The Evolution of Support: How to Manage
Customer Support in an Era of Self-help
With:
Kristina Evey
Moderated by:
Erin Washington
TO USE YOUR COMPUTER'S AUDIO:
When the webinar begins, you will be connected to audio using
your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is
recommended.
Webinar will begin:
11:00 am, PDT
TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE:
If you prefer to use your phone, you must select "Use Telephone" after
joining the webinar and call in using the numbers below.
United States: +1(562) 247-8422
Access Code: 183-703-902
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the webinar
--OR--
Squelch is the customer experience optimization solution that instantly
delivers the most relevant, context-rich intelligence to your agents when and
where they need it most, enhancing the customer experience while
maximizing your team's productivity.
•
3
Squelch for
customer support
teams
The Squelch software is an
intelligent, on-demand
knowledge management tool
that aggregates scattered
enterprise data from a
company’s existing cloud
providers.
Squelch automatically tracks
and indexes cases
• If there is a similar resolved case – hooray! The answer
is immediately displayed, and no research is required.
• If there are only similar unresolved cases – OK! CSRs can
connect with other agents working on the same problem.
Avoid escalation.
• If there are no similar cases, research time is still
minimized with the Squelch software automagically
surfacing relevant information.
• Dashboards highlight common customer issues, which helps
identify CSR training opportunities.
4
Visit us at www.squelch.io
Click on the Questions panel to
interact with the presenters
https://www.customerexperienceupdate.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/
https://www.customercontactcentral.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/
About Kristina Evey
Kristina Evey is a Customer Experience Strategist who loves to help Leadership Teams demystify the process of
shifting operational and business priorities to the customer perspective and seeing revenue increase. She is the
creator of the training manual “5 Steps to More Loyal Customers” and has had numerous articles published and
products produced on customer retention, satisfaction, and loyalty. A frequent contributor to radio and web
interviews and host of "The Customer Experience Podcast for Business Leaders," Kristina’s most requested
programs highlight Training and Delivering Excellent Customer Service, How to Create a Customer Centric Culture,
Effective Communication, and Creating a Memorable Customer Experience.
About Erin Washington
Erin went to the University of Georgia and majored in International Affairs with a minor in Spanish. She gained
customer service experience after working as a customer service representative for 2 years. She now works as an
Assistant Editor at Aggregage, providing some of the most interesting thought-leaders in customer experience with a
space to celebrate the diversity, depth, and experience of their professional cultures, personalities, and passions.
5
• Studies suggest that as many
as 76% of customers prefer
“Self-Service” options
• It provides convenience, self-
pacing, research, comparisons,
discussion, etc.
• There are bots, online portals,
chats, FAQ’s, more and more
options developed every day.
Self Help is On the Rise
6
• Customers call for support
when they hit a roadblock,
have a question, need help,
are upset or frustrated
• Most of the calls or tickets
that CSR’s get will be fixing
a problem
Human Connection is the Key
7
• CSR’s in companies are
engaging with customers who
are not their “Best Selves.”
• They’ve tried and now they
are stuck. The CSR is going
to bear the brunt of the
customer frustration
• Would YOU sign up for this
job?
Keep This In Mind…
8
• A great Customer Experience
begins with a great Employee
Experience
• Make your Customer Support
Center the most desirable area to
work within your company
Avoid Monotony
9
According to the 2016 US Contact
Center Decision Makers’ Guide from
ContactBabel.com – the Average
Annual Turnover Rate for a
Customer Service Representative
(CSR) was 29% - an “Average
Lifespan” for a Call Center worker in
the USA of approximately 3.3 years.
CSR Burnout is Real
10
• They bear the brunt of the
customer frustration
• They are the bearer of bad news
and the messenger is shot
• They have the opportunity to
engage with the customer like no
one else can in the heat of the
moment
• They can present the Moment of
Wow
Treat CSR’s Like Royalty
11
• How to handle upset customers with words and phrasing
• Training on products and services offered by your
company
• Training on all of the “Self Service” portals
• Training on who are the “Go To’s” for various products,
issues, areas of expertise, etc
• Focus on proactive and preventative strategies depending
on your industry
Offer More Than Enough Support to CSR’s
12
Boot Camp Training
• 15 Minutes once or twice a
week
• Focused training on one
product or service
• Listen to Teach to others
• Record for new hires and
reference
13
• Get rid of call volume and call time as KPI’s
• Recognize and celebrate success of
individuals and the team as a whole
• Practice Voice of Customer internally with
your CSR’s.
