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19 CX management strategies and innovations in the contact center

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The Team at CallMiner

September 05, 2024

19 CX management strategies and innovations in the contact center
19 CX management strategies and innovations in the contact center

Contact centers play a vital role in the success of any business, serving as a central hub for managing customer communications across channels such as phone, email, live chat, and more. Due to the level of customer interaction, the experience a customer has when engaging with a contact center has a substantial impact on overall customer satisfaction. That’s why customer experience (CX) management is crucial for today’s contact centers.   

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This article explores the importance of CX management in contact centers and the strategies and innovations contact centers to drive efficiency and effectiveness, including:  

  • Why is customer experience management important in contact centers? 
  • CX Management strategies and innovations in the contact centers 
  • Frequently asked questions  

Why is customer experience management important in contact centers?  

In today's competitive business landscape, providing exceptional customer service is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for companies looking to retain customers and build brand loyalty.  

In contact centers, CX management has a direct and significant impact on customer satisfaction. When customers have a positive experience when interacting with a contact center, they’re more likely to continue doing business with the company and recommend it to others. On the other hand, a negative experience can lead to customer churn and damage the company's reputation.  

Additionally, CX management helps contact centers to improve efficiency and productivity. By streamlining processes, reducing wait times, and providing agents with the tools and training they need to assist customers effectively, companies can handle customer inquiries more efficiently and effectively.  

 

Focusing on customer experience can also help contact centers to gather valuable insights and feedback from customers. Companies can leverage insights from customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and make changes to their processes, products, or services to better meet customer needs and expectations. 

Many companies are embracing customer experience management, making it vital for maintaining a competitive edge. For insights into the latest innovations and strategies that can help you enhance CX in the contact center, we reached out to a panel of contact center leaders and customer experience professionals and asked them to answer this question:  

“What are the most effective strategies and innovations in customer experience management in contact centers?” 

Customer experience management strategies and innovations in the contact center 

Keep reading to learn what our panel had to say about the most effective strategies and innovations in customer experience management in contact centers.  

Victor Santoro 

@profitleap 

Victor Santoro is the CEO of Profit Leap, an AI-powered business acceleration firm. 

“We implemented an AI-based call monitoring system to analyze conversations in real time…” 

This allows us to identify knowledge gaps and provide targeted coaching to representatives. It has reduced our call resolution time by over 35% in the past year. 

We redesigned our call center layout to foster collaboration. An open office plan with communal spaces has increased knowledge sharing between representatives, especially for complex issues. This has directly correlated with a 20% improvement in first call resolution rates.   

We conduct biweekly “voice of the customer” meetings where representatives review feedback and suggest improvements. Recently, representatives proposed streamlining our IVR menu based on feedback.  

We updated the menu and wait times decreased by over 50% the following month. Giving frontline staff a voice in key decisions has been pivotal to enhancing the customer experience. 

Dylan Cleppe 

@onestopnw 

Dylan Cleppe is passionate about helping people. He’s worked in Customer Service for over 20 years in a broad spectrum of industries and environments and has led his own company for over 20 years. His long-term goal is to further OneStop Northwest LLC (acquired OneStop Solutions LLC) and see it to its full potential: a true one-stop-shop for every business’s or organization's need. 

“As a customer service expert, I've found that empowering representatives and collecting feedback are crucial for improving customer experience…”   

At my company, we give representatives autonomy to resolve issues for customers immediately. We train staff thoroughly on our products and policies so they have the knowledge and confidence to address problems.  

Representatives can also offer discounts or refunds at their discretion. This approach leads to higher first-contact resolution and customer satisfaction. 

We also regularly solicit feedback from customers through surveys and call monitoring. We analyze responses to identify opportunities for improvement, and then update training, tools, or processes accordingly. For example, customers complained of long wait times, so we streamlined our phone menu to reduce transfers.   

New technology like chatbots and voice assistants is transforming the contact center industry. We recently implemented an AI chatbot to handle simple inquiries, freeing up representatives for more complex issues.  

The chatbot resolves basic questions instantly while collecting data to improve our services. AI and automation allow us to enhance customer experience in an efficient, scalable way. 

