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    <fireside:genDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:40:36 +0000</fireside:genDate>
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    <title>CX without the BS - Episodes Tagged with “Contact Center Solutions”</title>
    <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/tags/contact%20center%20solutions</link>
    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
    <description>Most CX podcasts are built for Fortune 500 buyers with seven-figure budgets and dedicated transformation teams... This one isn't. CX Without the BS is for the technology advisors, IT leaders, and business owners working in the trenches of SMB and mid-market companies - the "forgotten 5000" who get pitched enterprise solutions they can't afford and ignored by vendors who don't think they're worth the support call. Host Brian Nichols brings real practitioner perspective from the unified communications and contact center space. No guru theater. No vendor hype. No recycled LinkedIn thought leadership dressed up as expertise. Just the actual conversations advisors and buyers need to be having... about why CX deployments fail, where vendors quietly cut corners, which product categories are oversold, and what questions you should be asking before you sign a three-year contract. Each episode pulls from real customer scenarios, market situations, and the framework laid out in Brian's book, The CX Compass. Some episodes are solo deep dives. Others bring in practitioners, advisors, and operators who can break down the mechanics of what actually works - and what's quietly broken behind the demo. If you're tired of buzzword bingo and ready for the version of CX nobody's willing to say out loud... you're in the right place. Subscribe, share it with an advisor or buyer who needs it, and let's cut through the noise together.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Honest takes on customer experience and UCaaS for the SMB and mid-market buyers enterprise vendors forgot... hosted by Brian Nichols.</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>Most CX podcasts are built for Fortune 500 buyers with seven-figure budgets and dedicated transformation teams... This one isn't. CX Without the BS is for the technology advisors, IT leaders, and business owners working in the trenches of SMB and mid-market companies - the "forgotten 5000" who get pitched enterprise solutions they can't afford and ignored by vendors who don't think they're worth the support call. Host Brian Nichols brings real practitioner perspective from the unified communications and contact center space. No guru theater. No vendor hype. No recycled LinkedIn thought leadership dressed up as expertise. Just the actual conversations advisors and buyers need to be having... about why CX deployments fail, where vendors quietly cut corners, which product categories are oversold, and what questions you should be asking before you sign a three-year contract. Each episode pulls from real customer scenarios, market situations, and the framework laid out in Brian's book, The CX Compass. Some episodes are solo deep dives. Others bring in practitioners, advisors, and operators who can break down the mechanics of what actually works - and what's quietly broken behind the demo. If you're tired of buzzword bingo and ready for the version of CX nobody's willing to say out loud... you're in the right place. Subscribe, share it with an advisor or buyer who needs it, and let's cut through the noise together.</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
    <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>CX podcast, customer experience, UCaaS, CCaaS, contact center, unified communications, technology advisors, channel partners, TSD, SMB technology, mid-market IT, vendor evaluation, CX strategy, customer service technology, Brian Nichols, CX Compass, business communications, cloud communications, customer engagement, sales enablement, B2B technology buying, IT decision makers, Telarus, agent experience, omnichannel</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Brian Nichols</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>brian@briannicholsconsulting.com</itunes:email>
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<item>
  <title>Is Your CX Provider Lying to You?</title>
  <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/is-your-cx-provider-lying-to-you</link>
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  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Brian Nichols</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/15ff5f6c-ebbd-4f0c-bdbd-7a5ab0bc9a9a.mp3" length="58454567" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>What if there was someone who could cut through the noise and tell you exactly what's wrong with today's CX industry - especially when it comes to serving small and medium-sized businesses? Meet Daniel Vaughan, a refreshingly honest voice who's challenging the status quo and exposing the truth about what really matters in customer experience.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:00:53</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Are you tired of the BS in customer experience technology? What if there was someone who could cut through the noise and tell you exactly what's wrong with today's CX industry - especially when it comes to serving small and medium-sized businesses? Meet Daniel Vaughan, a refreshingly honest voice who's challenging the status quo and exposing the truth about what really matters in customer experience.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In this explosive episode of CX Without the BS, Daniel shares his journey from sustainability graduate to accidental tech sales professional, revealing how multiple career setbacks led him to create Emmettson ROI. His approach? Actually giving a damn about clients and refusing to play the typical channel games that plague our industry.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Brian and Tom dive deep with Daniel into why so many CX providers ignore smaller businesses, and how this massive gap in the market is leaving countless companies underserved. The conversation gets particularly heated when discussing the "zoo bears" of the industry - those comfortable legacy players who've stopped innovating and started coasting.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The group tackles the elephant in the room: how empty "empathy" has become in corporate mission statements, and why most companies' claims about caring for customers are completely hollow. Daniel explains his unique approach to research and client relationships, demonstrating why actually doing your homework matters more than making endless cold calls.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;This episode isn't just another tech discussion - it's a wake-up call for anyone involved in customer experience, technology sales, or business consulting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what it means to truly serve clients rather than just sell to them. &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>customer experience,CX technology,tech sales,SMB technology,contact center solutions,business consulting,channel partners,technology advisory,customer service solutions,sales strategy,business transformation,tech industry critique,customer experience management,business technology,enterprise solutions,SMB solutions,channel management,tech industry analysis</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you tired of the BS in customer experience technology? What if there was someone who could cut through the noise and tell you exactly what's wrong with today's CX industry - especially when it comes to serving small and medium-sized businesses? Meet Daniel Vaughan, a refreshingly honest voice who's challenging the status quo and exposing the truth about what really matters in customer experience.</p>