• Engage your CSR’s to identify metrics
relevant to truly helping the customer/caller.
Pay Attention to What Matters
14
• Get out of the office
• Help them succeed and
organize their own space.
Remember everyone is
different
• Recognize and spotlight
your Rockstars
• Communicate,
communicate,
communicate
Keep It Human
15
• Have some fun!
• Rotate and cross-train for all
communication channels your
company offers
• Incentivize ideas for improvements
and engagement
• The smallest things make the
biggest difference
• Don’t Skip the Struggle - Embrace
and celebrate challenges and
failures
The Best Place to Work in Your Company
16
Have Their Back - They’ll Have Yours
Q&A
Moderated by:
Erin Washington
Customer Experience Expert and Consultant
Linkedin page: /in/kristinaevey
Twitter ID: @KristinaEvey
Website: kristinaevey.com
With:
Kristina Evey
Editor, Customer Experience Update and Customer
Contact Central
LinkedIn page: /in/erin-washington-1b557b130
Twitter ID: @CXUpdate
Email: erin.washington@aggregage.com
Website: customerexperienceupdate.com
https://www.customerexperienceupdate.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/
https://www.customercontactcentral.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/

The Evolution of Support: How to Manage Customer Support in an Era of Self-help

  • 1.
    The Evolution ofSupport: How to Manage Customer Support in an Era of Self-help With: Kristina Evey Moderated by: Erin Washington TO USE YOUR COMPUTER'S AUDIO: When the webinar begins, you will be connected to audio using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is recommended. Webinar will begin: 11:00 am, PDT TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: If you prefer to use your phone, you must select "Use Telephone" after joining the webinar and call in using the numbers below. United States: +1(562) 247-8422 Access Code: 183-703-902 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the webinar --OR--
  • 2.
    Squelch is thecustomer experience optimization solution that instantly delivers the most relevant, context-rich intelligence to your agents when and where they need it most, enhancing the customer experience while maximizing your team's productivity. •
  • 3.
    3 Squelch for customer support teams TheSquelch software is an intelligent, on-demand knowledge management tool that aggregates scattered enterprise data from a company’s existing cloud providers.
  • 4.
    Squelch automatically tracks andindexes cases • If there is a similar resolved case – hooray! The answer is immediately displayed, and no research is required. • If there are only similar unresolved cases – OK! CSRs can connect with other agents working on the same problem. Avoid escalation. • If there are no similar cases, research time is still minimized with the Squelch software automagically surfacing relevant information. • Dashboards highlight common customer issues, which helps identify CSR training opportunities. 4 Visit us at www.squelch.io
  • 5.
    Click on theQuestions panel to interact with the presenters https://www.customerexperienceupdate.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/ https://www.customercontactcentral.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/
  • 6.
    About Kristina Evey KristinaEvey is a Customer Experience Strategist who loves to help Leadership Teams demystify the process of shifting operational and business priorities to the customer perspective and seeing revenue increase. She is the creator of the training manual “5 Steps to More Loyal Customers” and has had numerous articles published and products produced on customer retention, satisfaction, and loyalty. A frequent contributor to radio and web interviews and host of "The Customer Experience Podcast for Business Leaders," Kristina’s most requested programs highlight Training and Delivering Excellent Customer Service, How to Create a Customer Centric Culture, Effective Communication, and Creating a Memorable Customer Experience. About Erin Washington Erin went to the University of Georgia and majored in International Affairs with a minor in Spanish. She gained customer service experience after working as a customer service representative for 2 years. She now works as an Assistant Editor at Aggregage, providing some of the most interesting thought-leaders in customer experience with a space to celebrate the diversity, depth, and experience of their professional cultures, personalities, and passions.
  • 7.
