The Best of Both the World's is Required, but it is people Who Add More Value

Jim Iyoob, Chief Customer Officer, Etech Global Service

It seems that more and more everyday processes and jobs are starting to include a measure of automation, where there’s less for flesh-and-blood humans to do a specific task to be completed. That’s most certainly become apparent when it comes to call centers. With that in mind, you should know there’s much to be gained when you harness the power of AI and people rather than letting it become a source of anxiety. Artificial Intelligence is good, but it is people who are working on the information derived from the technology. Let’s look why humans cannot be replaced by Bots/Machines/AI.

Some People Prefer Human Interactions

Even though consumers have grown accustomed to interacting with automated services and not having to interact with another human when paying their bills or receiving answers to their questions, there are some situations that entail human touch. When that time comes, your callers expect efficient and professional service.

Integrating HI + AI into daily contact center business operations has the potential to reshape the workplace and provide beyond belief opportunities for growth

Something else to think about is the fact that if your AI program is not sophisticated enough, it can cause more problems than it solves. Customers become frustrated while repeating the same responses, which can send them straight into the arms of your competitors. So how can you utilize such technological capabilities the right way?

Customers Like to Be Entertained

For all its technological advances, AI isn’t well-known for its humor. Sometimes all that’s needed to make a customer’s day or to diffuse a tense interaction is to inject a bit of humor into the situation. Your representatives are able to do this on the fly, usually in a way that’s neither too much for the situation nor too little to elicit a genuine laugh (or at least a smile).

This use of humor paints your company as well as your call center in a positive light, one that’s sure to delight your audience and keep them on as loyal customers. While delivering impeccable service is certainly one of your top priorities as a call center leader, part of that quality service is putting your customers and callers at ease, and what better way to relax than with a good laugh?

Find the Right Balance Between People and Machine

The best and the first place to start are with analytics. It’s important that your AI program recognizes when it encounters a situation that’s best left to an agent. Some calls and issues require a bit of human empathy, and even the most well-programmed automated call center program can’t deliver that. There are occasions when a caller just wants to know your company truly cares and is making an effort to resolve an issue, even if it takes longer than he or she might like. On the other hand, an agent can provide the human touch in ways that are still beyond the capacity of AI.

Look Ahead to Stay Ahead

Customers have always wanted a seamless and effortless form of responses to their issues. According to Forrester’s report of 2014, understanding customer emotion and empathy are the most critical components to gain successful customer experience. Here, to touch the heart of the customer services being delivered, the human touch is required. When you have both, your investment in AI software can facilitate a marked improvement in agent success and retention, customer satisfaction and overall operational efficiencies.

Artificial Intelligence along with people represents a huge step forward in delivering exceptional customer service experience. However, for its success, AI technology needs to be combined with conventional people skills to deliver a seamless customer experience which can balance your customer interactions with empathy. This ultimately provides a tailored experience for every customer issues and needs.

Our Solution - Etech Insights

Because meeting and exceeding customer expectations is the only priority. Etech’s quality solution, Etech Insights, works as an AI+HI solution. By synchronizing human intelligence with the data gained from artificial intelligence, Etech Insights helps you in identifying your customer’s/agents behaviors that enhances overall performance. We help businesses to connect with what customers really want.

Learn how to make use of 100% of interaction data while understanding insights that are sure to improve and enhance every part of the contact center with Etech Insights.