Tag: customer experience (CX)

Global tourism has begun surpassing its pre-COVID-19 peak. South Africa remains a popular tourist destination with the hospitality sector contributing significantly to its gross domestic product (GDP). Competition in the hospitality industry is intensifying, making the marginal and not-so-marginal gains offered by artificial intelligence (AI) a vital consideration for any hospitality operator.

Over the past couple of years, implementation of automation in business, along with measured adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), has given businesses in the service industry the ability to enhance their workforce and their operations. This is because automation can take over many of the manual, admin-heavy tasks that can be very time-consuming for a workforce - particularly valuable in field service management (FSM) where there are many moving parts.

For any business involved in local or global trade, a robust supply chain is key to sustainable success. The simple reality is that trade disruptions come in many forms, from natural disasters and geopolitical crises, to trade conflicts and even pandemics; and in all these scenarios, a strong supply chain is required to keep a business running, avoid losses, and retain its edge over the competition.

In a country as diverse as South Africa, with its rich tapestry of languages and cultures, the importance of speaking to audiences in their own language cannot be overstated. Cultural diversity is not just a buzzword; it's a driving force for economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

COVID-19 came with its own challenges for businesses, requiring companies to pivot and adapt to new ways of working and changed the working environment completely. Small auditing firms were not spared from this, they needed to quickly adapt and fully equip their employees with resources to ensure that they continue to operate and serve their client’s needs.

With brands recognising the power of conversations, AI-driven solutions, and phygital experiences, consumers can anticipate more personalised, seamless, and satisfying engagements with businesses this year. As technological innovations continue to shape the business landscape, 2024 is poised to be a transformative year for customer experience (CX).

South African banks have weathered rough seas during the past year, with many of their customers coming under severe pressure from a stagnant economy, rising cost of living and high interest rates. Despite these storms, the financial services industry is still delivering good profits and growth, but there is constant pressure to maintain these results amid the adverse market trends and pressures that are currently shaping the landscape.

World Innovation and Creativity Day fell on the 21st of April, reminding us of the boundless potential inherent in human ingenuity and technological advancement. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this celebration, reshaping the landscape of business operations and customer engagement. The combination of advanced data analytics with cloud computing has propelled AI into the spotlight, making its integration more accessible across industries.

South African business leaders might be willing to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their business operations, but they are being held back by a crucial ingredient: technical skills. A recent snap poll we conducted shows that budget is not an issue, but a skills vacuum is.

Unless you have a peculiar fondness for queues, chances are you prefer doing as many day-to-day tasks that fall under the “life admin” category as possible online. Whether it’s grocery shopping, renewing your car license disc, or paying your rates bill, most of us prefer doing them from the comfort of our desks or homes. It’s faster, more convenient, and saves a lot of hassle.