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Contact Centre Trends: What to Expect in 2026

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Industry Insights
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22/4/24
Overcoming Key Challenges for Public Sector Contact Centres in 2024 and Beyond

Public Sector
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The public sector contact centre industry faces unique challenges in delivering high-quality customer service to the general public while managing tight budgets and dated technology. Here, we highlight several key themes and pain points impacting customer experience in 2024 across local governments in the UK.

Key Challenge #1: Slow Adoption of Digital Channels

One striking finding is the public sector’s low adoption of digital service channels compared to other industries. A recent report states:


“The public sector has some of the lowest take-up of digital channels of any sector, and telephony accounted for more than 80% of inbound interactions in 2018. However, 2020 onwards has seen a major increase in the use of telephony self-service, but this may be due to a drop in live telephony performance in the sector.”

While the central government has pushed for “digital-first” public services, progress has been slow. Public sector contact centres still rely heavily on phone interactions. Depending on the nature of the interaction, transitioning more people to digital self-service, when done well, can reduce costs while still providing easy access to services.

To boost digital adoption, public sector organisations should:

• Ensure digital services are well-designed, easy to use, and accessible to everyone, including the elderly and underserved populations. Define the digital channels’ purpose and then build relevant, helpful content for your contact centre team and the customer-facing assets. Providing excellent support for digital channels will help build trust and confidence.
• Heavily promote digital options and educate people on how to use them.
• Provide easy access to phone service for complex issues or people who require it—don’t try to reduce demand by hiding this option. It only leads to dissatisfaction when people need it the most.

Key Challenge #2: Outdated Technology

Public sector contact centres tend to lag in implementing newer technologies like AI, analytics, and automation.

“The public sector is generally slow to implement new technology, and the relatively small size of many operations also means that it is behind the technology curve, particularly for newer technology such as AI, analytics and email management, as well as outbound-focused technology such as automated outbound diallers.”


Legacy systems can negatively impact public sector contact centre teams’ customer experience and operational efficiency. Modernising the contact centre technology stack is crucial for handling interactions across channels seamlessly and extracting valuable insights from data across the public sector.

Some strategies to address outdated technology:

• Explore cloud contact centre platforms to reduce reliance on legacy infrastructure – which have feature limitations and lack integration options
• Consider point solutions, like outbound dialler technology – they help organisations to increase efficiency without the need to invest in long and complex digital transformation projects.
• Implement AI and automation in phases, starting with simpler use cases like AI-driven chatbots, web chat, and quality-of-life features that make communicating with customers more efficient.

Key Challenge #3: Worsening Speed to Answer

The general public’s expectations for fast service continue to rise, but public sector contact centres struggle to keep up. The report highlights a concerning trend:

“Public sector contact centres have usually seen a higher-than-average speed to answer, which has hugely risen since 2019 and is a concern. Some central government contact centres are under severe pressure to improve their performance, while local government operations will tend to have performance under better control, although their budgets are getting tighter, and they are forced to do more with less.”

Long wait times lead to frustration and more work for agents handling escalated complaints. Improving speed to answer requires a multi-pronged approach.

Tactics to try:

Key Challenge #4: High Absence and Attrition

Agent engagement appears to be an emerging issue in public sector contact centres. Studies reveal:

“From 2017 until 2021, public sector agent absence rates were below the contact centre industry average. However, the high absence rate in 2022 and 2023 – in line with the jump in attrition and declining performance – is potentially cause for concern.”

Agents are the heart of the contact centre and directly impact customer satisfaction. High absenteeism and turnover disrupt operations and lead to inconsistent service levels as new agents are onboarded.

Some ways to combat absence and attrition:

  • Invest in agent training and coaching to build confidence and competence
  • Implement gamification to make work more engaging and rewarding
  • Gather agent feedback regularly and take tangible actions to address pain points
  • Provide clear career paths and opportunities for advancement

Key Challenge #5: Increasing Complexity and Cost to Serve

As people expect personalised, omnichannel service, interactions are becoming more complex for public sector contact centres to handle efficiently at scale. At the same time, budgets remain tight.
“Pent-up demand for phone service will continue to oppose the severe budget-cutting targets that exist at both central and local government levels, which are likely to cancel each other out to a great extent, leading to longer wait times and a greater likelihood of outsourcing, as little budget is available for growing the contact centre figures,” explains the report.

Organisations must find ways to do more with less, leveraging technology, data, and process improvements to reduce handle times and improve first-contact resolution.

Consider these strategies:

  • Map customer journeys to identify and eliminate points of friction and unnecessary transfers
  • Unify customer data across channels for a full view of interactions and context
  • Analyse interaction data to surface opportunities for process improvement
  • Implement knowledge management and AI tools to surface relevant information to agents quickly

How MaxContact has helped Dudley Council streamline their rental income collection process and improve community service:

In conclusion, while public sector contact centres face daunting challenges, a strategic approach incorporating new technology, enhanced self-service, and a continued focus on agent experience can help overcome these hurdles. By making steady improvements across channels, technology, and operations, organisations can elevate the quality and efficiency of customer service while effectively managing costs.

With the right strategy and investments, public sector contact centres can deliver the convenient, personalised interactions customers increasingly expect, reinforcing trust in public institutions. While not an overnight transformation, public sector leaders who commit to ongoing contact centre advancement can achieve meaningful progress in 2024 and beyond.

Find out more about how MaxContact can transform your public sector contact centre.


Source: Research public sector stats and quotes – “UK Contact Centre Verticals: Public Sector” (ContactBabel)

Compliance and Regulations
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22/4/24
Ofcom's Plan of Work 2024/25: What Contact Centre Leaders Need to Know

As a contact centre leader, staying on top of regulatory changes is crucial to ensure compliance and a customer-centric approach. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has recently published its Plan of Work for 2024/25, outlining its priorities and projects for the coming year. While the plan covers a wide range of areas, including media and online safety, there are several key points that contact centre leaders should be aware of.

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Term Dictionary

This blog uses key terms related to the contact centre industry, as defined by Ofcom guidance. You’ll see these terms throughout the text.

  • ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution: A process where a third party, such as an ombudsman, helps resolve disputes between consumers and companies.
  • PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network: The traditional landline telephone system.
  • VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol: A method for making voice calls using an internet connection instead of a traditional phone line.

Consumer protection monitoring and compliance

Ofcom will continue to focus on ensuring that consumer protection interventions and voluntary initiatives are properly implemented and have a positive impact on consumers. This includes considering new customer protections relating to mobile roaming, inadvertent roaming, complaints handling processes, and any new rules relating to inflation-linked in-contract price rises.

For contact centres, this means a continued emphasis on delivering high-quality customer service and support. Ensuring that your teams are well-trained on handling complaints, providing clear information about services and pricing, and assisting customers who may be facing issues with roaming or unexpected charges will be crucial.

Supporting vulnerable customers

Ofcom will continue to monitor whether providers are treating customers in vulnerable circumstances fairly and giving them the support and services they need. They will work with the UK Regulators Network to improve outcomes for vulnerable consumers.

Contact centres play a vital role in identifying and supporting vulnerable customers. It’s essential to provide training to your teams on recognising signs of vulnerability, handling sensitive conversations with empathy, and offering appropriate support and solutions. Regularly reviewing and updating your vulnerability policies and procedures will help ensure you’re meeting Ofcom’s expectations and providing the best possible service to vulnerable customers.

Tackling nuisance calls and scams

Ofcom will work closely with industry, government, and other regulators to make scams harder to perpetrate. They will help consumers avoid scams by raising awareness and improving information, focusing on addressing voice scams while also exploring options to further disrupt the sending of scam messages.

As a contact centre leader, it’s important to be vigilant about potential scams and to have robust processes in place to protect your customers. This may include implementing stringent security measures, providing regular training to your teams on identifying and reporting suspicious activity, and working closely with Ofcom and other relevant authorities to share information and best practices.

Migration from legacy services

Ofcom will work with communication providers and the government to ensure issues raised by the migration to voice-over-IP services (VoIP), including the ongoing switch-off of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), are identified and addressed to protect consumers from harm and minimise disruption.

Contact centres must be prepared for the transition away from legacy systems and ensure that their technology and processes are up to date. This may involve investing in new infrastructure, updating training materials and scripts, and communicating proactively with customers about any changes that may affect them. Working closely with your technology providers and staying informed about Ofcom’s guidance on the migration process will be key to a smooth transition.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) review

Ofcom currently approves two Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) schemes and has commenced a review to assess whether consumers are receiving accessible, fair, and consistent outcomes from the available ADR schemes in the telecoms sector.

Contact centres should be familiar with the ADR schemes available and have processes to escalate complaints to ADR when necessary. Keeping abreast of any changes to the ADR landscape resulting from Ofcom’s review will be important to ensure you’re providing the best possible support to customers who may need to pursue ADR.

Key Takeaways

  • Focus on delivering high-quality customer service and support, with well-trained teams capable of handling complaints, providing clear information, and assisting customers with issues such as roaming or unexpected charges.
  • Provide training to teams on identifying and supporting vulnerable customers, regularly reviewing and updating vulnerability policies and procedures.
  • Implement robust security measures and collaborate with authorities to protect customers from nuisance calls and scams.
  • Prepare for the transition from legacy services to VoIP, investing in new infrastructure, updating training materials and scripts, and communicating proactively with customers.
  • Stay informed about developments in the ADR landscape to ensure customers receive the best possible support when escalating complaints.

Navigating the evolving regulatory landscape

In conclusion, while Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2024/25 covers a broad range of areas, there are several key points that contact centre leaders should focus on. By prioritising consumer protection, supporting vulnerable customers, tackling scams, preparing for the migration from legacy services, and staying informed about ADR developments, contact centres can ensure they remain compliant with Ofcom’s regulations and continue to deliver excellent customer service.

Staying proactive, adaptable, and customer-focused will be essential as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve. By keeping these priorities in mind and working closely with industry partners and regulators, contact centre leaders can navigate the challenges ahead and seize opportunities to enhance their operations and better serve their customers.

Uncertain about Ofcom regulations? MaxContact can help. Get in touch with our team for expert guidance to ensure your contact centre has compliance peace of mind.

AI
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16/4/24
Debunking the Top AI Myths in the Contact Centre Industry

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As artificial intelligence (AI) disrupts industries at a breakneck pace, the contact centre industry hasn’t been immune to a fog of misconceptions and myths clouding its true capabilities and limitations. We tackled these misconceptions head-on during our webinar titled “Top things you really need to know about AI in the contact centre,” where industry experts Garry Gormley, Founder of FAB Solutions, and Matthew Yates, VP of Engineering at MaxContact, delved into the most prevalent stereotypes and opinions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in the contact centre industry.

The panel worked through each myth one by one, revealing whether it was true or false and sharing their invaluable insights on the topic. As AI continues to revolutionise the contact centre landscape, it is crucial for industry leaders to separate fact from fiction to make informed decisions about implementing this technology.

Myth 1: 74% of people believe AI is unethical

False. While a Forbes article from April 2023 reported that 96% of people consider ethical and responsible AI to be important, the majority do not believe AI is inherently unethical.

Yates emphasised the importance of ethics in the context of AI, stating, “Trustworthy AI and ethics is really important, and I think it’s a topic we’re going to see more of.” He also highlighted the need for human accountability, traceability, and good privacy and data governance when building and using AI applications.

Gormley added, “It’s defining what actually is ethical AI. And I don’t think there is a really clear description around what ethical AI is.” He also emphasised the importance of transparency, fairness, and privacy, particularly in areas like voice biometrics, where additional safeguards may be necessary as the technology develops.

Myth 2: Only 1 in 10 contact centres can afford to implement AI

False. A study from Call Centre Helper stated that 51.8% of contact centres now have a strategy built around AI in 2024.

Gormley pointed out that contact centres have been incorporating elements of AI for some time, saying, “It’s affordable. I think it’s accessible, even more so now with all of the different CCaaS vendors starting to integrate more AI technology into things like their chatbot technology and their agent assist.” He emphasised the importance of having the right strategy and deciding how to scale AI throughout the customer journey.

Yates added, “I hope that in 2024, every contact centre out there is thinking about their strategy around AI.” He encouraged decision-makers to identify pain points and opportunities in their customer journey lifecycle and evaluate suitable vendors and solutions accordingly.

Myth 3: AI can detect customer emotions correctly during 65% of interactions

True. AI sentiment analysis has been found to have between 55 to 65% accuracy, which is not far off the human level of sentiment detection, which sits around 60 to 70%.

Yates explained that sentiment analysis involves two parts: analysing the words used in conversations and examining the audio for human emotions. He noted that sentiment analysis through text is currently more mature than audio analysis but expects a combination of the two to provide a holistic view of emotion in conversations within the next 2-3 years.

Gormley expressed excitement about the potential of speech analytics, saying, “I think there are two aspects that I look at. Firstly, the customer perspective, and that’s easier to analyse in terms of the words, the language, and the phrases that customers are saying. But I think there’s also something to think about in terms of the agent sentiment as well.” Garry explained that sentiment analysis can also be used to highlight agent vulnerability, lack of support, or confusion, identifying areas for further training.

Myth 4: 14.2% of people have never interacted with a chatbot

True. A study conducted by Userlike found that 80.2% of customers said they have interacted with a chatbot, 14.2% have never, and 5.5% said that they couldn’t remember.

Gormley emphasised the importance of chatbot design, stating, “It’s never about the interaction for me. The key to a successful chatbot implementation begins all the way back right back to the start. It’s important to think about what issues we’re trying to solve with the chatbot. What’s the flow, and what’s the kind of common customer questions that are being asked so that we can program into a chatbot to have the correct self-serve options.”

Yates agreed, adding, “It’s important to really think hard about what use cases you want to truly solve the problems with a chatbot, and some are too complex.” He noted that while some chatbots can effectively solve problems, others simply act as a holding pattern before connecting with a real agent, which can lead to frustration.

Myth 5: AI can help cut compliance costs by 10%

True. A study in June 2023 found that AI was already helping 36% of tightly regulated industries, such as finance, cut compliance costs by 10%.

Yates highlighted three areas where AI can help with compliance: script adherence, mandatory statements, and vulnerability detection. He explained, “Those three are areas that we see quite a lot across our client base. And certainly, AI could help with those because it can identify any outliers across all contact centres interactions, which in turn helps improve risk posture in the organisation.”

Gormley focused on the impact of consumer duty regulations, particularly in the financial services sector. He noted that AI can help identify issues like misleading statements, misadvice, and selective presentation, which can lead to significant fines from the FCA. Gormley mentioned that in 2024 alone, the FCA had already issued £54 million worth of fines to contact centres.

Myth 6: AI can help to automate 84% of contact centre interactions

False. A study by Zendesk actually suggests that around 40% of customer interactions can be handled by AI.

Gormley questioned the Zendesk poll, stating, “I would love to see that poll by Zendesk done again because I think it’s probably higher in the last maybe 6 to 12 months.” He mentioned that as chatbots and AI are deployed across the contact centre, they can become more intelligent and handle more queries independently.

Yates encouraged contact centres to think carefully about which interactions they want AI to handle and which ones are best left to humans. He gave an example, saying, “For example, if a customer wants to phone up and cancel their Sky subscription, if I’m Sky or if I’m a representative working on behalf of Sky, I probably don’t want to offload that issue to an AI chatbot and would want a human agent to handle that particular query to gain a better understanding of why the customer wants to cancel and to try and retain them if possible.”

Myth 7: 21% of contact centre leaders say that AI is already helping them create a better customer experience

True. An internal research report from MaxContact in October 2023 confirmed that even in the early stages, AI in the contact centre is already proving to enhance CX.

When asked where contact centres should start with AI to boost CX, Matthew Yates recommended, “Start by understanding the problems and opportunities, and identify where AI can best help.” He suggested beginning with quality assurance and compliance, as it offers a tangible ROI and is easy to understand the benefits of using AI to analyse 100% of calls rather than the 2-3% that are manually reviewed today.

Gormley stressed the importance of getting the customer experience right, citing statistics showing that customer satisfaction is starting to drop. He emphasised the need to identify the purpose of using AI, the use case it’s trying to solve, and the data that underpins the journey. Gormley advised, “Let’s take one journey at a time and iterate. Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”

Mindful Implementation for AI Success

As the webinar demonstrated, while AI is an exciting development in the contact centre industry, it is essential to approach its implementation mindfully. By debunking common myths and stereotypes surrounding AI, contact centre leaders can make informed decisions about how to best leverage this technology to enhance customer experience, improve efficiency, and remain compliant with industry regulations. The insights shared by Garry Gormley and Matthew Yates serve as valuable guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of AI in the contact centre industry.

Catch Up On-Demand

Interested to hear more AI truths? Watch the full discussion below.

To find out more about how MaxContact’s AI functionality can help your contact centre unlock hidden insights and boost efficiencies, book a demo with our team today.

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Industry Insights
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16/4/24
Three Bold Predictions for the Future of Customer Interactions in Contact Centres

At MaxContact’s ‘Afterwork’ community event, Jonty Pearce, the Founder of Call Centre Helper, shared his top three predictions for the future of the contact centre industry. While making predictions can be a bit daunting, especially in such a rapidly evolving field, Pearce believes that by examining past trends and current data, valuable insights can be gained into what lies ahead. However, he emphasises the importance of taking these predictions with a pinch of salt, as the future is always uncertain.

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Prediction 1 – Voice Will Remain the Primary Channel

Despite the growing popularity of digital channels, data shows that voice interactions have actually increased slightly over the past decade, currently accounting for 55% of inbound contact centre traffic.

While younger generations may prefer messaging and chat, the majority of customers still value the personal touch of a phone conversation. Pearce cautions contact centres not to neglect voice channels in favour of digital alternatives, as this can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among customers who prefer traditional methods of communication.

Prediction 2: AI Will Have a Profound, Long-term Impact

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already beginning to revolutionise the contact centre industry, but its impact will be felt gradually over time. In the short term, Pearce suggests that AI can be effectively leveraged for tasks such as speech analytics, after-call notes, and generating knowledge base articles.

However, he cautions against relying too heavily on AI-powered chatbots for customer interactions, as they are currently flagged by 36% of people as the channel most likely to deliver a poor outcome. As AI technology matures and becomes more accurate, its potential applications will expand, but this process will take time.

Watch the full talk from Jonty Pearce, Founder of Call Centre Helper:

Prediction 3: Customer Service Will Become the New Marketing

In the coming years, Pearce predicts that companies will begin to view customer service as a crucial investment rather than a mere cost centre. As customers grow increasingly frustrated with offshoring, chatbots, and the lack of voice support, businesses that prioritise exceptional customer service will gain a significant competitive advantage.

It’s well-established that retaining existing customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, and even a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% increase in profits. By focusing on customer lifetime value (LTV) and the long-term benefits of customer loyalty, contact centre leaders can make a compelling case for investing in superior service.

In conclusion, while the future of customer interactions in contact centres is sure to bring many changes and challenges, Pearce believes that by staying attuned to customer preferences, embracing AI judiciously, and prioritising service as a key differentiator, the industry can thrive in the years to come. He encourages contact centre professionals to examine the data, think critically about these predictions, and adapt their strategies accordingly, working together to shape a future in which exceptional customer service is not just a goal, but a reality.

MaxContact is proud to have hosted this insightful Afterwork event, providing a platform for industry leaders like Jonty Pearce to share their expertise and discuss the future of contact centres. By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, MaxContact aims to help contact centres create better experiences for their customers and drive success in the ever-evolving landscape. Join the MaxContact Community to be notified about similar future events.

Your Team
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16/4/24
Fostering Innovation in a Hybrid Working Environment: Insights from Industry Leaders

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The shift to hybrid working models has presented both challenges and opportunities for driving innovation in contact centres. In a webinar hosted by the Call Centre Management Association (CCMA), industry leaders gathered to share their experiences and insights on this topic. The panel featured Leigh Hopwood, CEO of CCMA, Louise Walsh, Chief Customer Contact Officer at Utilita, Nerys Corfield, industry-leading consultant, and Ben Booth, CEO of MaxContact. In this blog, we unpack the key points from the discussion.

Defining Innovation in the Contact Centre Context

The conversation began by defining innovation as the generation and implementation of new ideas that drive improvement. Panellists agreed that while the transition to hybrid working initially presented challenges, it has also opened up new possibilities for collaboration and creativity. Louise Walsh noted that engaging staff, whether in the office or working remotely, is key to fostering innovation. She emphasised the importance of giving everyone a voice and utilising remote technology to facilitate inclusive discussions.

Creating a Culture of Innovation

The panellists discussed the significance of having a clear purpose and aligned values to support innovation. Creating a culture that encourages experimentation, learning from failures, and celebrating successes is crucial. Ben Booth, CEO of MaxContact, highlighted the need for a safe working environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas without fear of being shut down. He stated, “You have to create the structure and initiatives to get it going. You need champions in each department that are also doing the same because it shouldn’t just come from you as a leader.”

Strategies for Driving Innovation in a Hybrid Setting

To drive innovation in a hybrid setting, the panellists recommended several strategies:

1. Establish feedback loops: Ensure that ideas from all levels of the organisation, especially frontline agents, are heard, considered, and acted upon. Provide regular updates on the progress of suggested improvements to maintain engagement and motivation.

2. Utilise collaborative tools: Leverage technology platforms like Teams and Zoom to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and idea sharing, regardless of location.

3. Implement structured innovation processes: Consider techniques such as hackathons, agile sprints, and continuous improvement teams to provide focus and momentum for innovation initiatives.

4. Foster effective communication: Maintain clear and consistent communication channels to keep everyone informed about ongoing projects, successes, and learnings. Regularly share updates through team briefs, open forums, and dedicated innovation channels.

5. Celebrate successes: Take time to recognise and celebrate the successful implementation of innovative ideas. This helps to reinforce a culture of innovation and encourages further participation.

The Role of Leadership in Fostering Innovation

The panellists emphasised the importance of leadership commitment and effort in driving innovation. Senior leaders must prioritise innovation, allocate resources, and actively participate in the process. They should model the desired behaviours and create an environment where experimentation and learning are valued. Ben Booth stressed the need for continued effort, saying, “Once you think you’ve got it, you have to double down and keep going. Because if you take your foot off the gas, it’s amazing how fast it actually stops.”

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities

While hybrid working presents challenges for fostering innovation, it also offers opportunities for greater inclusivity and diverse perspectives. Louise Walsh noted that remote technology has given everyone a voice, helping to bring people on a journey of innovation. By involving a diverse range of perspectives, contact centres can effectively identify areas for improvement and generate fresh ideas.

The Path to Hybrid Success

Fostering innovation in a hybrid working environment requires a deliberate and sustained effort from the entire organisation. By creating a culture of openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement, contact centres can harness the collective creativity of their teams to drive meaningful change and deliver exceptional customer experiences. As the industry navigates this new landscape, the insights shared by these leaders serve as valuable guidance for contact centres looking to thrive in the era of hybrid work.

Catch Up On-Demand

Looking for more hybrid working insights? Watch the full webinar discussion below.

Crafting Innovation with a Hybrid Working Leadership Team

To find out more about how MaxContact’s cloud-based platform can help your contact centre thrive in a hybrid world, book a demo with our team today.

Your Team
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10/4/24
Unlocking Contact Centre Excellence: Engagement in a Hybrid World

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As contact centre leaders navigate the ever-evolving landscape of customer service, it’s crucial to adapt to new challenges and embrace innovative strategies. At MaxContact’s ‘Afterwork’ community event, organisational psychologist Danny Wareham delivered a thought-provoking talk on unlocking contact centre excellence through engagement in a hybrid world.

Embracing the Hybrid Reality

Wareham emphasised that the hybrid work model is here to stay, and contact centres must adapt to this reality. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of employees have changed roles due to a lack of flexible working options. Ignoring this shift or attempting to revert to pre-pandemic norms could lead to disengaged employees and high turnover rates.

Trust and Social Capital in Remote Work

One of the key challenges in a hybrid environment is maintaining trust and social capital among team members. Physical distance can affect trust, as people are more likely to trust those in close proximity. However, Wareham argues that culture and engagement are not solely dependent on physical presence. By fostering a strong sense of purpose, clear communication, and inclusive practices, contact centres can build trust and social capital in a hybrid setting.

Watch the full talk from Danny Wareham:

The Importance of Vision and Clarity

In a hybrid world, where context and nuance can be lost in virtual interactions, it is paramount for contact centres to have a clear vision and purpose. Employees need to understand why the organisation exists, where it is heading, and how they contribute to its success. This vision should be woven into every aspect of the organisation, communicated frequently, and translated into actionable goals for each team member.

Reinventing the Future of Work

Wareham encourages contact centre leaders to reimagine the future of work rather than simply replicating old practices in a virtual environment. He cites examples of companies like Automattic and SF Recruitment, which have successfully adapted their processes to align with their core values and objectives. By rethinking talent acquisition, job descriptions, and succession planning, contact centres can tap into the full potential of their employees and create a more agile, collaborative workforce.

Creating a Shared Future

To create a shared future in a hybrid contact centre, Wareham suggests focusing on three key areas: recognition, technology, and education. Recognising behaviours that align with the organisation’s vision, rather than solely focusing on results, can encourage employees to adopt the right mindset. Leveraging technology as an enabler, rather than a mere substitute for in-person interactions, can unlock new possibilities for collaboration and engagement. Finally, prioritising education over training can help employees develop a broader understanding of their role and contribute to the organisation’s success in innovative ways.

Embracing the Opportunities of Hybrid Work

As contact centre leaders navigate the challenges of a hybrid world, it is essential to embrace the opportunities that come with it. By fostering a strong sense of purpose, adapting processes to align with core values, and empowering employees to contribute their full range of skills, contact centres can unlock excellence and create a thriving, engaged workforce.

To hear more insights on hybrid working and similar topics relating to the contact centre, join the MaxContact Community to be notified about similar future events.

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