<p>In this explosive episode of CX Without the BS, Daniel shares his journey from sustainability graduate to accidental tech sales professional, revealing how multiple career setbacks led him to create Emmettson ROI. His approach? Actually giving a damn about clients and refusing to play the typical channel games that plague our industry.</p>

<p>Brian and Tom dive deep with Daniel into why so many CX providers ignore smaller businesses, and how this massive gap in the market is leaving countless companies underserved. The conversation gets particularly heated when discussing the "zoo bears" of the industry - those comfortable legacy players who've stopped innovating and started coasting.</p>

<p>The group tackles the elephant in the room: how empty "empathy" has become in corporate mission statements, and why most companies' claims about caring for customers are completely hollow. Daniel explains his unique approach to research and client relationships, demonstrating why actually doing your homework matters more than making endless cold calls.</p>

<p>This episode isn't just another tech discussion - it's a wake-up call for anyone involved in customer experience, technology sales, or business consulting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what it means to truly serve clients rather than just sell to them.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you tired of the BS in customer experience technology? What if there was someone who could cut through the noise and tell you exactly what's wrong with today's CX industry - especially when it comes to serving small and medium-sized businesses? Meet Daniel Vaughan, a refreshingly honest voice who's challenging the status quo and exposing the truth about what really matters in customer experience.</p>

<p>In this explosive episode of CX Without the BS, Daniel shares his journey from sustainability graduate to accidental tech sales professional, revealing how multiple career setbacks led him to create Emmettson ROI. His approach? Actually giving a damn about clients and refusing to play the typical channel games that plague our industry.</p>

<p>Brian and Tom dive deep with Daniel into why so many CX providers ignore smaller businesses, and how this massive gap in the market is leaving countless companies underserved. The conversation gets particularly heated when discussing the "zoo bears" of the industry - those comfortable legacy players who've stopped innovating and started coasting.</p>

<p>The group tackles the elephant in the room: how empty "empathy" has become in corporate mission statements, and why most companies' claims about caring for customers are completely hollow. Daniel explains his unique approach to research and client relationships, demonstrating why actually doing your homework matters more than making endless cold calls.</p>

<p>This episode isn't just another tech discussion - it's a wake-up call for anyone involved in customer experience, technology sales, or business consulting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what it means to truly serve clients rather than just sell to them.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
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<item>
  <title>What are the BEST AI Tools for Customer Support?</title>
  <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/what-are-the-best-ai-tools-for-customer-support</link>
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  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
  <author>Brian Nichols</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cd0a0a00-850c-48d8-9c32-9fed9e77af04.mp3" length="45817989" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>AI expert exposes the hype and reality of artificial intelligence in customer experience, offering practical insights on how businesses can leverage genuine AI solutions to transform their contact centers and improve customer service.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>47:43</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Are you tired of the AI hype in the contact center industry? Want to know what's really behind the buzzwords and how to leverage AI effectively for your business?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In this week's episode of CX Without the BS, hosts Brian Nichols and Tom Milligan sit down with Aarde Cosseboom, co-founder of Clarity CX and creator of Palomar.com. Aarde pulls back the curtain on the reality of AI in customer experience, exposing the BS and highlighting truly innovative solutions. With his unique background as both a contact center leader and tech enthusiast, Aarde offers invaluable insights into the current state of AI and its practical applications.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Discover why most "AI" tools are just glorified chatbots and learn how to identify genuine AI solutions that can transform your business. Aarde breaks down the evolution of contact center technology, from the cloud migration craze to the current AI revolution, and explains why feature matrices have become largely irrelevant in today's market. You'll gain a deeper understanding of conversational AI, its data requirements, and how it differs from other forms of artificial intelligence.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The conversation takes an exciting turn as Aarde introduces Palomar, an innovative AI-powered tool designed to help businesses find the right CX technologies. Unlike traditional search engines or review sites, Palomar acts as a virtual consultant, asking probing questions to understand your unique needs before providing tailored recommendations. Learn how this game-changing platform is set to disrupt the entire sales process in the CX industry. &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>AI customer service, contact center technology, CX software, chatbots, conversational AI, Palomar, Clarity CX, customer experience, AI hype, CX innovation, AI tools, contact center solutions, omnichannel support, AI in business, customer support technology, AI consultants, CX trends, AI implementation, machine learning, customer service automation, AI vs human support, CX software comparison, AI ROI, future of customer service</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you tired of the AI hype in the contact center industry? Want to know what's really behind the buzzwords and how to leverage AI effectively for your business?</p>

