{"id":3280,"date":"2023-04-25T10:34:31","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T22:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tasksoftware.com\/?p=3280"},"modified":"2023-05-05T10:53:53","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T22:53:53","slug":"curated-customer-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tasksoftware.com\/au\/blog\/curated-customer-experience","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Unique Curated Customer Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The state of the industry, between lingering setbacks from the pandemic and the coming economic downturn, has been somewhat sobering for hospitality businesses. There have already been $185 billion in losses since the pandemic<\/a> started, and only the businesses that have embraced the changing industry landscape have managed to thrive. To be successful in today\u2019s tough market, technology \u2013 and specifically, AI-powered tools \u2013 are key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automation is helping restaurants streamline their workflows, minimize food waste, and deliver faster service overall \u2013 but what exactly will AI-driven technology mean for the guest experience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re digging into how Artificial Intelligence can be used beyond the context of just reducing labor costs to actually enhance guest experiences and make deep personalization possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Five Ways that AI Benefits Customers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo matter what your initiative is in business, it must improve the service. Every innovation should first and foremost answer the question of What do customers need, and how can we provide it for them better and more efficiently?\u201d <\/em>cautions TASK\u2019s President for North America, John Laporte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping the customer experience at the forefront of innovation will ensure that any changes you bring to your business will drive forward better retention rates and customer lifetime value. After all, serving customers well, and encouraging long-term relationships with them is what will keep your restaurant afloat even through tough times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Drive better personalization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To bring forward more personal experiences, especially at a larger or franchise-level scale, businesses rely on accurate customer data analysis. This involves identifying patterns in customer behaviors that can be used to offer and predict personalized recommendations. AI even allows you to tailor the ordering experience to each customer depending on their past behavior and their interactions in real-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that engaging your customers in direct, personal communication specific to their preferences is one of the best ways to increase your loyalty, retention rates, and order sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to understand that, as TASK Group, Plexure Division\u2019s Customer Success Manager Kerri Linderboom puts it, \u201cDemographics data can only take you so far. The far more meaningful insight is tapping into your customer\u2019s lifestyles and their routines \u2013 this will tell you not just what <\/em>they like, but also when <\/em>they are most likely going to engage with your brand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To tap into these more complex insights, businesses must leverage AI-driven analytics. From monitoring social media activity to identifying brand loyalty to building a rewards system that incorporates machine learning \u2013 the key to accurate, automated personalization starts with AI technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Improve the Ordering Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the <\/a>New York Times<\/em><\/a>, restaurants across the US are so understaffed that they are struggling to even get to the phone to take orders. Not only does that mean lost sales and frustrated customers, but it also fuels a negative perception of your brand, which can be nearly impossible to reroute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make sure your business never misses a call, email, or text, you might need to consider implementing conversational AI across your communication and order-taking channels. This might include more self-service options, such as AI-driven kiosks, mobile apps, or QR codes. It may extend to GPT-powered chatbots, now that the technology has matured such that APIs are available. Leveraging the power of voice AI is also being deployed for drive-thru windows, phone lines, and even at the ordering counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are so many ways to use this kind of technology to bring an added element of fun to your experience,\u201d says John. \u201cI like to play with the idea of using celebrity\u2019s voices to take your order using AI, or letting customers have the choice about which voice they want to hear at your restaurant. This is really where AI becomes a tool for enhancement, not just a bandaid to cover up a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/div>How To Audit Your Customer Loyalty Program<\/h3>

Boosting your loyalty program is one of the most powerful ways to drive higher customer revenues<\/a>. Here\u2019s what you can do to make it more competitive.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n

3. Offer faster service and shorter wait times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Quicker service is possible if you have robust, accurate systems for forecasting demand and automation tools to reduce friction in your workflows. AI-driven technology powers digital kitchen management and restaurant inventory management, which helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n