More and more our experiences, including the way we learn and work, are taking place virtually rather than in the physical world – a trend which shows no signs of slowing down, especially in the context of the current coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses have benefitted from this change, using virtual events and video calls to have more interactions with customers from all over the globe. Sometimes even targeting new customers that have previously been out of reach.
As we look towards an uncertain future, its important organisations continue to adapt and improve these touch points and immersive technologies may hold the key.
In our recent report, which set out to discover which businesses are best prepared for the future, we found that 76% of businesses are seeing customers demand a smoother, more tailored experience. This was second only to a demand for higher quality products (83%).
This means a renewed focus on new technologies is needed.
For example, in retail, IoT can support better bricks-and-mortar design by monitoring how shoppers interact with products, while things like smart shelving, digital signage and virtual queues can all be applied to create a contactless experience that is tailored and convenient.
With the introduction of 5G, we can go one step further and start to incorporate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) too.
As these technologies become more realistic and user-friendly, immersing customers in this way can grow and strengthen the relationship between the brand and the buyer, creating emotional and impactful responses that will ultimately lead to greater brand loyalty and an uplift in sales.
Not only this but they can also offer a ‘try before you buy’ concept.
It’s all about creating a complimentary experience to the physical one. That’s why we’re excited to launch our new Global Virtual Customer Experience Centre.
Introducing the Vodafone Business Global Virtual Customer Experience Centre
Come see us, virtually
For us, it’s about bringing our customer experience centre to more customers, in more cities around the world. Engaging them digitally in a unique way and developing new conversations, and potentially reaching new customers.
What our physical customer experience centres and innovation hubs across a number of our markets have shown is that collaboration and exchanging ideas often brings to life the best innovations, strengthens partnerships, and accelerates new opportunities for everyone.
Image: The Lobby
With a mixture of interactive and informative sessions, customers and partners will have the opportunity to explore how our technologies and capabilities can help them to digitally transform, and to do so in a virtual and safe way through the pandemic.
A curated approach
There will be three “rooms” in our virtual environment, centred around key themes of resilient digital operations, future of work and enhanced customer experience.
Each session will be curated with a bespoke agenda, lead by a member of our sales team, and a range of virtual demos, customer success stories and videos will help to show off new and exciting solutions designed to help our global customers achieve their own business objectives.
Whether that’s boosting efficiency and resilience, managing changing customer needs or adapting to hybrid ways of working, we hope to inspire them with our propositions.
Image: The Atrium
This new offering isn’t about replacing human interaction, it is about complimenting it.
Our sales team will guide each customer through what’s new, what’s relevant and of interest to them, acting as an extension of face-to-face meetings.
At present, it is a way of having conversations with those customers who can’t travel or where our physical locations remain closed, but post-pandemic, the virtual experience will continue to offer a space to engage with our global customers. Hosting different demos to those seen at our physical CECs and innovation hubs.
Supporting our new brand positioning, Together We Can, this new platform allows us to collaborate with our customers in a creative, digital and innovative way.
Together we can understand how technology can help businesses thrive today and tomorrow.
To visit our virtual showroom,contact us and one of our experts will be in touch.
Related articles
Subscribe to our blog
Explore the possibilities a Gigabit Society can bring to your business. Receive a monthly digest straight to your inbox.