Chase Chappell 

@chappelldigital 

Chase Chappell is a serial entrepreneur, marketer, and founder of Chappell Digital, a Facebook media buying firm comprising an in-house marketing division, consulting arm, and accounts team. Chase also founded Sirge, software for marketers to improve their tracking and measurable growth on Shopify. He's also the creator and instructor of Facebook Ads Expert Mastery Class. 

“We invest heavily in training our customer support agents…” 

They go through rigorous product knowledge and soft skills training to resolve over 90% of issues on the first interaction. By analyzing call recordings and customer feedback, we continuously improve our training programs.     

We optimized our call routing and integrated our CRM with our call center software so agents have a full customer profile immediately available. This has reduced average call times by over 25% and significantly improved CSAT scores.   

We use data and analytics to personalize the experience for each customer. Our “high-touch” customers receive proactive outreach, education, and special offers. This program has increased lifetime value from these customers by over 40% year over year. 

Richard Carey 

Richard Carey, RCDM Studio’s founder and Managing Director, has been working on the leading edge of website, application development, and digital marketing for more than three decades. His expertise spans e-commerce systems, games and simulations, and integration of backend systems to create effective business solutions. He is also a Mentor and Subject Matter Expert for the SBA's SCORE program, where he works with new and growing businesses to improve their products and marketing. 

“We invest heavily in agent training, with required courses on communication, problem-solving, and product knowledge…” 

Our agents can resolve over 80% of issues on the first call. 

We optimized call routing and integrated our CRM with call center software. Agents have full customer data immediately, reducing call times. We also surveyed customers and analyzed call recordings to improve training, tech, and processes.  

An innovative “chat-first” strategy has been effective. Many customers prefer chat, and agents can handle multiple chats simultaneously, reducing wait times. We’ve found over 60% of issues are resolved via chat, decreasing call volume.  

Personalizing the experience is key. We use data to tailor messaging and offers for customers. A “high-touch” program provides proactive outreach and education for our most valuable customers. Through personalization, we’ve grown these accounts by over 30% year over year. 

Matt Henderson 

Matt Henderson, co-owner of Nesta Systems, is a 24-year entrepreneur who has seen and handled every aspect of the digital space. After growing his own online business to seven figures, he started a digital marketing agency to assist other small business owners in accomplishing their goals online.  

“My experience building a digital marketing agency has shown me that AI and automation are critical to improving the customer experience in call centers…” 

We developed chatbots to handle basic inquiries, reducing wait times and frustration for live agents. Since launch, our client satisfaction scores have jumped over 30%. 

Empowering agents with data and insights is key. We analyze call transcripts and customer feedback to identify knowledge gaps. Targeted coaching helps agents resolve issues faster and proactively address needs. For one client, this approach decreased repeat calls by 40% in 6 months.   

Regular reviews of customer feedback drive ongoing improvements. Recently, an agent proposed simplifying a phone menu based on feedback.  The client updated their IVR and wait times dropped by 50% the following week. Involving agents in key decisions has been vital to enhancing the experience. 

Olivar Brandrup 

@neuroganinc 

Olivar Brandrup is a young entrepreneur who has taken a significant role in his family's CBD company, Neurogan, where he has excelled in SEO, significantly boosting their online presence. Having graduated high school with high grades, he chose to forgo college, instead spending two years traveling the world, working, and living independently in Australia, Spain, and Denmark. His primary goal is to improve people's well-being through CBD, focusing on relieving anxiety, pain, sleep and stress. 

“At my company, I am charged with attracting and retaining customers using technology…” 

In such efforts, I also tackle customer service, both verbally and virtually. Because we are steeped in e-commerce, our call centers are constantly buzzing with product inquiries, shipping situations, and customer concerns. 

Due to the unpredictable nature and volume of calls our call center receives, our representatives must be on their a-game with each greeting and tense interaction. Therefore, we train our employees using the following strategies and expectations. 

