Leveraging AI for customer support triage – Interview with Tom Powers from Catapult

At Zendesk Relate 25, Mark Atterby, CXFocus editor, interviewed Tom Powers VP of Operations at Catapult Sports. Powers explains the evolution of Catapult and its commitment to delivering world-class service to its clientele, who leverage Catapult’s integrated data and video analytics to gain crucial insights for athlete performance and development. Mark Atterby (MA): Can you …

Is digital bullying silently sabotaging your employee experience?

The shift to digital workplaces promised enhanced connectivity and flexibility, but a darker side is emerging that many organisations are failing to confront – digital bullying. As teams increasingly rely on online collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and internal chat forums, these platforms can inadvertently become breeding grounds for harmful behaviours that erode trust, …

Will RCS outpace SMS as Australia’s top communication tool?

Australia’s long-standing connection with SMS has endured significant evolution in the mobile landscape, through increasing smartphone penetration, the rise of Over-the-top (OTT) messaging, mobile payments and expanding digital commerce industries. Few other communication tools have as much reach as SMS. While we might only sporadically check emails and instant messages from our WhatsApp groups and other channels, …

Not your typical CX Startup: Local Measure’s frontline-first approach

In a crowded landscape of customer experience (CX) solutions, Local Measure carved a unique path, one that began not in the traditional contact centre but on the bustling front lines of the hospitality industry. Unlike many CX startups born from within BPOs or the structured environments of large banks, Local Measure’s origins lie in empowering …

AI across generations – Insights to shape better service experiences

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy, it’s an increasingly pervasive reality shaping how businesses interact with their customers. However, the integration of AI into service delivery isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Generational differences in perception, expectation, and comfort levels with AI necessitate a nuanced approach to ensure effective and satisfying customer experiences. Generational perceptions …

Why customer focus boosts M & A and organic growth in Australian banking

Customer centricity: the essential driver of growth, powering both organic expansion and the successful integration of acquired platforms. Small is beautiful, as the old saying has it, but it doesn’t hold true where financial services are concerned. Here in Australia and around the world, small and mid-sized banks are under pressure to contain costs while …

Australia’s leadership lag –  a call for urgent action

Australia’s leadership capabilities are facing a critical challenge, struggling to keep pace with evolving best practices and the demands of a future-ready workforce. This lag, according to Nicole Mathers, a leading workplace culture and emotionally intelligent leadership expert and co-founder of Uncapped Potential, is having significant negative consequences for customer and employee experiences, and ultimately, …

How to empower contact centre agents to drive performance

Agent engagement and performance are pivotal to the success of contemporary contact centres. As customer expectations escalate, demanding seamless and efficient service across diverse digital channels, agents find themselves at the forefront of customer experience (CX), amplifying their critical role. The future of Australian contact centres depends on equipping agents with the appropriate tools and …

Building meaningful connections: Moving beyond transactional relationships

In a world increasingly driven by efficiency and quantifiable outcomes, the subtle art of building meaningful connections often takes a backseat to transactional interactions. Yet, the human desire for genuine connection remains a fundamental aspect of both personal and professional fulfillment. The limitations of solely transactional relationships are stark: they prioritise immediate gain over long-term …