|
In business, communication matters. Marketing researchers have moved from what they call 'transaction-oriented models' of service provider - customer interaction, to one that focuses on relationships (Gronroos, 1993). The nature of the communication sets up a temporary relationship that leaves the customer with an impression of the quality of the service, which impacts directly on whether they will buy, and crucially, whether or not brand loyalty is established (Keaveney, 1995).
|
|
If the customer is to leave with a sense of having been served well, communication must be clear, and any transactions effected swiftly. But there is a tension between effectiveness and personalization. This is where training and assessment come in - to ensure that the call centre staff are maximizing the key element of 'rapport' between the operator and the customer (Gremler and Gwinner, 2000).
|
|
It is essential that accents and prounciation do not impact upon intelligibility, grammar is accurate, and questioning clear. Culturally appropriate talk is necessary to build rapport when necessary. On the right is a link to a video produced by Journeyman Pictures on YouTube. It is 15 minutes in length and explains the massive growth in outsourced call centre activity, its value to the global economy, and the lengths that people to go to ensure that call centre operators can communicate effectively with customers.
|
|
|
Miscommunication in this context quickly leads to customer frustration, and the telephone being slammed down in exasperation. This is especially the case when we feel that the person we're talking too is probably in another country and doesn't possess the local knowledge they need to process our enquiry.
|
|
|
This is a spoof video that packs many of the things that can go wrong into a very short sketch. The customer gets very heated, and the operator just doesn't have the language or pragmatic skills to deal with the situation. Questioning technique is poor, and the operator talks too much, not really listening to the customer's problem. Employers wish to hire staff who can build up customer loyalty to their brand. Putting appropriate assessment procedures in place therefore helps to achieve a company's strategic goals.
|
For Discussion
- What would be the main advantages to employers in testing the communication skills of call centre operators?
- Make a list of the kinds of miscommunication that can occur in telephone-based service encounters.
- What might you wish to assess, if you were asked to create a test for use to recruit staff to a call centre?
- Look at the tests of call centre communication (links below). What are the key features of these tests? What evidence is presented to suggest that a particular test is useful for the intended decision?
- Look at the links on the right side of this web page. Choose one that looks interesting to you. What issues does it raise for the training and testing of call centre personnel?
- Open your favourite search engine and type in 'call centre training courses'. Select one course. Who is the course targetted at? Do you think it would meet their needs? If the learners are assessed, how are they assessed?
|
|
Latest Call Centre Links
Call Center Employment Testing- Buyer's Guide - Call Center Times
16 May, 2012
Call Center Employment Testing Buyers Guide Call Center Times ... Call Center Employment Testing On-Demand Call Center Software Language Proficiency Assessments
How to Improve Call Center English | eHow.com
16 May, 2012
Assess the communication needs of employees at your call center by testing their proficiency in English. English Language Testing System (ELTS) assessments for employees ...
Call Center Testing
16 May, 2012
Employee Skills Testing; Aptitude Testing; Call Center Testing; English Language Testing ... Pre-Employment Call Center Tests Testing solutions to help you ...
Call Center Tests - Walden Testing
16 May, 2012
Back to Sales & Related Tests. Purpose. To evaluate the capability and aptitude of an individual required for a position in a call center. General Description
Call Center Agent Training
15 May, 2012
Take the best route to being a call center agent.Finishing Course for Call Center ... Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates
Language Service Solutions for Call-Centers
15 May, 2012
Multilingual call center language services from the market leader in corporate language testing, translation and training.
Sensei: Spoken language assessment for call center agents
15 May, 2012
Abstract. In this paper, we present a system, called Sensei, for assessment of spoken English skills of call center agents. Sensei evaluates multiple parameters of ...
New York English Language Proficiency Center | Language ...
15 May, 2012
We also specializes in computer assisted language learning, using ... SYSTEM (IELTS) exam, for Passing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam and Call Center ...
Pearson - Solutions - Call Centers - Solutions Overview
13 May, 2012
Because spoken and written communication skills are critical for agents to perform ... Versant enables call center and ... Identify agents with acceptable language levels ...
|