<p>In this week's episode of CX Without the BS, hosts Brian Nichols and Tom Milligan sit down with Aarde Cosseboom, co-founder of Clarity CX and creator of Palomar.com. Aarde pulls back the curtain on the reality of AI in customer experience, exposing the BS and highlighting truly innovative solutions. With his unique background as both a contact center leader and tech enthusiast, Aarde offers invaluable insights into the current state of AI and its practical applications.</p>

<p>Discover why most "AI" tools are just glorified chatbots and learn how to identify genuine AI solutions that can transform your business. Aarde breaks down the evolution of contact center technology, from the cloud migration craze to the current AI revolution, and explains why feature matrices have become largely irrelevant in today's market. You'll gain a deeper understanding of conversational AI, its data requirements, and how it differs from other forms of artificial intelligence.</p>

<p>The conversation takes an exciting turn as Aarde introduces Palomar, an innovative AI-powered tool designed to help businesses find the right CX technologies. Unlike traditional search engines or review sites, Palomar acts as a virtual consultant, asking probing questions to understand your unique needs before providing tailored recommendations. Learn how this game-changing platform is set to disrupt the entire sales process in the CX industry.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you tired of the AI hype in the contact center industry? Want to know what's really behind the buzzwords and how to leverage AI effectively for your business?</p>

<p>In this week's episode of CX Without the BS, hosts Brian Nichols and Tom Milligan sit down with Aarde Cosseboom, co-founder of Clarity CX and creator of Palomar.com. Aarde pulls back the curtain on the reality of AI in customer experience, exposing the BS and highlighting truly innovative solutions. With his unique background as both a contact center leader and tech enthusiast, Aarde offers invaluable insights into the current state of AI and its practical applications.</p>

<p>Discover why most "AI" tools are just glorified chatbots and learn how to identify genuine AI solutions that can transform your business. Aarde breaks down the evolution of contact center technology, from the cloud migration craze to the current AI revolution, and explains why feature matrices have become largely irrelevant in today's market. You'll gain a deeper understanding of conversational AI, its data requirements, and how it differs from other forms of artificial intelligence.</p>

<p>The conversation takes an exciting turn as Aarde introduces Palomar, an innovative AI-powered tool designed to help businesses find the right CX technologies. Unlike traditional search engines or review sites, Palomar acts as a virtual consultant, asking probing questions to understand your unique needs before providing tailored recommendations. Learn how this game-changing platform is set to disrupt the entire sales process in the CX industry.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>The Biggest Problems in Customer Service (and How to FIX Them!)</title>
  <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/the-biggest-problems-in-customer-service-and-how-to-fix-them</link>
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  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
  <author>Brian Nichols</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/4d98a80b-6887-4a29-8132-21da7d63a44f.mp3" length="39788700" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Jon Heaps, a pioneer in the CX industry, shares his incredible journey from the early days of cloud-based contact centers to groundbreaking AI solutions that are revolutionizing customer service by removing language barriers and empowering agents to deliver exceptional experiences.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>41:26</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Are you ready to uncover the untold stories and groundbreaking innovations in the customer experience (CX) industry? In this episode of "CX Without the BS," hosts Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols sit down with the legendary Jon Heaps, often referred to as the "godfather of the channel." This conversation dives deep into the evolution of CX, from the early days of cloud technology to the revolutionary advancements in AI that are transforming how businesses interact with their customers. If you're passionate about CX, technology, or just love a good industry insider story, this episode is a must-watch!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Jon Heaps shares his incredible journey, starting from his early days at UCN, which later became NICE CXone, to his pivotal roles at Talkdesk and Observe.AI. Discover how Jon and his colleagues pioneered cloud-based contact centers before "cloud" was even a buzzword, and how they faced skepticism and challenges head-on to create a multi-billion dollar industry. This episode is packed with fascinating anecdotes and insights that will keep you hooked from start to finish.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;But that's not all! Jon also introduces us to his latest venture, Sanas, a groundbreaking AI technology that neutralizes accents in real-time, making customer interactions smoother and more effective. Learn how this innovative solution is not only enhancing customer satisfaction but also improving the working conditions for call center agents worldwide. This is a game-changer in the CX space, and you won't want to miss Jon's firsthand account of how it all came to be.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Tom and Brian don't shy away from the tough questions, either. They delve into the ethical implications of AI in customer service, the future of human agents in an increasingly automated world, and the biggest misconceptions about AI's role in CX. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of customer experience.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;So, what are you waiting for? Hit play and join us for an enlightening and entertaining discussion that promises to change the way you think about customer experience forever. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let's dive into the world of CX without the BS! &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>AI in customer service, customer experience, CX technology, cloud-based contact centers, accent neutralization, Sanas AI, Jon Heaps interview, customer service innovation, AI ethics, call center technology, noise elimination, offshoring customer service, customer satisfaction, AI in business, contact center solutions, CX industry trends, customer service challenges, AI advancements, CX Without the BS, Brian Nichols podcast, Tom Milligan, customer service agents, AI and human interaction, CX technology evolution  Citations: [1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/2717721/d9af5fae-6583-4060-a0db-37928195c6b1/Jon Heaps on CX without the BS (1)_otter_ai.txt</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you ready to uncover the untold stories and groundbreaking innovations in the customer experience (CX) industry? In this episode of "CX Without the BS," hosts Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols sit down with the legendary Jon Heaps, often referred to as the "godfather of the channel." This conversation dives deep into the evolution of CX, from the early days of cloud technology to the revolutionary advancements in AI that are transforming how businesses interact with their customers. If you're passionate about CX, technology, or just love a good industry insider story, this episode is a must-watch!</p>

