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It’s no secret that our world is increasingly becoming more digitized. Where we once had customer service agents, we now have apps. Where there were retail outlets, we now have online platforms and overnight delivery. “Bites” have become “bytes,” as even fast food can be ordered with your smartphone.

Some personal interactions remain intact, however. Think of the person who walks into a branch location to set up a utility service or open a bank account. There are also times when utility providers or other service people must come to our homes to check a meter, make a repair, or deliver an item.

Overcoming language barriers during these face-to-face interactions frequently presents a challenge, which often leads to frustration for multicultural customers.

When it comes to phone communication, many organizations employ bilingual contact center staff or use outside professional interpreter services to support inbound calls from customers who speak limited English. But for in-person communication, most simply improvise by pointing, gesturing, or calling over a bilingual employee.

If customer experience is important to you, then it’s important to think beyond the call center, as improvisation often results in an unsatisfying experience for multicultural customers.

Fortunately, technology has provided some elegant solutions that businesses have already begun to implement. These solutions frequently leverage existing technology and are available on-demand, without the need to schedule an interpreter in advance.

Walk-In/Branch Locations

Not everything can be done online. When we want to set up electrical service or cable, we must go to a branch location, show identification, and proof of residence. Sometimes we have to go to the bank to sign paperwork. A lack of interpretation options often results in long lines, children acting as interpreters, or the customer simply leaving.

Fortunately, branches can immediately access over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) from their locations. OPI works the same as a call center. LanguageLine(R) provides such a service with interpretation in more than 240 languages. Most often, there is no need to schedule an appointment in advance. The discussion can take place with a speaker phone, or if privacy is desired, a dual-handset phone can be used.

Video remote interpreting (VRI) is conducted via tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer. It allows for visual communication, which can result in more efficient, fulfilling conversations. Similar to Skype or Facetime, VRI is a great way to engage multilingual customers, with the added benefit of also being able to accommodate American Sign Language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

READCan Your Organization Benefit from Video Remote Interpreting? Ask Yourself These Questions

LanguageLine Video Interpreting, provides one-touch video interpretation in more than 40 languages, as well as audio-only interpretation in 240-plus languages.

By using phone or video to access interpreters in branch locations, you can provide a more consistent experience, increase customer satisfaction, and elevate staff productivity.

Personnel in the Field

Service people frequently need to access a home or property but are denied entry because of a language barrier. They often have to return once, twice, or even a third time before communication and trust can be established.

When field staff encounter language barriers, they can throw off the schedule for the day and require a return visit when a friend or family member can assist. This can be expensive, a drain on productivity, and in some fields may present a safety issue.

What if field personnel could simply dial up a live, professional interpreter from their smartphones as soon as they notice a need for language assistance? This technology exists today.

InSightSM is available on smartphones, enabling field personnel to reach a phone or video interpreter on demand with just one touch.

READEvaluating Video Remote Interpreting Providers: 5 Factors to Consider

On-demand access to either phone or VRI can overcome language barriers on the spot. Business can proceed, resulting in a much better customer experience.

LanguageLine Can Help

Choosing the right language services provider is the most important step you can take as you seek to provide enhanced interpretation for live interactions with customers.

LanguageLine has been the world leader in innovative language-access solutions since 1982. The company sets the global standard for phone, video, and onsite interpreting, as well as translation of the written word. LanguageLine is trusted by more than 30,000 clients to enable communication with the limited English proficient, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing communities. LanguageLine provides the industry’s fastest and most dependable access to more than 35,000 professional linguists in 290-plus languages — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

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