    5 • Studies suggestthat as many as 76% of customers prefer “Self-Service” options • It provides convenience, self- pacing, research, comparisons, discussion, etc. • There are bots, online portals, chats, FAQ’s, more and more options developed every day. Self Help is On the Rise
  • 8.
    6 • Customers callfor support when they hit a roadblock, have a question, need help, are upset or frustrated • Most of the calls or tickets that CSR’s get will be fixing a problem Human Connection is the Key
  • 9.
    7 • CSR’s incompanies are engaging with customers who are not their “Best Selves.” • They’ve tried and now they are stuck. The CSR is going to bear the brunt of the customer frustration • Would YOU sign up for this job? Keep This In Mind…
  • 10.
    8 • A greatCustomer Experience begins with a great Employee Experience • Make your Customer Support Center the most desirable area to work within your company Avoid Monotony
  • 11.
    9 According to the2016 US Contact Center Decision Makers’ Guide from ContactBabel.com – the Average Annual Turnover Rate for a Customer Service Representative (CSR) was 29% - an “Average Lifespan” for a Call Center worker in the USA of approximately 3.3 years. CSR Burnout is Real
  • 12.
    10 • They bearthe brunt of the customer frustration • They are the bearer of bad news and the messenger is shot • They have the opportunity to engage with the customer like no one else can in the heat of the moment • They can present the Moment of Wow Treat CSR’s Like Royalty
  • 13.
    11 • How tohandle upset customers with words and phrasing • Training on products and services offered by your company • Training on all of the “Self Service” portals • Training on who are the “Go To’s” for various products, issues, areas of expertise, etc • Focus on proactive and preventative strategies depending on your industry Offer More Than Enough Support to CSR’s
  • 14.
    12 Boot Camp Training •15 Minutes once or twice a week • Focused training on one product or service • Listen to Teach to others • Record for new hires and reference
  • 15.
    13 • Get ridof call volume and call time as KPI’s • Recognize and celebrate success of individuals and the team as a whole • Practice Voice of Customer internally with your CSR’s. • Engage your CSR’s to identify metrics relevant to truly helping the customer/caller. Pay Attention to What Matters
  • 16.
    14 • Get outof the office • Help them succeed and organize their own space. Remember everyone is different • Recognize and spotlight your Rockstars • Communicate, communicate, communicate Keep It Human
  • 17.
    15 • Have somefun! • Rotate and cross-train for all communication channels your company offers • Incentivize ideas for improvements and engagement • The smallest things make the biggest difference • Don’t Skip the Struggle - Embrace and celebrate challenges and failures The Best Place to Work in Your Company
  • 18.
    16 Have Their Back- They’ll Have Yours
  • 19.
    Q&A Moderated by: Erin Washington CustomerExperience Expert and Consultant Linkedin page: /in/kristinaevey Twitter ID: @KristinaEvey Website: kristinaevey.com With: Kristina Evey Editor, Customer Experience Update and Customer Contact Central LinkedIn page: /in/erin-washington-1b557b130 Twitter ID: @CXUpdate Email: erin.washington@aggregage.com Website: customerexperienceupdate.com https://www.customerexperienceupdate.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/ https://www.customercontactcentral.com/webinar-series/the-evolution-of-support-colon--how-to-manage-customer-support-in-an-era-of-self-help/

Editor's Notes

  • #4 Customer Support teams use the Squelch platform to resolve complex customer issues. By connecting to an agent's ecosystem, the Squelch software's machine learning and AI capabilities surface answers immediately from sources such as Salesforce, Jira, Slack, Confluence, Box, Google Drive, and more, so agents can focus on customer relationships rather than wasting time searching for information.
  • #5 The Squelch software integrates with Salesforce and Zendesk, so you can work in an environment that is already familiar. CSRs can easily view similar cases and resolved cases to identify the best customer solutions more quickly. The Squelch software instantly pulls up information related to a query and highlights the original source, so CSRs can alleviate the need to search knowledge sources one-at-a-time. And automated dashboards help identify the most commonly searched customer issues, giving management visibility into areas where CSRs might benefit from additional training. You can learn more about Squelch at www.squelch.io