The biggest hurdles to customer centricity

Faith Ocampo Published on May 13, 2016

businessmen-running-in-street-with-ball-chain

All call centers want to be customer-centric, but why are so many still failing?

In this age, call centers are left with no excuse to justify poor services. Because the methods, technology, and tools for collaborating with customers are within their reach, they’re expected to build a customer-focused culture. But as many of them are failing to do so, it would seem that this process is a lot more complex than we think.
The definition of customer centricity, however, is simple. It comes as a result of a business and operating model that is built around the customer—what they want, how they want it delivered, and when they want it. So you can tell whether a service provider is customer-focused or not if all its decisions are made with the customer in mind.
It sounds easy enough, right? The challenging part, however, is integrating the voice of the customer into every aspect of the business. This way, being customer centric becomes not just a way to please the target audience; it also serves as the core element of the company branding.
To pave the way forward, call centers need to understand what’s preventing them from focusing on the customer. Here are the five biggest hurdles that may be standing in your way.

1. A disconnect from the brand they represent

identical-twin-businessmen

If a brand’s customer service agents are working in-house, it’s easier to instill in them the organization s culture. And once managers have done that, agents can effortlessly perform in a way that reflects the brand s principles.

In contrast, if the call center is outsourced, there’s a more urgent need to make them understand the brand they represent, its goals, and its views on customer support. Both must operate with the same goals in mind. Otherwise, building a customer-centric branding will not be possible.

 

2. A metric-centered culture

female-business-executive-with-headache-surrounded-by-numbers

Customer centricity is all about prioritization. It s understandable if a contact center focuses on the metrics they use to measure the quality of their services. But if there’s a trade-off between customer satisfaction and high agent productivity, that’s a bigger problem.

The solution is to ensure that your metrics are aligned with the customer experience. Thus, you may need to design a more flexible performance measurement system to cater to the changing preferences of the consumer. This would ensure that your performance, the customer’s satisfaction, and the brand s goals are complementary rather than fragmented.

 

3. Narrow view of the customer

businessman-in-blindfolds

Having a limited view of your customers is a sign that you don t value their insights or that you re failing to understand them. Understanding your clients means that you have to treat them as individuals instead of lumping them together in one group even if they may have similar characteristics. Each customer has distinct preferences, and brands are under pressure to tailor their services to match those specific requirements.

There are many ways to achieve a full view of the customer, and one is to make sense of all the traces they leave across multiple customer support channels.

 

4. Outdated technology

broken-keyboard-detached-keys-spelling-sos

Technology has a massive impact to the way call centers deliver their services, especially now that customer experience is evaluated based on how well a brand leverages digital tools. Some of the most important indicators are speed and the capacity to provide a seamless transaction across devices. If your customer service team can t keep up with technology updates and its rapid shifts, they ll find it hard to meet consumers expectations. This can threaten your company branding.

 

5. Not acting on customer insight

businesswoman-in-glasses-ignoring-people-with-megaphones

It’s crucial to make sure that the voice of the customer is being used to enhance existing services and come up with fresh techniques. Ideally, a contact center must operate on a continuous loop that integrates the customer feedback, performance improvement, and the firm s everyday operations. Data analytics will allow contact centers to make the most of the insights gained from previous transactions with customers.

 

Faith is a digital media enthusiast aiming to become an active part of the tech world by sharing her insights. She likes to blog about everything digimarketing, technology, and social media.
Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 8 days ago
For global businesses, #outsourcing has evolved beyond a cost-saving measure into a strategic pillar for building true business resilience.

𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿.

❓ How do you future-proof your business in an unpredictable market?
❓ 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 shift—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 23 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

——————————
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 26 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

——————————
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 27 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

——————————
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 28 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

——————————
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 29 days ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

Multilingual call center 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐏𝐎 has launched its largest employee wellness program, 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗙𝗧: 𝗔𝗻 𝗢𝗔𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺.

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 𝐒𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝐇𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝐈𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝐅𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝐓𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 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