The ONE thing that will make or break your CS career...

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Hey CS pros,

This week is a special one—because I just dropped my FIRST solo episode of the Customer Success Pro Podcast!

If you’ve been following along, you know I usually bring on top CS Pros to share their insights. But starting in April, I’ll be mixing in solo episodes where I break down the must-know strategies, skills, and best practices to help YOU grow in your CS career.

So, what better way to kick off this new format than with the ONE skill that will make or break your success in CS?

No, it’s not product knowledge…churn prevention… or even renewal management.

It’s strategic communication.

If you want to move from reactive to proactive, become a true trusted advisor, and accelerate your path to leadership, mastering strategic communication is your golden ticket.

And in this episode, I break down exactly how you can develop this skill to drive real impact…

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What We Covered in This Episode

• The Big Misconceptions About CS Success

  Many CSMs believe that success comes from being a product expert, fighting churn, or managing renewals. But the truth? Customers don’t stay because you know every feature—they stay because you help them achieve outcomes.

• Why Strategic Communication is the Ultimate CS Skill

  Your ability to influence stakeholders, communicate value, and navigate tough conversations will determine how far you go in your CS career. I share real-life stories of CSMs who either struggled or thrived based on their ability to communicate strategically.

How to Master Strategic CommunicationI break it down into four key areas you can start applying today:

• Active Listening – Are you really hearing your customers, or just waiting for your turn to talk?

• Framing Conversations Around Value – Stop talking about features; start connecting them to business outcomes.

• Influencing Without Authority – Learn how to drive decisions, even when you're not the decision-maker.

• Handling Tough Conversations with Confidence – Lean into challenges instead of avoiding them.

3 Takeaways From This Episode

1. Success in CS is about communication, not just product knowledge. You need to articulate value in a way that lands with your customers.

2. If you’re only reacting, you’re already behind. The best CSMs drive the conversation and position themselves as strategic partners.

3. Want to move into leadership? Start here. The best CS leaders don’t just execute—they influence.

I’d love for you to tune in and let me know what you think!

🎙️ Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

And if you found this valuable, forward this email to a CS friend who needs to hear it!

That's all for now.

I hope you’ve found this newsletter helpful. If you did find it helpful feel free to forward it to a friend or a colleague, sharing is caring! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.

Cheers to your CS success,

Anika

PS - CSM RevUP Academy is currently full. Don't miss your shot at next time! Get the strategies, playbooks and build your confidence into a revenue generating CS Pro. Join the VIP Waitlist today to be first notified when the doors open again.