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Welcome to

Two-Cents Tuesdays...



...all about the CX Journey and turning your moments of truth with customers from Zeros to Heroes!

Let’s make CX your differentiator...together we can get to the WOW experience!

My 2 Cents: "In every interaction, your brand leaves an impression. I’m here to help you make sure it’s the right one. With real-world examples, insights, and actionable tips, this newsletter will inspire you to think differently about customer experience—showing you how small changes can lead to big impact."

Nora Osman

CX Storytime:



A few weeks ago, I had an urgent need to resolve a complex banking issue. Normally, dealing with banks can be daunting—long wait times, unclear processes, and the sense that your problem isn’t anyone’s priority. But this time, something incredible happened. My bank stepped up and delivered a flawless experience, setting the gold standard for customer service. Here’s how they became my personal CX hero.


It started with #1: Simplifying the Customer Journey. I didn’t have to dig through their website to figure out how to get help. Their home page had a big, bold button: “Need Help? Start Here.” A simple click opened a self-service portal with step-by-step instructions, clearly explaining the process and what information I’d need.


When I hit a roadblock, their live chat assistant seamlessly stepped in—proof of #2: Be Accessible, Anywhere and Anytime. The chatbot didn’t just dump me into a queue; it triaged my issue, gathering key details before connecting me to the right person.


Here’s where #3: Personalization Over Generic Responses came in. The agent greeted me by name, referenced my previous interactions, and immediately made me feel like a valued customer. No generic, cookie-cutter responses—just a tailored experience that addressed my specific needs.


The agent’s professionalism and empathy were on full display, embodying #4: Focus on Speed and Quality. When I explained my situation, they truly listened, acknowledged my frustration, and reassured me that they were there to help. I felt heard, understood, and confident.


Speed matters, too, and they nailed #5: Anticipate Customer Needs. Within minutes, the agent verified my details, explained the steps they’d take to fix the issue, and initiated the resolution process. No bouncing between departments, no drawn-out explanations—just quick, effective action. They even shared proactive tips to prevent similar issues in the future, setting me up for long-term success.


What stood out most was how they handled my feedback, perfectly exemplifying #6: Celebrate the Voice of the Customer (VOC). At the end of our conversation, I received a short, targeted survey asking if I had any suggestions or unresolved concerns. The survey didn’t feel like a formality; it felt like a genuine invitation to improve their service.


Finally, the follow-up sealed the deal. A day later, I got an email confirming the issue was resolved, along with a recap of the steps they’d taken—proof of #7: Empower Your Team. This simple gesture reinforced their commitment to transparency and accountability.


From start to finish, my bank delivered a masterclass in #8: Master Data Privacy and Security. They handled my personal information with care, explaining every step of the verification process. I never once felt uneasy or uninformed.


Through #9: Focus on Simplicity in Self-Service, they made sure I had access to clear, easy-to-follow steps at every stage of the journey. Even when I didn’t need live support, their tools and resources empowered me to help myself with confidence.

This experience wasn’t just about resolving a banking issue—it was about building trust. By prioritizing #10: Empathy and Connection, they turned what could have been a frustrating interaction into a moment of customer delight. I walked away not only impressed but loyal.


This story highlights why my bank is a CX hero in my eyes. They weren’t just meeting expectations—they were exceeding them in ways that felt thoughtful, intentional, and impactful. If every business embraced these principles, the world would have far fewer CX zeroes and far more shining examples of CX done right.


Text Link

My Latest Article


The Power of Less: My Journey to Essentialism in 2025



As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a journey of discovery that’s been as enlightening as it’s been transformative. Over the past few years, I’ve stumbled upon ideas and principles that have reshaped how I think, live, and lead. First, there was The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, with the Law of Influence leaving a lasting mark. Then came The Law of Subtraction, which opened my eyes to the power of removing the unnecessary. I explored The Law of Attraction, embraced The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins, and was deeply moved by Steven M.R. Covey’s Trust and Inspire.


And here I am now, face to face with Essentialism by Greg McKeown—a philosophy that feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been searching for.


Read the full article!

Another Golden Nugget!




A recent article from Forbes Advisor discusses the top customer experience (CX) trends impacting businesses in 2024.

Forbes

The article highlights that 86% of consumers approve of brands using artificial intelligence in 2023, indicating a growing acceptance of AI-driven customer interactions.


Additionally, 48% of consumers are willing to pay more for quality customer service, underscoring the value placed on exceptional CX.

