April, 2025

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Serving Up Elevated Customer Experiences with Michael Cecchi-Azzolina

ShepHyken

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more: What is hospitality mentality? What are the differences between technical service skills and the soft service skills (the softer, people-focused side of service)? Why is emotional connection important in business? What lessons can businesses learn from the hospitality industry?

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From Contact Center to Customer Experience Center – Are You Ready?

CCNG

As we navigate 2025, the customer experience (CX) landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Todays customers are expecting more than just fast servicethey demand personalized, proactive, and seamless interactions across every touchpoint. This shift is driven by advancements in AI, automation, and data analytics, which are reshaping how businesses engage with their customers (McKinsey).

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Implement human-in-the-loop confirmation with Amazon Bedrock Agents

AWS Machine Learning

Agents are revolutionizing how businesses automate complex workflows and decision-making processes. Amazon Bedrock Agents helps you accelerate generative AI application development by orchestrating multi-step tasks. Agents use the reasoning capability of foundation models (FMs) to break down user-requested tasks into multiple steps. In addition, they use the developer-provided instruction to create an orchestration plan and then carry out the plan by invoking company APIs and accessing knowledge

APIs 101
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CallMiner Product Innovation Series: Q1 2025

Callminer

CallMiner's, Bruce McMahon, shares key product updates from Q1 2025. CallMiner AI Assist advancements, CallMiner Outreach, Bulk Export API enhancements and more made for a busy quarter of innovation.

APIs 182
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How AI Is Revolutionizing Contact Centers: 2025 Strategy + ROI Playbook

In 2025, contact centers aren’t just changing—they’re being rebuilt by AI. This no-fluff, executive-ready guide shows you how to capitalize on the transformation. Inside: proven ROI calculators, workforce optimization tactics, deflection strategies, and a 90-day AI deployment plan. Built for CIOs, COOs, CX leaders, and contact center strategists, it goes beyond buzzwords into play-by-play implementation.

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The Role of Training in Preparing Call Center Teams for Success

TeleDirect

The Role of Training in Preparing Call Center Teams for Success The Role of Training in Preparing Call Center Teams for Success is an essential topic for any business that values high-quality customer service , operational efficiency, and employee satisfaction. In a fast-paced, results-driven environment, well-trained agents are the cornerstone of every successful call center.

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Top 5 Customer Service & CX Articles for Week of April 14, 2025

ShepHyken

Each week, I read many customer service and customer experience articles from various resources. Here are my top five picks from last week. I have added my comments about each article and would like to hear what you think too. Bridging Generations: How Personalization and Proactivity Shape CX by Brian Higgins (TotalRetail) Heres a strategy to please everyone from every generation.

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Smarter conversations: How Voice AI is shaping the future of CX

3CLogic

The approach to customer service is rapidly evolving, in no small part due to AI. Interestingly, the surge in AI adoption across organizations comes at a time when many are still grappling with how to meet rising customer expectations. In fact, nearly 70% of consumers feel confident their issue can be resolved over the phone, compared to one-quarter having the same confidence in chatbots and other digital channels.

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Model customization, RAG, or both: A case study with Amazon Nova

AWS Machine Learning

As businesses and developers increasingly seek to optimize their language models for specific tasks, the decision between model customization and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) becomes critical. In this post, we seek to address this growing need by offering clear, actionable guidelines and best practices on when to use each approach, helping you make informed decisions that align with your unique requirements and objectives.

APIs 98
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Lesson #40 Revisited: In-Moment Feedback is the Ultimate VoC Power Move (And AI is Only Accelerating It)

PeopleMetrics

If you want to truly transform your VoC program collect feedback while the customer is still in the experience. In-moment feedback changes everything! Why? Because waiting even a few hours (let alone days) after an experience to ask for feedback adds friction, memory loss, and apathy. But catch customers while they are still engaged while the emotion is fresh and magic happens.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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12 RFP Questions to Ask About AI in the Contact Center

BlueOcean

Youve got your game face on. Youre prepared for the future of customer service. And youre ready for your outsourced customer service RFP to hit the road and bring you some stellar options for a new contact center partner. But are you asking the right questions about artificial intelligence? AI and customer care are growing deeply intertwined, with intelligent tech delivering powerful insights for hyper-personalized experiences.

