customer-experience

#CS Lessons: Samsung Sinks, then Swims, with its Customer Service Strategy

By Jordan Maxwell on November 5, 2019

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What do you do when you unveil a new smartphone or app that’s not quite ready to be released, even though you had a firm release date that 100% must meet? This challenging business situation is one Samsung recently found itself in when it botched the launch of its shiny new Samsung Galaxy Fold.

The company designed the Galaxy Fold (a smartphone that uses multiple new technologies and materials to create a display that is flexible enough to fold) and was excitement around it was building up prior to its release. The announcement of its release drew praise from Samsung users and lovers of technologies alike. Due to launch in April 2019, the device was viewed to be one of its potentially greatest products yet.

But a harsh reality set in, and early: Customer feedback delayed the launch and people begun to doubt the product.

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How to Prepare Your Call Center For Spikes in Call Volume: Credit Unions

By Drew Wilkinson on October 31, 2019

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Credit unions’ commitment to serving their members is reflected in their healthy growth: these financial institutions now count more than 110 million people as members and hold deposits totaling $1.1 trillion. When a growing sector builds its reputation on customer service, customers themselves can feel the strain of growth when that reputation is no longer met or exceeded. The bottom line is that keeping customers happy during an expansion is no easy feat.

Credit union call centers face a unique set of challenges beyond brisk growth. Traditionally smaller in size, credit unions often lack the resources to implement “best-in-class” technologies, making it especially tricky to tackle surges in call volume that come from rapid growth. With 76% of customers viewing customer service as the real test of much a company values them, long wait times can leave brand new members (and existing ones) annoyed and frustrated.

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Brand Spotlight: How Glossier Uses Customer Service to Perpetuate its Business

By Janki Lodhia on October 30, 2019

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If there is one modern-day company that is re-inventing the ropes of customer experience, it’s Glossier. Having completely shattered the standards of how to run a beauty business, Glossier continues to be the fastest growing beauty company that is predominantly focused on e-commerce.

It’s not surprising: One of the brand’s differentiators is its customer service offering. In fact, most businesses could learn from Glossier’s customer service structure as they leverage a modern approach to customer support, which promotes overall brand success. Glossier proves that it’s possible to innovate in the realm of customer service. Here are some insights into their successful, unique approach.

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Fonolo Investigates: How Retailers are Using Customer Data to Gain a Competitive Advantage

By Drew Wilkinson on October 8, 2019

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Back in 2017, The Economist boldly declared that “The world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data.” As we head into 2020, no one would bat an eyelid at this statement. Big data is now used to address an increasing variety of business problems, from product launches to fraud and compliance.

As retail contact center leaders gear up for the busiest time of the year, big data may be the last thing on their minds. However, effective use of customer data offers a significant competitive advantage. This data, gleaned from social media, web visits, call logs, and other sources, can help you improve customer experience (CX) and maximize the value delivered. For example, retailers can provide personalized offers, reduce customer churn, and handle issues proactively.

Achieving this data-centric approach to CX may sound quixotic. However, the reality is that big data is working in the retail industry, and gleaning insights from how other brands have already put it into practice can start you on your own big data journey.

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How to Prepare Your Call Center For Spikes in Call Volume: The Financial Industry

By Drew Wilkinson on September 26, 2019

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Like most companies competing in the modern marketplace, the financial industry is subject to spikes in call volume due to seasonality. Despite the increased offering of digital channels for handling customer service requests, surges in call center activity for financial institutions are a regular occurrence. The reason for these surges varies: They may be the result of unexpected crises (such as a data breach) or more predictable events like annual mortgage renewals or tax season. Added to this are the challenges brought forth by the digital era, which have the financial sector rushing to adapt to meet the increased demands of contemporary customers.

As banks close their physical branches, with more services being offered through their digital channels, customers take to the phones to have their questions answered. 30% of customers calling in are doing so with “moment of truth encounters” that “have higher emotional stakes for the customers.” These become key interactions in maintaining – or losing – customer loyalty. When call volumes spike, the stakes are even higher as customers deal with frustratingly long hold times.

