Advice from a Call Center Geek is a weekly podcast with a focus on all things call center and contact center. Tom Laird, CEO of 600+ seat award-winning BPO, Expivia Interaction Marketing and Ai auto QA startup OttoQa, ICMI Top 25 Contact Center thought leader discusses topics such as call center operations, hiring, culture, technology, and training while having fun doing it!
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Unmasking False Hustle: Revolutionizing Customer Experience
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Send us a text Join me for an exciting episode where I take a deep dive into the heart of my latest book, False Hustle. Many contact centers and CX leaders are unknowingly sabotaging their own success by focusing on misguided efforts to appear productive. In this episode, I’ll be sharing insights on how to break the cycle of false hustle and transf…
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Calming Irate Customer Interactions: 5 Proven Techniques
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Send us a text In this episode of "Advice from a Call Center Geek," we dive into the challenging world of dealing with angry customers. Discover five powerful, actionable techniques that can transform heated interactions into opportunities for building customer loyalty. Perfect for contact center managers and agents alike, this episode covers: The …
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What Technology does a World Class 2024 Contact Center Have?
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Send us a text Did you ever ask yourself what the high-end contact centers are doing differently? In this ACGpodcast, we dive deep into the cutting-edge technologies that set elite customer service operations apart from the rest. This is how we are developing our strategic plan for Expivia. From AI-powered chatbots to advanced analytics, we explore…
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Adapting to the Future of Contact Center Outsourcing- Lessons Learned for All
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Send us a text The contact center industry is evolving, and with that evolution, contact centers of all types are starting to learn valuable lessons. In this episode, we'll dive into how the BPO landscape is changing, what these changes mean for customers, and the latest AI tools you should be asking for in your outsourcing RFPs. Don’t let the titl…
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Everything We Learned from Starting An AI CX Company - OttoQa
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Send us a text Join us as we dive into the journey of founding and growing OttoQa, a cutting-edge AI-powered Customer Experience (CX) company. In this episode, we'll share our firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and the challenges we faced in building a fully automated QA platform. Discover the strategies and insights that helped us innovate in…
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Mastering QA: Crafting the Perfect Contact Center Quality Assurance Forms
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Send us a text What if you could transform your call center’s efficiency and agent performance overnight? This episode guarantees you’ll walk away with actionable insights on crafting the ultimate QA forms for both voice and chat channels. We’ll guide you on defining the crucial goals for your QA forms, such as enhancing agent performance, ensuring…
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How You Can QA Contact Center Calls Using ChatGPT (Desktop)
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Send us a text In this ACG episode, we dive into the transformative impact of AI on customer service QA. Hosted by Tom Laird, the CEO of Expivia Interaction Marketing Group and OttoQa, this session explores how ChatGPT and Claude 3 enhance call analysis and agent performance monitoring. Discover effective system prompting and its role in refining q…
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Exposed: The Unvarnished Truth About AI Deployment in Contact Centers
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Send us a text Are you overwhelmed by the relentless push to overhaul your contact center with AI? Let's clear the air about the real impact of AI in this industry. My recent talks reveal a surprising fact: many companies are not rushing into AI as believed. In reality, few have a detailed plan or have started implementation. Join me in a practical…
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Will Auto QA Platforms End the Era of Traditional CX Analytics?
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Send us a text Tune into our latest ACG podcast episode, "Will Auto QA Platforms End the Era of Traditional CX Analytics?" where we dive into the world of customer experience analytics. We’ll explore and compare the tools and techniques behind both Auto QA platforms and traditional analytics methods. This friendly chat is packed with insights about…
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Tips to Disrupt your Service Desk with Technology and Tactics
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Send us a text Join Tom in this insightful podcast episode recorded at the HDI Philly event held at Princeton University. Delve into groundbreaking strategies and cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to revolutionize your service desk operations. Drawing from his leadership at Expivia, where he expanded the team to over 600 professionals, and h…
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Unlocking the Power of Prompts: Enhancing CX QA with Proven Strategies
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Send us a text Dive into the transformative journey of OttoQa, where we've uncovered the profound impact of prompts in elevating customer experience (CX) quality assurance (QA) processes. This podcast (taken from a Linkedin Live Event) brings the insights and methodologies from our extensive experience directly to you, focusing on the art and scien…
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Creating an AI Roadmap for Your Contact Center from the Ground Up!