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5 Reasons TeleDirect’s Inbound Call Solutions Outshine the Competition

TeleDirect

5 Reasons TeleDirects Inbound Call Solutions Outshine the Competition When it comes to inbound call solutions , not all providers are created equal. TeleDirects Inbound Call Solutions stand out as the top choice for businesses looking to deliver exceptional customer service and boost operational efficiency. With a proven track record and a commitment to innovation, TeleDirect continues to set the industry standard for inbound call center services.

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How AI solutions for contact centres reduce costs and improve efficiency

Connect

As developments in artificial intelligence ( AI ) advanced, the technology has become more than just a buzzword in the business world. Contact centre operators have emerged as first-movers in the adoption of AI solutions. Investment in AI continues to accelerate as the technology delivers tangible returns on investment across frontline engagement and back-office functions by reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies.

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What Makes React.js a Top Choice for Developers

CSM Magazine

When it comes to crafting modern, dynamic web applications, few tools have gained as much popularity and trust as React.js. React.js is a hit with developers; its component-based structure is both fast and adaptable. This has led to widespread adoption. Ruby on Rails is king for backend development, but React.js is still a powerful force on the front-end.

APIs 52
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Next-Gen Cloud Contact Centers For Dummies®

What does customer service excellence look like in 2024? According to our report with insights from CX expert Shep Hyken, customer expectations are at an all-time high, and there’s a bigger shift toward self-service and leveraging AI capabilities.

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AI Workforce: using AI and Drones to simplify infrastructure inspections

AWS Machine Learning

Inspecting wind turbines, power lines, 5G towers, and pipelines is a tough job. Its often dangerous, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Thats why we at Amazon Web Services (AWS) are working on AI Workforcea system that uses drones and AI to make these inspections safer, faster, and more accurate. This post is the first in a three-part series exploring AI Workforce, the AWS AI-powered drone inspection system.

APIs 95
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Lesson #39 Revisited: Conversational Surveys and AI—The Future of Listening is Here

PeopleMetrics

Static surveys have long been the industry standard in VoC. But AI is changing that in exciting ways! Enter conversational surveysan innovative approach that uses AI to turn a static survey into a dynamic, evolving conversation with your customer. And heres the key: the best application of AI in surveys right now isnt about replacing structured surveys.

Surveys 62
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From Onboarding to Excellence: Your Contact Center Training Guide for 2025

Calabrio

Workforce Management From Onboarding to Excellence: Your Contact Center Training Guide for 2025 Jump ahead What is Contact Center Training? Why Investing in Agent Training is Critical for Contact Centers in 2025 The Foundation: Building Your Strategic Call Center Training Program Building a Core Curriculum: Essential Training Topics for Every Agent to Master 8 Effective Call Center Training Methods & Techniques Call Center Training Ideas & Tips for Success Measuring Training Effectivenes

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6 Unexpected Things Your Retail IVA Can Accomplish

Interactions

For retailers, there are certain table-stakes expectations when it comes to Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs). An acceptable retail IVA should be able to look up orders, check shipping status, and provide information about store locations. A better, more advanced IVA may be able to process branded card payments and even manage returns without escalation.

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The Ultimate Blueprint for an AI-First Contact Center

Start building the AI workforce of the future with our comprehensive guide to creating an AI-first contact center. Learn how Conversational and Generative AI can transform traditional operations into scalable, efficient, and customer-centric experiences. What is AI-First? Transition from outdated, human-first strategies to an AI-driven approach that enhances customer engagement and operational efficiency.

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10 Best CCaaS Providers for Enterprises and Contact Centers (2025)

Avoxi

10 Best CCaaS Providers for Enterprises and Contact Centers (2025) For enterprise contact centers, customer communication isn't just about speedit's about consistency, clarity, and global reliability. Whether a customer calls from across the city or across the world, your ability to deliver a clear, smooth interaction directly impacts customer satisfaction, loyalty, and revenue.

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Diners Split on ‘Second Tip’ Issue During Restaurant Pickup

CSM Magazine

Tipping practices in the U.S. have always been complicated, but a recent Reddit post brought a new level of controversy to the table. A customer expressed frustration after a restaurant asked for a “second tip” when he picked up his online order. The incident sparked a heated online debate about tipping. Is the current system fair? Many diners think it’s gone too far.