<p>Jon Heaps shares his incredible journey, starting from his early days at UCN, which later became NICE CXone, to his pivotal roles at Talkdesk and Observe.AI. Discover how Jon and his colleagues pioneered cloud-based contact centers before "cloud" was even a buzzword, and how they faced skepticism and challenges head-on to create a multi-billion dollar industry. This episode is packed with fascinating anecdotes and insights that will keep you hooked from start to finish.</p>

<p>But that's not all! Jon also introduces us to his latest venture, Sanas, a groundbreaking AI technology that neutralizes accents in real-time, making customer interactions smoother and more effective. Learn how this innovative solution is not only enhancing customer satisfaction but also improving the working conditions for call center agents worldwide. This is a game-changer in the CX space, and you won't want to miss Jon's firsthand account of how it all came to be.</p>

<p>Tom and Brian don't shy away from the tough questions, either. They delve into the ethical implications of AI in customer service, the future of human agents in an increasingly automated world, and the biggest misconceptions about AI's role in CX. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of customer experience.</p>

<p>So, what are you waiting for? Hit play and join us for an enlightening and entertaining discussion that promises to change the way you think about customer experience forever. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let's dive into the world of CX without the BS!</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Are you ready to uncover the untold stories and groundbreaking innovations in the customer experience (CX) industry? In this episode of "CX Without the BS," hosts Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols sit down with the legendary Jon Heaps, often referred to as the "godfather of the channel." This conversation dives deep into the evolution of CX, from the early days of cloud technology to the revolutionary advancements in AI that are transforming how businesses interact with their customers. If you're passionate about CX, technology, or just love a good industry insider story, this episode is a must-watch!</p>

<p>Jon Heaps shares his incredible journey, starting from his early days at UCN, which later became NICE CXone, to his pivotal roles at Talkdesk and Observe.AI. Discover how Jon and his colleagues pioneered cloud-based contact centers before "cloud" was even a buzzword, and how they faced skepticism and challenges head-on to create a multi-billion dollar industry. This episode is packed with fascinating anecdotes and insights that will keep you hooked from start to finish.</p>

<p>But that's not all! Jon also introduces us to his latest venture, Sanas, a groundbreaking AI technology that neutralizes accents in real-time, making customer interactions smoother and more effective. Learn how this innovative solution is not only enhancing customer satisfaction but also improving the working conditions for call center agents worldwide. This is a game-changer in the CX space, and you won't want to miss Jon's firsthand account of how it all came to be.</p>

<p>Tom and Brian don't shy away from the tough questions, either. They delve into the ethical implications of AI in customer service, the future of human agents in an increasingly automated world, and the biggest misconceptions about AI's role in CX. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving world of customer experience.</p>

<p>So, what are you waiting for? Hit play and join us for an enlightening and entertaining discussion that promises to change the way you think about customer experience forever. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let's dive into the world of CX without the BS!</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
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