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“Are You Being Served?”: How 3 Century-Old Stores are Fighting to Stay Relevant for the Modern Customer

By Samantha Mehra on September 17, 2019

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For me, the soul of pre-21st Century customer service can be captured in three poignant words:

“Are you free?”

These immortal customer service dew-drops I heard echoed many times via the television set on the Saturday nights of my youth when PBS would play Are You Being Served? as part of its BBC comedy lineup. “Are you free?” is one of the most used phrases in the series, a way the staff alert one another to the fact that a customer is in need of immediate assistance. “Yes, I’m free,” they usually respond, then rushing to the customer’s aid.

“Are you free?” signals the kick-off point of a larger, tried-and-tested, personalized customer service procedure that eventually ends in a sale, usually of the latest and greatest in ladies’ wear or haberdashery.

It’s classic.

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How Call Centers Can Prepare For Unexpected Spikes

By Jessica Suezin on September 12, 2019

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When you work in a call center, an unexpected spike in call volume can quickly become problematic. If these spikes are not handled properly, customer loyalty can be lost.

While many call centers expect spikes during particular times of the year (for example, the holidays), there are some increases in volume that cannot be foreseen. Perhaps you’re a retail company and a piece of your clothing was recently featured on a celebrity and now everyone wants their hands on it. Or, you might be a bank dealing with a major data breach. Alternatively, a car company who recently announced a recall might receive a high volume of calls from owners of the model in question.

The good news is that there are many ways a call center manager can prepare for the unexpected. Let’s take a look at a few strategies that can be implemented when an unexpected surge in volume occurs. With these tips, and a few deep breaths, you and your team will be back on top of things in no time.

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Cleaning Up a Customer Relationship Mess: Going Back to Basics

By Drew Wilkinson on September 5, 2019

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People like shiny new things.

The same cannot always be said about pesky new software updates and releases to the platforms and apps that have become fixtures in both our personal and professional lives.

Good-natured developers and designers may have the best of intentions, arguing that their changes take us to a new, higher state of being where everything and everyone is better.

The problem is that these changes are often unpopular, sometimes to comedic levels – except that for the customer, it is no laughing matter.

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20/20 Vision: The Best Advice for Contact Centers in 2020 – The Experts Weigh In

By Samantha Mehra on August 29, 2019

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Every year we ask: What can contact centers do to bolster their productivity, efficiency, and customer service offerings in the future? How can they survive and thrive in the face of so many variables? Well, it’s that time once again: We invited some of the top contact center experts from Ada, J Arnold and Associates, The Belding Group, Callzilla, Expivia, and other vibrant CX and CS avenues to offer us and you, our dear readership, their best pieces of advice for contact centers in this increasingly complex customer age.

As you read on, you’ll notice some pertinent themes arising for the coming year, some established, and some brand-spanking new: Leveraging AI and self-service in an increasingly competitive contact center space; optimizing training and education for employees; keeping the ‘human’ element of customer service in mind when incorporating new channels; being strategic with automation; and more. This year’s soundbites are rich with well-researched insights that a) act as a warning; and b) can help your contact center win.

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Four Strategies to Help Your Team Resolve Customer Service Complaints Quickly

By Jessica Suezin on August 27, 2019

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Want to order pizza for dinner? It will be at your door in 30 minutes. Looking for a date? An app can help you find that special someone. Need some work done around the house? You can summon a handyman that same day. In today’s world, we don’t have to wait too long for just about anything.

Today’s consumer doesn’t just want same-day delivery, they want same-day resolution to any inquiry or complaint they make with a company. According to a report by HubSpot, consumers want service that is both fast and personalized. This means that customer service teams and call center agents are tasked with rapidly resolving tickets without letting the quality of their service drop.

Here are a few strategies that can be implemented to ensure that customers experience a resolution that is both quick and satisfactory.

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