Advice & Insight
Reflections on customer advisory boards, customer relationships, and what it takes to strengthen them both.
Looking for a complete primer on advisory boards? Read The Expert Guide to Powerful Customer Advisory Boards.
CXO Perspectives: Leading Change Agendas
We share what we have learned about the state of digital transformation through our in-depth conversations with CXOs, and how the C-suite has moved beyond early debate to take action in five key areas to drive competitive advantage.
Honesty is the Best Policy When it Comes to Customer Engagement
Growing up, I would often hear the saying that “honesty is the best policy.” It’s always best to be upfront, otherwise you’re only masking underlying issues and more often than not, that lid won’t remain closed. As an adult, I can attest that I remind my six-year-old of this…. on a near-daily basis.
The Customer Engagement Challenge
An ongoing customer engagement strategy requires planning and an investment in the development of compelling content and interactions that keep your customers coming back. Here are tips in building a more systematic engagement approach with your customers.
Mastering Executive Engagement What's Holding You Back? (Part 1)
Strong relationships with your c-level customers can accelerate change, uncover opportunities, and strengthen your company’s position. What keeps B2Bs from earning those relationships—and realizing their value? We’ve identified 10 common—but surmountable—barriers that hold B2Bs back.
Mastering Executive Engagement What's Holding You Back? (Part 2)
Strong relationships with your c-level customers can accelerate change, uncover opportunities, and strengthen your company’s position. What keeps B2Bs from earning those relationships—and realizing their value? We’ve identified 10 common—but surmountable—barriers that hold B2Bs back. In Part 2 of this series, we explore the struggle and barriers to realize value.
Getting to a Customer Engagement Mindset
Many marketers are stuck in an activity mindset, focused more on the event calendar and the client reference database than strategic conversations with customers. In contrast, an engagement mindset creates a strategy focused from the outside-in rather than from the inside-out. Here are ways to shift your approach toward an engagement mindset, even when you can't achieve a full-scale transformation.
All is Not Lost for Brick and Mortar in the Digital Age of Shopping
A couple of years ago, I ventured out on Black Friday to find uncrowded stores, likely due to technology and the shift in the way consumers buy products. And last year on Thanksgiving night, I decided to switch it up a bit and opted to shop online.
From Seller to Advisor: Engage Your Customers to Help You Stop Pitching
At the 2015 ITSMA annual conference, we considered, "If it is all about the customer experience, why are we still pitching?" We share the key takeaways from our discussion with Janis Fratamico, Director, Relationship Marketing at Bloomberg and David Coates, Director, Customer Programs at Iron Mountain, about relationship-based engagement...and four ways your can help your organization work from a customer point of view.
Why Building a Positive Customer Journey for All Ages Matters
“How can we better engage the customer? What can we do to enhance the buyer experience?” These are common questions that C-suite leaders struggle with.
To Dial, Or Not To Dial…That Is The Question!
We live in an era where technology is full-steam ahead and constantly changing. We hear this from our clients throughout our work at Farland Group — that companies are in a game of cat-and-mouse to keep up with one another. Technology is the reason it’s so easy to open my email first thing in the morning and send that quick note to the assistant I’ve been chasing for two weeks.
Measure Your Teams on Customer Outcomes Not Contract Delivery
B2B leaders often measure their teams on contract terms and SLAs instead of customer outcomes and business goals. This is short sighted and can result in limited engagements.
Customer Advocacy: It’s a Win-Win
A vibrant customer advocacy program is not just a selling tool, it is a win-win for both the organization and the customer.
Small Gestures Create Differentiated Customer Experiences
At Farland Group, we hear the term “differentiated customer experience” frequently during our calls with clients. Businesses are constantly looking for ways to “wow” their customers and give them a compelling reason to revisit their store, click on their website or make a purchase.
Retail Therapy: 3 Secrets Behind Thriving Brick-and-Mortars [Article]
[AS SEEN IN TOTAL RETAIL] Three common traits shared by successful retailers navigating omnichannel experiences
Customer Engagement and One-on-One Connections
If I had to describe in two words what Farland Group specializes in—my answer would be customer engagement. But what do I mean by customer engagement? If customers are buying products and services, aren’t they already engaged?
Learn the strongest boards’ five characteristics—and the methods behind them.
Set up a new board for success
Diagnose and improve an under-performing board
Make a successful board even better