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Send us a text This podcast is based on the presentation I delivered in Miami at the "CX Under the Sun Event" to more than 100 CX professionals who are just beginning their journey with CX AI transformation. During the presentation, I share my views on what is considered "real" regarding AI in the current market, what to be cautious about, and how …
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2024 CX, AI, and Contact Center Predictions
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Send us a text As we step into 2024, the realms of Customer Experience (CX), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and contact centers are poised at the brink of transformative change. Let's explore the exciting, realistic predictions that are shaping the future of these industries. These are part prediction and part wish list for what I would like 2024 to…
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Inside the Contact Center Evolution: Insights from John Coulter of Five Star Call Centers
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Send us a text Join me, Tom Laird, and John Coulter from Five Star Call Centers, as we journey into a conversation on "Advice from a Call Center Geek." 🔍 Key Highlights: 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸: What does the horizon look like for contact centers in the next two years? We're discussing trends, challenges, and opportunities that await! 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 & 𝗥𝗢𝗜: W…
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Send us a text This podcast episode of "Advice from a Call Center Geek", titled "AI Tools in CX: The Truth about ROI," delves into the practical aspects and return on investment (ROI) of AI technologies in the context of contact centers. It critically examines various AI tools like large language model chatbots, analytics, agent assist, and auto qu…
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Navigating the Technology Maze for Small Contact Centers: A Practical Guide
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Send us a text Welcome back to "Advice from a Call Center Geek," the podcast dedicated to enhancing your contact center operations! In today's episode, we dive into the often confusing world of technology for small contact centers. With the holiday season approaching and AI becoming a buzzword, we aim to clarify and simplify your tech choices. Key …
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Contact Center Management, Hiring, Ratios and More- Effective Contact Center Management
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Send us a text In this episode of "Advice from a Call Center Geek," we jump into expert tips for setting up a successful contact center, drawing from our experiences at Expivia. Learn about optimal team structures, effective management ratios, and strategies that foster efficiency and customer satisfaction. This episode is a treasure trove for anyo…
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Send us a text In this episode of "Advice from a Call Center Geek," we dive into a topic that's known for stirring up plenty of debates and strong feelings: CcaaS platforms. I'm eager to offer my perspective on what's happening in the world of these providers right now. We'll explore the various aspects that make this topic so controversial and why…
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The AI Transformation: A New Era for Business Process Outsourcing
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Send us a text Imagine navigating the rapid changes in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How do BPOs need to adapt and evolve to stay competitive in this AI-driven landscape? That's what we're discussing in this enlightening episode, drawing insights from a seminar at the Google campus an…
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Linkedin AMA Episode: Implementing AI into Your Contact Center Wisely- What To Do First
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Send us a text This episode is less theory and more "What you need to do!" This audio recording is from the LinkedIn Audio Event we hosted on Friday, November 3, 2023. It's an in-depth discussion that covers all the preliminary steps you should consider before embarking on your journey into Artificial Intelligence. We also explore the various tools…
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"The Room Where it Happened" Special Episode!- Navigating the Future of Customer Service
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Send us a text 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙩 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙" NICE's remarkable team flew Tom to New Jersey at the White Eagle Hall, to step into "The Room Where It Happened," their exclusive video series that casts a spotlight on the pulse and prospects of Customer Experience (CX). There, Tom's own audio narrative brought to life what we regard as one of our most co…
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Rethinking Contact Center Outsourcing (BPO) in the Age of AI
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Send us a text In this episode of Advice from a Call Center Geek, we take you into the keynote speech that Tom gave at the Google Complex in Boulder Colorado to a group of contact center outsourcing company leaders which was sponsored by NICE, Google, and Outsource Consultants. We've transitioned Expivia from just being a "contact center outsourcer…
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A Deep Dive into the World of AI & Human Interaction with Deepdesk CEO Robbert Dijkstra
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Send us a text Ready for a peek into the AI-driven future of contact centers? Dive in with our special guest, Robbert Dijkstra of Deepdesk. Discover how AI transforms both the agent and customer experience in digital mediums like chat. Robbert shares how automation not only boosts productivity but also reduces repetitive tasks for agents. Grasp the…
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The Power Merge: Analyzing Nice's Game-Changing Purchase of LiveVox
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Send us a text Here is a quick min-pod on some initial thoughts on the 350 million dollar purchase of LiveVox by NICE. This is essentially a union of two firms where one's strengths balance out the other's limitations. The Cxone Dialer is mediocre, and certainly not a standout in the industry, whereas CXone continues to be the industry front-runner…
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Evolution of Contact Centers: Modern Strategies for Managing PR and Recall Crises
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Send us a text Ready to transform crisis into opportunity? In this episode, we promise to arm you with practical strategies and cutting-edge tools to navigate the choppy waters of crisis management in contact centers. We use our insights and experiences to illuminate the potential of modern Customer Experience tools to mitigate such crises. With ou…
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10 ChatGPT Prompts to Fully Automate Your Contact Center QA
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Send us a text Ready to unlock the secrets of automated QA in your contact center? This episode is brimming with insights about using chatGPT to revolutionize your QA, promising to transform how you approach your work. We walk side by side with you, through the labyrinth of user accounts and databases, right up to crafting prompts for a form from a…
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Under 50 Seats and Using Spreadsheets for QA- MUST LISTEN
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Send us a text Dive into our mini podcast on our new value add OttoQA! Discover how we're reshaping the landscape of QA for call centers with fewer than 50 agents. Say goodbye to spreadsheet hassles and embrace AI-driven efficiency. Plus, find out how you can become an integral part of our journey as an Alpha and Beta partner. Don't miss this quick…
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Best ChatGPT Prompts to Improve Your Contact Center!