First things first, a company must adequately arm its employees with the most up-to-date information and ways to help our customers with their concerns. As with any job, contact center employees must be fully trained and mentally prepared for the stress of answering (likely) irate customers without a face-to-face interaction or using scant details to solve a problem.   

Hiring applicable professionals who also possess just the right qualities (patient, emphatic, problem-solver) also makes department management easier and less complicated. 

One way I have helped my call center administration is by integrating proper and efficient technology to get the on-the-phone job done. Artificial intelligence is wonderful for our employees in providing automated solutions, voice-driven prompts, possible recommendations for reps to share based on previous purchases, and fine-tuned call routing so calls are swiftly delivered to the correct problem-solver, so a customer does not have to endure extended periods of holds and non-solutions. 

Rene Ymzon 

@AMC_Motion 

As a seasoned Marketing Engineer with over two decades of experience at ADVANCED Motion Controls, Rene brings a wealth of expertise in exploring new markets, identifying growth opportunities, and implementing winning strategies. With a background in Applications Engineering, Rene seamlessly bridges the gap between technical intricacies and marketing initiatives, ensuring that the company’s promotional materials are both technically accurate and compelling. 

“Three of the most effective strategies and innovations that significantly enhance customer experience in contact centers are…” 

Omni-channel Support 

Implementing omni-channel support means providing a seamless and integrated customer experience across multiple communication channels, such as phone, email, live chat, social media, and more. This strategy ensures that customers can interact with our contact center through their preferred method while agents have a unified view of these interactions.  

From my experience, this not only improves customer satisfaction by providing flexibility and convenience but also enhances efficiency by ensuring that all customer data and interactions are synchronized. It allows for a more personalized and consistent service, regardless of the channel the customer chooses to use. 

Advanced Self-Service Options 

Advanced self-service options, such as AI-powered chatbots and comprehensive online knowledge bases, empower customers to find answers to their questions and resolve issues on their own without needing to contact an agent. At AMC, we have seen a significant reduction in call volume and increased customer satisfaction by implementing these tools.  

Self-service solutions provide instant responses and are available 24/7, catering to the growing preference for immediate support. They also free up our agents to handle more complex inquiries, leading to more efficient use of resources and faster resolution times for challenging issues. 

Data Analytics and Personalized Service 

Utilizing data analytics to personalize customer interactions is a game-changer in contact center management. By analyzing customer data, including past interactions, purchase history, and preferences, we can tailor our responses and offers to meet individual needs more effectively.  

In my experience at AMC, this approach has helped us to build stronger relationships with our customers by making them feel valued and understood. Personalized service not only increases customer satisfaction and loyalty but also drives higher conversion rates and upsell opportunities. 

Adhip Ray 

@Adhip_ray 

Adhip Ray is the founder of WinSavvy, a digital marketing consultancy for startups with VC-funding of $1-20 Million. He hails from a data analytics and legal background. He is also an author at HubSpot, Lilach Bullock’s blog, JeffBullas, Addicted2Success, StartupNation, Sustainable Brands, Startups Magazine and many other business blogs. 

“Strategies and innovations that work include…” 

Integration of All Channels: It's important to have a smooth omnichannel approach. Customers expect to not have to repeat themselves when they switch stations. Using unified communication tools makes sure that the customer experience is the same and smooth at all points of contact. 

AI-Powered Chatbots: Using AI-powered chatbots for the first contact can speed up responses and make things run more smoothly. These bots answer simple questions, freeing up human workers to handle more complicated problems and making the service better overall. 

Personalization: Customers can feel valued when you use data analytics to make conversations more relevant to them. Customized suggestions and one-on-one service make customers happier and more loyal. Agents can immediately see a customer's history and preferences, for example, when CRM systems are connected to call center software. 

Training and Empowering Employees: It is important to have ongoing training programs that focus on problem-solving, understanding, and "soft skills." Agents who are given the power to make decisions can also solve problems faster and make customers happier. In a made-up story, a startup I worked with held regular role-playing meetings to help agents understand how others feel, which led to a 20% rise in customer satisfaction scores. 

