Last week, I shared how early on in my career I managed a technical support and customer service center and service was considered a cost center and a necessary evil. How times have changed, and how far most companies have come in changing that perception!
Continuing in that vein, this week I will share our different approach to measuring customer service at that time, and how there are better means of gauging various aspects of service today. (Note: I’m limiting this to live interactions because my time running a service center only saw the beginnings of self-service.)
I’m going to organize this around points in the typical customer service process:
https://customerthink.com/youre-doing-it-wrong-what-to-measure-in-customer-service/
For the last few weeks, I’ve been sharing some memories from my past running a call center and some of the ways in which I have observed customer service has changed. The first installment touched on how customer service was considered a necessary evil of doing business in the past. Last week, I explored how measuring the performance of customer service has evolved. The theme throughout each of these was that if your customer service was still mired in some of these past practices and conceptions, you’re doing it wrong.
https://www.business2community.com/customer-experience/youre-wrong-new-customer-service-philosophies-02025456/
October was National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) and the epic Equifax breach serves as just one reminder of the frequent and rising cyber risks and hacking incidents. For customer service organizations, managing the exponential growth of customer data across multiple customer communication channels and platforms is not easy.
http://customerthink.com/why-the-highest-compliance-should-be-your-baseline-for-customer-service-messaging/
Though 80% of senior decision makers in the UK rate their customer service as ‘excellent’, their customers aren’t feeling quite the same. Our report ‘The Good, The Bot and The Customer Experience’ found there is a significant disconnect between what customers expect and what brands think they are delivering.
In fact, a whopping 91% of UK consumers say they have been left feeling frustrated by the customer service they receive, with top grievances including being left on hold too long and needing to repeat their issue multiple times.
https://www.marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/jan/13/why-despite-hype-ai-could-be-failing-your-customer-strategy/
A great customer experience is important in all industries, but in a world of ever-growing consumer expectations, it's critical for retailers. In fact, according to Forrester, "the key to successful retailing in 2018 is obsessing about customer experience." Many retailers are already "obsessed" with the customer experience, but the question is: are they acting upon this obsession?
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/whats-in-store-for-cx-integrating-insight-for-a-360-degree-view-of-the-customer/
After much of the global economy went into recession back in 2008, public confidence in financial institutions took an equally dramatic dive. Whatever the reality, a large percentage of public and media opinion shifted blame towards global ‘bankers’, unseen financial professionals that were painted as the villains of the crisis. Perception and reputation are difficult concepts to quantify, often the evidence for good or bad reactions is anecdotal and is noticeable from talking to individuals or groups. Because the perception and reputation of any business is vital to its on-going success (and indeed its survival!) the use of Voice of the Customer (VoC) technology has become a common and highly prized asset, which the financial sector is readily embracing.
https://mopinion.com/voice-of-the-customer-helps-financial-sector-regain-trust-and-increase-productivity/
Customer service leaders frequently ask me about employee empowerment. It sounds so good in theory, but it’s often difficult in practice.
When I talk to them, there’s usually something missing. Here’s an example...
http://customerthink.com/the-new-rules-of-employee-empowerment/
Many businesses today are tasked with a common issue, making a connection with Gen Z. This new generation of consumers is unique to other age groups as they have been born into the era of technology and the 24/7 economy. In 2020, Gen Z will make up 40 percent of U.S. consumers, so many businesses need to be prepared to capitalise on this rising market segment. After all, they currently have the buying power of $143 billion.
http://uctoday.com/contact-centre/the-answer-to-connecting-with-gen-z-the-power-of-voice/
It’s the rare construction firm that doesn’t pride itself on putting customers first. But are those customers getting what they truly want? And when employees are asked to go the extra mile on a project, are they clear about where to go?
https://www.enr.com/articles/43585-new-customer-service-role-raises-client-advocacy-to-its-highest-level/
GOOD customer service and having an online presence have been highlighted as the keys to competing with Amazon.
After months of speculation, the US retail giant launched Amazon Marketplace in Australia this week.
But Belmont Business Enterprise Centre founding manager Carol Hanlon said service was the only way to competing and building customer advocacy and loyalty.
https://www.communitynews.com.au/southern-gazette/news/good-customer-service-and-online-presence-key-to-competing-with-amazon-says-belmont-business-enterprise-centre-founder/
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