Preston Junger: Balancing Technology, AI, and Customer Engagement

Preston Junger, co-founder of Nift Restaurants and Mile Square Labs, joined Arun Kumar on Data Delicacies, powered by Incentivio, to share his expertise on the changing dynamics of technology, customer relationships, and the growing influence of AI in the hospitality industry.

Evolving Customer Connection -The increased implementation of technology in business can decrease the customer connections created by human interaction. Preston Junger believes that technology is an addition to business, but operators must be intentional in taking advantage of opportunities for customer connection and maintaining that relationship.

AI in Hospitality - AI integration has become nearly a necessity for current businesses. However, even with the increased digital presence, AI is still in the beginning stages as companies and customers continue to see what works best and AI companies continue to evolve into new, more efficient tools. Preston Junger believes that eventually, AI tools with staying power will surface and become a staple in the hospitality industry.

The Value of First Party Data - Data collection is vital to business, but Preston Junger says that having the control of the first party data, or data collected directly from the customer, is extremely important. First party data, according to Junger, helps businesses manage, prioritize, and build on customer engagement.

#podcast #interview #technology 

Episode Links

Connect with Preston Junger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonjunger/

Visit Preston Junger Website: https://preston-junger.mystrikingly.com/?

Follow Preston Junger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjunger/?hl=en

Visit Nift Online: https://www.gonift.com/

Visit Miles Square Labs Online: https://milesquarelabs.com/

ABOUT PRESTON JUNGER

With over two decades of experience in scaling high-growth companies, Preston Junger is recognized for turning early-stage ventures into market leaders. His career highlights include launching Yelp's first NYC office, growing revenue from $2MM to $700MM annually, and expanding teams from 80 to 4,000 employees. Preston has also secured significant investments, including an $80MM Series C led by SoftBank in 2022. 

Known for his strategic vision and innovation, Preston excels in enterprise sales, business development, and talent acquisition. He combines his expertise with a global perspective, making him a key player in international expansion and startup growth. Outside of work, Preston enjoys sports, travel, and staying up-to-date with emerging technologies.

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