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Send us a text In "Revolutionizing Call Centers with ChatGPT Prompts," we unveil the power of AI in redefining call center operations. This episode is a goldmine for managers and supervisors, as we share the best prompts to optimize and streamline your operations. Dive deep with us into the crux of Overall Operations to decipher key performance met…
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QA/AI Showdown: Chris Mounce from Evaluagent & Tom Laird Unmask AI's Reality in QA
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Send us a text Episode 200! Dive into the evolving landscape of AI in the contact center QA space with our next Advice from a Call Center Geek podcast! Chris Mounce of EvaluAgent® returns to go head-to-head with our host Tom Laird in a riveting debate. Can AI truly automate scorecards, or are we still testing the waters? How do we ensure quality in…
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CX Rockstar and Influencer James Dodkins Joins ACG for an LIVE AMA!
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Send us a text Envision a reality where Artificial Intelligence (AI) commandeers your customer service. Consider AI not merely conducting routine transactions but also enhancing intricate and emotionally nuanced dialogues with your customers. Is this a far-off dream or a prevailing reality? We dive into this and much more in our recent "Advice from…
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How to Automate Your Contact Center QA with Ai!
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Send us a text Ever wondered how your contact center could save significant costs while keeping up with the QA process? Brace yourself for an enlightening discussion and AMA where we unravel the potential of AI in transforming Quality Assurance in your contact center. We'll take you through our early journey of automating QA processes, sharing our …
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Transforming Your Contact Center: Effective Strategies for Cultural Change
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Send us a text You are just a click away from transforming your contact center from a drab workspace to a vibrant one; come join me, Tom Laird, as we revolutionize your call center experience. I promise to share the secrets to creating a positive and effort-driven culture, where attitude and effort outweigh resumes. I'm excited to share insights fr…
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The Evolution of AI in Reshaping the Contact Center Tools of Today
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Send us a text Imagine having the power to reshape customer experience in your call center with artificial intelligence. What if you could emulate the behaviour of your most effective agents, optimize IVR, manage workforces, and even facilitate self-service with AI? Get ready to explore how AI is transforming the world of customer service, as we de…
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Decoding the Call Center Menu: A Tasty Guide to Metrics and KPIs- Must Listen for all New Contact Center Managers!
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Send us a text Ever wondered how the hustle and bustle of your favorite restaurant correlates with the operations of a call center? Picture yourself at a bustling eatery as we break down the ins and outs of call center metrics in relatable terms. We’ll be interpreting essential terms like incoming calls, cue calls, and abandoned calls in an easy-to…
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Elevating Call Center Performance: Top Coaching Methods and Techniques for Agent Success
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Send us a text Are you struggling with coaching your call center agents effectively? Join us as we explore five popular coaching methods and share personal experiences on how to structure agent coaching sessions for maximum results. With insights on the GROW method, the Oscar method, and more, you'll learn how to help your agents take control of th…
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Ask Me Anything (AMA) LinkedIn Audio Event: Analytics, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Routing, Best Practices, and Transitioning to the Cloud
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Send us a text This episode of ACG was taken from the Linkedin Live Audio Even that we did with followers on June 13, 2023. Some of the topics brought up were: What is the internal lift to implement tools like speech analytics? Plusses and minuses of moving to the cloud? What ratios should contact center management be? What are some of the best pra…
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NICE Interaction 2023 Talk- 10 Ways to Disrupt your Contact Center using Technology and Tactics
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Send us a text Ready for a game-changing episode that will skyrocket your contact center's customer experience? Join us as we unveil 10 tips on maximizing your platform, from leveraging analytics to engaging your employees in creative ways. Discover the power of using an effort multiplier to incentivize attendance and workforce intelligence to keep…
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10 Tips to Disrupt Your Contact Center With Technology and Tactics
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Send us a text Hubie Brown is a renowned basketball coach known for his impactful strategies and insight. When I attended one of his clinics, the title was "Cool Things I Want to Talk About to Help You With Your Teams." It featured 10 random, yet valuable, pieces of advice to improve a team's performance. As I prepare my live talks for this spring …
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Thoughts and Take Aways from the Call and Contact Center Expo: What is Real as it Relates to AI?
