
How CSPs Can Embrace Non-Digital Interactions for Better CX

In this digital age, many telecommunications companies encourage customers to adopt digital processes such as paperless billing, automated payments and digital self-service. After all, automated interactions increase efficiency, saving time and money. But when digital domination leaves no offline alternative, it jeopardizes customer experience (CX) for consumers who prefer non-digital interactions.
A review of usage data from CSG solutions revealed that a surprising number of customers prefer manual processes such as paper billing statements, check payments and voice-based customer service. To enhance CX, telecommunications brands must deliver exceptional analog as well as digital experiences. In this blog post, learn how communications service providers (CSPs) can find a balance between the physical and virtual domains to provide better CX for customers of all preferences.
Human Touch Still Matters in the Digital World
While many consumers embrace digital technology, others prefer print documents, human interaction and shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. They want physical experiences—like holding that smartphone to see whether the screen is big enough before they buy it, or asking a sales associate a question face-to-face about a product.
One CSG survey of 1,000 consumers in the U.S., UK and Australia found that, across industries:
26% of respondents preferred getting paper statements in the mail to setting up online automated bill payment. That’s 1 in 4 people!
36% would rather wait on hold to speak to a human agent when they have a problem than use an AI-powered virtual assistant app.
Combine High-Tech and High-Touch
To deliver outstanding CX, businesses must balance digital and non-digital interactions and experiences . This requires a two-pronged approach:
Migrate more customers toward digital channels that reduce costs
Maintain and improve the quality of traditional experiences (such as printed communications and live agent interactions) to retain customers who prefer them
Digital and analog communications are not mutually exclusive—CSPs don’t need to pick one or the other. Inviting technology into non-digital interactions can enhance the paper billing experience, live agent interactions and troubleshooting, creating better experiences.
