A List Apart

Author

Kristin Smaby

Kristin Smaby started working on the front lines in technical support after receiving her undergraduate degree in mathematics. Kristin quickly advanced her career through a number of customer-facing roles in a variety high-tech companies, including a software tools vendor, a financial services firm, and a digital broadcasting company. Most recently, Kristin established the customer service practices and philosophy at TripIt and BankSimple.

Entries by Kristin Smaby

  • Being Human is Good Business

    Issue 334 · 

    Customers aren't shy about shouting their experiences, good and bad, to the world via Twitter and Facebook. When you see customer service as a cost center, you risk treating customers as a liability. Yet, customers are a valuable resource: their feedback is integral to shaping your product and building your brand. Customer service, by definition, is about serving people; it should be genuine, personalized, and compassionate, or, simply put, human.

Browse Authors