding. She unpack what it truly means to build a personal brand that reflects who we are not just the job title on our LinkedIn profile. Sandy shares how personal branding begins with identity, self-awareness, and understanding how others perceive us. She explains why every professional—especially in Customer Success—benefits from taking ownership of their brand, gathering honest feedback, and showing up consistently with authenticity and intention. From defining our audience, to leveraging LinkedIn more strategically, to creating meaningful content that aligns with your values, this conversation offers practical, human, and deeply grounded guidance for anyone looking to grow their career and strengthen their professional presence. Whether you’re transitioning into Customer Success, developing your voice, or simply trying to understand how to present yourself with confidence, this episode will remind you that: Everyone has a brand. Authenticity matters. And building your brand is a marathon—not a sprint. In this episode, I had such a real and human conversation with Sandy Yu, founder of Revenue Retention Advisors and a long-time advocate of authentic personal branding. She unpack what it truly means to build a personal brand that reflects who we are not just the job title on our LinkedIn profile.Sandy shares how personal branding begins with identity, self-awareness, and understanding how others perceive us. She explains why every professional—especially in Customer Success—benefits from taking ownership of their brand, gathering honest feedback, and showing up consistently with authenticity and intention.From defining our audience, to leveraging LinkedIn more strategically, to creating meaningful content that aligns with your values, this conversation offers practical, human, and deeply grounded guidance for anyone looking to grow their career and strengthen their professional presence.Whether you’re transitioning into Customer Success, developing your voice, or simply trying to understand how to present yourself with confidence, this episode will remind you that:Everyone has a brand.Authenticity matters.And building your brand is a marathon—not a sprint. Get to know how Sandy helps the Go-to-market team solve their challenges and all the resources she shares. www.revenueretention.net Connect with Us: Sandy Yu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandysyu/ Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/ Follow us on:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/ Tik-Tok @customer.success6 Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

    41 min

About

Welcome to Customer Success Talks: Real Challenges, Expert Advice – the podcast for everyone passionate about CS! Whether you're transitioning into CS or a CSM with around three years of experience, this podcast is here for you. Our discussions tackle day-to-day CSM challenges in a practical way, ensuring value for everyone. Hosted by Bayron Toruno, a true CS enthusiast, each episode features in-depth conversations with industry experts, real-life stories, and actionable advice. Join us and be part of our community, where we grow and succeed together!

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