Real-Time Feedback and Analytics: Using real-time analytics tools helps monitor success and customer satisfaction. Immediate feedback loops let changes be made quickly and problems fixed before they happen, improving the total customer experience. 

Innovative Use of Technology: Cutting-edge technologies like speech analytics and mood analysis can help you better understand how customers feel and what problems they are having. With these tools, service offerings can be improved in more targeted ways. 

Focusing on these tactics can help call centers improve the customer experience, which will make customers happier and more loyal. 

Cassie Fields 

@auto_leap 

Cassie Fields is currently the President at Autoleap with several years of experience in the auto industry. Her background includes serving as a strategic advisor, which has enabled her to work closely and analyze intricate details within the auto industry. Previously, Cassie accumulated 15 years of executive and sales experience at Xplor, FieldEdge, and NCC Group.  

“The top strategies and innovations in customer experience management in call centers are…” 

Emotional Intelligence Training for Agents 

A highly impactful strategy is providing contact center agents with emotional intelligence (EI) training. EI training helps agents understand and manage their emotions, empathize with customers, and navigate challenging interactions effectively.  

This leads to more empathetic and personalized customer interactions, resulting in higher satisfaction and loyalty. For example, agents trained in EI can recognize when a customer is frustrated and respond with empathy and understanding, defusing tense situations and fostering positive outcomes. This approach not only improves the customer experience but also enhances agent well-being and job satisfaction. 

Dynamic Scripting for Personalized Interactions 

Implementing dynamic scripting tools can revolutionize customer interactions in contact centers. These tools use AI and customer data to generate personalized scripts for agents, ensuring that each interaction is tailored to the customer's specific needs and preferences.  

For instance, if a customer has a history of purchasing a particular product, the script can suggest relevant upsell opportunities or provide troubleshooting tips based on past interactions. This level of personalization enhances the customer experience by making interactions more relevant and engaging. It also empowers agents to deliver more efficient and effective service, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

Dale Renner 

@RedpointGlobal 

Dale Renner has more than 25 years of experience in the analytics software field. As CEO of Redpoint Global, Dale has driven the company’s strategic direction since its founding in 2006. 

“The biggest frustration expressed by customers in just about every industry is…” 

Connecting with a call center customer service agent who doesn’t have access to accurate account information or has no record of a previous customer service call. 

The challenge for companies is that they collect and store vast amounts of customer information in ERP, MRP, CRM, marketing automation, web analytics, call center platforms, and other IT systems. These are all built upon a patchwork of platforms and technologies that don’t easily share information.  

Putting this information at the fingertips of customer service—the 360 view of the customer—is mission-critical for customer service but incredibly challenging from an enterprise IT perspective. 

A good way for companies to proactively avoid such frustration would be to deploy ‘active listening’ methodologies. A brand intent on delivering a hyper-personalized experience in the cadence of a customer journey must be ready to respond to customer signals as they happen—way before it gets to a point of a frustrated call to a live agent.  

Because customer journeys are dynamic and consist of both online and offline channels, active “listening” in this context extends far beyond verbal or written cues (i.e., call center interactions, Facebook posts, reviews, etc.) to continually listen for signals across every engagement channel.  

Modern call centers that seek to provide the best CX—which includes active listening capabilities-- leverage unified customer profiles, which is the function of a customer data platform (CDP). An enterprise CDP that performs all data hygiene and identity resolution tasks as soon as data is ingested into the system will then create an accurate, real-time unified profile that can be used to service triggered actions.  

When the unified profile is instantly accessible across the enterprise, it can support triggered actions from the simple to the complex, even supporting an omnichannel customer journey. For example, think of an abandoned shopping cart, a common event that spurs a triggered action.  

Using a unified customer profile in an email trigger campaign, a brand might analyze the abandoned items and determine the perfect complementary product based not just on the shopping cart activity but also on the individual customer’s browsing sessions, past purchases, and lifetime value. This increases relevance for the individual customer, demonstrating the type of personal understanding that drives loyalty, repeat business, and, ultimately, additional revenue. 

