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Santhakumaran Atmalingam ACXS

Founder at CX Expert Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A. Santhakumaran (Santha)
Accredited Customer Experience Specialist (ACXS) | International CX & PX Consultant | Keynote Speaker

Pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Science (MSc) at UPM
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) with a Major in Marketing from UKM
HRDF Certified Trainer (TTT/2930)
Six Sigma Black Belt (International Six Sigma Institute)
Certified Hypnotherapist
Certified NLP Practitioner (NFNLP – USA)
Certified First Aid & Emergency Responder
Certified Mold & Microbial Removal Practitioner
Certified Design Thinking Specialist

With nearly two decades of corporate experience across various industries, including property development, telecommunications, international trade exhibitions, and customer loyalty engagement, Santha is a distinguished thought leader in Customer Experience (CX). Based in Kuala Lumpur, he's a sought-after CX consultant in Southeast Asia, known for his deep understanding of local culture and ability to drive exceptional experiences.

Santha's expertise encompasses customer acquisition & engagement strategies, customer insights, building customer-obsessed cultures, and patient experience. His work in patient experience focuses on creating seamless, compassionate, and effective interactions within healthcare environments, benefiting both patients and providers.

As a keynote speaker, Santha shares insights that resonate with global audiences, helping organizations adapt to the evolving CX landscape. He's also a judge for prestigious customer-centricity awards, recognizing excellence in CX and patient experience.

Constantly evolving, Santha is currently pursuing a Master's degree, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning and personal development.

Join him on the journey to unlock the power of exceptional customer and patient experiences, and build a brighter future for businesses and individuals alike.

#CustomerExperience #CXExpert #PatientExperience #KeynoteSpeaker #LifelongLearner

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Accredited Customer Experience Specialist (ACXS)
International Customer Experience Consultant
Judge for North American Customer Centricity Awards
Judge for World Customer Centricity Awards
Judge for CXPA Emerging Leader’s Award
Pursuing Master’s Degree in Social Science MSc (UPM)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) (UKM) (Majored in Marketing)
Chartered Customer Experience Master Trainer
Certified Master Sales Trainer
Design Thinking Practitioner
HRDF Certified Trainer (TTT/2930)
Six Sigma Black Belt (International Six Sigma Institute)
Certified NLP Practitioner (NFNLP – USA)
Certified Hypnotherapist

ABOUT A. SANTHAKUMARAN:
A. Santhakumaran (Santha) is a renowned Customer Experience (CX) thought leader, keynote speaker, and trainer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Santha specializes in multiple domains, such as property development, telecommunications, international trade exhibitions, and customer loyalty engagement with local and global organizations. With two decades of corporate experience, he offers a unique perspective on customer acquisition & engagement strategies, customer insights, patient experience, and building customer-obsessed cultures.

Santha’s background includes advising multinational corporations on strategies for improving CX and patient experience. His versatility and understanding of local culture make him a leading CX consultant in Southeast Asia. His approach involves comprehensive customer journey mapping, customer experience design, customer experience measurement, design thinking, and future-proofing businesses.

Before establishing CX Expert Asia in 2008, Santha was the Country Manager for Obelix Networks Sdn Bhd and PT Obelix Indonesia, network engineering and solution providers in South East Asia. His work continues to shape the region's approach to customer and patient experience.

Available For: Advising, Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking
Travels From: Kuala Lumpur
Speaking Topics: Customer Experience & Patient Experience Transformation - People, Process and Technology

Santhakumaran Atmalingam ACXS Points
Academic 70
Author 158
Influencer 89
Speaker 76
Entrepreneur 73
Total 466

Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.

Thought Leader Profile

Portfolio Mix

Company Information

Company Type: Company
Business Unit: Consulting
Theatre: Asia
Minimum Project Size: $1,000+
Average Hourly Rate: $300+
Number of Employees: 1-10
Company Founded Date: 2008
Media Experience: 20 years
Last Media Training: 09/04/2023
Last Media Interview: 09/01/2023

Areas of Expertise

AI
Business Continuity
Business Strategy 30.76
Change Management
CRM
Culture 30.06
Customer Experience 40.47
Customer Loyalty 47.94
Design 31.17
Design Thinking 42.99
Digital Disruption
Digital Transformation
Education
Entrepreneurship
FinTech 30.06
Future of Work
Health and Safety
Health and Wellness 30.16
Healthcare 36.14
HealthTech
HR
Innovation
InsurTech
IT Leadership
Leadership 30.02
Management
Marketing 30.53
Mental Health
Open Innovation
Product Management 31.17
Public Relations
Sales 31.07
Social 30.33

Industry Experience

Automotive
Consumer Products
Federal & Public Sector
Financial Services & Banking
Healthcare
Higher Education & Research
Hospitality
Insurance
Media
Oil & Gas
Professional Services
Real Estate
Retail
Telecommunications
Travel & Transportation
Utilities

Exclusive Content    Join Santhakumaran Atmalingam ACXS's VIP Club

1 Article/Blog
The Power of Empathy in Healthcare: Transforming Patient Experiences
Thinkers360
April 23, 2024
Empathy in Healthcare: Transforming Patient Experiences In this article, I explore why empathy is a key ingredient in creating positive patient experiences in hospitals. I discuss the impact of empathy on patient satisfaction, trust, and medical outcomes, while also highlighting real-world examples

See content

Tags: Customer Experience, Health and Wellness, Healthcare

Publications

1 Academic Certification
Accredited Customer Experience Specialist
ACXS UK
July 10, 2020
A new customer experience training and certification program designed specifically for customer experience professionals who need powerfully simple and immediately impactful tools, techniques, frameworks and mindsets that when applied will radically improve the experience that their company delivers to their customers, gaining a lasting advantage in their industry. Now available online, on demand, on your terms

Credential ID 000055

See credential

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Advisory Board Membership
Petrochem Safety (M) Sdn Bhd
Founded on
December 02, 2005
Petrochem Safety (M) Sdn Bhd incorporated in 2nd December 2005 and is the official flame resistant garment manufacturer for Westex by Milliken in Asia.

Our focus is on providing exceptional service with quality products and competitive pricing. We function with the highest level of integrity and we never compromise on safety. We are continuously improving our garments through research and development. We always strive to educate ourselves and our customers on the relevant changes in the industry.

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Tags: Business Strategy, Customer Experience, Marketing

2 Article/Blogs
Embracing the Future: The Evolution of Customer Experience in Malaysia
Linkedln
February 01, 2024
In Malaysia's dynamic economic landscape, businesses that adapt swiftly to transform the customer experience (CX) are bound to secure a competitive edge. As we venture into the new era, digital transformation, hyper-personalization, omnichannel strategies, artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable practices inherently shape the CX horizon.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Top 10 Mistakes in Customer Experience Management
Linkedln
February 11, 2023

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 eBook
The Six Disciplines of Customer Experience Transformation
CX Expert Asia
March 04, 2020
To improve the customer experience, first must understand the customer’s end-to-end journey. This Masterclass will show you how to get into the hearts, minds and emotions of your customers. We can show you how to deconstruct the entire journey from your customer’s point of view. Once you understand their current journey, you can provide the experience your customer expects.

It creates significant improvements in customer experience and customer satisfaction by combining some of Emotional Innovation, Process Innovation, and Functional Innovation - into an integrated model of people, process, and product and service improvement.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Executive Director
Atmalink CT Sdn Bhd
Atmalink CT Sdn Bhd
February 05, 2008
AtmalinkCT Sdn Bhd is a leading customer experience training and consulting firm, based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Atmalink is on a mission to transform Asia into a customer-centric continent.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Faculty Member
Accredited CPD Trainer by The CPD Group
The CPD Group
January 17, 2022

CPD Trainer – verifies your credibility as an individual and demonstrates that you have all the credentials to deliver excellent CPD learning. Build trust with your learners and instil confidence in their minds that the training they will receive from you reaches the highest CPD standards.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Founder
CX Expert Asia
CX Expert Asia
February 05, 2008
Founded by A.Santhakumaran ACXS, a Global CX Expert and backed by the vision to create a strong community of CX pros to drive more valuable customer experiences.

