We know workforce optimization solutions can help in creating a more efficient process when dealing with workloads and scheduling, but what exactly constitutes workforce optimizations?
Workforce optimization is getting the best out of the available resources taking into account all parameters (labor regulations, staff flexibility, incoming workload, call load patterns, outbound volumes, customer expectations etc.) and this on an easy, flexible and manageable way with the usage of different technologies. Contact center workforce optimization (WFO) combines technologies from many previously sifted functional domains, such as workforce management, call recording, quality and performance management. It can be extended to include capabilities such as IVR based call surveys, together with e-learning and coaching applications. Managing the staff scheduling to the anticipated demand in the most cost effective way, to maximize profit/customer service, at an affordable price and with schedules that are attractive enough to employees.
At one time optimization was considered synonymous with efficient call routing. That the customer was efficiently linked to the right agent was enough. But times have changed optimization means much more than connectivity. In my view the goal of workforce optimization must be to instill “pride in workmanship” and “pride in colleagues’ workmanship” so that the customer consistently gets the best possible service . It follows that so-called optimization systems which are based upon monitoring individual performance and hitting targets have to be replaced with those that achieve improved customer satisfaction. Measuring such satisfaction is difficult but customer opinions provide the only valid basis for deciding if an intervention has improved, and so helped optimize, a system.
Taking your resources and making them as fully perfect, functional or effective as possible – if you are to take the dictionary stance on what optimization means. This, to our organization, means looking at our culture, tools, processes and people and making them work together efficiently. This is done by setting up our processes first, taking a look at what is broken, fixing it and then implementing technology around it. Technology does not drive efficiency, people and processes do. In order to have an optimized workforce, you need buy in from the very resources that are going to be using your processes and tools along with well explained expectations and information on how you are going to measure each process is successful. Without these in place, you have chaos.
Workforce optimization (WFO) is a unified suite of solutions for addressing critical customer service functions across the enterprise, including quality monitoring and recording, speech analytics and data analytics, customer feedback surveys, workforce management and strategic planning, performance management, e-Learning and coaching. With WFO, organizations can open new windows into customer intelligence, workforce performance and root cause analytics to gain visibility across the customer service delivery chain. In addition, it helps place focus on the three key areas of performance, efficiency and quality.
By delivering greater insight into customer interactions and processes, WFO provides a closed-loop system for continuous, enterprise performance improvement and long-term ROI. It helps drive service improvement, productivity gains, cost reduction, revenue generation, quality assurance and compliance, customer retention, performance enhancement, competitive advantage and customer satisfaction, which can have a direct impact on the bottom line of any organization.