New Pan-Hellenic Survey by Focus Bari

According to a new Pan-Hellenic Survey by Focus Bari, on the perceptions of
Greeks' perceptions of merchant shipping and the challenges facing the industry,
it is found that:
- A sense of seafarers' confidence is not well developed among Greek children, with two out of
The maritime skills are not well developed among Greek children, with two out of three Greeks stating that they are not cultivated at all.
- Although 45% of respondents consider Greek merchant shipping to be very much a part of the Greek economy, it is still not well developed.
developed, young people have the opposite opinion.
- 54% of Greeks would not choose or would not recommend someone of their own
to be involved in shipping
- Although 64% of citizens assess that Greek merchant shipping would not be the most attractive option for them.
develop in the future, only 26% consider it an important source of income for the national economy

- Finally, there is a clear need for action in terms of strengthening the
young people's relationship with shipping.
 See the full survey here

As part of its nationwide activities, the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service organized a seminar in Iraklion, Crete, with the aim of promoting the importance of Customer Experience for businesses. Xenia Kourtoglou spoke about the Power of Customer Experience, which is a central mission for every organization, presenting data from the Greek market and society that familiarize businesses with modern consumer demands, mindset, habits, and expectations. In her speech, Ms. Kourtoglou emphasized the increasingly close relationship between consumers and technology, and presented strategies that help all organizations develop a CX culture as well as practical steps for the continuous improvement of the customer experience they offer.

See the whole presentation of Mrs. Kourtoglou here

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With great success, the 2nd Effective Dialogue Conference organized by Sympraxis was held at the Serapeion of the Municipality of Athens. The purpose of the Effective Dialogue is to surpass the boundaries of conventional public discourse and advocate for effective communication amidst increasing misinformation, polarization, and climate collapse. Against the backdrop of a world urgently in need of sustainable solutions, the conference aims to redefine the parameters of dialogue, gathering a wide range of participants from various sectors of society to ultimately redefine our path towards a sustainable and responsible future.

As a guest speaker on the panel "Beliefs, Standards, Stereotypes," Xenia Kourtoglou participated alongside leading figures in communication, arts, coaching, and corporate vision. Leveraging her expertise as a social researcher with extensive experience in Mental Resilience, she emphasized the need for citizens and organizations to cultivate and develop significant "human qualities," soft skills, and self-leadership to successfully navigate the continuous changes in personal and professional life.

This marked her impactful contribution at the conference, highlighting crucial aspects necessary for societal progress and resilience in the face of modern challenges.

As part of its nationwide activities, the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service organized a seminar at the Noisis Cultural Center in Salonica on May 21, 2024, with the aim of promoting the importance of Customer Experience for businesses. Xenia Kourtoglou spoke about the Power of Customer Experience, which is a central mission for every organization, presenting data from the Greek market and society that familiarize businesses with modern consumer demands, mindset, habits, and expectations. In her speech, Ms. Kourtoglou emphasized the increasingly close relationship between consumers and technology, and presented strategies that help all organizations develop a CX culture as well as practical steps for the continuous improvement of the customer experience they offer.

See the whole presentation of Mrs. Kourtoglou here

The 1st Conference & Exhibition of Building Materials Stores, organized by "Mastoremata" magazine of Karidakis Company, took place at the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens. Xenia Kourtoglou was invited as an "inspirational" speaker, presenting "Insights into Contemporary Greek Society" to help businesses comprehensively understand their potential consumers, fostering empathy and a holistic view of whom they are targeting with their products and services. During her speech, the presenter explored various aspects of daily life, mindset, habits, and challenges faced by Greek citizens today, providing valuable insights into consumption habits, expectations from the organizations they deal with, household and family matters, while highlighting the generational gap evident in today's society and workplaces. The audience was enthusiastic about Ms. Kourtoglou's speech, finding it exceptionally interesting, useful, and valuable in guiding strategies that help businesses successfully navigate the continuous changes brought about by modern global and local developments.

See Xenia Kourtoglou's presentation here

With immense success and interest from the entire e-commerce market, attendees from all over Greece gathered to meet and listen to industry leaders at the e-commerce summit organized by Boussias Communications at Costa Navarino. Xenia Kourtoglou was an invited Keynote Speaker with her presentation titled "Discovering the e-shopper," where she detailed how Greek consumers shop, alternating their interaction with retail both online and offline simultaneously. She concluded that "there is no e-shopper, there is only the shopper," emphasizing the huge need and expectation from the public for retail businesses to serve them concurrently and simultaneously through both "channels" without distinction. Through a wealth of research data, she substantiated her position, concluding with valuable tips to help retail businesses adopt strategies that improve the customer experience they offer and, consequently, their sales growth. Subsequently, Xenia Kourtoglou moderated a panel with leading representatives of e-commerce in Greece, including experts from major local and international organizations active in e-commerce, such as Plaisio, Spitishop, L’Oreal, and Mastercard

See Xenia Kourtoglou's presentation here

With great success and the presence of the Minister of Digital Governance, the two-day Tech Experience Festival in Patras concluded. Leading speakers and scientists presented their views on Digital Transformation, technological evolution, and the necessity for public awareness and familiarization. Xenia Kourtoglou from Focus Bari presented the current relationship of Greeks with technology and expectations regarding Artificial Intelligence, as well as the use, relationship, and opinions about Chat GPT.

Find Xenia Kourtoglou's presentation here

With a large turnout at the Sofitel Hotel, the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service organized the CEO Breakfast with keynote speaker Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari. The speaker presented revealing research findings with real customer experience stories, emphasizing that "Our customers are our mirrors" is the title of my talk today at the CEO Breakfast at EIEP. She highlighted that making customer experience the central mission of every business guides proper strategies, decisions, processes, and most importantly, inspires and unites teams of associates. Because we are here to leave an imprint as organizations, making the world and our customer's life better! And the company's profits are the result, not the goal!" Xenia Kourtoglou comprehensively demonstrated how customer experience can lead every business to absolute prosperity and financial strength, and how every organization can meet all customer needs on a practical, social, and human level while maintaining high employee engagement.

See Xenia Kourtoglou's presentation here.

With the presence of two Ministers—Digital Governance Minister Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou and Health Minister Mr. Adonis Georgiadis—and a large turnout of companies involved in e-commerce and digital marketing, the annual SEDE (Association of Internet Companies of Greece) meeting was held on April 17, 2024, at a central hotel in Athens. Xenia Kourtoglou was the invited speaker with the title "Online-Offline: Two Different Worlds?" revealing through historical research data the current relationship of Greeks with the internet, social networks, digital communication, and e-commerce, and describing in detail the continuous alternation between the digital and offline worlds in daily life. The speaker emphasized the need for internet businesses to systematically listen to both consumer habits and the ever-increasing needs of their clients, acting as expert communication advisors at a 360 level, with a holistic business perspective.

See Xenia Kourtoglou's presentation here

As part of its nationwide activities, the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service organized a seminar in Trikala, Thessaly, in collaboration with Plushost, with the aim of promoting the importance of Customer Experience for businesses. Xenia Kourtoglou spoke about the Power of Customer Experience, which is a central mission for every organization, presenting data from the Greek market and society that familiarize businesses with modern consumer demands, mindset, habits, and expectations. In her speech, Ms. Kourtoglou emphasized the increasingly close relationship between consumers and technology, and presented strategies that help all organizations develop a CX culture as well as practical steps for the continuous improvement of the customer experience they offer.

See the whole presentation of Mrs. Kourtoglou here