Tommy Le 

@poshwatch 

Tommy, the founder of Poshwatch, is a software engineer with over 15 years of experience. Having worked in the space since 2011, he has experienced the challenges of reselling firsthand. Poshwatch was developed to create a time-saving and business automation tool to help maximize sales and efficiency, for reselling businesses. 

“Adopting a top-down approach in contact centers is the key to managing customer experience effectively…” 

This approach means that the focus on customer satisfaction starts with the top executives and managers and flows down to every employee. When leaders prioritize great customer service, they set a standard for everyone to follow.  

Using advanced technology like AI helps personalize interactions, making customers feel valued. Leaders can also ensure agents are well-trained and receive real-time feedback so they know how to improve. Listening to and using customer feedback to make decisions shows customers that their opinions matter.  

By setting this example, leaders create a culture where every team member strives to provide the best service, making customers happy and boosting sales and loyalty. 

Gregory Shein 

Gregory Shein owns CORCAVA, a software tool for easily managing business processes such as Marketing, Outreach, Sales, Project Management, and Invoicing. He also consults with individuals and organizations on topics related to Software, IT, Business, and Technology. 

“The most effective strategies in customer experience management in contact centers include…” 

Implementing omnichannel support to ensure seamless customer interactions across multiple platforms, utilizing AI-driven chatbots for quick and efficient query resolution, and employing advanced analytics to personalize customer interactions.  

Innovations such as speech analytics to monitor and improve agent performance, and integrating CRM systems for a comprehensive view of customer history, are also crucial. Regular training and development programs for agents to enhance their soft skills further ensure a high-quality customer experience. 

Christopher Pappas 

@elearnindustry 

Christopher Pappas is the Founder of eLearning Industry, the leading online platform in the eLearning industry. They publish upwards of 150 articles each month in 60 categories and boast an astonishing 200+ eBooks and 140+ webinars. 

“At eLearning Industry Inc., we've found that the most effective strategy in customer experience management is…” 

Leveraging AI-driven analytics to personalize interactions. 

By analyzing customer data, we can anticipate needs and tailor our responses accordingly, enhancing satisfaction and efficiency. This approach has revolutionized our contact center operations, reducing wait times and improving overall service quality. 

Additionally, we emphasize continuous training for our contact center staff, focusing on empathy and active listening skills. We host regular webinars and provide resources to ensure our team stays updated on best practices and emerging trends.  

This investment in our team's development has resulted in a more knowledgeable and compassionate support system, fostering stronger relationships with our customers and driving higher engagement and loyalty. 

Sergey Solonenko 

@Algocentric 

Sergey Solonenko is the founder of Algocentric Digital Consultancy, an active digital strategist, and a fractional CMO for many B2B SaaS brands embracing digital transformation. At Algocentric Digital, Sergey’s focus is on empowering every B2B SaaS brand looking to scale its demand generation program.  

“AI is revolutionizing call routing by ensuring that customers are matched with the most suitable agents based on their specific queries…” 

This advanced routing reduces wait times and enhances the efficiency of issue resolution, significantly boosting customer satisfaction. 

AI-Driven Chatbots: Deploying AI-driven chatbots for routine inquiries allows human agents to concentrate on more complex issues. These chatbots provide immediate, accurate responses, significantly improving customer service speed and quality while optimizing agent productivity. 

Real-Time Support and Training: AI offers real-time prompts during customer interactions and detailed post-call analysis, which are invaluable for continuous agent training and improvement. This ensures that agents consistently perform at their best and provide top-notch service. 

Cost Efficiency through Automation: AI technologies, such as chatbots and IVR systems, drastically cut operational costs by handling repetitive tasks efficiently. This automation not only saves time and resources but also maintains high service standards, making operations more cost-effective. 

24/7 Customer Service: AI ensures that customer service is available around the clock, meeting the growing expectation for immediate support. This 24/7 availability fosters customer trust and loyalty, as customers know they can receive help whenever needed. 

Revenue Generation through AI: AI-powered chatbots can also drive revenue by upselling and cross-selling products during customer interactions. This personalized approach not only enhances the customer experience but also contributes to increased sales. 

