The Key to Preparing High-End Customer Metrics

Customer satisfaction has always been one of theexample, let us say that you have an agent who
primary goals of any business or enterprise. This isaverages at 60 calls per workday, and this is the
because without achieving this goal, it would surely behighest figure that has ever been reached by an
difficult to achieve the goal of overall success. And ifagent. This should mean that the agent is also doing
you want to achieve this goal, then it becomes a mustwell in terms of customer satisfaction and customer
to measure customer service performance. After all,service, right? Wrong.
how would you know if what you are doing is indeedThis is not a strong indication of that at all. The agent
correct if you do not measure performance in the firstmay have the ability to manage his time and answer
place? More importantly, how do you determine theas many calls in a single shift, but who is to say that all
areas that need improving if you do not measureof these calls are indeed satisfactory in the eyes of
performance? It is because of this that customerthe customer? Some of them may think that the
metrics have been allotted quite the importance byagent is a bit too rushed in his attempts to resolve the
companies across all industries.issues at hand. Some may even feel a bit neglected
However, there is that unfortunate case wherebecause the agent does not spend that much time into
companies think that it is all right to separate customerthe call. Similarly, just because an agent spends longer
service metrics from other metrics that have influenceminutes into a call does not mean that customer
on customer service as well. This should not be done,service and satisfaction is achieved. There are really
but this is actually a frequent error already. To illustrateso many factors at play here.
this, let us look at the typical call center as an example.With all the factors playing in the game, just how do
Call centers usually measure their agents' performanceyou decide which metrics to use then? The key to
level in terms of the number of calls and issues agentsremember here is to be the customer - to put yourself
can resolve for their customers. You cannot reallyin the shoes of your customers. Just how would you
measure customer service without this portion includedwant to be treated if you were in the customer's
in the metrics now, can you? This is why pairing isplace? Would you want your call to be rushed? Or
important when you want to measure customerwould you want a speedy call with a ready solution
service.presented to you? All of these have to be considered
Another point to remember is that there are manyand the right mix needs to be meshed to ensure that
factors to consider when trying to measure customerthe appropriate customer metrics are laid in place.
service accurately. Going back to the call center