Best Customer Success Courses and Trainings in 2024

Introduction

Hey there, customer success champions! In today's business landscape, keeping your customers happy isn't just a box to check – it's the lifeblood of your company's success. But with a seemingly endless ocean of customer success courses available, how do you find the perfect one to propel you to pro status?

Worry not, fellow warriors! We're diving deep into the world of customer success courses to help you find the perfect fit.

Before we chart our course, let's take a quick pit stop to understand what makes a great customer success course.

What makes a great Customer Success course?

Ideally, you want a program that's:

1. Comprehensive

It should cover the core customer success skills and strategies, from building relationships to mastering customer onboarding and driving renewals.

2. Actionable

Learning is great, but applying that knowledge is key. Look for courses that offer practical tips, templates, and exercises to put your newfound skills into action.

3. Aligned With Your Needs

Are you a seasoned customer success manager (CSM) looking to refine your skills? Or a newbie just starting out? Choose a course that caters to your experience level and career goals.

4. Credible Sources

Seek out courses developed by industry experts or reputable organizations with a proven track record.

Now that we’ve got our bearings, let’s explore some of the top contenders in the customer success course arena!

Courses For Aspiring Customer Success Managers

1. Practical CSM Certified Customer Success Management Professional (CCSMP)

This industry-recognized certification program, offered by the Customer Success Management Institute (CSMI), is a fantastic starting point for aspiring CSMs. It covers the fundamentals of customer success, onboarding, value realization, and customer retention.

The CCSMP offers tiered programs catering to different experience levels, allowing you to grow with the program. The CCSMP Professional requires a minimum of 3 years of experience, while the foundation level has no prerequisites. Both programs involve passing an online exam.

2. Udemy Customer Success Courses

Udemy offers a vast library of affordable customer success courses on various topics, ranging from customer onboarding to success metrics and strategies for different industries.

While the quality can vary, with some gems hidden amongst the bunch, the sheer variety allows you to tailor your learning to specific areas of interest.

Look for courses with high ratings and reviews from fellow learners. Udemy courses are typically self-paced and offered on demand, allowing you to learn at your convenience. Prices can vary depending on the course.

3. Fulvio Customer Success University

Fulvio, a customer success software company, provides a free online university with courses on onboarding, customer health management, and success planning.

These courses are delivered through video lectures and downloadable resources, making them a convenient and accessible option for self-paced learning.

Courses For Seasoned Customer Success Managers

1. Success Coaching Customer Success Management Certification

This program by Success Coaching goes beyond the basics, focusing on advanced customer success strategies like account management, churn reduction, and driving customer expansion.

Geared towards experienced CSMs, it equips you with the tools to elevate your customer success game. The program includes video lectures, downloadable resources, and live coaching calls for personalized guidance.

2. The Success League Customer Success Certification

This results-oriented program by The Success League dives deep into building high-performing customer success teams and measuring success. Ideal for CSM leaders and managers, it equips you with the knowledge to optimize your customer success operations.

This program offers a blend of video lessons, downloadable resources, and interactive exercises. They also host live Q&A sessions for students.

3. Cisco Customer Success Manager Specialist

For those aiming to build a career in customer success specifically within the Cisco ecosystem, the Cisco Customer Success Manager Specialist certification is a valuable credential to consider.

This program equips you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in a Cisco customer success role. Developed by Cisco itself, this course focuses on the entire customer lifecycle, from onboarding new customers to ensuring their long-term success and driving renewals.

4. Gainsight PX University

Gainsight, a leading customer success platform provider, offers a comprehensive library of free and paid courses on a variety of customer success topics, including customer onboarding, success plans, and churn management.

These courses are designed to help you leverage Gainsight's platform effectively, but also offer valuable insights applicable to broader customer success practices. Gainsight PX University offers a mix of free and paid courses, with some focusing on specific Gainsight platform functionalities and others offering broader customer success best practices.

5. How To Understand Your Customers By Chuck Wall

Laying the foundation for successful customer relationships starts with truly understanding your customers. This course, created by customer success expert Chuck Wall, is designed specifically for beginners in the field.

It equips you with the essential skills to get inside your customers' heads and build strong, lasting relationships.

How to choose the best Customer Success Course for you

Remember, the "best" course is subjective! Consider your specific needs, learning style, and budget when making your choice.

Here are some additional tips to help you out:

1. Read Reviews And Testimonials

See what other customer success professionals have to say about different programs.

2. Take Advantage of Free Trials

Many courses offer free trials or introductory modules to give you a taste of the content and teaching style before committing.

3. Consider a Blended Approach

Combine online courses with on-the-job training and mentorship for a well-rounded learning experience.

Conclusion

Investing in your customer success education is an investment in your career and your company's future.

With the right course, you'll be well-equipped to build strong customer relationships, drive retention, and ultimately, fuel your company's growth. So, grab your metaphorical compass, chart your course through these top-notch programs, and get ready to become a customer success rockstar!

P.S. Remember, learning is a continuous journey.

Don't just rely on courses! Stay up-to-date on industry trends by subscribing to relevant blogs, attending webinars, and connecting with other customer success professionals online and at industry events.

Now go forth and conquer the customer success world!