The modern customer journey involves interwoven touchpoints, and a thorough understanding is essential to win customer loyalty and drive sustainable revenue growth. A Gartner survey reveals that 80% of businesses expect to compete mainly based on customer experience (CX). While many enterprises strive to deliver superior CX, few truly manage to crack the code. Exceptional CX takes more than surface-level improvements and siloed strategies. It demands weaving customer-centricity into the fabric of your business and a complete shift in your CX approach.
Customer experience transformation is a comprehensive, holistic approach that ensures consistent, positive experiences and a frictionless buying journey. It involves a complete overhaul of the CX strategy with an emphasis on putting customers first. Businesses seeking CX transformation must take a proactive approach instead of waiting for things to fall apart before taking action.
Anticipating customer needs and identifying potential roadblocks is critical to prevent frustrations and ensure customer satisfaction. Enterprise communication plays a pivotal role in ensuring contextual exchanges that elevate the overall customer experience. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 90% of enterprises will use Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for CX and engagement. With customers nowadays engaging with brands on multiple channels, CPaaS unifies disconnected communication channels, enhancing omnichannel engagement and improving customer satisfaction. Thus, enterprise communication helps transform CX by streamlining workflows, optimising support processes, and refining marketing strategies.
Customers no longer want to put up with disjointed buying journeys, irrelevant communication, and unreliable customer service. Here are a few ways enterprise communication facilitates CX transformation.
Customers don’t enjoy being put on hold or having to wait for answers. They expect real-time responses, convenient interactions, and seamless communication. Businesses that provide diverse communication options, including rich messaging, OTT (Over The Top) platforms such as WhatsApp, and emerging channels such as video, offer unparalleled convenience and prompt responses. They meet customers where they are and address their needs immediately for a smooth experience. Customers are 2.4 times more likely to stay with a business that resolves their issues quickly, according to Forrester.
For example, a customer who wants to know about a product or service can simply send a message to the business instead of navigating multiple website pages or complex menus. They receive a personalised response instantly, enhancing engagement and boosting loyalty.
Harnessing the power of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps maximise the potential of customer interactions. You can leverage data such as preferences and behavioural insights to deliver highly personalised messaging experiences that resonate with customers.
AI-powered chatbots and conversational channels have taken personalisation to the next level. Moreover, technological advancements have enabled businesses to provide tailored recommendations to enhance engagement and offer customised support to reduce drop-offs due to friction in the buying journey. Conversational AI platforms can learn and adapt over time, making continuous improvements for CX transformation. 42% of AI decision-makers considered improving the hyper-personalisation of customer experience as a top use case, according to Forrester. With omnichannel platforms, customers can switch channels, carrying their context and preferences with them, ensuring a cohesive experience at every touchpoint.
Modern communication channels are redefining the delivery of customer service, offering a more user-friendly approach to addressing inquiries and resolving issues. Traditional service channels such as email and phone lines are often associated with long wait times, fragmented communication, and a lack of personalisation. According to a Microsoft report, 68% of customers say that sending proactive customer service notifications improves brand perception.
Conversational messaging opens the door to meaningful dialogue with customers, allowing businesses to forge deeper connections in an increasingly digital world. By embracing authentic, two-way communication, companies can strengthen customer relationships.
Moreover, providing timely notifications such as order updates and payment reminders reduces the need for reactive support. With enterprise business messaging, customers can initiate conversations, share media and documents, and get real-time assistance from support agents or chatbots. AI chatbots can provide 24/7 support and automate responses, improving operational efficiency, reducing response times, and increasing agent productivity.
Embedding business messaging into marketing and sales strategies opens up opportunities to nurture leads, encourage conversions, and ensure customer retention.
Personalised offers, exclusive discounts, and targeted campaigns can be delivered directly to customers’ inboxes, increasing reach and engagement. Moreover, businesses can collect valuable customer feedback, gather insights, and understand preferences. Conversational engagement platforms enable businesses to make informed decisions and refine their offerings to meet evolving customer needs.
Moreover, the integration of enterprise communication solutions with other business solutions, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, payment gateways, and marketing automation platforms, enables frictionless transactions. Customers can browse, select, and buy products or services directly within the messaging interface, creating a convenient shopping experience that drives conversions and boosts revenues.
Crafting an enterprise communication strategy that considers customer preferences, data analysis, technology infrastructure, and operational procedures helps make your CX strategy future-ready. Customers nowadays interact with businesses across thirteen different channels, many of which remain disconnected. Investing in CPaaS platforms, cloud communication technologies, APIs, and supporting tools ensures seamless implementation alongside existing systems and workflows.
Moreover, adopting a customer-centric culture is critical. Employees across departments must be equipped with the necessary tools and skills to leverage business messaging effectively. A holistic view of the customer journey and access to real-time and accurate data enables employees to ensure delightful experiences at all times.
To ensure continuous improvement, prioritise monitoring and analysis of business messaging initiatives. Customer feedback and data insights allow businesses to identify areas for improvement, optimise their strategies, and cater to evolving customer expectations.