The goal of CX Expert Asia Community:

To create a platform for Customer Experience experts and community to share latest updates, knowledge, skills and engage in impactful discussions.
To provide networking opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect and explore new opportunities together.
CX Expert Asia community page will be a space to get empowered and learn - everyone is welcome here!

Check-in regularly to keep up with fresh contents, tools, and upcoming events. Feel free to bounce your questions and ideas off members in the community, and there's always room for sharing and insightful conversations.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

2 Industry Awards
CX Excellence Award
CX Network Asia
November 23, 2021
CX Expert Asia won the Silver Award for Best CX Vendor Category

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Tags: Customer Experience

Judge for Customer-Centricity World Series
Arcet Global
January 07, 2021
Customer Centricity World Series, a celebration of some of the most Customer Centric Organisations from around the world. Featuring award winners from both our Regional Awards – The European Customer Centricity Awards and the North American Customer Centricity Awards.

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Tags: Customer Experience

9 Influencer Awards
APAC Customer-Centricity Awards Judge
Arcet Global - customer-centricity world series
May 26, 2024
A.Santhakumaran is an esteemed APAC Customer-Centricity Awards Judge with a distinguished career in customer experience. Leveraging over two decades of expertise in CX strategy, customer insights, and engagement, Santha is a sought-after consultant and thought leader in Southeast Asia. His profound understanding of local cultures and business dynamics makes him a valuable asset in recognizing and promoting customer-centric excellence across the region.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Customer-Centricity World Series - Awards Judge
Arcet Global - customer-centricity world series
May 26, 2024
A.Santhakumaran is an esteemed APAC Customer-Centricity Awards Judge with a distinguished career in customer experience. Leveraging over two decades of expertise in CX strategy, customer insights, and engagement, Santha is a sought-after consultant and thought leader in Southeast Asia. His profound understanding of local cultures and business dynamics makes him a valuable asset in recognizing and promoting customer-centric excellence across the region.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Customer Happiness Awards Dubai - Judge
Arcet Global - customer-centricity world series
May 26, 2024
A. Santhakumaran is honored to serve as a judge for the Customer Happiness Summit & Awards (CHSA) in Dubai. With a comprehensive background in customer experience, Santha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the judging panel. The CHSA is renowned for its commitment to transparency and authenticity, recognizing the most customer-centric companies in the Gulf region. Santha's extensive experience and insights in customer engagement and loyalty make him a valuable addition to this esteemed panel, contributing to the fair and meticulous evaluation of nominees across various sectors​ (CHSA)​​ (CHSA)​​ (CHSA)​.

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Tags: Customer Experience

CCAM Industry Excellence Awards 2023 - Judge
Contact Centre Association of Malaysia (CCAM)
May 26, 2024
A. Santhakumaran is honored to serve as a judge for the 2023 Industry Excellence Awards organized by the Contact Centre Association of Malaysia (CCAM). With extensive experience in customer experience management and consulting across Southeast Asia, Santha brings a wealth of expertise to the panel. His role as a judge involves evaluating the most innovative and effective practices in the contact center industry, ensuring the recognition of outstanding achievements in customer service and operational excellence.

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Tags: Customer Experience

European Customer-Centricity Awards - Judge
Arcet Global - European Customer-Centricity Awards
May 26, 2024
A. Santhakumaran is honored to serve as a judge for the European Customer Centricity Awards. This prestigious event recognizes and celebrates exceptional achievements in customer experience across various industries. As a seasoned customer experience consultant with extensive expertise in customer engagement and strategic transformation, A. Santhakumaran brings valuable insights and a global perspective to the judging panel. The awards provide a platform for companies to showcase their innovative approaches to enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, making a significant impact on business performance and customer relationships​ (European Customer Centricity Awards)​​ (European Customer Centricity Awards)​​ (European Customer Centricity Awards)​.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Top 10 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Alumni Leaders 2024
CEO Insightasia
February 01, 2024
A. Santhakumaran has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Alumni Leaders for 2024. With a background in Business Administration and a career spanning over two decades in various domains, he has made significant contributions to customer experience, sales, and marketing. This achievement highlights his leadership, commitment, and impact within the industry.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Team Captain and Overall Champion in Customer Experience World Games 2022
Customer Experience World Games
July 04, 2022
CX Team Hercules, led by captain Santhakumaran Atmalingam ACXS of CX Expert Asia, emerged as the Overall Winner of the 3rd Customer Experience World Games 2022, which concluded on Monday, July 4, 2022.

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Tags: Customer Loyalty

222 TOP influencers you need to follow for 2022
Engati
December 15, 2021
222 TOP influencers who nailed it in 2021 and should be in your “to follow” list of 2022! These influencers have excelled in their fields and have been an inspiration to all of us. Their experience and insights are unbeatable!

These 222 influencers can rightly be called "Influencer of the year 2021"!

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Tags: Customer Experience

North American Customer Centricity Awards
Arcet Global
October 27, 2021
North American Customer Centricity Awards, one of the largest virtual Customer Experience knowledge sharing events in North America. 2 days of celebration packed with business best practice stories, 130 real world case studies and networking opportunities.

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Tags: Customer Experience

11 Influencer Newsletters
Crafting a Seamless Digital Banking Experience in Malaysia: Essential Strategies for Success.
LinkedIn
June 09, 2024
Excited to share my latest article on crafting a seamless digital banking experience in Malaysia!

As a subject-matter expert in Digital Customer Experience, I explore essential strategies to elevate digital banking, focusing on ease of use, speed, convenience, personalization, and more. Discover how digital banks can exceed customer expectations and foster loyalty.

There are ten (10) Essential areas to look into when it comes to the Digital Banking Experience. Check out my article below for more information.

A. Santhakumaran Founder, CX Expert Asia
www.cxpert.asia | www.santhakumaran.com

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, FinTech

Transforming Hospital Stays: Understanding and Meeting Patient Needs
LinkedIn
June 06, 2024
"Transforming Hospital Stays: Understanding and Meeting Patient Needs". This article dives deep into the 15 essential aspects that truly matter to patients during their hospital stay. As patient care experts, it's crucial for us to step into the shoes of our patients and ensure their journey is not just about healing, but also about hope and compassion.
Join me in exploring how we can enhance patient experiences and make a profound impact on their lives. Let’s transform healthcare together!

