messaging

By now, you have likely heard how beneficial online chatbots can be. They can help reduce contact center costs by addressing common inquiries and needs, and gathering information to direct messages to the right live agent when necessary. When service agents’ time is freed up from having to ask the same mundane questions over and…

During the height of the pandemic, a lot of our favorite things were put on hold. Vacations. Gatherings with family and friends. And our favorite in-person industry events like Dreamforce.  Sure, Dreamforce, one of the largest (and arguably the best) tech conferences in the world never really went away. In the past couple of years,…

Consumers have an abundance of choices – whether they’re shopping for a sofa, a holiday gift for a loved one, a bank, a vacation, or just about anything in between. That means you’re likely facing more competition than ever before. Offering great products and services is essential, but it’s no longer enough to win the…

Consumer behavior is always evolving. But the events of the past couple years have accelerated that evolution. Of course, we’ve seen a large (and well-reported) shift in where consumers browse and buy products. According to eMarketer, retail eCommerce grew a staggering 32.4% in 2020. And by 2025, eCommerce is expected to account for nearly a…

One of the first topics covered in just about any introductory business class is the sales funnel and the stages within it. In other words, the steps a consumer goes through when making a purchase.  Though there are many variations of the sales funnel out there, a simple one (that’s relevant to B2C brands) might…

At this year’s Shoptalk, the topic of new channels was one that came up time and again. There were sessions focused on it, as well as conversations at networking events and the expo hall.  Clearly, it’s a topic that’s top of mind for brands and retailers. In fact, 75% of Shoptalk attendees said that new…

Consumers have certain, basic expectations when it comes to customer service. That’s nothing new. For example, most have always expected friendly agents and quick resolutions to their issues. But these days, consumers have higher standards than ever before. Per Salesforce’s State of the Connected Customer, over half of consumers say the crises of the past two…

Engaging in authentic conversations has always been an effective way to sell across all industries.  Consider a consumer walking into a brick-and-mortar store, searching for new skincare products. They’re greeted by a sales associate, who strikes up a conversation to learn more about the consumer’s lifestyle and needs. After building rapport, the consumer trusts the…

Walking into a brick-and-mortar store and speaking with a sales or customer service associate or picking up the phone and dialing an 800 number were once the primary ways consumers communicated with brands and got pre- and post-sale service. But that’s no longer the case. Today, consumers seek out service via a variety of different…