Luke Squires, Customer Experience Director at Sykes Holiday Cottages, discusses how businesses can integrate transformational technologies like AI into their traditional customer support operations. He discusses the evolution of customer service, the exciting potential of AI, and how it’s becoming more accessible to companies. Luke emphasizes that while AI comes with challenges, it opens up many new opportunities for improving customer experiences.

“Technology is the best it’s ever been. It’s constantly evolving and becoming more accessible for companies. While it still comes with a significant cost, tools like AI are no longer a new concept. They’re now something businesses can adopt and start running with.” – Luke Squires

Luke Squires highlights the growing need to integrate AI-driven tools into traditional customer support. He explains how rapidly evolving consumer expectations, driven by pandemic-era digital behaviors and Gen Z's unique communication preferences, present challenges and opportunities. Drawing on his experience leading teams at the UK’s top holiday rental company, Luke recommends balancing automation with human empathy, leveraging real-time analytics to anticipate needs, and positioning support as a strategic growth driver rather than a cost center.

Enav Birnbaum, Director of Customer Solutions at Zencity, explores how customer support can directly impact revenue growth. She outlines her PhD background in international relations and explains how it informs her approach to solving real‑world challenges. She also reveals the cultural foundation that drives passionate service and fosters strong customer bonds.

“I believe that when managing a contact center, it is most important to keep your team members connected to your company's mission and vision, and to remind them why we need to provide top‑notch support and why we are here.” – Enav Birnbaum

From her early academic insights on social dynamics to Zencity’s hands‑on revenue results, Enav connects culture, proactive support, and data‑driven processes to show leaders how customer experience becomes a measurable growth engine. Listeners will discover why linking mission to daily actions transforms support teams from cost centers into trusted drivers of loyalty and profit.

Ash Rhodes, Business Consultant in Customer Experience at Ash Rhodes Consulting, shares how contact centers can break free from the “cost center” mindset. He dives into strategies highlighting the invaluable customer data gathered during service interactions. Ash reveals how internal advocacy reshapes a team’s influence. Finally, he explains how to speak the language of stakeholders to gain a permanent seat at the executive table.

“When we talk about customer success, there’s so much more to it. We must demonstrate our value and our raison d'être—our reason for existing—to the rest of the organization and beyond, and that is where we get in our own way.” - Ash Rhodes

Ash shares how being calm and empathetic in high-stress situations can guide us toward effective solutions in both bars and boardrooms. He shows that every interaction, when approached with confidence and care, can reduce tension and create stronger connections between people and teams.

Ilai Szpiezak, Co-Founder at Dolphin AI, explores how businesses can unlock the power of customer insights hidden in everyday interactions. He reveals the potential of contact centers as rich data sources that guide product innovation and increase retention. He shares the impact of empathy, technology, and organizational alignment on customer satisfaction. Finally, he underscores how focusing on the voice of the customer reshapes a company’s strategic direction.

‘We should keep an open mind that the data can inform us of what we need to know, not always what we want to know.’ - Ilai Szpiezak

From revealing game-changing insights hidden in everyday customer interactions to demonstrating the value of cross-team collaboration, this conversation underscores the power of an open-minded approach to data. Hear how empathy and adaptability shaped Ilai’s journey into tech, and discover why prioritizing the voice of the customer propels innovation. Gain practical tips to align product strategy with genuine user feedback and unlock new growth opportunities.

Dean Czuma, Head of McKinsey Global Services at McKinsey & Company, explains why contact centers should be viewed as strategic investments that drive value rather than control costs. He shares insights on empowering agents, using the right tools, and fostering a strong culture. By aligning these elements, companies can transform contact centers into powerful customer satisfaction and profitability engines.

“The winners will lead an experience, and it starts with the way customers are approached.” - Dean Czuma

Rooted in real-time customer interaction data, these insights highlight how properly equipped teams can boost satisfaction, generate add-on revenue, and deepen client relationships across channels. By prioritizing human engagement and informed decision-making, businesses can ensure that each interaction drives continuous improvement, fosters loyalty, and keeps them ahead in an evolving market.

Vladyslava Vozniuk, Customer Success Manager at Usersnap, explores the evolving role of AI in contact centers from the agent’s perspective. She dispels the myth of AI replacing human agents, instead advocating for a hybrid model that enhances customer experience. The discussion highlights AI’s impact on training, turnover, and the irreplaceable value of human empathy.

“AI is not here to replace but to enhance the agents, and you can ensure they have better performance and are more eager to adopt new technologies.” - Vladyslava Vozniuk

Vladyslava emphasizes that AI should complement, not replace, human agents, creating a balance between efficiency and personal connection. While AI enhances processes and provides valuable insights, human intuition, and empathy remain essential for meaningful customer interactions. By leveraging AI as a support tool, organizations can improve training, reduce turnover impact, and optimize service quality without sacrificing the human touch that defines exceptional customer experiences.

Mark Smith, Founder of Journey-Smiths, explores the transformative power of customer experience (CX) on business growth. He shares insights on CX technology, journey orchestration, and leadership’s role in creating brand-aligned experiences. Mark also highlights how CX-driven strategies can double company growth over a decade.

“Being customer-focused gets you a business. Being customer experience-focused grows your business.” - Mark Smith

AI's transformative potential is reshaping customer experiences (CX), but not at the expense of the human touch. Smith highlights AI's role in analyzing complex data and assisting customer service teams, emphasizing that it should enhance—not replace—human interactions. By integrating AI thoughtfully and maintaining consistency across digital and human channels, businesses can deliver memorable, branded CX and secure their position as market leaders.

Anthony Chang, Business Platform Lead for Consumer Care at Versuni, discusses how contact centers can transition from cost centers to growth drivers by leveraging the voice of customer data. He highlights the role of advanced analytics and collaboration in boosting customer lifetime value and unlocking new revenue opportunities.

“The missed opportunity lies in the goldmine of voice of customer data, which is more difficult to analyze but ultimately pertains to your specific customers. It’s about the people buying your products and who you could convert into the most loyal consumers if you understand what they want, what they are struggling with, and address those needs specifically.” - Anthony Chang

Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) is crucial for businesses, enhanced by Voice of the Customer (VoC) insights. Anthony Chang highlights VoC's role in fostering advanced personalization, and improving customer experiences and loyalty. Contact centers are becoming strategic hubs, using VoC data to strengthen relationships and drive growth. Chang emphasizes VoC operations as key to meaningful connections and measurable business success.