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Healthcare

Leading with Empathy: My Journey to Victory in the Customer Experience World Games
LinkedIn
May 25, 2024
In my journey with the Customer Experience World Games, I had the honor of leading Team Hercules to victory in 2022. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, empathy, and perseverance. Collaborating with a diverse group of CX experts from around the world, I witnessed selfless contributions, forged lifelong friendships, and faced numerous challenges. The journey was demanding but deeply rewarding, reinforcing the importance of dedication and mutual respect. I encourage every CX professional to participate in these games at least once for a truly transformative experience.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Leadership

Differentiating Patient Experience and Patient Care: An Inside-Out vs. Outside-In Approach
LinkedIn
May 20, 2024
The article delves into the nuanced differences between patient experience and patient care, elucidating how they represent distinct yet interconnected aspects of healthcare delivery. It emphasizes the importance of understanding both perspectives to achieve a truly patient-centric approach in healthcare. By integrating insights from a Patient Experience and Patient Care Design Consultant, the article offers practical strategies for bridging the gap between these two facets, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality and compassion of healthcare services.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Healthcare

Malaysia's Rise in Medical Tourism: A Look at Growth and Trends
LinkedIn
May 16, 2024
Malaysia's Rise in Medical Tourism: A Look at Growth and Trends" explores the dynamic landscape of medical tourism in Malaysia, shedding light on the country's impressive growth trajectory and emerging trends in the healthcare travel industry. As one of Asia's leading medical tourism destinations, Malaysia has garnered attention for its world-class healthcare facilities, skilled medical professionals, and diverse tourism offerings. In this article, we delve deeper into the factors driving Malaysia's ascent as a preferred destination for international patients seeking quality medical care and enriching travel experiences.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Healthcare

The Customer Experience Dilemma
LinkedIn
September 27, 2023
In today's dynamic business landscape, "customer experience" has become a pivotal factor determining a company's success or failure. Far beyond a passing trend, it's now a vital element for survival in a fiercely competitive market. However, the path to mastering customer experience is fraught with challenges and dilemmas that often lurk beneath the surface. Imagine an organization taking the leap into prioritizing customer experience, forming a dedicated CX team. Initially filled with optimism, the team faces hurdles as they navigate the complexities of their role, sometimes leading to tensions with other departments like customer service. Despite discovering key metrics like NPS and CSAT, challenges persist, including resistance from colleagues and the struggle to gain top management buy-in. Despite the emotional toll, the CX team learns the importance of adopting the right methodology and embracing continuous learning. Ultimately, the journey highlights that customer experience isn't just about numbers but about forging meaningful connections that endure.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Healthcare

The Misconception of CX Team
LinkedIn
September 26, 2023
Customer Experience (CX) goes beyond customer service and isn't solely about resolving issues left unresolved by customer service departments. The CX team holds authority to solve complex business problems and plays a proactive role in identifying and addressing systemic issues, influencing strategic direction, and shaping the future of the organization. While customer service may address individual problems, the CX department takes a broader view, analyzing recurring issues to pinpoint root causes and ensure future customers don't face the same challenges. Their role extends beyond measuring metrics like NPS or CSAT; they influence strategic decisions, product development, and foster a customer-centric culture, making them crucial for long-term success. Recognizing the CX team's analytical power and strategic value is essential for enhancing the overall customer journey and driving business growth.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

CX Team Hercules Awarded Overall Winner at the Customer Experience World Games 2022
malaysia-business.com
July 21, 2022
In 2022, the Customer Experience World Games recognized CX Team Hercules as the overall winner. The team's outstanding performance showcased their dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences. Through innovative strategies and a customer-centric approach, they demonstrated their ability to exceed expectations and drive meaningful connections with customers. This achievement underscores the importance of prioritizing customer experience excellence in today's competitive landscape.
http://www.santhakumaran.com

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Tags: Customer Experience

CX Hercules - Customer Experience World Games 2022 Champion
Dagang News
July 15, 2022
The CX Hercules team, led by Santhakumaran Atmalingam from CX Expert Asia, was named the overall winner of the 3rd Customer Experience World Games (CXWG) 2022. The team included members from Malaysia, Australia, North America, South America, and Africa. The competition, founded in March 2020, attracted over 250 CX professionals from 50 countries. This year, participants tackled three challenges aimed at creating impactful customer experience solutions for non-profits. The event highlighted exceptional performances and inspiring solutions from global teams.

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Tags: Customer Experience

The 100th Monkey Effect in Customer Experience Transformation
LinkedIn
July 27, 2021
The 100th Monkey Effect suggests that when a critical mass of individuals adopts a new behavior or idea, it spreads rapidly across related groups. From a customer experience perspective, this underscores the importance of achieving a critical mass in organizational messaging and actions. By leveraging internal influencers and early adopters, organizations can facilitate behavioral change towards customer-centricity, leading to tangible improvements such as more customer-centric trainings and innovative product designs. Embracing this concept fosters a culture focused on customer needs and long-term success.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The Missing Link in Customer Experience
LinkedIn
March 18, 2021
Customer experience (CX) stands as the foundation of any successful business, yet many companies lack a fundamental understanding of their customer base and market landscape. It's alarming to find clients without market intelligence reports, unsure of their customer demographics or competitors. This knowledge gap, often observed even in large corporations, reveals a deficiency in basic marketing principles.

As a consultant, addressing this issue adds time to redefining customer profiles and competitor analyses before delving into CX strategies. Without a clear understanding of their customers, designing a seamless CX becomes nearly impossible. Thus, aligning marketing plans with CX efforts becomes imperative for driving successful transformations. By focusing on CX transformation and breaking down organizational silos, particularly within sales and marketing, businesses can achieve greater results. Ultimately, establishing a robust marketing foundation is crucial for effective CX implementation, setting the stage for future success.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Product Management

5 Keynotes
CX Summit 2024 Keynote Speaker
CX Summit 2024
February 15, 2024
A. Santhakumaran is a prominent customer experience (CX) expert and keynote speaker, known for his deep insights and innovative approaches in CX. With over two decades of experience, he has significantly contributed to enhancing customer engagement and building customer-centric cultures in various organizations. As a highly sought-after consultant, Santhakumaran specializes in customer journey mapping, CX design, and strategic customer insights, making him a leading figure in the field. His expertise and engaging presentations provide valuable knowledge and inspiration to professionals worldwide.

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Tags: Customer Experience

4th Nxt CX Summit 2023 - Keynote Delivery
NXT Summit
October 20, 2021
A. Santhakumaran is a distinguished global customer experience specialist and speaker at the 4th NXT CX Summit SEA 2021. As the founder of CX Expert Asia, he brings over two decades of expertise in CX strategy, customer engagement, and journey mapping. Santhakumaran is renowned for his innovative approaches and deep understanding of both local and global markets. His presentations provide valuable insights and strategies for enhancing customer experience, making him a highly sought-after speaker and consultant in the industry.

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Tags: Customer Experience

The CX Senate 2021 - India
Augmentrac India
August 27, 2021
CX Senate (Virtual) Is a forum bringing together CX community leaders online to exchange their perspectives and Understand CX as the Source of Competitive Advantage.
This transformative event will offer you the requisite foundations and tactics to smash through the noise, immerse yourself in customer intelligence and emerge victorious from the shifting landscape

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Keynote Speaker: Global CX Consultant & Founder, CX Expert Asia
AAE Speakers
May 15, 2021
A. Santhakumaran is a distinguished keynote speaker and global customer experience (CX) consultant based in Kuala Lumpur. As the founder of CX Expert Asia, he has over two decades of expertise in customer experience, sales, marketing, and customer service. Santhakumaran specializes in customer journey mapping, CX design, and customer engagement strategies, helping multinational corporations build customer-obsessed cultures. His insights and innovative approaches have made him a highly sought-after consultant and speaker across Southeast Asia and beyond.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Keynote Speaker: CXPA, CX Day 2021
CXPA
May 15, 2021
A. Santhakumaran is a renowned customer experience (CX) expert and keynote speaker. With over two decades of experience in CX, sales, marketing, and customer service, he has significantly contributed to enhancing customer engagement and building customer-centric cultures in organizations. As a thought leader in Southeast Asia, he specializes in customer journey mapping, CX design, and strategic customer insights, helping companies achieve excellence in customer experience. Santhakumaran's deep understanding of local and global markets makes him a highly sought-after speaker and consultant in the industry.

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Tags: Customer Experience

1 Media Interview
Atmalink CT Sdn Bhd makes it big with Silver CX Vendor Excellence Award
Marketing Magazine
December 17, 2021
Atmalink CT Sdn Bhd, the leading customer experience (CX) consulting firm in South East Asia, announced that they have received the Silver CX Vendor Excellence at the CX Asia Excellence Awards 2021.

