AI agents are increasingly popular in customer interface. Sometimes they are the only option, others the default one before consumers are escalated to a human agent. One example of AI agents in customer interface that I mention frequently is AI-powered chatbots. Firms may use AI-powered agents to cut costs, because of their superior analytical capability or, even, … Continue reading When do consumers actually prefer the AI option (and why)?
Tag: Customer service
What Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter means for marketers
Elon Musk made a take-over offer to buy Twitter, and is said to want to implement four key changes at the social media company: Reduce content moderationEliminate automated accountsIntroduce new product featuresOpen-up Twitter’s algorithm The significance of Twitter for marketers According to Hootsuite, Twitter is the 15th largest social media platform in the world (slide 99). … Continue reading What Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter means for marketers
Customers love our technology (Or… do they?)
The BBC reported, recently, that several major supermarket chains are trialling the use of automated technology to scan a customer’s face and verify their age, when they are buying alcohol. The reason for using this technology for age verification (as opposed to relying on cashiers to do so, in line with legal requirements) is, according … Continue reading Customers love our technology (Or… do they?)
Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions
The paper entitled “Frontline Technology Infusion: Conceptual Archetypes and a Future Research Agenda” offers a useful typology for the role of technology in customer service. The paper was authored by Arne De Keyser, Sarah Köcher, Linda Nasr and Jay Kandampully, and the authors provide various examples of how technology may 1) have no role, 2) … Continue reading Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions
Small service failures, customer dissatisfaction and defection
Big service failures are bad news for business. They make for unhappy customers; they tend to result in complaints; and they may represent additional cost. If the company has really messed up and/or if the customers are very vocal, big failures may even get media’s attention, and lead to public embarrassment. But what about the … Continue reading Small service failures, customer dissatisfaction and defection
Perceived blame, matters
In customer service, things are bound to go wrong, at some point. When that happens, it is important to not only understand what went wrong, but also what is the perceived cause of the problem, because that impacts on the recovery strategy. Take interacting with a chatbot, for instance. As discussed in a previous … Continue reading Perceived blame, matters
The role of online shopping as a mechanism to navigate racial discrimination
Online platforms are useful, additional channels to acquire products and services. For instance, online supermarkets have been lifelines for people isolating at home because of COVID-19. Online platforms are also great channels to talk with firms and other customers, be it as a form of acquiring information, solving problems or, simply, getting emotional support. What … Continue reading The role of online shopping as a mechanism to navigate racial discrimination
Sources of customer dissatisfaction in AI-powered service interactions
Chatbots are everywhere, and used in every industry. They promise to improve customer service, by offering 24-hour service and quick answers, at a fraction of the cost of their human counterparts. Reality is, however, less… polished. Even a bit frustrating. In the paper “The dark side of AI-powered service interactions: exploring the process of … Continue reading Sources of customer dissatisfaction in AI-powered service interactions
March 2020 round-up
At the beginning of the month, I wrote in my journal that March would be a month in two halves. And it was. But not at all as I had imagined it would be. To be fair, my months rarely pan out as planned. But, boy, has this month been unexpected?! The first half … Continue reading March 2020 round-up
Role of robot appearance vs behaviour on users’ perception
Robots are increasingly playing a role in customer service – be it taking orders in restaurants, providing information in banks, or delivering items in hotels. For the investment in customer service robots to be worthwhile, though, customers need to enjoy interacting with them, and they need to trust them. A robot’s appearance has a key … Continue reading Role of robot appearance vs behaviour on users’ perception
Ana Canhoto 