Two-thirds of consumers recently surveyed said they are more likely to switch to brands that provide the best experience or service – underscoring the importance of providing exceptional service and the ultimate cost to those companies that fail – customer defection.
It’s just one of the key findings from a large-scale study of 34,000 consumers worldwide by Verint® Systems Inc., carried out in partnership with Opinium Research, LLC.
The study reveals that loyalty and customer retention continues to decline globally, as just 44% of consumers say they have been with their service providers for three years or more (down 39% since 2015).
While this may seem a sobering metric, the study did uncover one potent means to spur brand loyalty — convenience. More than three-quarters (77%) of consumers surveyed said that convenience is a major factor when choosing a brand or service provider, while more than two-thirds (68%) feel loyal to brands that make it easy and convenient to engage.
24/7 communication
The study reveals 60% of consumers expect to engage with an organization via any channel at any time. These increasing customer expectations are forcing organizations to adopt an ‘always-on’ approach to service. To succeed in meeting this ‘always-on’ service imperative, organizations continue to turn to automated solutions such as chat-bots and artificial intelligence – the hybrid workforce – leveraging a combination of man and machine to drive customer engagement and operational efficiencies.
The human factor
Even as consumers continue to adopt these digital service channels, the human factor still is perceived to be a vital element in the customer engagement equation. While the first preference for consumers is to manage inquiries online in a self-serve fashion (34%), speaking to someone over the phone (30%) or in person (29%) are also preferred by a significant portion of those surveyed. Mobile apps continue to rise in popularity as an engagement tool, increasing 57% from a similar Verint study from 2018. The research also finds that human engagement is particularly valuable for critical interactions that can serve to build long-term relationships. For example, when a customer has an urgent question or complaint, their first preference is to speak with a live human agent via the phone or in person.
Dr. Paul Redmond, global expert in generational theory and employability says brands must consider their workforces as they chart their customer engagement strategies, “In an age where customers and the workforce span multiple generations, organizations face a challenge to deliver an exceptional experience for all. Engagement and empowerment are key. The human workforce must work hand-in-hand with technology, automating straightforward enquiries to free humans up for more impactful and fulfilling engagement.”
Source: Verint Systems Inc.