The CX Asia Excellence Awards honours the highest level of achievement in customer experience across the Asian community.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Membership
Global Organization -People of Indian Origin
Gopio
November 01, 1989
GOPIO was founded at the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989. The initial thrust of GOPIO was to globally network the widely spread PIOs in large number of countries. GOPIO has now set its priorities in pooling our resources, both financially and professionally, for the benefit of PIOs and for the countries they come from.

There are over 30 million people of Indian origin (PIO) living outside India. Most of the PIOs have become highly successful in business and profession. When their professional expertise and financial resources are to be pooled together, it will benefit not only people of Indian origin but also their country of residence and India.

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Tags: Culture, Social

2 Panels
The future of CX measurement
Boussias
January 27, 2022
Customer experience has fast become a top priority for businesses and 2022 will be no different!

The pandemic has changed consumer behavior forever. The way they search, engage, purchase, and seek support has seen rapid shifts which have major implications for all businesses. CX is now the #1 business differentiator, and Fortune 1000 companies are trying to offer delightful experiences to their customers at every touchpoint, adapting in the new consumer demands.

It is said that “in 2021, companies are no longer competing with just their competitors. They are competing with the last best experience your customers had!”.

CX Summit returns on January 27th 2022, to navigate us further in the world of Customer Experience. Learn how to Address your Hottest Challenges & to formulate Your New CX Strategies in Just One Day!

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Tags: Customer Experience

Global CX Summit Middle East 2021
Exito
June 24, 2021
Digitization of the customer experience is a necessary complement to the overarching marketing strategy with the increasing touchpoints of a customer on the digital ecosystem. Businesses need a rich omni-channel strategy to engage with their customers.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

46 Podcasts
THE CX FILES PODCAST Setting Up A CX Programe From the Ground Up
Merren.io
October 15, 2023
A. Santhakumaran, a seasoned Customer Experience (CX) consultant with over two decades of experience across various industries
www.santhakumaran.com

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Tags: Customer Experience

[Webinar] Lead Generation using WhatsApp chatbot | Engati
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March 31, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

How Instalogist made on-demand truck booking efficient with Engati's WhatsApp chatbots
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March 30, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one with the CX Goalkeeper Gregorio Uglioni E57
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March 29, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The Impact of Customer Experience with Petko Tinchev - E67
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March 28, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

How to deploy your bot on Instagram | Engati
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March 23, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one with the Minister of Happiness Faran Niaz E57
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March 22, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Leadership and Trust with Dr. Brian Harman - E66
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March 21, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The Experiences of a CX Legend - Faran Niaz - E 71
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March 20, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one with #SheDrives, Chip Shortages and STUNNING Personalization Hussein Dajani E55
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March 15, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

CX Management Competencies and their role in frontier & emerging markets with deBBie Akwara - E65
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March 14, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The next big thing, Engati's chatbot for Instagram
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March 09, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

E64 complete Jeannie Walters 1080WebShareName
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March 07, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

How to integrate Engati's chatbot with Facebook ads
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March 02, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one where she designs experiences at Cirque du Soleil…and beyond! Carolene Méli E54
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March 01, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The Dark Side of Customer Experience with Michael Bartlett - Second Half
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February 28, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Emotional Intelligence and Customer Success | Ashna Patel talks to Engati CX
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February 22, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

How Gramhal brings farmers & traders together with an Engati chatbot
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February 22, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one with sake, churrascarias, CX controversies and 4 steps to CX glory Jimmy Hosang E53
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February 22, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The Dark Side of CX with Michael Bartlett - E62 - first half
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February 21, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

How to create conversational flows with Engati’s no code flow builder
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February 15, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The one with Human to Human banking Aarthi Murali E52
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February 15, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Women in CX an outstanding highly committed community - E61 with Clare Muscutt
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February 14, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Dos and don’ts of Digital Customer Success | Revathi Venkatraman talks to Engati CX
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February 11, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Tips on overcoming B2B challenges | John McTigue with Engati CX
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February 11, 2022

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

1 Profile
Leading Customer Experience Influencer in Asia
CX Expert Asia
February 05, 2008
A. Santhakumaran (Santha) is based in Kuala Lumpur, a Customer Experience (CX) thought leader, keynote speaker, leader for training events in South East Asia with a total of two decades of corporate experience in multiple domains such as property development, telecommunication, international trade exhibition, customer loyalty engagement with local and global organizations. Santha has a decade of experience in advising multinational corporations on customer acquisition & engagement strategies, customer insights and building customer-obsessed culture. Santha is a highly sort after Customer Experience (CX) Consultant in South East Asia simply because he understands local culture better than others.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

2 Speaking Engagements
The CX Goalkeeper with Santhakumaran Atmalingam - S1E34 is about the CX infinite loop & the marriage of CX & EX
The CX Goalkeeper
August 09, 2021
The CX Goalkeeper had a smart discussion with Santhakumaran Atmalingam
Santhakumaran is the Founder of CX Expert Asia, an International Customer Experience Consultant,

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

The CX Passport - Santhakumaran Atmalingam
The CX Passport
March 19, 2021
Curious how an ice cream shop can be the passport to developing customer empathy? Listen in to CX Passport as guest Santhakumaran Atmalingam and host Rick Denton talk CX, travel...and ice cream!

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

2 Steering Committee Memberships
Team Captain - The CX Hercules in Customer Experience World Games
Customer Experience World Games
June 01, 2022
I was the team captain for the CX Hercules in Customer Experience World Games 2022 and we became the overall champion for this year.

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Tags: Customer Loyalty

Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd
Sirim QAS international
March 01, 1989
SIRIM QAS International was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the SIRIM Group in March 1997. Today, local and international customers from a wide cross-section of the economy have made us the preferred choice for their certification, inspection and testing needs

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Sales

1 Training
Patient Experience Management Masterclass
IBN International
December 04, 2023
The Patient Experience Management Masterclass, held on December 4-5, 2023, was a resounding success. Healthcare professionals from various fields gathered to delve into the latest strategies for enhancing patient satisfaction and care quality. The sessions were led by industry experts who provided valuable insights and practical approaches to improving patient experience.

Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, fostering a collaborative environment. Feedback from attendees highlighted the relevance and applicability of the content, with many praising the event for its impactful and actionable takeaways.

Overall, the Masterclass not only equipped attendees with advanced skills and knowledge but also inspired a renewed commitment to patient-centric care. We look forward to seeing the positive changes implemented in healthcare practices as a result of this enriching event.

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Tags: Healthcare

3 Videos
The CX design framework | Santhakumaran Atmalingam talks to engatica
Engatica
January 22, 2022
Santhakumaran Atmalingam is a highly regarded Customer Experience (CX) Consultant at CX Expert Asia. With extensive experience spanning two decades, he has established himself as a trusted advisor in the realm of CX. Santhakumaran's expertise lies in crafting tailored strategies that enhance customer satisfaction and drive business growth. His deep understanding of local cultures in South East Asia enables him to provide unique insights and solutions to clients. Through his leadership and guidance, Santhakumaran helps organizations build customer-centric cultures and achieve sustainable success in today's competitive landscape.
http://www.santhakumaran.com

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Tags: Customer Experience

CX Goalkeeper with Santhakumaran A. - S1E34 is about the CX infinite loop & the marriage of CX & EX
Youtube
August 09, 2021
A. Santhakumaran is a prominent customer experience (CX) expert and keynote speaker, known for his deep insights and innovative approaches in CX. With over two decades of experience, he has significantly contributed to enhancing customer engagement and building customer-centric cultures in various organizations. As a highly sought-after consultant, Santhakumaran specializes in customer journey mapping, CX design, and strategic customer insights, making him a leading figure in the field. His expertise and engaging presentations provide valuable knowledge and inspiration to professionals worldwide.