Morale 52
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How iFood built a platform to run hundreds of machine learning models with Amazon SageMaker Inference

AWS Machine Learning

Headquartered in So Paulo, Brazil, iFood is a national private company and the leader in food-tech in Latin America, processing millions of orders monthly. iFood has stood out for its strategy of incorporating cutting-edge technology into its operations. With the support of AWS, iFood has developed a robust machine learning (ML) inference infrastructure, using services such as Amazon SageMaker to efficiently create and deploy ML models.

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How to optimize your customer onboarding strategy: a six-point checklist.

ChurnZero

Your customer onboarding strategy is the foundation of your future retention and expansion revenue. Every task, meeting, and communication serves the ultimate goal of getting that customer to realize value. You aim to identify whats important to the customer, set expectations, and measure success. The right onboarding strategy means more than just getting a customer using your product.

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The Ultimate Contact Center Buyers Guide: A Crucial Decision

Harness the True Power of your Contact Center In today’s fast-paced business environment, selecting the right contact center solution is critical for enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and optimizing costs. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential factors to consider when choosing a contact center software that aligns with your business needs.

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CX in 2025: Trends That Will Define the Future of Customer Experience

TMP Direct

Todays consumers are more informed, tech-savvy, and impatient than ever. They expect instant responses, seamless service, and a personalized experience at every touchpoint. Businesses that fail to adapt risk losing customers to competitors who have mastered the art of customer experience (CX) in 2025. Smarter Customers, Smarter Businesses The landscape of CX is evolving rapidly.

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Why 200 Call Samples Still Deliver Big Insights

Balto

At first glance, reviewing just 200 calls might seem too smallespecially when your contact center handles thousands (or millions) of them every month. But Balto chose this number for a reason. A randomly selected sample of 200 calls is a fast, statistically sound way to uncover what truly matters in your conversationswithout spending hours combing through endless recordings.

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Cautious Customers: Rising costs and global uncertainties are turning consumers into more discerning spenders.

Maru Group

If theres one thing you can predict at the moment, its just how unpredictable the world seems to be. In light of some of the most turbulent economic conditions weve seen for some time, not to mention global uncertainty surrounding changes to tariffs coming from the United States, the prevailing opinion seems to be that no-one knows what tomorrow will bring.

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How to Deliver Seamless, Personalized Self-Service Across Channels

CSM Magazine

Personalized self-service has quickly become a necessity for businesses in an era where convenience and efficiency are non-negotiable for customers. Customers today expect faster resolutions, intuitive experiences, and tailored interactions when they engage with your brand. But how can businesses, particularly retailers, deliver seamless, personalized self-service across various channels without compromising user satisfaction?

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The Contact Center Manager’s Guide to AI

Step-by-step instructions on how to use AI for growth in your contact center Learn how AI can transform your contact center operations. In this ebook, dig into the different AI technologies, then see how each can help automate tasks, streamline service, and turn your contact center from a cost center to a profit house. Plus, we’ll give you practical tips on choosing the right AI tools, getting them up and running, and measuring their impact.

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How AWS Sales uses generative AI to streamline account planning

AWS Machine Learning

Every year, AWS Sales personnel draft in-depth, forward looking strategy documents for established AWS customers. These documents help the AWS Sales team to align with our customer growth strategy and to collaborate with the entire sales team on long-term growth ideas for AWS customers. These documents are internally called account plans (APs). In 2024, this activity took an account manager (AM) up to 40 hours per customer.

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The Rise of AI Agents: Redefining Automation and Productivity in 2025

24-7 InTouch

The integration of AI into everyday business operations has reached a turning point. In 2024, AI models became smarter and more efficient; in 2025, the focus shifts from intelligence to action. AI agents are no longer just responsive toolsthey are autonomous systems capable of executing complex workflows, making strategic decisions, and seamlessly integrating into business operations to enhance productivity and efficiency across industries, reshaping the way businesses operate and setting new st

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WFM Redefined: Balancing CX, Employee Engagement, and Operational Excellence

DMG Consulting

WFM Redefined: Balancing CX, Employee Engagement, and Operational Excellence April 2025 The amount of research and development (R&D) invested in workforce management (WFM) solutions in 2024 and continuing into 2025 is greater than ever, and the growing interest in new capabilities and features is drawing attention to limitations in some of the markets older applications.