Should call center agents make customer service decisions?

OABPO Blog Team Published on June 3, 2014

happy-call-center-agents-team
How much authority should you grant your outsourced call center agents? Open Access BPO shares insights that could help you choose the right level of trust that you can put on your employees.


Many call center solutions in the Philippines are carried out by order-taking roles, but it is still inevitable for call center agents to encounter cases where their decision-making skills are put to a test. In these situations, it is commonplace for some firms to escalate the call to a higher-up with the authority to decide on the matter. Companies that practice this do so to ensure that the problems are dealt with properly. The assurance they want, however, can come at the expense of the customers’ time.

The price of indecisive CSRs

Part of the common customers’ definition of good service is having their concerns attended to within a reasonable amount of time. If their problem is not solved immediately, they may take this as a sign that your company doesn t value their time. Being made to wait, as attested by countless cases of customer service failures, can cause consumers to leave the brand they once supported.

happy-woman-holding-a-cellphone

This is the consequence that you may face if your frontline employees who receive complaints don t have the authority to settle concerns on their own. Since customer service representatives must pass the phoned-in problem for it to be resolved, the transfer will lengthen the process, snatching the satisfaction away from customers.

Granting authority

One way of rectifying this problem is to let your customer support agents deal with complaints up to a certain level. For instance, they can decide how much discount can be given to a buyer as long as the markdown is within the 20% limit. You can allow them to make refunds or replace products if the purchase was made during a certain period or if the price is below $100. If they come across graver, more sensitive matters, that’s when team leaders can be called to negotiate with the customer concerned.

happy-female-call-center-agent

You don t have to plunge right in if you feel that your agents are not completely ready to make decisions. They should be trained and tested first, or you may choose to implement the rule temporarily.

If you notice a dramatic increase in customer satisfaction, see a decline in average handle time, and observe that your customer service agents’ decision-making skill is consistent and fair, then it’s time to permanently trust them with their new responsibility.

Authorizing your frontline people to make independent decisions is a sign that you are confident in their ability. Knowing that they are empowered and entrusted with an important role, your agents can boost their morale, which is a main factor behind employee retention.

One response to “Should call center agents make customer service decisions?”

  1. Anonymous says:

    Superb post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
    Bless you!

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO Yesterday
For global businesses, #outsourcing has evolved beyond a cost-saving measure into a strategic pillar for building true business resilience.

๐—” ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ถ๐˜€ ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—น๐˜† ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ฝ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜€ ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐˜ ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜€๐—ผ ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฟ.

โ“ How do you future-proof your business in an unpredictable market?
โ“ What is your approach to building a business that is built to last in an unpredictable market?

Learn more about creating an unbreakable business model, continue the conversation with us over at: https://buff.ly/N4b8hOD

________________________________
Brands trust Open Access BPO in building resilience, with our customized solutions and a diverse, multilingual workforce that strengthens their operations.

Don't wait for the next market shiftโ€”connect with us now to start building your unbreakable business:
https://buff.ly/rWaK05N

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#PhilippineCallCenters #BusinessContinuity
#BusinessResilience #StrategicOutsourcing
#B2B #FutureProofing #BusinessAgility
Open Access BPO 16 days ago
Disasters can happen at any time. So, if you're thinking about #outsourcing to a #CallCenter.

The best thing you can do to ensure your ops' resilience is to choose an #OutsourcingPartner with robust #DisasterRecover and #BusinessContinuity strategies.

Here's why and how (plus tips for implementing a successful outsourcing strategy):
https://buff.ly/Zf9nscz

โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”
Open Access BPO's commitment extends beyond exceptional #CX.

Our robust information security strategy ensure the protection of your data, even in times of disaster: https://buff.ly/TVHntWT

#WeSpeakYourLanugage
#PhilippineCallCenters #DisasterPreparedness
#BusinessResilience #RiskManagement
#CrisisManagement #EmployeeSafety
Open Access BPO 19 days ago
Promoting #CallCenter agents to leadership roles is crucial for both talent development and ensuring a consistent #CustomerExperience.

Structured training programs are the bedrock for building the skills that enable these new leaders to effectively oversee their teams.

Let's discuss how to infuse these key points into a future leader's workplace persona: https://buff.ly/uD7ouM6

โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”
Partner with an #outsourcing firm that finds a way to leverage accents and multilingualism to deliver excellent #CX.

Outsource your business needs to Open Access BPO's expert team, supporting over 30 languages.

Contact us today.
Let's start planning your ops: https://buff.ly/n3TzYaF

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO 20 days ago
Boosting agent #productivity and #satisfaction is a critical strategy for increasing efficiency in #CallCenters.

A positive work environment leads to more engaged employees, which in turn improves #CustomerService and retention.

A highly engaged and motivated workforce is essential for providing excellent #CustomerService and retaining top talent.

Check out these 5 tips to boost #EmployeeEngagement and productivity in #ContactCenters: https://buff.ly/ba5Mx36

โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”
See how Open Access BPO's dedication to employee training, engagement, and a diverse culture helps us deliver a superior #CustomerExperience: https://buff.ly/uTdQH3D

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CSat #CustomerSupport #CX
#CustomerSatisfaction #CSat
#EmployeeManagement
Open Access BPO 21 days ago
Open Access BPO is taking a big step towards a healthier workplace with a new program designed to help employees build lasting, healthy habits.

The multilingual call center's initiative focuses on holistic wellness practices that are perfectly suited for the #BPO environment, including physical fitness, nutrition, and stress management.

See how we're revolutionizing employee wellness: https://buff.ly/dXBijx5

โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”
The success of our team is our top priority, and that dedication is reflected in the results we deliver for our clients.
We believe that a happy and healthy workforce is the best foundation for a successful partnership.

Looking for an outsourcing partner that's invested in both its people and your brand? Let's talk: https://buff.ly/n3TzYaF

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OneForHealth #oabpoSHIFT
#IdeaHubOABPO #EmployeeWellness
#WellbeingAtWork #EmployeeEngagement
Open Access BPO 22 days ago
๐—ข๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐—”๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐—•๐—ฃ๐—ข ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—˜๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ผ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐—ฒ ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—น๐—น๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ถ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜๐˜†๐—น๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ

Multilingual call center ๐Ž๐ฉ๐ž๐ง ๐€๐œ๐œ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐Ž has launched its largest employee wellness program, ๐—ฆ๐—›๐—œ๐—™๐—ง: ๐—”๐—ป ๐—ข๐—”๐—•๐—ฃ๐—ข ๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜๐˜†๐—น๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—บ.

The three-month program was launched July 30 at the company's Robinsons Summit Center HQ in Makati, with a live stream to its Davao and work-from-home teams. According to Senior Director Nate Martinez, SHIFT focuses on a holistic approach to fitness and nutrition to promote lasting lifestyle changes.

The initiative, which stands for ๐’๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐‡๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐ˆ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐…๐—ถ๐˜๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€ ๐“๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป, aims to help employees in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry build healthier, sustainable habits.

Company Nurse Princess Ann Louisse Pascual provided a detailed overview of the program, emphasizing its goal of long-term wellness rather than just short-term fitness goals. Nurse Supervisor Shania Semper also highlighted the importance of health and wellness within the BPO industry.

The company anticipates this investment in wellness will lead to a more productive, engaged, and healthier workforce.

This initiative is a testament to the company's commitment to building a supportive, people-first culture, with the goal of fostering improved employee well-being, morale, and overall performance.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OneForHealth #WorkLifeBalance
#MentalHealthMatters #IdeaHubOABPO
#EmployeeWellness #WellbeingAtWork