Much is made of the customer experience (aka CX) in the retail sector. Comparably less attention is paid to the client experience in other spaces. Service in the context of face-to-face interactions within traditional places of commerce is clearly overemphasized. In reality, the client experience matters regardless of the overarching industry or niche.

Focus on improving the client experience and you’ll reap the rewards in the form of heightened revenue. The little-known truth is that social graces and the subtleties of interactions matter just as much as the value of the product or service itself. Sweat the small stuff of client service and you’ll inspire loyalty that holds meaningful value across posterity, serving as the gift that never stops giving. As leaders in the manufacturing sector testify, enhancing the customer experience has a direct impact on the customer’s lifetime value which is essential to the bottom line.

Customers and manufacturing businesses evolve as time progresses. In particular, customer needs and desires shift based on market factors, industry development, and other variables. Tailor the subtleties of your customer experience accordingly, deliver that service with the right tech tools and you’ll boost your customer retention rate.

CX solutions are of critical importance in the battle to retain current customers and attract new ones through referrals. Arm your team with the optimal CX tools and they’ll have an opportunity to surpass client expectations, potentially motivating them to spread the word about the merits of your value offering as well as your customer service. Partially shift your focus to the implementation of the best CX solutions while continuing to perfect your manufacturing processes and the two will add to a whole greater than the sum of their parts.

CX systems constitute a meaningful competitive advantage for manufacturing businesses. From dealer networks to wholesalers, individual businesses, and beyond, customers of all types matter to manufacturing businesses. The challenge lies in massaging customer interactions in a graceful and artful manner, setting the stage for mutually beneficial relationships moving forward.

CX solutions empower manufacturers to serve a plethora of customers with individually tailored solutions. Perform your due diligence, select the optimal tech tools and you’ll bolster relationships with end users, big box customers, dealer networks, and more.

Scan the available CX solutions and you’ll find a litany of options. Some such tools are effective for manufacturing businesses while others are better for businesses in other sectors and niches. Manufacturing businesses are encouraged to focus on customer empowerment. Customers who are provided with accurate information in a timely manner are inclined to reciprocate the favor in the form of continued business.

Self-service along with support from customer help desks creates opportunities for customers to get more done without sacrificing efficiency or undermining trust. Empowering company employees to serve customers is just as important. The use of the optimal CCaaS tools, service desk tech, and software for management develops reciprocity with clients to keep them in the fold for the long haul.

Service personalization is a CX buzz phrase yet most do not understand what this term really means. The personalization of service in the context of manufacturing is defined as providing personalized service for manufacturers with a focus on the nuances of reciprocity for mutual benefit. Customer relationship management tools commonly referred to by the acronym of CRM, keep track of the progress of projects for each specific customer, facilitating the development of successful relationships.

People are fond of saying that change is the sole constant. Ongoing change is characteristic of the increasingly dynamic manufacturing industry. The progress of the manufacturing industry creates avenues for brands to enter the market. Pinpointing the CX tools optimal for each unique manufacturing business is essential for expediting growth. From establishing contact centers to high-tech help desks, a multitude of potential solutions can be implemented with surprising ease.

The transition to the new year ushers in a slew of new trends. As an example, statistics show that the vast majority of customers insist their experience with a manufacturing business matters just as much as the value of the product itself. Complicating matters all the more is the fact that customer demands are becoming increasingly complex now that the economy and life as we know it has changed in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Let’s take a deeper dive into emerging trends every manufacturer should know about as we transition to the new year.

Manufacturers who embrace the disruption caused by technological change will enjoy a competitive advantage. The impending society-wide shift to the internet of things (IoT) in response to the pandemic is indicative of customers’ preference for contactless service, virtualization, and high-tech solutions. Manufacturing businesses can establish a competitive edge by:

In particular, the cloud will prove vitally important to maintaining a competitive advantage moving forward. Hybrid workplaces empower employees to serve customers from remote locations. Emphasize cloud-oriented solutions and your manufacturing business will enjoy a mutually shared benefit with employees as well as customers in the form of improved efficiency, flexibility, and seamless workforce management.

CLOUDSTREET’s B2B stores specifically designed for manufacturers have the potential to revolutionize the way you do business. CLOUDSTREET, a respected Salesforce Implementation Partner with full certification, employs a hybridized approach to maximize quality. CLOUDSTREET has stores for manufacturers across the consumer goods, IT services, and industrial sectors. Optimized solutions for manufacturing businesses are the most efficient means of enhancing capabilities without hiking overhead costs.

Analytics is one of the hottest and trendiest words used in the manufacturing realm and also across the entirety of the business landscape. Manufacturing companies that employ advanced analytics for maintaining relationships with customers excel in their niches through highly personalized customer support. Invest some time researching the industry’s latest CRM tools to track data including the details of customer journeys and you’ll have a competitive advantage that helps you personalize service all the more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are quickly emerging as potential game-changers. Efficiency is the name of the game. Manufacturers that invest in AI and automation enhance the rate at which products are made and delivered. The challenge lies in heightening efficiency without sacrificing quality and longevity.

Automation and AI expedite problem-solving through:

When properly implemented, such tools also decrease the pressure placed on those at the back end, ultimately improving the customer experience in terms of engagement, service quality, and end results.