The SOCAP RECAP – Spring Symposium 2023

Importance of consultative expertise and personalization in solutions; demonstration through case studies

Offshore contact centers often show lower absenteeism and attrition with higher engagement and quality, compared to US-based centers facing labor crises

Offshore agents appreciate branded materials and trinkets during client visits. It promotes culture and the agents greatly appreciate the small gestures. (Shirts, pens, pads of paper, etc.)

Involvement of leadership in account management creates value-added partnerships for clients, fostering strong relationships and mutual success

Revolutionizing the traditional approach to outsourcing by adopting innovative strategies and leveraging technology advancements

Dispelling common misconceptions about offshoring and data security to ensure informed decision-making

Selecting the right offshore partner, emphasizing effective communication and collaboration, and prioritizing quality and timely delivery

Essential do’s and don’ts of offshoring and near-shoring to avoid common pitfalls and maximize benefits

Value propositions and best practices for achieving success in offshore outsourcing, considering factors such as cost savings, scalability, and expertise

Driving efficient and positive customer care through optimized offshore outsourcing strategies, focusing on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

CARE framework: Communicate, Assess, Resolve, and Execute, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and proactive problem-solving in enhancing the employee experience

Implementing regular coaching conversations, beyond just addressing mistakes, with a minimum frequency of once a week to support employee growth and development

Creating a goal book for both coaches and coachees to foster clarity, accountability, and alignment towards individual and organizational objectives

Recognizing that it typically takes around 18 months for agents to gain confidence and comfort in their roles after implementation, highlighting the importance of ongoing support and patience

Average Handle Times (AHT) and attrition rates decrease automatically; a result of positive outcomes of improving the employee experience

Customer acquisition and retention are both the practice and the solution; emphasizing the interdependence between employee engagement and delivering excellent customer service

Providing turn-key incentive gifts results in a significant increase in agent productivity by 44% and a corresponding decrease in attrition by 33%, demonstrating the effectiveness of rewards and recognition programs in motivating employees.

Recognizing that Al (Artificial Intelligence) typically delivers information devoid of emotions, highlighting the need to humanize AI to enhance the overall human experience

Emphasizing the significance of emotions being the primary driver of our learning process

Corporate communication and reputation management are crucial aspects to consider in maintaining strong relationships.

‘NO coach’ serves as a valuable resource, assisting individuals in confidently saying no when necessary, fostering healthy boundaries in relationships.

12 tips for establishing your personal brand:

1. Carefully consider where you appear and how you present yourself to align with your personal brand
2. Actively build and nurture relationships, recognizing their importance in shaping your personal brand
3. Remain authentic and consistent, stay true to yourself and maintain a genuine image
4. Invest in continuous learning and development to enhance your skills and knowledge
5. Be strategic and proactive, embracing calculated risks and seizing opportunities
6. Place importance on effective communication skills, being mindful of how you interact and convey messages
7. Volunteer and dedicate time to philanthropy, contributing to causes and communities that resonate with your personal brand
8. Maintain focus on the big picture, aligning your actions with your long-term goals and values
9. Foster diversity and inclusion, appreciating and embracing different perspectives and backgrounds.
10. Demonstrate patience and persistence, understanding that building relationships and establishing your personal brand takes time
11. Evaluate and measure the success of your network, periodically assessing the value and impact of your connections
12. Embrace enjoyment and inspiration, finding motivation in your relationships and personal brand journey

During a “Blizzard” year, when attrition tends to be higher at the start of the year, temporary agents are employed until more permanent ones are recruited, ensuring consistent staffing levels.

Implementing a point system for Work-From-Home (WFH) training, where agents earn points for answering questions correctly, is effective. Incentivizing active participation and knowledge retention during training works.

Previously, only on-site agents were present before the COVID 19 pandemic.

WFH agents faced challenges in handling more complex questions and issues, both inbound and outbound, involving CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and telephony platforms.

Distributed teams underwent hands-on training for a duration of 4-6 weeks, providing comprehensive and immersive learning experiences.

New agents are paired with seasoned agents, enabling them to listen and enter information while the seasoned agents address and answer questions.

Mock calls are conducted for a week, requiring agents to pass the training and obtain certification before handling live customer interactions.

Training materials are updated based on information uncovered during calibrations, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with evolving requirements.

The utilization of Camtasia, an all-in-one screen recorder and video editing solution, significantly enhances the creation and utilization of training materials, improving effectiveness and efficiency.

An onboarding plan is designed to meet ever-changing customer expectations, including the practice of onboarding agents on email beforehand to enhance their confidence in providing accurate answers.

Highlighting the value of contact centers by emphasizing the impact of delighted customers: 74% of delighted customers spread positive word of mouth to an average of 61 people

A delighted customer is also willing to pay 46% more for a product

Long lVR options frustrate customers, so it is important to provide efficient and user friendly self-service options.

Encourage customers to voice their complaints as it presents an opportunity to address issues, find new ways to retain customers, and generate additional revenue.

Leverage various channels such as email, surveys, SMS, and social media to gather consumer reviews and feedback.

Understand the dynamics of consumer review ecosystems and their influence on shaping brand reputation and customer perceptions.

Implement open review platforms like Yelp, where customers can freely share their opinions and experiences.

Utilize invitation-only verified buyers to ensure the authenticity and credibility of reviews.

Recognize the limitations of review aggregators, understanding that not all reviews may be accurate or equally reliable.

Acknowledge that review content plays a significant role in driving digital growth and shaping consumer purchasing decisions.

Address common consumer questions related to reviews, such as the benefits they receive for sharing their feedback and the return on time invested.

Treat reviews and feedback strategically, recognizing their potential to provide actionable insights for improving products, services, and overall customer experience.

Conducting consumer protection and regulatory compliance audits to ensure adherence to legal requirements and protect consumer rights.

Highlighting the proposed privacy laws by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for some states, aiming to simplify the process for consumers to “click to cancel” services and enhance privacy protections.

Addressing the concerns related to recurring subscriptions and memberships, providing an opportunity for consumers to voice their comments and concerns regarding these practices.

Workforce optimization (WFO) plays a crucial role in enhancing employee efficiency within contact centers, extending beyond agent staffing and scheduling considerations.

Leveraging non-staffing elements like training, coaching, and quality management contributes to improved customer experience and enhanced agent performance.

Providing practical tips for implementing data reporting, speech analytics, and workforce optimization techniques; streamlines contact center operations, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency.