Call centers have come a long way since manual dialing and basic phone systems. Rapid technological advances have brought a revolution to call centers.
The U.S. alone holds approximately of 40% of the total call center market. Additionally, the U.S. is leading in implementing AI technology in call centers. As call centers continue to expand, what does their future hold? With the rise of automation, data analytics as well as omnichannel strategies, it can be tough to make sense of all the different developments. So, if you want to stay ahead of the call center game, check out our trends below
What is the future of call centers?
1. Omnichannel communication is revolutionizing the call center industry
Do you feel your customers have a frustrating experience when they have to repeat their issue to multiple representatives? Omnichannel communication will let you forget about this.
Let us define omnichannel communication briefly. In call centers, the omnichannel strategy allows customers to communicate with businesses via various channels such as phone, live chat, email, and social media. Customers will be able to choose which channel works best for them and will be able to switch between channels without losing their place in the conversation. As Aircall shares, building your omnichannel strategy should be based on these three factors: the primary goal of your messaging, the favored communication channels of your target audience, and your brand voice.
The omnichannel strategy has a significant impact not only on customers but also on businesses. Companies can collect more data and provide a more personalized experience by integrating multiple channels. For instance, if a customer contacts you via social media, you can quickly access their previous interactions on other channels and customize their experience and response. In addition, customers can receive responses more quickly and without having to reiterate their issues multiple times. By collecting more data, it is possible to provide customers with personalized assistance, thereby increasing customer satisfaction!
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2. The future of call centers is based on AI and automation
In today’s world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a crucial role in a growing number of industries.. The call center industry is no exception, with AI technology set to majorly impact the industry's future.
AI technology can improve call center operational efficiency. Instead of waiting in an endless queue, customers can get an answer or a solution faster and easier with AI-powered chatbots. You can also provide targeted recommendations that are tailored to each customer's needs by utilizing AI technology.
While customers can enjoy all of the benefits of AI, it also benefits your employees. Businesses can handle a higher volume of calls with automated systems, resulting in faster response times and higher customer satisfaction. With Al's implementation, customer service representatives' workloads will be reduced, freeing up valuable time for higher-level tasks that require direct human interaction. By keeping up with the latest technologies, companies can stay ahead of the curve and retain their competitive edge!
3. Remote working agents are rising in call centers
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has grown in popularity, and this trend is expected to continue. Remote working also redefines call centers, so let's take a look at how it will affect call centers.
Remote working enables customer service representatives to be flexible and provide better service to customers without relying on physical domestic offices. This means that customers can resolve issues outside of normal business hours, which increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. Remote working can bring a diverse range of talents from various locations and time zones, which can also significantly reduce customer wait times.
Additionally, there are enormous benefits for businesses as well. Businesses can save huge amounts of money that would otherwise be spent on the physical location, utilities, and equipment. Having employees from all over the world can also bring diversity, which can lead to new ideas and insights for your company!
4. Personalized services affect the call center's future
Personalization is the key to winning customers' hearts, and the call center is no exception. Customers have high expectations of the level of customer service when evaluating call centers. Customers want to feel valued and understood; by providing personalized service, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty while also collecting better insights that can be used to shape more personalized offers or solutions for customers.
If you want to provide personalized service, use historical data from your customers to tailor personalized offers for them or be available to your customers at all times so you will not leave missed calls or unanswered messages. Always be open to new ideas; solicit feedback or evaluation from customers to identify critical areas for improvement. It only takes a few simple steps to provide better customer service, gain a competitive advantage, and increase customer loyalty!
5. Video chats continue to grow in popularity
Video chats are changing not only the way we interact with each other, but they are also opening up new opportunities for call centers as well. According to the studies, live video chat results in73% in customer satisfaction levels, compared with 61% for email and 44% for phone chats. Video chat technology allows call center agents to connect with customers in real time and provide a more engaging and personalized customer experience.
The biggest advantage of video chats for customers is that complex tasks are solved more efficiently. It can be difficult to explain over the phone or through chat. However, with video chat, customer service representatives can see exactly what customers are experiencing and provide accurate solutions.
By implementing video chat in customer service, businesses can reduce their customer service department's overall workload, resulting in fewer repeat customer inquiries. Providing a video chat experience will increase customer satisfaction and loyalty undoubtedly!
How to get aligned with future call center trends
Technological innovations in call centers lie in making data-driven decisions. Utilizing Plecto will allow you to remain competitive in this fast-paced industry
Get stuck into Plecto’s gamification features to foster some competitive spirit in the call center! With engaging leaderboards, personalized targets, real-time performance tracking, and badges, you can create an environment where employees will be eager to outperform and reach goals faster. To summarize, Plecto's gamification features are enjoyable, interactive, and measurable; they are an ideal solution for call centers looking not only to improve agent development but also to provide a pleasing customer experience!
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