Industry Certification

Daniel LaFauci

Hi Everyone, 
My first post! I am wondering if there is a gold standard credential or industry certification for customer success professionals. 
Thanks in advance!

Jeremy Donaldson

Hi @Daniel LaFauci,

Unfortunately, there is not a standard. However, I really like the content from SuccessHacker.

I've also heard great things about PracticalCSM.

Daniel LaFauci

Thanks!

On Mon, Sep 14, 2020 at 1:56 PM Jeremy Donaldson via Gain Grow Retain <community@gaingrowretain.com> wrote:

Hi @Daniel LaFauci, Unfortunately, there is not a standard. However, I really like the content from SuccessHacker. I've also heard great things...

Customer Success Leadership Community Post New Message Re: Industry Certification Reply to Group Reply to Sender Sep 14, 2020 4:54 PM Jeremy Donaldson Hi @Daniel LaFauci, Unfortunately, there is not a standard. However, I really like the content from SuccessHacker. I've also heard great things about PracticalCSM.

Shakira Morgan

Hi Daniel,

I am looking to transition into Customer Success Manager and got certified via Pulse Academy by Gainsight. They allow people who have lost their jobs due to COVID due to apply for free access. I have learned quite a bit for a solid foundation.

https://www.gainsight.com/elements/social-impact/

Hope this helps.
Kira

Daniel LaFauci

Thank you!

Ben Coffman

Hi Daniel,

I came across SuccessCoaching.co late last year.  It's inexpensive, which is why I tried the level one training and certification.  I've been in the field for a while, so I can't say I learned a ton, but there are some good handouts, and it provides a strong foundation.  I now have my team working on it.

Ben Coffman
Senior Director, CS

Scott Hopper

Getting Certified won't help you get a job right now.  However,  getting certified should help with you be confident that you understand what Customer Success is all about and that might get you a job.  If you are already working it, it's a way to say you understand all the major areas that encompass Customer Success.  

I certified 2 levels with Success Hacker it wasn't hard and I never have held the title of Customer Success Manager or Account Manager, but I've been in software for nearly 30 years.  But I've worked in a value-driven environment geared with the Trusted Advisor model and goal of references, upsells and case studies with our customers.  So it can add to your story.

Yanira "Janita" Sesniak

Hi @Daniel LaFauci -

I'll echo my peers and wanted to share this snippet from my recent article on job searching to become a CSM. Here's the full article to help you on your journey to learn all things Customer Success: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-ways-land-customer-success-role-without-prior-sesniak-m-ed-/

1. Utilize training programs to level up quickly. Two of my favorite Customer Success Training programs are Gainsight's Pulse Plus and SuccessHACKER's SuccessCOACHING. Pulse Plus gives you access to what is already being accepted as the industry's leading and most widely recognized certification. SuccessCOACHING helps people interested in CS not only know the best practices, but also how to apply them to resolve the real, everyday challenges CS professional face as they work with customers.

Daniel LaFauci

Thanks!

Karen Chambers

Thanks for this, Ben!  So, I think I am going to start with the Level 1 cert via SuccessCoaching.  My question for you is that I see it bills $99 per year which I thought was odd.  Why for a year?  Is that just the time allowed to complete it?  Did you move through the next levels of certification as well?  Is this something we have to do continuing ed to keep the cert up to date?  
Thanks for any help here!!
Karen

Ben Coffman

Hi Karen,

SuccessCoaching is trying to establish a subscription business, hence the per year pricing.  I bought it for one year.  I completed it mid-year, although one can get through it much quicker with dedication.  It's maybe 15-20 hours of content, depending on how many of the extras you dive into.  I did not renew for my second year because I passed the certification exam (note that you must cancel the subscription if you don't want to continue with it).  I'd consider going to the next level, but I'm not ready yet time-wise.  I'm actually still getting my team through it, treating it like a book club where we discuss a lesson every two weeks.  I don't recall if the certification has an end date.  I hope this helps.

Regards,

Ben Coffman

Director, Customer Value Management

+1-734-929-7702 Mobile | benjamin.coffman@coupa.com