Development of the Service Concept Guide (SCG) follows the formulation of the long term brand positioning.
In addition, it might be necessary to have a specific Customer Value Proposition for the services concerned as well in case the brand positioning is applicable to multiple product/market combinations.
In the case that either of the above is available and actual, we start straight away with the production of the Service Concept Guide, which provides the outlines of the core service and supplementary services for all stakeholders and is the starting point of the customer journey mapping.
In the case that there is neither a brand positioning, nor a customer value proposition is available or actual, then we have to agree on an approach of obtaining the required insights firstly.
Main Elements of the Service Concept Guide:
A description of the core service, which is the central component that supplies the principal, problem-solving benefits that customers seek.
Selection and articulation of supplementary services that augment the core service.
A visualization of the delivery processes, including the core service and each of the supplementary services.
As a next step we translate the Service Concept Guide elements into concrete and tangible service deliveries. The upcoming sections provide a more detailed insight in the context and steps involved.
Articulation of the service strategy is an intensive process that requires many iterations between even so many different actors.
We provide hands-on support to align thoughts while strengthening the internal cohesion between stakeholders, functional specialist, and subject matter experts.
Secondly, we ensure that the end goal - a sublimely substantiated high performance services roadmap - is produced within the set time frame.
Value Added Substantiation.
Service Priorities and Cross-Relationships.
KPIs, SLAs and Metrics.
Roadmap for Timing and internal Resources.
Investments and out-of-pocket-expenses.
During each stage of the strategy articulation process we will have regular update sessions with relevant stakeholders ensuring in-depth knowledge of the service roadmap progress and direction and agreement.
Moreover, we will continuously benchmark each customer interface development against existing best practices in the market.
Once the service road map for the coming three years is agreed upon, we proceed with the next stage, which is Customer Journey mapping.
The first dimension we consider is the creation of an in-depth understanding of the customer's needs and/or issues depending on the respective stage of the customer life cycle (e.g. suspect, prospect, trial, first time buy, repeat purchase, abandonment, etc.).
Secondly, we obtain an in-depth understanding of the customer's needs and expectations at each brand touch point (e.g. advertisement, social media, face-to-face, telephone, chat robot, e-mail).
Two defined dimensions:
Touchpoints: the specific interactions customers have with your brand (contacting customer service, listening to a sales presentation, and so on).
Channels: the methods by which communication happens (emails, phone conversations, social media, in-person meetings, etc.).
Both dimensions combined form the starting point of the journey map to ensure message and offer consistency and relevance at each brand interface.
Once we understand the relative importance of each touchpoint, we will develop a model enabling us to set the right SLAs per channel and touchpoint.
The design effort of each interface depends on the role and relevance in the customer journey experience. The design process takes place in multiple stages according to the principle of design-thinking, involving stakeholders, subject matter experts, and customers.
Frequent testing and reviews are part of each step of the design process and review methodologies depend on the situation and cost effectiveness, but might include focus groups, personal interviews, AB testing and/or the use of AI testing software when possible.
Based on the discoveries and accomplishments during the previous stages, we support clients with the right CRM system strategy on the basis of their current and mid-term system support needs.
We can help with the RFI and RFP articulation, the vendor selection process, and negotiations.
Secondly, we can help with implementation support of the CRM system to ensure it will bring the value added as expected in an efficient manner.