Operational Insights for Better Decision-Making: AI provides actionable insights into customer interactions and agent performance. These insights enable managers to make informed decisions that streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall customer experience. 

Gabriel Lukov 

@businessmapHQ 

Gabriel Lukov is the Head of Inbound Growth at Businessmap, where he drives enterprise agility through innovative strategies and a commitment to continuous improvement and honest communication. 

“Effective customer experience management in contact centers is an amalgamation of a variety of innovative strategies…” 

One such strategy is putting emphasis on building stronger customer relationships.  

In my role at Businessmap, I've pioneered open, honest communication, which has fostered growth and enhanced our customer relationships. 

Another transformative innovation is harnessing analytics to predict customer behavior. By analyzing performance metrics and making data-driven decisions, we elevate the customer experience by predicting our clients’ needs and managing their complaints faster.  

Lastly, it's crucial to consider training and development, which empowers frontline agents and equips them with the necessary skills to handle complex issues with customers. 

Incorporating these strategies and innovations has elicited positive results in our customer experience management at Businessmap. 

Martin Heaton 

Martin Heaton is the Director at Heaton Manufacturing Ltd., which also manages the popular UK construction website, Reinforcement Products Online. As a dedicated tech entrepreneur, he thrives on challenging both himself and his team to realize their utmost potential. Leading his companies, his focus is on innovating and delivering top-notch solutions in the manufacturing sector. 

“Contact centers are continuously improving customer experience (CX) with several innovative strategies…” 

Offering omnichannel support ensures customers receive consistent service whether they connect via phone, chat, or social media. AI-powered solutions like chatbots manage routine inquiries efficiently, allowing human agents to focus on more complex issues.  

Personalization of interactions by using customer data anticipates needs and enhances service speed and relevance. Implementing customer journey mapping helps identify and resolve pain points effectively.  

Additionally, focusing on the well-being and training of employees results in better service, as happy employees tend to make customers happy too. From my experience, personalized interactions significantly boost customer satisfaction.  

Using advanced analytics to predict and meet customer needs, integrating seamless omnichannel communications, and employing AI for quicker resolutions can dramatically enhance efficiency and customer loyalty. Introducing gamification can also increase agent productivity and engagement. 

Colt Agar 

@RedStagFulfill 

Colt Agar is the Head of SEO at Red Stag Fulfillment, a 3PL fulfillment company. He has 14 years of experience growing organic traffic and supporting the customer journey from start to finish. 

“We need a mobile-first, omnichannel contact center platform that unifies and integrates all channels…” 

The point of multiple channels isn’t to keep them separated but to let customers seamlessly switch between them without friction or major pain points. We need to capture customer histories across platforms so customers don’t need to repeat what they said during live chat, for example, to an agent on the phone.  

Customers rightfully expect unified and mindful support. We must empower customers to switch communication channels easily, using options like a “click to call” button in a chat window or offering an email follow-up after phone support. 

Andrew Johnson 

@Giveaways_org 

Andrew Johnson is a Harvard-trained digital strategist at Giveaways.org with expertise in online promotions, consumer behavior analytics, and digital trend forecasting. This isn’t just a sweepstakes hub; it’s an insight-rich platform. From vetting the authenticity of giveaway platforms to demystifying the selection processes, he offers a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts. 

“One strategy that continues to redefine industry standards is proactive engagement…” 

We recognize that today's customers expect more than just reactive support; they crave anticipatory service that addresses their needs before they even realize them. 

At its core, proactive engagement involves utilizing data and predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs and deliver timely, relevant assistance. Using insights from customer behavior, preferences, and past interactions, companies can take proactive steps to enhance the overall customer journey. 

From a practical standpoint, proactive engagement manifests in various forms. For instance, it may involve sending personalized notifications to customers about order status updates, delivery delays, or product recommendations based on their purchase history. By reaching out before customers have to inquire, companies demonstrate attentiveness and foresight, ultimately creating stronger connections and loyalty. 

Rather than waiting for customers to raise concerns or issues, proactive contact center agents anticipate potential pain points and address them preemptively. This proactive outreach not only resolves issues more efficiently but also leaves a lasting impression of exceptional service. 