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Tags: Customer Experience

Santhakumaran Atmalingam - Customer Experience Consultant at CX EXPERT ASIA
Youtube
February 03, 2020
Santhakumaran Atmalingam is a highly regarded Customer Experience (CX) Consultant at CX Expert Asia. With extensive experience spanning two decades, he has established himself as a trusted advisor in the realm of CX. Santhakumaran's expertise lies in crafting tailored strategies that enhance customer satisfaction and drive business growth. His deep understanding of local cultures in South East Asia enables him to provide unique insights and solutions to clients. Through his leadership and guidance, Santhakumaran helps organizations build customer-centric cultures and achieve sustainable success in today's competitive landscape.
http://www.santhakumaran.com

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Tags: Customer Experience

1 Webinar
How Can Insurers Leverage Customer Experience?
Alterna CX
March 04, 2022
A. Santhakumaran is a renowned expert in customer experience (CX) and a featured guest on the CX Passport podcast. With extensive experience in CX strategy, customer journey mapping, and engagement, he has made significant contributions to building customer-centric cultures in various organizations. Santhakumaran's deep understanding of both local and global markets, coupled with his innovative approaches, make him a valuable thought leader and speaker in the CX community. His insights on the podcast provide valuable knowledge and inspiration for professionals looking to enhance their customer experience strategies.

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Tags: Customer Experience

1 Workshop
Customer Experience Management Skills for Managers
Thinkers360
September 17, 2023











Unlock Excellence in Customer Experience Management (CEM) - Masterclass for Managers


Elevate your managerial prowess with our intensive Customer Experience Management (CEM) Masterclass. In this face-to-face program, you'll gain the strategic insights and practical skills needed to excel in the dynamic world of CX.


Why Attend?



  • Strategic Impact: Learn how to lead your team in creating customer-centric strategies that drive growth and loyalty.

  • Practical Know-How: Gain hands-on experience in implementing CEM best practices tailored to your organization.

  • Peer Learning: Collaborate with like-minded managers and share real-world challenges and solutions.

  • Expert Guidance: Benefit from the wisdom of CX thought leaders with a proven track record.


Join us for this immersive journey to harness the power of CEM and lead your team to exceptional customer experiences. Don't miss this opportunity to become a CX champion.


Date: 26-27 October 2023 Location: Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia


Space is limited. Secure your spot today!


#CXManagementMasterclass #CustomerExperienceExcellence #LeadershipDevelopment







 







 








 



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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Thinkers360 Credentials

8 Badges

Blog

7 Article/Blogs
Top 15 Challenges in Customer Experience Transformation!
Thinkers360
May 09, 2024

Customer experience (CX) transformation has become an essential strategy for businesses aiming to thrive in today's competitive market. However, the journey to achieving a seamless customer experience can be riddled with unforeseen challenges. These obstacles can not only derail your progress but also lead to significant setbacks. Here's an overview of some common hurdles in the CX journey and why it's crucial to stay on track.

1. Change of Management

A change in leadership can disrupt ongoing initiatives. New leaders may have different priorities or lack a thorough understanding of the existing CX strategy. This can lead to a loss of momentum, with previous efforts potentially getting sidelined or reimagined in ways that don't align with the original vision.

2. Change of Management Direction

Management's focus can shift due to emerging trends or external pressures. For example, sudden emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), environmental, social, and governance (ESG), or sustainability can divert attention from CX projects. While these are important areas, they may lead to reallocation of resources away from CX if not managed carefully.

3. Key Personnel Changes

When the CX Head or other key team members leave, the entire transformation effort can go haywire. New hires might not have the same vision or experience, leading to a loss of continuity. It takes time to rebuild team cohesion and get everyone on the same page.

4. Budget Constraints

Even with the best intentions, budget cuts or financial restructuring can impact CX initiatives. Without adequate funding, projects can stall or be abandoned, leaving customers with a fragmented experience.

5. Corporate Restructuring and Uncertainty

When a company is bought over by investors, or undergoes restructuring, uncertainty looms. Employees might be anxious about their jobs, and CX initiatives can take a backseat while the new structure settles. This uncertainty can cause a ripple effect throughout the organization, affecting morale and productivity.

6. Delays in Implementation

Delays in CX implementation can result from a variety of factors—bureaucracy, waiting for approvals, or even external events like a pandemic. When progress slows down, employees can become disengaged, leading to a drop in enthusiasm and a loss of focus on customer-centric objectives.

7. Natural Disasters and External Crises

Natural disasters, pandemics, wars, or other external crises can significantly impact CX transformation. These events can lead to operational disruptions, forcing companies to prioritize immediate concerns over long-term CX goals.

8. Departmental Silos

Breaking down departmental silos is often a major challenge. When departments operate independently without clear communication channels, CX initiatives suffer. Collaboration and cross-departmental alignment are crucial for a successful transformation.

9. Consultant Changes

Bringing in new consultants or sudden changes in consulting partners can cause disruption. Different consultants may have varying approaches to CX, leading to inconsistency and confusion. This can affect the overall CX strategy and its implementation.

10. Decision-Making Bottlenecks

In some organizations, top management must refer everything to a parent company, creating bottlenecks in decision-making. These delays can hamper the timely execution of CX initiatives and frustrate employees who are eager to move forward.

11. Resistance to Change

Employees and managers might resist new ways of working, especially if they are not involved in the change process. Resistance can lead to delays, poor implementation, and a lack of enthusiasm for CX initiatives.

12. Failure to Measure and Analyze

CX transformation should be driven by data and insights. Companies that fail to measure and analyze customer feedback or track key performance indicators (KPIs) may not understand where improvements are needed.

13. Insufficient Training and Development

Employees need to be trained to understand and deliver on the CX vision. If they aren't equipped with the right skills and knowledge, they may not be able to meet customer expectations.

14. Overreliance on Technology

While technology can enhance customer experience, relying too heavily on it without considering human interactions can create a cold, impersonal experience. A balanced approach is key.

15. Lack of Customer-Centric Culture

A successful CX transformation requires a culture that prioritizes customers. If the company culture doesn't support customer-centric practices, efforts to improve CX will likely falter. If profit and loss is the priority, then CX will face a challenging situation because we require time to show the ROI and result.

Conclusion

Customer Experience transformation is a complex journey that demands commitment, strategic planning, and a customer-centric culture. By understanding these common challenges and reasons for failure, companies can better prepare and address potential obstacles. A successful CX transformation requires cross-functional collaboration, clear communication, consistent strategy, and strong executive support. With these elements in place, companies can navigate the CX journey and create a seamless, memorable customer experience.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Navigating the Maze: Unraveling the Patient Experience in Malaysian Hospitals
Thinkers360
May 07, 2024

The modern healthcare system is a labyrinth of processes, technology, and human interactions. While it is designed to provide care, the journey through this system can be overwhelming for patients. From navigating insurance and appointments to understanding complex medical jargon and undergoing treatment, patients face many challenges that influence their overall experience.

For hospitals and healthcare providers, creating an optimal patient experience requires more than just clinical excellence. It demands empathy, clear communication, and a deep understanding of the patient's perspective. Before hospitals can design a compelling patient journey, they must first grasp the complexity of being a patient. This means recognizing patients' physical, emotional, and logistical hurdles and developing strategies to address them.

Let's explore the key aspects that contribute to the complexity of the patient experience. We examine the touchpoints that matter most to patients and identify common pain points that can create stress and confusion. By understanding these factors, hospitals can begin to design a patient journey that is efficient, compassionate, and responsive to individual needs.

