Tailor your contact center RFP document to select the perfect partner for your specific goals.
As your company grows, expanding your brand’s call center operation is crucial to maintaining a high standard of customer service. However, the process of selecting an outsourced partner isn’t a quick and easy one. You’ll need to start from the ground floor by crafting a request for proposal (RFP) document that articulates all of your requirements and expectations in a clear and concise manner. This document can then guide your process toward an optimal partnership that achieves of your specific goals.
If you are new to the RFP process in the context of contact center outsourcing, or simply looking for a guide to sharpen up your practices, there are a handful of helpful tips to keep in mind as you draft your next request. Here are five steps to get the most out of your call center RFP process and ensure customer satisfaction:
“An RFP should articulate all of your demands and expectations in a clear and concise manner.”
Know your own needs: Before you put pen to paper and begin to create an RFP, you’ll need to reflect on exactly what you want from yourcall center services, especially if this is your first foray into outsourcing. Only once you identify the challenges and goals unique to your organization, you will be able to develop an RFP that truly reflects the demands of your brand and sets clear expectations from the start. Examine metrics, training practices, customer testimonials and other data points to develop a thorough understanding of your operations.
Learn about partners: Since no twooutsourcing companiesare the same, it’s essential that you thoroughly evaluate every potential partner for compatibility. As Lieber and Associates recommend, you should be ready to dive into a vendor’s operating philosophy, staff and management information, as well as details regarding relevant partnership history and case studies. Don’t hold back as you brainstorm questions and concerns for potential partners – the vetting process should be comprehensive by nature.
Remember to talk tech: Today’s customers hold high expectations for service, and your call center must be equipped with the latest technology for maximizing customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. A significant portion of your RFP should be dedicated to technological requirements, ranging from channels of support to advanced tools such as speech analytics. TechTarget listed10 cutting-edge call center tech trendsthat you should keep handy while crafting your RFP – even if only to make sure your future partner has a firm grip on the latest developments.
Details and data are essential when building a call center RFP.
Don’t forget about culture: Workforce management, solution details, and technology tend to take center stage in RFP development. However, one must not overlook the critical component of culture when searching for your idealcall centercompanion. You want a partner to be a natural extension of your operation in order to promote the consistent, quality customer support the market has come to expect from your brand. According to Expivia Interaction Marketing Group CEO Tom Laird, this means prioritizing training, emphasizing dedicated roles and fostering a fun environment. And of course, make sure to visit your prospective partner to get a true sense of their internal culture.
Emphasize collaboration: When you enter a partnership with acall center services organization, you’ll want to ensure that the company is ready to take a flexible, team-based approach to your objectives. Get creative in your RFP by posing hypothetical questions and scenarios that will force vendors to think outside the box and prove that they are willing to achieve your goals together.