The central question is whether business automation technologies are creating experiences that enable companies to better serve and anticipate the needs of their customers, establish human connections, and create stronger customer relationships. 82% of survey respondents agree that organisations need to focus on increasing the humanity of customer interactions and adding greater “personal touch.” However, only four in ten respondents (41% global; 35% UK) view the way their organisation is using automation as helpful “to a great extent” in forming stronger customer relationships.
The survey results show that:
Business automation technologies should do more than accelerate work and reduce manual errors. They should provide contextual information and process flexibility so an organisation and its employees can foster strong customer relationships that engender brand loyalty. When respondents were asked to identify the keys to deploying technologies that create positive human experiences, the most-cited responses were:
Off-the-Shelf Not Ideal for Personalisation
The data also shows that commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software applications don't provide the needed flexibility to adapt to customer issues on the fly. 85% global: 91% UK respondents indicated their organisation has experienced one or more negative impacts from the use of COTS software, such as added complexity and lack of flexibility.
Chatbots and Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Two-thirds (66% global and UK) of respondents’ organisations are currently using a chatbot to communicate with customers, and an additional 23% (global and UK) plan to use one. However, fewer than half (42% global; 35% UK) of organisations currently using a chatbot report seeing customer satisfaction increase “to a great extent.”
While chatbots have increased in commonality so have interactive voice responses - with mixed reviews. More than 8 in 10 respondents (85% global; 89% UK) have had a negative personal experience with IVR, with respondents pointing to a “cold and impersonal experience” (43% global and UK) and “difficulty reaching a human” (43% global; 44% UK) as top issues.
“To create deeper customer relationships, employees need automation technologies that are integrated, provide all the data they need, and are faster to change,” said Matt Calkins, CEO of Appian.