In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) headlines often seem like they're ripped straight from a sci-fi blockbuster, it's all too easy to miss the more subtle narrative playing out right under our noses. Sure, AI has had its fair share of eyebrow-raising moments, like when Tay, Microsoft's chatbot, went rogue on the internet or when Uber's autonomous test vehicles began playing fast and loose with traffic lights.
Now, add a dash of apocalyptic cyber prophecies to these incidents, and voilà, you have the makings of a full-blown techno-thriller. No wonder AI is often seen as a wild stallion that’s chomping at the bit to escape its digital stable.
But strip away that sensationalist sheen, and you'll find a less theatrical, more nuanced plot line. It's the story of AI's grounded, governed, and genuinely beneficial applications. They’re applications where technology doesn't overshadow humanity but enhances it in ways we're only beginning to truly appreciate.
In the corridors of customer experience (CX), for example, AI isn't a rogue robot causing mayhem but a savvy sidekick who is quietly working to ensure that each chapter of the customer journey unfolds flawlessly. In fact, 60% of CX leaders are already betting big on AI's ability to be a game-changer. They expect it to have a “transformative” or “significant” impact in the near future. This is no minor footnote in the grand narrative of business innovation; it's a headline-worthy revolution in its own right.
So, if you're ready to step out of the sci-fi spectacle and dive into the world of pragmatic AI workplace applications, keep reading. In this article, we'll explore how integrating AI and machine learning (ML) isn't just upgrading customer experience; it's redefining it.
The buzz about AI and ML in CX
The big question on everyone's minds is: can a machine, devoid of the nuances of human empathy and emotional intelligence, truly excel in a realm where such qualities are not merely valued but deemed essential? This debate rages on with the skeptics and proponents of AI in customer service often at loggerheads.
Detractors argue that machines only have their computational prowess and lack the soulful touch a human brings to the table. On the other hand, visionaries see a world where AI and ML seamlessly blend with human empathy to create a synergy that's greater than the sum of its parts. And they're not just daydreaming. Real-world examples are already proving this isn't just possible; it's happening.
Take, for instance, the case study of Brinks Home, the lesser-known sibling of the armored truck titan, Brinks. Despite its solid pedigree and stellar reviews, this Dallas upstart, dealing in smart-home tech, has long stood in the shadows of giants like ADT, Google Nest, and Ring, and only managed to acquire a 2% market share. But, even with its underdog status, Brinks Home harbored a treasure trove of data that includes a rich amalgamation of product usage insights, customer transaction histories, and competitive intelligence dating back to 1994.
So, in a bold move to steal the spotlight, Brinks Home teamed up with OfferFit, a sprightly AI startup, in the autumn of 2020. Their mission? To harness this vast reservoir of information effectively and turbocharge growth. What followed was a remarkable transformation: the company shook up its structure to make a strategic pivot towards customer experience. That move made AI-driven enhancements across the board that range from optimizing service call schedules to powering up cross-sell recommendations.
The results? Brinks Home went from dabbling in a handful of A/B tests per day to unleashing a torrent of 50,000 tests daily. This rapid-fire testing obliterated the waiting game for results by enabling a level of personalization at every customer interaction that was previously unimaginable. They also doubled their direct-to-consumer package size from $489 to a whopping $968 while still fattening their overall revenue by a delicious 9.5% in the first half of 2021 compared to the previous year. These gains are not just a testament to Brinks Home's strategic ingenuity but a clear indicator of AI-enhanced CX's power to revolutionize even the most competitive of markets.
Understanding the AI advantage
As Anthony Tockar, Data Scientist and Co-founder of The Minerva Collective, aptly put it, the present customer experience is "all over the place, with wildly varying results." But AI has the potential to change this narrative and lead us into a more structured and customer-centric era. Here are some of the AI-powered perks that can redefine customer experience in ways that are both subtle and significant:
Provide around-the-clock service
Nearly half the audience, 46% for those who appreciate precision, now expect answers within four hours. It's a race not just against the relentless tide of competitors but against time itself. Achieving such speed and availability would be a Herculean feat for any team of mere mortals. That's where chatbots and virtual assistants, imbued with AI and ML superpowers, come to the rescue.
While your human team recharges with some well-deserved shuteye, these bots keep the lights on by offering around-the-clock support. No matter if your customer is burning the midnight oil or chirping with the early birds, your AI bot is there and steadfast in its mission to serve.
Prevent employee burnout
AI takes the yawn-inducing, eye-twitching CX tasks off your employee's plates and enables them to zero in on those complex, nuanced problems that demand human ingenuity and creativity. The goal here isn't just about making your customer service employee's jobs easier but more fulfilling. By handling the humdrum, you can keep your CX crew's engagement meters cranked to 11 and ensure they have the energy they need to make every customer feel appreciated.
Deliver hyper-personalized recommendations
The digital age has redefined personalization, transforming it from a simple exercise in name recall to a sophisticated choreography of tailored experiences at every conceivable touchpoint. Brands no longer just “know” their customers; they anticipate, adapt, and resonate with them though the wisdom of AI and machine learning.
