Do’s and Don’ts to Optimize Multi-Channel Contact Centers

As customers increasingly demand quick and convenient ways to seek customer service, organizations face the challenge of transforming their contact centers to make the latest communication channels available to their customers. Do’s and Don’ts to Optimize Multi-Channel Contact Centers

Do’s and Don’ts to Optimize Multi-Channel Contact Centers

Why make your contact center multi-channel?

Today, with widespread internet and smartphone usage, customers have a host of communication channels available to them to contact customer service (chat, email, SMS, online support, customer forums, social media), apart from the usual phone and IVR support. Organizations that do not adapt to these new communication channels risk losing their customers.

Another reason to bring in modern, multi-channel contact center solutions is it facilitates quicker resolution of customer concerns and better customer experiences. Multi-channel contact centers also have lower operating costs compared to customer support centers providing phone call support only. Add to this the fact that young customers gravitate toward communication tools such as chat and social media and it becomes clear that multi-channel contact centers are the new standard to improve customer satisfaction.

Optimizing multi-channel contact centers

Modernizing your contact center requires considerable investment and should be backed by careful planning to maximize your returns. Here are a few dos and don’ts for successful implementation:

Do’s

1. Update current infrastructure

Study existing infrastructure and call center processes to see if they are relevant and yield substantial benefits. Conduct capacity planning to see if your call center suffers from a high rate of call drops and incomplete customer contacts. Replace outdated software and infrastructure and add ports, if required, to increase customer care capacity.

2. Decide which channels to integrate

Use online or phone surveys, analytics tools, social media, and customer forums to understand which communication channels are most preferred by your customers. Put greater focus on integrating and supporting those channels.

3. Single customer view

The multiple communication channels that your contact center supports should talk to each other to present a 360° view of the customer. This empowers customer service agents to provide personalized customer service and seamless customer experiences.

4. Train your staff

Most experienced staff are adept at phone and IVR support. An effective transition plan requires training them to manage newer communication channels efficiently and, sometimes, concurrently. Agents need to be provided with the necessary tools and knowledge to efficiently do their job.

5. Ensure compliance

In regulated sectors, contact centers should adhere to standards like PCI DSS in financial institutions and HIPAA in healthcare. Internet-based communication channels are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. All communication channels should adhere to security standards and customer service processes should follow compliance guidelines.

Don’ts

• Attempt self-implementation. Seek professional help while optimizing your contact center. An independent solutions provider will do a better job of identifying issues with the current system and planning and implementing optimization steps. Also, it leaves you free to focus on your business while the optimization is in progress.
• Ignore the organizational goals and future growth of your company while devising your optimization plan.
• Miss incorporating a continuous improvement process using cost and productivity metrics to measure ROI.

An Aberdeen research shows that more than half of all contact centers are using at least six channels to communicate with their customers. Optimizing your contact center helps you retain customer and brand loyalty and stay ahead of your competition.

MAI Fulfillment | Third Party Logistics Solutions Chicago, Illinois

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

Established in 1981, MAI is a privately-held 3PL company in Chicago 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. MAI 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!