Matt Marion 

Matt supports the OfficeSuite UC® product suite at Windstream Enterprise, where he is responsible for the Contact Center Services portfolio, maintaining product compliance and security regulations, as well as business continuity initiatives. 

“Generative AI and its potential benefits in the contact center have only scratched the surface…” 

The next generation of contact center solutions will continue to explore creative applications of generative AI to enhance the experience of agents, supervisors, administrators, and customers. 

Generative AI-powered bots will make their way into more customer interactions. With all the advancement of contact centers over the years, implementation and ongoing management can be daunting.  

Given the right source documentation, a generative AI-based bot can take you step by step through the configuration of any feature on the platform, help you generate any custom report you can dream up, assist with interpreting the many data points in the contact center, and more, all through a lens that is unique and meaningful to each business. 

Their ability to support human-like, conversational interactions and customize each bot with its own persona means no two customer interactions are alike. The deterministic “this equals that” chat model will go by the wayside, and soon virtual agents will be indistinguishable from human agents. 

AI will enable businesses to overcome some of today’s most formidable call center challenges in 2024, including agent turnover, agent training, mounting agent workload, and the complexities of managing multiple support channels (voice, chat, email, social media, SMS, video, and web interactions).  

In 2024, Next-generation Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) solutions will unite artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing, and machine learning technologies so enterprises can view, analyze, and manage every aspect of the customer journey from a single, user-friendly portal. 

AI and machine learning will allow contact center managers to use automation to glean insights such as agent performance and trends in customer queries and measure overall contact center quality. 

Many will replace their legacy call center technology with CCaaS under a managed services provider, allowing these forward-thinking businesses to consolidate discrete contact center infrastructure with a single provider, scale more quickly, and differentiate their support experience with integrated, customized applications. 

It’s a simplified way to manage an entire contact center environment, from the initial connection to the final customer survey.  

With the additional value of a network provider's cloud-based connectivity, unified communications and network security and compliance solutions can fold into a fully integrated managed service—ensuring enterprises have a comprehensive set of contact center capabilities to consistently deliver scalable and secure multichannel customer experiences while also improving agent productivity. 

Leveraging a conversation intelligence solution like CallMiner is one of the best ways to improve customer experience management in your contact center. By analyzing 100% of customer interactions, the CallMiner platform gathers actionable insights to improve contact center efficiency, optimize agent performance, and support customers throughout their omnichannel journey. Request a demo today to learn more.  

Frequently asked questions 

What is CX in the contact center? 

Customer experience (CX) in the contact center refers to the overall impression customers have of their interactions with the contact center. It encompasses every touchpoint, including phone calls, emails, live chats, and social media interactions. A positive CX is achieved through efficient, friendly, and effective communication, leading to customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive brand perception. 

What is the main goal of customer experience management? 

The main goal of customer experience management (CEM) is to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by consistently meeting or exceeding customer expectations. This involves understanding customer needs, preferences, and behaviors, and using this information to tailor interactions and improve services. Effective CEM leads to improved customer retention, increased revenue, and a stronger competitive position in the market. 

How can contact centers improve customer experience? 

Investing in advanced technology such as AI-driven chatbots and omnichannel support can streamline interactions and provide quick resolutions. Training staff to be empathetic, knowledgeable, and efficient enhances the quality of customer service.  

Regularly collecting and analyzing customer feedback helps identify pain points and areas for improvement. Additionally, personalizing interactions based on customer data and maintaining consistent communication across all channels contribute to a superior customer experience. 

How is CEM different from CRM? 

Customer experience management (CEM or CXM) and customer relationship management (CRM) differ in their focus and approach. CEM concentrates on managing and improving the customer's overall experience with a company across all touchpoints. It aims to create a positive, seamless, and memorable customer journey.  

On the other hand, CRM focuses on managing a company's interactions with current and potential customers, primarily to improve business relationships, drive sales growth, and manage customer data. While CRM systems help in organizing and tracking customer interactions, CEM emphasizes enhancing the quality and consistency of those interactions.  

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