Cultural Sensitivity in Patient Care

Malaysia is a culturally diverse country with significant Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous populations, among others. Hospitals must consider cultural and religious practices when providing care. For example, during Ramadan, hospitals should ensure that Muslim patients have options for fasting-compatible meal times and food. In addition, respecting religious customs, like offering spaces for prayer, contributes to a patient-centric approach.

Navigating Insurance and Payments

The complexity of medical insurance can be overwhelming for patients. In Malaysia, where public and private insurance systems operate, understanding coverage can be challenging. Real-life scenarios include patients struggling to comprehend insurance terminology or unexpectedly discovering their coverage doesn't extend to specific treatments. Hospitals can create dedicated help desks or provide insurance liaisons to assist patients with their queries. It's painful for patients to receive last-minute turn down from their insurance providers, and they are still determining what's next: do they continue with the private hospital or move to a government hospital?

Language Barriers and Communication

Malaysia's linguistic diversity can create communication hurdles in hospitals. Imagine a patient whose primary language is Tamil, struggling to understand instructions given in Bahasa Melayu or English. Hospitals can tackle this by employing multilingual staff, using translation services, or providing printed materials in various languages to ensure clear communication and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.

Quality of Care and Patient Safety

Patients need to feel confident in the care they receive. In Malaysia, we have some of the best medical practices in place. Hospitals can further improve quality and safety by adopting international best practices, such as conducting regular audits, ensuring staff is adequately trained, and creating a safety culture. For example, some hospitals have implemented checklists for surgical procedures to reduce the risk of errors etc

Technology and Digital Health

The adoption of technology in healthcare can transform the patient experience. Malaysian hospitals can leverage telemedicine for remote consultations, reducing the need for in-person visits. Another example is the use of electronic health records (EHR), enabling seamless sharing of patient information across different departments, thereby improving the efficiency of care delivery. I still see a lot of manual processes in Malaysian hospitals. Which can digitalize along the way. 

Emotional Support and Patient Well-being

Hospitals can be stressful environments, and emotional support is crucial. This could mean providing counselling services, establishing patient support groups, or ensuring a friendly and compassionate staff in Malaysian hospitals. For instance, some hospitals have started offering art therapy or meditation sessions to help patients cope with stress and anxiety during their stay. It's no more about the processes alone; it's about looking after the patient's emotions in total. 

Patient Education and Health Literacy

Patients often require more information to make informed decisions about their health. Consider a patient diagnosed with diabetes who don't fully understand the lifestyle changes required. Hospitals can offer educational programs or workshops to improve health literacy. Additionally, providing clear and straightforward educational materials about various conditions and treatments can empower patients to take control of their health. 

Community Engagement and Outreach

Hospitals play a vital role in their communities. A real-life example is a hospital that organizes health fairs or free health screenings in local neighbourhoods, fostering stronger connections and building trust with the public. These outreach efforts can also help hospitals understand their communities' unique needs and challenges. Currently, NGOs are undertaking this responsibility to reach out to the community.

Patient Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Gathering patient feedback is essential for hospitals to identify areas for improvement. In Malaysia, hospitals can conduct regular patient satisfaction surveys or hold focus groups to gather insights. hospital might discover through feedback that wait times in the emergency department are too long, leading to process changes that streamline patient flow and improve the overall experience.

The journey through a hospital can be a daunting experience for patients. As we've explored, many factors contribute to this complexity—from cultural and linguistic diversity to the intricacies of insurance and technology. By understanding these challenges, hospitals in Malaysia can better design patient-centric experiences that are both efficient and compassionate.

Successful patient journeys require a multi-faceted approach that addresses cultural sensitivity, clear communication, emotional support, and community engagement. By focusing on these aspects, hospitals can improve patient satisfaction, build trust, and foster a reputation for high-quality care.

Ultimately, the patient experience is at the heart of healthcare. By embracing patient feedback and continuously striving for improvement, Malaysian hospitals can create an environment where patients feel valued, understood, and cared for. The path forward involves collaboration, empathy, and a commitment to providing the best possible care for everyone who walks through the hospital doors.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Health and Wellness, Healthcare

Human Error or Process Error?
Thinkers360
May 02, 2024

When Repeated Mistakes Signal System Problems: A Guide to Identifying and Fixing Process Flaws

In any organization, mistakes are bound to happen. Whether it's an oversight in a report, a missed deadline, or a customer service misstep, errors are a natural part of business operations. When a mistake occurs once, it's often attributed to an individual's error or misjudgment. However, when the same mistake happens again, it usually indicates a deeper issue within the system or process. Identifying and addressing these systemic problems is crucial for preventing future errors and maintaining operational efficiency. Let's explore this concept with some examples and discuss how organizations can take action to correct systemic flaws.

Understanding the Difference: Individual Errors vs. Systemic Flaws

When an employee makes a mistake, it's essential to understand the context. An isolated incident might suggest a lack of training, an oversight, or a moment of human error. In such cases, a simple correction or additional training might be sufficient to prevent recurrence.

However, if the same error occurs multiple times, especially among different employees, it's a red flag indicating a systemic issue. This could be due to unclear processes, poor communication, inadequate resources, or other structural issues. When this happens, shifting focus from individual performance to process improvement is essential.

Repeated Data Entry Errors

Consider a scenario where a company's accounting department frequently experiences data entry errors. Initially, the problem lies with the individual employees responsible for entering data. However, upon closer inspection, the issue could be traced back to the system. The software used for data entry may need to be more intuitive, or the process requires proper checks and balances. In this case, addressing the systemic flaw might involve:

  1. Implementing a more user-friendly software solution.
  2. Providing additional training.
  3. Establishing a double-check process.

Customer Service Complaints

Another example involves a retail company that receives frequent customer complaints about delayed deliveries. Initially, the blame might fall on the delivery personnel or the customer service team. However, if the issue persists, it likely points to a problem within the company's logistics system. This could be due to inadequate inventory management, inefficient routing, or communication gaps between departments. To fix the issue, the company might need to reevaluate its logistics process, invest in technology to improve tracking and establish clear communication protocols.

Addressing Systemic Issues: A Step-by-Step Approach

When organizations identify systemic issues, addressing them requires a thoughtful and systematic approach. Here are the key steps to consider:

  • Identify the Root Cause

Conduct a thorough investigation to understand why the mistake occurs. This might involve reviewing processes, conducting interviews, and analyzing data.

  • Implement Corrective Measures

Once the root cause is identified, develop and implement corrective measures. This might involve process redesign, technology upgrades, additional training, or improved communication channels.

  1. Monitor and Adjust

After implementing changes, closely monitor the system to ensure the issue is resolved. Be prepared to make adjustments as needed based on feedback and ongoing analysis.

Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Encourage employees to report issues and suggest improvements. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, organizations can prevent systemic issues from reoccurring.

Conclusion

When a mistake happens once, it may be an individual's error. However, when it happens twice or more, it likely indicates a systemic issue. Addressing and fixing these issues is essential for maintaining operational efficiency and delivering high-quality outcomes. By taking a proactive approach to identifying and resolving process flaws, organizations can prevent future errors and create a more resilient and effective system.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Design Thinking, Healthcare

The 10 Secrets to Create A Successful Customer Experience Management For Brick and Mortar Business.
Thinkers360
August 02, 2023

The 10 Secrets to Create A Successful Customer Experience Management For Brick and Mortar Business.