Furthermore, 46% of customers are likely to make additional purchases when provided with personalized experiences, emphasizing the importance of personalization in driving customer loyalty and revenue.



These insights reflect the industry's recognition of CX as a critical differentiator and a key component of business success in the current market landscape.



Read the full article!


TIP of the Week

Master the Art of Saying No




Essentialism begins with clarity about what truly matters, and that means learning to say "no" with confidence.


This week, practice saying "no" not just to tasks, commitments, or purchases that don’t align with your priorities, but also to people who insist on using your time or pushing you into paths that don’t serve your goals.


Each "no" you give creates space for a more intentional, meaningful "yes" to the things that truly enrich your life.


Simplify to amplify!




Inspiration Corner


A Year of Less, A Life of More

2024 has been a transformative year for me, both personally and professionally. For a long time, I felt like I was crawling through life, stuck in a cocoon, unaware of the control I had over my own destiny.


This year, I began asking “why not” instead of “why” and embraced the journey as an adventure, worrying less about failure and focusing more on possibilities. Slowly, everything has come together—like a master recipe finally ready to follow.


The more I’ve grown, the less I’ve wanted. Essentialism has become my guide, helping me focus on what truly matters. If you’ve read my latest article (featured at the top), you’ll see how I got here. For now, I’m sharing my "I will" statements as my next step into essentialism—starting in 2025 and continuing beyond. Hoping some of these may resonate with you!


I will no longer buy clothes when my closet overflows with wearable outfits, many still with tags.

I will stop cluttering my home with unnecessary knick-knacks and create open, calming spaces.

I will replace artificial scents with the natural fragrance of flowers and homemade blends.

I will grocery shop with intention, sticking to my list and avoiding impulse purchases.

I will skip the breadbasket and eat my meals in order: greens, protein, then starch.

I will avoid window shopping because it only tempts unnecessary desires.

I will stop buying beauty products, using what I have or making my own.

I will limit social media scrolling to 30 minutes of intentional use daily.

I will simplify my daily routine, focusing only on what truly matters.

I will pause on buying books until I finish the ones I already own.

I will recharge fully by honoring a 10 p.m. bedtime every night.

I will commit to truly being present with those around me.

I will thrive on the challenges that help me grow.

I will give my time to those who value it.

I will always put quality first.

I will breathe deeply.

Peacefully.



Let me know if you're doing anything to simplify your world and/or routine....would love to learn from you! Send me an email!



Missed previous newsletters? No worries, here are the last 10!


Vol 1.15 2024-12-24 The 5 C's of Effective Communication

Vol 1.14 2024-12-17 Primary Care: A Lesson in CX Zero

Vol 1.13 2024-12-10 Yuka- Empowering Smarter Choices with Simplicity

Vol 1.12 2024-12-03 TikTok: The Ultimate CX Playground

Vol 1.11 2024-11-26 Stone Soup & Building Buy-In

Vol 1.10 2024-11-19 Coloring Outside the Lines: Ritz-Carlton story

Vol 1.9 2024-11-12 How Service Desk Became the Heartbeat of the Hospital

Vol 1.8 2024-11-05 Trading Shoes and Building Legacies

Vol 1.7 2024-10-29 The Haunted Customer: How the Ghost of Bad Experiences Haunts CX Today

Vol 1.6 2024-10-22 Finding the Lemonade Stand Inside Us All


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ADVISORY SERVICES

By the way, Norvana is here to help you and other companies who want to curate an excellent customer experience, with each and every moment of truth. Whether it is designing different experience channels (portals, chatbot, email, phone) or ironing out wrinkles in the processes, we're there for you. And most of all, we're there for the PEOPLE part, with skills assessments, mentoring /coaching, and organizational change management for you along that long journey on CX.


Click case studies to learn of successful CX implementations delivered.

Click testimonials to hear how customers experienced this journey.

Let's chat! Book a call/meeting with Nora and explore the possibilities!

Request Meeting with Nora

COACHING

Whether you're on a corporate or individual journey of transformation, let us help you get there with grace! Norvana offers practical leadership coaching to help you get clarity and consistency in your approach to growth. Work with Nora on developing your personal strategy, with her by your side as an accountability partner!


SPEAKING

Need more inspiration? Hire Nora to deliver an awesome keynote or motivational speech to your group or corporate team. Nora knows how to simplify the most complex concepts and delivers ideas in ways that resonate with your audience.




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