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Send us a text Join us in this episode as we reflect on our learnings from the Call and Contact Center Expo. We delve into the realities of AI in the contact center industry, discussing key trends, innovations, and insights from my conversations with industry leaders and companies. We explore what's genuinely feasible with AI, the challenges in ado…
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Elevating Contact Center QA with EvaluAgent: Effective Scorecards & Expert Coaching Insights featuring QA Pro Chris Mounce
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Send us a text In this episode of Advice from a Call Center Geek, we dive deep into the world of contact center quality assurance with QA expert, Chris Mounce from EvaluAgent. Together, we explore the crucial do's and don'ts of designing effective contact center scorecards, offering valuable insights on the development of comprehensive and meaningf…
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Unlocking Social Media Success: Tips for B2B Sales & Personal Branding in Business and in the Contact Center World
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Send us a text In this episode of Advice from a Call Center Geek, I share my insights and experiences on harnessing the power of TikTok and other social media platforms to boost B2B sales and personal branding within the call center and contact center industry. Drawing from my personal journey and learnings, I discuss proven strategies, valuable ti…
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Deconstructing the "Wow" Experience: Redefining Excellence in Contact Centers
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Send us a text Unravel the mystery behind the "wow" factor in contact center customer service in our Advice from a Call Center Geek Episode, " Deconstructing the "Wow" Experience: Defining Excellence in Contact Centers." We'll discuss the pitfalls of "false hustle" and the significance of authentic communication, empathy, and active listening in bu…
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Beyond Chatbots: Unlocking ChatGPT's Power in Contact Centers
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Send us a text In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we venture beyond the traditional perception of AI and ChatGPT as mere chatbot tools, revealing their true potential to revolutionize the contact center industry in numerous ways. Discover 10 unique applications of ChatGPT that go far beyond customer interactions, touching on advanced traini…
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Ideas for Setting up a Contact Center Management Trainee Program
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Send us a text Post covid, with many of our staff WFH, we have rethought how we train and prepare our contact center middle management and agent supervisors to excel in their roles. In this episode, we talk about the new management trainee program that will be will be implementing to our staff later in 2023. We hope this gives you some ideas to hel…
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Improving your Call Center and Contact Center Agent Coaching
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Send us a text In this episode of "Advice from a Call Center Geek" Podcast, we look at 9-10 ways that you can improve the coaching culture of your contact center to create better agents and improve the customer experience. We also answer some questions that came in on Linkedin and TikTok Live! Discover exceptional, AI-driven contact center outsourc…
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5 Ways to Improve the Tone of your Contact Center Agents!
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Send us a text We all want a better CX, and doing that means we need to improve the tone of how we are interacting with customers. I have seen it many times when a customer calls a contact center and gets the desired outcome they needed, but because the tone was off on the call (indifference, bad word choice, talking over the customer...) the custo…
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BPO Financial Benchmarking Report with Eric Crouse- Partner Kommit & Company
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Send us a text This episode is for you if you are a BPO owner/operator. In this episode of ACG, we talk about benchmarking the financial aspects of your BPO, setting up your books for maximum valuation, multiples in the market, maximizing your BPO for an exit, and so much more. Every day, contact center BPOs are focused on many operational metrics …
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Building out an AI Contact Center the Right Way with a Bonus AMA!
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Send us a text OK, that was awesome. We did a Linkedin LIVE and a TikTok LIVE at the same time to record this podcast episode. The episode then turned into a crazy (in a good way) AMA with questions coming from both platforms. My 25-minute podcast ended up going about an hour. I love the questions, I think they provide much more value than just me …
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How to Implement the Blockchain into your Contact Center- Conversation with Shelli Ryan- CX and Blockchain Expert
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Send us a text On this episode of Advice from a Call Center Geek, we bring together two of my passions, customer experience, and the blockchain. Shelli Ryan, APR, Fellow PRSA the founder/principle of the CX Block Chain Institute which is the worldwide authority focused on fulfilling blockchain for the CX (customer experience) industry talks about i…
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TikTok Live- What I Would Ask Your Call Center Staff if Consulting
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Send us a text For a sports team looking to improve, they routinely will bring in other coaches to do an internal self-scout to try to show where the weaknesses are and how to improve on those. This same concept should happen in your contact center at least once a year. Here are some of the questions that we would ask and start to work with your te…
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