support

  • Acquisition Transitions in Support – Part 1: The Good Stuff

    Acquisition Transitions in Support – Part 1: The Good Stuff

    This is part 1 of a 3-part series about the challenges support teams might face during an acquisition. The link to Part 2: The Bad Stuff is at the bottom of this post. It seems every week another acquisition is announced here in the tech industry*. And while the initial reaction is all dollar signs…

  • Managing Through The Fire

    Managing Through The Fire

    I recently had occasion to chat with a few different CS leaders whose teams had gone through fairly dramatic layoffs.* One of them asked me what they could do today to weather the storm and get the boot off their teams in the immediate term and here is a summary of what I said. Embrace…

  • Gratitude July 2023

    Gratitude July 2023

    Every once in a while, I like to come here and type up a few things that I enjoyed recently. Here are a few. Bloom I am a sucker for queer YA graphic novels and will pretty much read anyone I can get my hands on. Bloom is nothing mind-blowing; it is just a sweet…

  • Obligatory AI Opinion post

    Obligatory AI Opinion post

    Someone on Mastodon posted that Shopify was downsizing their customer support team in favor of leveraging an AI tool instead and I spent several posts sharing my Expert Opinion on the matter and figured I ought to drop it here for posterity. I have been a customer support leader in the tech industry for almost…

  • Gratitude April 2023

    Gratitude April 2023

    Spring has sprung here in New York and despite a mild winter it’s still been a welcome change. Here are a few other things I’ve been grateful for as of late. Little Richard: I Am Everything I heard about this new doc the other day and then I was unexpectedly blessed with a free window…

  • Gratitude February 2023

    Gratitude February 2023

    South Africa Owing to my humble service on the Whose Knowledge? board, I was graciously invited by the team to join them on their annual retreat in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. It was a beautiful 10 days and I certainly hope it will not be my last time in South Africa. I have so much more…

  • The Three Ds of Product Drops

    The Three Ds of Product Drops

    Ask any CS leader or practitioner in software about releases and you will probably get an eye roll or a groan. The history of software development is littered with new feature and products that launched at random times without supporting teams being enabled…or even informed ! In order to drive more alignment with Product a…

  • Gratitude: Late Fall 2022

    Gratitude: Late Fall 2022

    Cannupa Hanska Luger I don’t remember how I first came across Cannupa Hanska Luger and his thrilling art, but I am glad that I did. His work is energizing and thought provoking and deep and fun. The textile pieces bring to mind the ever-inspiring work of (my other fave!) Nick Cave. Bad Sex by Nona…

  • Gratitude August 2022

    Gratitude August 2022

    Speaking Brazilian I have been studying Brazilian Portuguese for over 2.5 years now, but until a few months ago I was mostly using apps and self-study via conversations, podcasts, and a few movies. I discovered Virginia Langhammer while cruising YouTube and appreciated all the free instruction and materials she was offering for beginners; so I…

  • Gratitude May 2022

    Gratitude May 2022

    I don’t think I have done one of these in a while. Long overdue! Marc Rebillet with Reggie Watts & (THE QUEEN) Erykah Badu Every once in a while the algo gods smile on you and deliver something to you that you would’ve never found yourself. I had no idea who Marc Rebillet was a…