Take Netflix, for instance, a poster child for AI-driven personalization. By analyzing viewing patterns, search histories, and even the time spent on previews, Netflix's algorithms create a highly personalized viewing experience. The result? A sticky, addictive platform that keeps 250+ million subscribers glued to their screens.
In the realm of eCommerce, Amazon is another trailblazer using AI in eCommerce to offer personalized customer experiences. From the "customers who bought this also bought" recommendations to the eerily accurate product suggestions, Amazon's AI algorithms are the silent salespeople. They guide customers through a multitude of choices to find exactly what they need: sometimes even before they know they need it.
Accelerate problem-solving velocity
AI isn't just going to clear the deck of routine tasks. It will also help you zip through the rest at warp speed. While your human CX heroes are in the trenches bonding with customers, their AI buddy can be in the background sifting through the company policies, looking up possible solutions, and generating tailored responses. So, all your agents need to do is simply approve and smack the send button. This may come as a boon particularly when those empathy batteries start running low after a long day of customer care crusading. With AI in their corner, your team is ready to deliver knockout service round after round.
Anticipate customer needs
By proactively identifying potential issues, AI-driven systems ensure a seamless and trouble-free customer journey by shifting customer service from reactive crisis management to strategic problem prevention. Take Volvo's AI-based warning system, for instance. It scrutinizes over one million weekly events to forecast necessary car part replacements or repairs. Imagine never having to summon a tow truck because your vehicle preemptively averted a breakdown!
This AI capability holds particular promise for subscription-based businesses because it has the potential to forecast precisely when customers may be ready to place their next order. Imagine receiving a timely message that asks, "Ready to reorder?" just as you're contemplating your next purchase. This enhancement will help you demonstrate your brand's attentiveness and commitment to fulfilling customer needs. In turn, most customers are more inclined to make recurring purchases when they can effortlessly do so with just a few clicks rather than having to navigate the entire browsing and checkout process again.
AI-Driven tools in CX
Now that we've set the stage with an overview of AI's potential in transforming customer experience, let's spotlight some real-world AI-driven tools leveraged by businesses today to elevate customer experience to new heights.
Dialogflow by Google
Dialogflow's defining characteristic is its advanced natural language understanding that empowers it to grasp and respond to customer queries with an almost human-like touch. It's perfect for businesses craving a blend of tech-savvy and human warmth because it ensures customers don't feel like they're chatting with a cold, unfeeling bot. And, thanks to Google's brainiacs pumping it up with AI steroids, Dialogflow is always learning and always evolving.
Zendesk
Zendesk might be an old warhorse in the customer service software race, but don't let its age fool you. This platform has been juiced up with some serious AI firepower to not just keep up with the young guns but also to show them a thing or two about innovation. Zendesk's AI smarts power a suite of features like automated ticket sorting and intelligent chatbots to make it a beast when it comes to handling customer queries efficiently. And this tool's AI awesomeness doesn't stop there. It's also got a knack for digging deep into your customer data mine to fish out predictive insights that can catapult your customer satisfaction scores through the roof. Imagine being able to anticipate a customer's needs before they even click the "contact us" button; that's Zendesk for you.
Thena
In the market for a Zendesk alternative that can handle B2B business complexities? Meet Thena. Thena helps rescue B2B-focused companies' high-ticket clients from the jaws of communication chaos. Its AI algorithm patrols the virtual corridors of Slack Connect channels, the digital hangouts where most of today's B2B conversations thrive, to ensure no customer SOS signals go unanswered. And that's not all. This tool also boasts seamless integration with popular support ticketing platforms like Intercom, HubSpot, and even Zendesk to make it a formidable ally for businesses looking to streamline B2B customer service.
Freddy AI by Freshdesk
Freddy AI offers a suite of intelligent features that start with its Assist Bot that takes charge of conversational flows and delivers prompt responses. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Freddy AI also boasts Auto Triage, a breakthrough feature that efficiently categorizes tickets to ensure they reach the right hands at the right time. The icing on the cake is its automated suggestions for solution articles and pre-made responses that not only save time but also elevate the quality of customer interactions.
OneUp
At first glance, it's easy to mistake this tool for your run-of-the-mill social media and GMB update scheduler. But dig a little deeper, and you'll discover that it's also a life raft most businesses that are drowning in online Google reviews have been waiting for. The platform boasts its own AI-driven engine that proposes clever, context-aware responses to Google reviews to ensure your online customer experience never falls short on one of the most critical platforms for customer feedback.
Unleash AI and ML for unprecedented CX excellence
Companies are now harnessing the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence to not just keep pace but to set a blistering one. They understand consumer behavior like never before and outflank competition with almost predictive accuracy. If you want to join the ranks of these forward-thinking companies, embrace AI and ML as the powerful tools they are and steer them wisely to write a story of success, innovation, and unparalleled customer experience.
Published April 9, 2024
