Mobilizing the C-suite to embrace personalization across the entire organization

David Edelman, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and executive advisor, dives into the history of personalization and how to mobilize the C-suite to embrace it. He shares critical insights about breaking customer compromises and creating a rallying cry that puts the customer first. Discover strategies for transforming customer experiences and leveraging data as a corporate asset.
About the speaker

David Edelman

Harvard Business School

 - Harvard Business School

David is Executive Advisor & Fellow at Harvard Business School

Personalized, Customer Experience in the age of AI

Show Notes

  • 00:45
    Implementing AI driven personalization strategies for improved ROI.
    Discussion on leveraging AI to enhance personalization efforts and drive better return on investment.
  • 02:15
    Overcoming challenges in mobilizing the C suite for personalization.
    Strategies to engage top executives in embracing personalization initiatives across the organization.
  • 04:00
    Enhancing customer experiences through tailored content delivery.
    Exploring methods to customize content delivery to provide a more personalized experience for customers.

Quotes

  • "One of the most important things in mobilizing is recognizing in your company where there have been compromises that you've made customers accept." - David Edelman

  • "Doing personalization is usually a team sport. It takes a village. It's not just marketing. So you need a rallying objective of changing the way customers are going to interact with you, their perception of the brand, how you're going to create new value and differentiate yourself." - David Edelman

Episode Chapters

  • 01:33: Game Plan -- Mobilizing C suite

    Recognizing customer compromises in a company and starting with a rallying cry that puts the customer first is crucial for embracing personalization.

  • 02:34: Game Plan -- Changing customer experience

    Focusing on how to change the customer experience, prioritizing data collection, utilization, and cross-functional collaboration to make data a corporate asset.

Episode Summary

  • # Mobilizing the C-Suite for Personalization in the AI Erann**Welcome to another episode summary of the MarTech Podcast, where we delve into customer strategy in the age of AI. Today, our focus is on mobilizing the C-suite to embrace personalization across an entire organization.**nn## A Rallying Cry for PersonalizationnStarting with a rallying cry that puts the customer first is crucial. It's about recognizing where compromises in your company have led customers to accept less-than-ideal experiences. Whether it's simplifying a complicated order process or making your product easier to understand, addressing these pain points can unite your team. This rallying cry breaks down these compromises and gets employees excited about personalization.nnPersonalization isn't just a task for the marketing department. It's a team sport that requires a unified objective: transforming customer experiences, changing perceptions of the brand, and differentiating your product or service in the market. All key stakeholders need to align on this vision to create meaningful and effective change.nn## Prioritizing Data UtilizationnOnce the team rallies around improving customer experience, the next step involves prioritizing data utilization. How is your organization collecting, using, and activating data? Ensure that data turns into a corporate asset, rather than a function-specific resource. This shift will enhance collaborative efforts across various departments and make sure everyone is working with the same valuable information.nnCollaborating across functions will be essential here. Data silos can impede progress, but seeing data as a corporate asset fosters a more integrated approach. This comprehensive manner ensures the personalization efforts are cohesive and effective, leading to a more streamlined customer experience.nn## Real Use-Cases and Business OutcomesnFrom personal consulting experience, it's evident that many brands strive to be customer-centric on paper, but very few genuinely place the customer at the heart of their operations. Businesses often prioritize outcomes, envisioning strategies to achieve them through their customer base. On the contrary, thinking about how to truly delight and satisfy customers can drive business outcomes more effectively.nnPersonalization is a powerful method to cut through conventional business strategies. It's not merely about tweaking marketing messages; it's about fundamentally changing the way customers interact with your brand. This shift often requires revisiting and revamping long-standing business practices.nn## Final ThoughtsnMobilizing the C-suite for personalization requires a combination of strategic vision and tactical execution. Start with a clear, customer-first rallying cry that all team members can get behind. Prioritize data collection, usage, and activation, and foster cross-functional collaboration to break down data silos. By genuinely prioritizing the customer and focusing on improving their experiences, businesses can not only drive better outcomes but also create a more loyal and satisfied customer base.nnThank you for joining us on this journey to explore effective customer strategies in the AI era. Until next time, remember: keeping your customers happy is the key to lasting success.
About the speaker

David Edelman

Harvard Business School

 - Harvard Business School

David is Executive Advisor & Fellow at Harvard Business School

Personalized, Customer Experience in the age of AI
Related Podcasts by Category

Up Next: