BASKING RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - February 21, 2011) - The prolific growth of smart-phones and self-service websites has done little to diminish our desire to speak to a real person in a contact center, according to a new survey conducted by BT and Avaya. But as consumer queries become more complicated, many organizations are struggling to keep up with the new demands placed on their staff.
The research, The Autonomous Customer, shows that an overwhelming 90 percent of smart-phone owners still expect to use contact centers in the future. Meanwhile, more than half (56 percent) of those surveyed think the subjects of their calls are becoming more complicated as the vast majority (81 percent) of them do their initial engagement with organizations online.
With the recent explosion in communication channels available for people to contact companies, almost two thirds (60 percent) of the people surveyed admitted they constantly change the ones they use. However, given that wealth of choice, even the most connected generation of consumers see a call as the most obvious way of resolving an issue, particularly when it comes to complex queries.
When it comes to managing these queries many organizations are still falling short of the mark. Despite a massive 86 percent of consumers saying a good experience on the phone will make them more loyal, more than two thirds (69 percent) said they felt that agents try to rush their calls to an early conclusion. Worse still, an astonishing 90 percent of high-earning consumers(1) said they were subjected to suggestions that they might be better off trying the website.
Andrew Small, global head of customer relationship management, BT Global Services, said: "For many consumers, calling the contact center is the favored way to resolve the most complicated queries. The vast majority of people have used the Internet to do their own research first, so by the time they pick up the phone, the organization they're calling is either close to a sale or close to a fail.
"This survey shows how vital it is for contact centers to have a pool of highly-trained agents who are capable of solving complex issues. By connecting these agents with the latest social media and unified communications tools, contact centers can share their knowledge across multiple sites -- including homeworkers -- to create 'networked experts' who are much more able to satisfy inquiries from increasingly demanding customers."
Supporting those arguments about convenience, the survey showed that a massive 83 percent of people tend to buy more from companies that make things easier; while 44 percent said convenience was more important than price. Perhaps not surprisingly, three quarters (76 percent) of consumers said a free phone number would go down very well indeed.
Gary Bennett, BT account director, Avaya, says the research is in line with what Avaya customers most frequently require from a technology provider.
"Consumers expect resolution to simple tasks often without the need for two-way communication -- a self-service approach," he said. "But when there is a critical element to the contact -- the 'sale or fail' scenarios -- the customer's choice of communications channel is critical, and companies have to be ready to communicate with their customers via any channel they choose. This requires more complex communications systems, but by adopting a multi-channel communications strategy, organizations can easily tap relevant experts and bring them into complex queries. The result is that customers get agents who truly see their entire picture, and can respond to them in the manner they've chosen. That's true customer service."
The survey also highlighted the importance of consistency and flexibility across different communication channels with 60 percent of respondents liking the idea of speaking to exactly the same agent by email and telephone. Technology clearly has a key role to play, and 74 percent were irritated at having to repeat identity details when they had already keyed them in, whereas almost half (48 percent) liked the idea of using speech recognition to identify them by their voice.
Enquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Notes to Editors
The survey was conducted by Davies Hickman Partners Ltd on behalf of BT and Avaya. It was undertaken between 1-15 October 2010. The total sample size was 1,000 consumers -- 500 in the US and 500 in the UK -- and the survey was carried out online.
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2010, BT Group's revenue was £20,911 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, data solutions, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should" or "will" or other similar terminology. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to Avaya's filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. Avaya disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
(1) UK consumers earning over £100k
DC11-029
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jvarman@comcast.net