CENTER MEMBERSHIP FAQ

Center Membership - Advancing the Science of Service through Successful Partnerships - Download PDF

What is Center Membership?

The CSL partners with approximately 50 companies who have an exceptional reputation as either a services firm or a product/services firm that competes through the strategic use of service. We value diversity in our membership to stimulate a variety of opinions and ideas, so we look for a balance of firms across a broad scope of industries.

These firms represent our key partners who take advantage of our offerings at a high level and who are committed to advancing services knowledge. Our member firms receive special discounts to the CSL events, have their names listed on our marketing materials and have priority access to CSL research and custom education events.

Through discussions with the CSL, the member company selects one high level executive to sit on our Board of Advisors. The Board of Advisors meetings provide a rare opportunity for our members to network and learn from other C-level and EVP-level leadership from other industries who share a commitment to services. Board members find this to be a form of networking and idea generation that is impossible to find from typical industry affiliations.

What are the benefits of membership for the board member and the company?

The opportunity to network in cross-industry and cross-functional settings with other executives and emerging leaders who face similar challenges and opportunities. The diverse setting creates multiple opportunities to uncover innovative solutions for each company.
Exclusive access to a broad repository of cutting-edge knowledge to improve the focus on the customer and services leadership. Members receive priority access to CSL research and all executive programs.
Access to a talent pool of students from ASU’s unique W. P. Carey MBA in Strategic Marketing and Services Leadership. Graduates from this specialization add value to companies as customer- and service-champions and through their revenue producing activities. They are trained to manage profitable customer relationships through people, technology and services.
Marketing and branding benefit from association with the leading university-based organization on the topic of services. Member firms’ company names are listed on our web site and many of our marketing materials to position you as an organization committed to services leadership.

What kind of companies are a good fit for Center membership?

Generally, the organization must reflect the following profile:

An exceptional reputation as either a services firm or a product/manufacturing firm that competes through service/services.
The organization, or one of its significant business units, is on a journey of change/improvement and has made a strategic commitment to compete through service/services.
The organization has the ability to be involved with the CSL through our executive education and/or research offerings and will serve as a positive contributor to the CSL.

Who do I contact regarding Center membership?

We would be happy to discuss membership with you. Please contact Alicia Holder, Director of Business Partnerships, at 480-965-4819 or Alicia.Holder@asu.edu.

"If you are interested in the science of service, the Center for Services Leadership is the place that you should go. I cannot think of another place that brings industry and academic service insights together in one seting. In a world where time is extremely limited and very valuable, the ability to participate in the CSL's educational sessions and to learn from others' experiences is a good return on your investment."

- Kim Gravell
Vice President, Innovation
Cardinal Health
Member, CSL Board of Advisors

"Being involved as a Center board member gives me the opportunity to break out of my box. I come away from the professional development sessions with great insights I wouldn't derive from just talking with people within the financial services world."

- Bernard J. Clark
Senior Vice President
Investor Services
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Member, CSL Board of Advisors

"The Center for Services Leadership has the best mix of academic and leading edge research combined with good companies that share common challenges - whether it's growing their service business, learning how to price services, or how to implement services within your organization - the learnings and return from the energy and enthusiasm for service within the CSL is invaluable."

- Cody Phipps
President
United Stationers, Inc.
Member, CSL Board of Advisors