Comparison of Shared v/s Dedicated Contact Center Agents

A contact center can be a critical aspect of effective customer management in any company. Contact center agents interact with customers via several modes of communication including email, live chat, telephone, messaging etc. It is crucial to maintain an efficient customer service management system to ensure high customer satisfaction.

Many companies outsource to 3PL service providers to achieve effective results without taking on the costs and headaches associated with in-house resources. When you decide to outsource, it is vital to understand the difference between a shared and dedicated agent model within the contact center. Because there are pros and cons to both, it is to your benefit to explore which option would best suit the customer service requirements for your specific business.

Comparison of Shared v/s Dedicated Contact Center Agents

SHARED CONTACT CENTER AGENTS

Companies with comparatively less predictable call volume or those who experience seasonal surges could choose shared contact centers. Businesses that require services during peak call periods can also opt for the same. The nature of the contact center does not depend on the size of your company. Shared contact center employees are usually highly efficient even if they often change hats to represent different clients.

DEDICATED CONTACT CENTER AGENTS

Companies with the possibility of having high call volumes could seek the help of dedicated contact center representatives. In this case, the contact center functions like your own business resource or as an extension of your own company. Agents undergo specific and intense training to learn your business processes, company culture and are also often coached on effective up-selling or cross-selling of your products and services.

COMBINED SERVICES

Both the shared and dedicated contact center models can provide good value for your investment. While dedicated agents may be capable of generating higher sales or increasing average order values, shared agents can typically provide satisfactory customer service on behalf of your organization. Many companies have opted to utilize a mix of shared and dedicated contact center agents to utilize the best of both environments. If you allow healthy interactions between the two groups, they can make useful recommendations to one another. In times when you hire shared employees to handle excess workloads, your dedicated agent team can assist in training the newly hired shared agents. It is important that you understand the requirements of your business before you venture into finding a contact center and deciding whether a dedicated or shared agent model is right for you.

Investing in the right contact center environment is critical for your company as your 3PL partner will be responsible for helping your business grow. To know more about MAI’s expertise in contact center and fulfillment services, please drop in an email now!

MAI Fulfillment | Third Party Logistics Solutions Chicago, IL

Warehouse | Cross Docking | Fulfillment | Kitting | Inbound/Outbound Voice | Freight Broker

Established in 1981, MAI is a privately-held 3PL company specializing in warehousing, fulfillment, and omnichannel contact services. As an experienced outsourced provider, we provide value-added solutions designed to help companies build and maintain relationships with their customers.

The MAI business model offers clients the efficiency and convenience of dealing with a single accountable resource for a wide range of services. Our areas of specialization include:

• Custom B2B and B2C warehouse/fulfillment solutions
• Omni-channel contact center services
• Technology support

A wide range of service offerings, strategic problem-solving skills, and experience make MAI a valued partner to a broad range of Fortune 500 companies. “Quality” is more than just a word here – it’s the foundation of how we conduct business and an integral part of the processes and metrics we use to deliver value to our clients every day.

Contact MAI today to learn more!