Today’s connected consumers have high expectations of the brands they deal with. They want fast access to information, through their channel of choice. No wonder that both consumers and companies are turning to online self-service systems. But many are failing to deliver – here are 6 reasons why.
Amidst all the talk of artificial intelligence, chatbots and the Internet of Things transforming the relationship between brands and consumers, it is easy to forget the vital importance of the human element to successful customer service. How can you balance both?
Organizations understand the importance of the experience they provide to winning and retaining customers, building brand reputation and their overall financial success. High profile CX issues all demonstrate the impact that a poor experience has on reputation and revenues. And, while well-publicized cases may make the news, it is smaller, more individual problems that cause customers to switch.
Local authorities across the UK are under constant pressure to increase efficiency and productivity, while delivering a high quality experience to the public. Birmingham City Council (BCC) is a prime example of an authority that is successfully transforming how it delivers customer experience.
The run up to Christmas is both the busiest time of year for most brands and the most stressful for consumers. So it is no surprise that consumers become more demanding of the brands that they deal with during this time. How can they cope?
We live in the age of the connected consumer. Everyone understands the huge amount of time people spend on their mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets – there is even a term (Nomophobia), describing the increased anxiety we feel when we are away from our mobile. What does this mean for customer experience and customer service?
As we approach Christmas, the festive shopping season is moving into top gear. At the same time as they are looking for bargains, consumers also want to make their shopping experience as simple, hassle-free and quick as possible.
Customer experience is becoming the primary differentiator for brands, whatever industry they are operating in. At a time when competition is ever-increasing, the experience that consumers receive is central to attracting and retaining their business, and therefore to the company bottom line. It has never been easier to switch supplier – and consumers are happy to vote with their feet.
We’re now part way through National Customer Service Week (NCSW), which provides the industry in the US and UK with the chance to take stock, celebrate success and share best practice. However, as well as celebrating current successes, NCSW provides a chance to pause and to look forward - what will customer service be like in the future?
Given its ability to deliver real-time, two way customer conversations, it is no surprise that chat has become a key channel for consumers looking to interact with brands. Yet, while chat’s time has come, there is a growing gap between the experience that brands provide and consumer expectations.