Brick-and-mortar businesses have a unique opportunity to create memorable customer experiences beyond transactions. In a digital age, where convenience is paramount, mastering the art of customer experience management is crucial for standing out and fostering brand loyalty. Here are ten secrets to excel in this endeavor:

  1. Strategic Store Layout and Design - A well-designed store layout is the foundation of a positive customer experience. Thoughtful placement of aisles, displays, and checkout areas ensures a seamless flow that encourages exploration. Consider the psychological aspects of design, using colors and lighting to evoke emotions that resonate with your brand identity.
  2. Captivating Visual Merchandising Displays - Visual merchandising is a silent salesperson that influences purchasing decisions. Craft visually appealing displays that tell a story and showcase your products' benefits. Regularly update these displays to maintain freshness and intrigue, enticing customers to explore and engage.
  3. Personalized Customer Interactions - Make customers feel valued by offering personalized interactions. Train your staff to remember frequent shoppers' names, preferences, and purchase history. These personal touches build rapport and loyalty, separating your business from impersonal online experiences.
  4. Seamless Online and Offline Integration - Bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences. Allow customers to browse their inventory online, check in-store availability, and purchase through a user-friendly website or app. Likewise, returns or exchanges can be processed seamlessly across online and offline channels.
  5. Immersive In-Store Experiences - Engage customers on a sensory level by providing immersive experiences. Offer interactive product demonstrations, workshops, or even themed events that encourage customers to linger, interact, and share their experiences with others.
  6. Effortless Checkout and Payment Options - Simplify the checkout process by offering various payment options, including mobile wallets and contactless payments. Long lines and complicated payment procedures can deter customers. A quick and efficient checkout experience enhances overall satisfaction.
  7. Community Engagement and Partnerships - Become an integral part of your community by collaborating with local organizations, charities, or artists. Hosting community events, supporting local causes, and showcasing local talent contribute to a positive brand image and foster a sense of belonging among your customers.
  8. Collecting and Acting on Customer Feedback - Regularly solicit feedback through surveys, social media, or in-store interactions. Analyze the data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Demonstrating a willingness to adapt based on customer input enhances trust and shows your commitment to providing an exceptional experience.
  9. Consistency Across Touchpoints - Maintain consistency in branding, messaging, and service quality across all touchpoints. Whether customers interact with your business in-store, on your website, or through social media, they should experience a unified and cohesive brand identity.
  10. Empowered and Knowledgeable Staff - Invest in ongoing training to ensure your staff is well-informed about best practices for products, services, and customer service. Empower them to make decisions prioritizing the customer's needs, resolving issues swiftly, and leaving a positive impression.

In a world where customer expectations continually evolve, these ten secrets offer a roadmap to mastering customer experience management in brick-and-mortar businesses. By combining innovative strategies with a genuine commitment to meeting customer needs, your business can create a customer-centric environment that keeps customers coming back time and again.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Breaking Down the Silo for Successful Customer Experience Transformation
Thinkers360
July 22, 2023

The digital landscape has transformed how businesses operate, making customer experience a critical factor in their success. Customer expectations have risen, and companies must prioritize delivering exceptional experiences to stay competitive. However, many organizations face a common obstacle in achieving this goal – organizational silos. 

This comprehensive article will explore breaking down silos to facilitate successful customer experience transformation, leading to improved customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth.

Introduction: Understanding Silos and Their Impact on Customer Experience

In business, silos refer to isolated organizational divisions that hinder effective team communication and collaboration. Silos often emerge when departments focus solely on their goals, failing to share information and insights with others. This lack of cross-functional cooperation can be detrimental to customer experience, leading to disjointed processes, inconsistent messaging, and an inability to address customer needs holistically.

Silos manifest in various ways, such as separate marketing, sales, and customer support teams working in isolation. This fragmentation can result in frustrated customers who experience disconnected touchpoints throughout their journey. To ensure a seamless customer experience, organizations must break down these barriers and foster a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.

The Role of Leadership in Breaking Down Silos

Effective leadership is pivotal in transforming the customer experience by dismantling organizational silos. Leaders must emphasize the importance of customer-centricity and align all departments towards this common goal. They should encourage open communication, set clear expectations, and establish cross-functional teams to foster collaboration.

Leaders should also invest in tools and technologies that facilitate seamless information sharing between teams. For instance, implementing a unified Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can centralize customer data and insights, ensuring that all departments have access to up-to-date and relevant information.

Creating a Customer-Centric Culture

Transforming the customer experience requires a shift in organizational culture. Emphasizing a customer-centric approach should be a part of the company's DNA. To achieve this, employees at all levels must understand the importance of delivering exceptional experiences.

Leaders should conduct regular training sessions to instil customer-focused values and ensure that every team member understands their role in contributing to the customer journey. Acknowledging and rewarding employees who go the extra mile to enhance the customer experience will further reinforce the desired cultural shift.

Breaking Down Departmental Barriers

One of the most significant challenges in overcoming silos is breaking down departmental barriers. Rather than functioning as isolated entities, departments should work together to create a unified customer experience. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration. Promote regular meetings and workshops that involve representatives from various departments. These sessions foster mutual understanding, identify pain points in the customer journey, and brainstorm innovative solutions.

  1. Set Shared Objectives

Align departmental objectives with the overarching goal of delivering exceptional customer experiences. When teams share common objectives, they are more likely to collaborate effectively and prioritize customer-centric initiatives.

  1. Establish Communication Channels

Implementing efficient communication channels, such as project management software or team collaboration tools, enables seamless information sharing and updates across different teams.

  1. Break Down Physical Barriers

Consider creating physical spaces that encourage interaction between departments. Co-locating teams can lead to spontaneous conversations and ideation, benefiting the customer experience.

Utilizing Data and Insights to Drive Transformation

Data is a powerful asset in understanding customer behaviour and preferences. Organizations must leverage data analytics to gain valuable insights into customer interactions, pain points, and preferences.

  1. Customer Journey Mapping

Creating a comprehensive customer journey map helps identify touchpoints where customers interact with the brand. By analyzing these touchpoints, organizations can identify areas that need improvement and deliver a more cohesive experience.

  1. Personalization and Tailoring

Data-driven insights enable organizations to personalize customer interactions, offering tailored recommendations, promotions, and content based on individual preferences. This personal touch can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

  1. Real-time Customer Feedback

Implement mechanisms to collect real-time customer feedback, such as surveys, social media monitoring, or chat support. Analyzing this feedback allows organizations to address customer concerns and promptly improve their services.

Embracing Technology for Enhanced Customer Experience

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the way companies interact with their customers. Embracing these innovations can significantly impact the customer experience positively.

  1. Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots

Integrating AI-powered chatbots into customer support functions can provide immediate responses to common queries, streamline issue resolution, and offer personalized recommendations based on customer history.

  1. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

For businesses in the retail and e-commerce sectors, VR and AR technologies offer immersive shopping experiences, enabling customers to interact with products virtually before making a purchase decision.

  1. Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT devices can gather real-time customer behaviour and product usage data, enabling businesses to proactively address customer needs, offer timely maintenance, and deliver personalized services.

Measuring the Impact of Customer Experience Transformation

To ensure the effectiveness of customer experience transformation initiatives, organizations must establish measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly monitor their progress.

  1. Net Promoter Score (NPS)

NPS measures customer loyalty and satisfaction, providing valuable insights into how well an organization meets customer expectations.

  1. Customer Effort Score (CES)

CES assesses the ease of completing a specific task or resolving an issue. Lower CES scores indicate that customers require help to interact with the brand.

  1. Customer Churn Rate

Monitoring customer churn rates helps identify dissatisfaction or unaddressed concerns that may lead to customer defection.

In today's hyper-competitive business landscape, customer experience is a critical differentiator. By breaking down organizational silos, fostering a customer-centric culture, utilizing data and technology, and measuring the impact, companies can deliver exceptional customer experiences that drive loyalty, advocacy, and business growth.

