It’s a childhood Saturday morning, and you’re curled up, cereal bowl in hand, watching The Jetsons and their depiction of the future. Rosey the Robot Maid is every kid’s dream. A robot to assist with everyday life? “Now that is the future,” we think. And while these adolescent dreams have not come to fruition completely, the robotic future is developing nonetheless.
However, one may say that it was not the presence of robots that was impressive in The Jetsons, but rather the new concept of “push-button living.” The show is riddled with buttons that make life easier for the Jetsons. Cooking, cleaning, house chores. . .you name it and a button did it. We may not each have a personal robot walking around the house, but we certainly are living in an era made easier with buttons. These buttons can clean our dishes, message people across the world, and significantly improve the way we do business.
Let’s take chatbots as an example. Chatbots are essentially a childhood Jetson dream of robots combined with the ease of button-pushing. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a chatbot is simply “a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, especially over the internet.” When used in businesses, it can connect the users and customers to rapid response and support.
Is it necessary for your company to invest in chatbot technology? It comes down to this: if you’re in an industry that deals with humans in any capacity, it’s a wise investment to have a chatbot. If you want the best chance at thriving in an ever-present button-pushing era, a chatbot is the technology to invest in. Here’s why:
1. Automation:
Chatbots make it easy and efficient to replace humans across social media, websites, customer service, stores, and some B2B conversations. This not only saves costs on personnel, but it allows employees to focus on their priorities — leaving artificial intelligence (AI) to handle the rest. As a result of automation, chatbots will reduce operational costs, manpower, and time; saving businesses more than $8 billion per year by 2022, according to UK-based Juniper Research.
2. Ease the load:
With automation, there is less talk and more work. There is less time having employees deal with repetitive customer service and simple questions and more time devoted to other projects. It can significantly reduce the amount an employee has on their plate knowing customers are being taken care of using AI. An overworked employee leads to stress, diminished performance levels, and health risks; simple automation can alleviate the additional work and threat of overload.
3. Improve customer service:
Additionally, chatbots make for happier customers. In a push-button society, we expect immediate answers and solutions. We’ve grown to expect speedy results with Google searches, social media, and instant messaging. It’s no different in the business world. The likelihood of a customer or potential candidate giving up or taking their business elsewhere is heightened with slow response time. Chatbot automation can significantly prevent disgruntled, impatient customers with rapid, 24-hour response time.
So here’s the rundown. Where your business may lack in personnel, you will make up for with AI. Chatbots can be effective and efficient, save you time and headaches, and ultimately create happier customers.
Interested in learning more about creating an effective chatbot? Check out this OpenSesame course: Building Natural Language Applications with TensorFlow
Learn more about how to use chatbot technology with marketing in 5 ways chatbots can improve marketing & sales.
About the author: Lexi Hunkler, a summer marketing intern at OpenSesame, is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte studying Creative Marketing and Innovation. When not at work, you can find her on a road trip adventure, painting, or petting the nearest dog.