Don't Let AI Tank Your Customer Relationships

AI is a game-changer, there's no doubt about it. From the value your business gets from streamlining operations to its powerful information retrieval, it’s changed, in a very short amount of time, how knowledge-based businesses operate. If you're thinking of handing over your entire customer support operation to an AI, however, you need to pump the brakes a bit. While AI offers incredible efficiencies, completely removing the human element could be a problem for your business.

Think about your own experiences. By now, we've all been in a situation where we are having a problem and are stuck in an endless loop with a chatbot that just doesn't understand or have the ability to find a solution to our nuanced problem. Nothing is quite as frustrating as being repeatedly met with canned responses that miss the mark entirely. It's irritating, impersonal, and ultimately, can be damaging to securing returns or recurring business.

Why It’s Important to Keep Humans in Your Support Loop

We know about the value brought by using AI-fueled tools. They are much more cost-effective, can handle a lot more information much faster, and overall are a good fit in the support roles of your business. Just like employees, however, AI can screw up, royally. 

The Human Touch is Irreplaceable

There are some things AI just can't replicate. Empathy is the big one. The ability to measure situations and understand context beyond keywords is essential for proper employee support. These are uniquely human traits and sometimes customers need to feel heard and understood, especially when under stress. An experienced and well-trained person can handle the more adverse situations much better.

When Things Go Wrong, You Need a Human

Let's face it, technology isn't perfect. When an AI system misinterprets a request, provides incorrect information, or simply can't resolve an issue, customers want a human to step in. Having a clear plan for the escalation of requests is crucial for resolving problems.

Building Loyalty Requires Connection

Strong customer relationships are built on trust. Part of building that trust is being available. While AI can handle transactional queries extremely efficiently, it's the personalized interactions that truly bring loyalty. These moments often require human communication, judgment, and initiative.

So, what's the solution? It's not about ditching AI, but rather integrating it strategically.

AI excels at handling repetitive tasks, answering frequently asked questions, and providing instant access to information. It’s actually amazing that it learns along the way. That’s why it can be a fantastic resource to handle the bulk of your first line of support.  If your human support workers have the freedom to tackle more complex and sensitive situations, you have your whole product support covered. Customers appreciate that.

There’s no question that AI is an incredible tool, but it’s not a set-it and forget-it tool for your product and service support. We can help you get the most of your AI. If you are looking to leverage AI and do it in a way that works best for your business, give the IT professionals at Horne & Benik a call today at (603) 499-4400.