Remember, the journey towards successful customer experience transformation is ongoing. It requires commitment, collaboration, and a relentless focus on understanding and meeting customer needs. By prioritizing customer-centricity and embracing continuous improvement, businesses can leave competitors behind and position themselves as leaders in their respective industries.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design

Top 10 Mistakes in Customer Experience Management
Thinkers360
July 22, 2023

Customer experience (CX) management has become paramount to business success in today's competitive landscape. However, many companies still need to improve their ability to deliver exceptional customer experiences. This article will explore the top 10 mistakes in customer experience management and provide actionable solutions to overcome these challenges.

  1. Failing to Prioritize Customer Experience
    One of the most significant mistakes is not prioritizing customer experience within an organization. Allocating insufficient resources and attention to CX can lead to a lack of focus and commitment to improving the customer journey.
    To resolve this, company leaders must recognize the impact of customer experience on business success and make it a strategic priority. Invest in CX initiatives, create a customer-centric culture, and ensure all departments align their efforts to enhance the customer experience.
  2. Ignoring Customer Feedback
    Customer feedback is a goldmine of valuable insights that can help companies identify pain points and areas for improvement. Ignoring or dismissing customer feedback is a missed opportunity to understand customer preferences and concerns. Companies should actively collect feedback through surveys, reviews, and social media channels. Analyze this feedback carefully and use it to drive meaningful changes that address customer needs effectively.
  3. Lack of Integration
    A disjointed customer experience often results from a need for more integration between various departments and touchpoints. Companies must break down silos and encourage cross-functional collaboration to deliver a seamless and consistent CX. Align marketing, sales, customer support, and other teams to ensure a unified approach to CX management.
  4. Failure to Measure Success
    With proper measurement and tracking of crucial CX metrics, companies can gauge the effectiveness of their initiatives. Establish clear KPIs to evaluate customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.
    Analyze the data regularly to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement, enabling data-driven decision-making.
  5. Not Involving Customers in the Process
    Customers' perspectives are invaluable in shaping a successful CX strategy. Engage customers in designing and delivering experiences through focus groups, user testing, or advisory boards. Their insights will lead to more relevant and meaningful experiences tailored to their needs and expectations.
  6. Focusing Solely on Touchpoints
    While optimizing touchpoints is crucial, an exceptional customer experience involves considering the entire journey.
    Companies must understand how interactions across different touchpoints contribute to the overall CX. Adopt a holistic approach to CX management, ensuring every customer interaction aligns with the brand promise.
  7. Relying on Technology Alone
    Technology is pivotal in enhancing CX, but solely relying on it can be a mistake. Human elements like empathy, connection, and personalization are equally essential. Strike a balance between technological innovations and human touchpoints to create a truly exceptional and memorable customer experience.
  8. Neglecting Employees
    Employees are the face of the company and directly impact customer interactions. Neglecting employee training, motivation, and empowerment can lead to disengaged staff unable to deliver positive experiences. Invest in employee development, recognize their contributions, and create a positive work environment to foster a customer-centric mindset.
  9. Not Adapting to Changing Customer Needs
    Customer preferences and expectations are continually evolving. Companies must adapt their CX strategies to avoid falling behind and delivering outdated experiences. Stay attuned to customer trends, gather feedback regularly, and be agile in implementing changes to meet evolving customer needs effectively.
  10. Not Having a Customer-Centric Culture
    A customer-centric culture is the foundation of successful CX management. It requires aligning all aspects of the company around customer needs and preferences. Leadership must champion customer-centric values, and employees should be empowered to prioritize customer satisfaction in their daily work.

In conclusion, avoiding these top 10 mistakes and adopting the recommended solutions can propel companies towards CX excellence. By placing the customer at the heart of their strategies, businesses can build lasting relationships, drive brand loyalty, and achieve sustainable growth and success.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

Building a Future-Proof Business: The Operating Model and Organization Design Toolkit for Effective Customer Experience Management
Thinkers360
July 21, 2023

Introduction

In today's dynamic business landscape, the key to sustainable success lies in designing a robust operating model and organization that can effectively execute the company's strategy. A well-structured framework comprising six essential components:–

  1. Capabilities
  2. Structure & Governance
  3. Talent Management
  4. Processes
  5. Technology
  6. Culture

They act as a blueprint to future-proof your business. By leveraging this toolkit, businesses can design a customer experience management blueprint that fosters innovation, customer-centricity, and resilience.

Capabilities: Aligning Competencies with Strategy

The first step in designing a compelling customer experience management blueprint is identifying and developing the core capabilities necessary to deliver on the strategic goals. Understand your unique value proposition and analyze the competencies required to create an exceptional customer experience. This could include customer-centric skills, data analytics, innovation, and adaptability. Invest in employee training and development programs to cultivate these capabilities within your workforce.

Structure & Governance: Establishing an Agile Organizational Structure

An agile organizational structure is essential to adapt quickly to changing customer needs and market dynamics. Implement a structure that fosters cross-functional collaboration, minimizing silos and promoting information sharing. Clearly define decision-making processes and accountabilities to ensure efficient execution of customer experience initiatives. A governance model should be established to monitor progress, assess performance, and make necessary adjustments.

Talent Management: Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Top Talent

The success of your customer experience management blueprint heavily relies on the calibre of your workforce. Attract and retain top talent that embodies your company's values and is passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences. Implement talent development initiatives to nurture leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and customer-focused mindsets. Regularly assess and reward performance to maintain employee motivation and engagement.

Processes: Streamlining Operations for Seamless Experiences

Efficient processes are the backbone of a seamless customer experience. Map out customer journey touchpoints and identify pain points to streamline operations. Embrace process automation and technology to enhance efficiency and reduce manual errors. Regularly evaluate and optimize processes to ensure they align with customer expectations and organizational goals.

Technology: Leveraging Innovations for Enhanced Customer Engagement

Incorporating the right technology is critical for future-proofing your business. Identify technologies that empower your customer experience strategy, such as artificial intelligence, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, omnichannel portals and data analytics tools. Embrace emerging technologies that anticipate customer needs, personalize interactions, and deliver proactive solutions.

Culture: Fostering a Customer-Centric Mindset

Company culture plays a significant role in shaping how employees interact with customers. Cultivate a customer-centric mindset across all levels of the organization by emphasizing empathy, responsiveness, and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations. Encourage open communication and feedback channels to understand customer pain points and gather insights for continuous improvement.

In conclusion, the Operating Model and Organization Design Toolkit, comprising Capabilities, Structure & Governance, Talent Management, Processes, Technology, and Culture, is the key to future-proofing your business through effective customer experience management. Your business can thrive in an ever-changing market by aligning competencies with strategic goals, fostering an agile organizational structure, attracting and developing top talent, streamlining processes, leveraging technology, and cultivating a customer-centric culture. Embrace this framework model to build a strong customer experience management blueprint that drives innovation, growth, and long-term success.

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Tags: Customer Experience, Customer Loyalty, Design Thinking

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1 Business Consulting
Customer Experience Consulting

Location: Malaysia    Fees: 5000

Service Type: Service Offered

A. Santhakumaran (Santha) is based in Kuala Lumpur, a Customer Experience (CX) thought leader, keynote speaker, leader for training events in South East Asia with a total of two decades of corporate experience in multiple domains such as property development, telecommunication, international trade exhibition, customer loyalty engagement with local and global organizations. Santha has a decade of experience in advising multinational corporations on customer acquisition & engagement strategies, customer insights and building customer-obsessed culture. Santha is a highly sort after Customer Experience (CX) Consultant in South East Asia simply because he understands local culture better than others.
Santha leverages nearly two decades of experience in managing businesses, customer experience, sales & marketing, customer service and building great working teams. His expertise includes customer journey mapping, customer experience design, customer experience measurement, design thinking, customer experience maturity and future proofing businesses.

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