CX is a Priority for APAC Businesses Looking to Optimize the Customer Journey in 2020

According to Adobe’s Digital Trends 2020 report in partnership with Econsultancy,  two in five (40%) businesses leading in customer experience (CX) significantly exceeded their 2019 business goals, compared to 13% of businesses not leading in the space.

The report surveyed over 13,000 marketing, advertising, eCommerce, creative and IT professionals, working for both brands and agencies in markets across the Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America, on their priorities for 2020.

“The proven success of customer experience-led businesses makes an essential case for a customer-centric approach, said Scott Rigby, Head of Digital Transformation for Adobe Asia Pacific.


 

“However, the move to a customer-first model involves more than implementing a single initiative or piece of technology. It’s about looking at the bigger picture and shifting business strategy, investment and culture, supported by the right tools and processes. It requires investment, but the rewards are there for those that make the shift.”

CX is the priority for growth amongst APAC businesses but maturity lags

The report found that APAC businesses “understand the importance of CX and are focused on optimizing the customer journey in 2020”, with one in five (19%) APAC organizations identifying better CX as their “most exciting opportunity for this year.”

APAC companies will also be leading global CX technology investment with over half (57%) planning to invest more in CX technology, compared to 51% in Europe and 41% in North America this year.

Over a quarter (26%) stating that finding and keeping the right people with the right skills is a barrier to creating successful digital experiences.


 

However, APAC’s CX maturity “lags behind the rest of the world,” said the report with just 7% of APAC organizations considering themselves “mature in the space,” compared to 12% in North America and 11% for the rest of the world.

“APAC businesses are looking to bring their CX maturity in line with global counterparts to develop effective strategies to deliver better experiences,” said Rigby. “In turn, this empowers businesses to differentiate against competitors. However, APAC’s proclaimed lag leaves the region playing catch up on building, as well as delivering, digital marketing strategies that focus on customer experiences. But marketers in APAC are actively planning investment to close this gap.”

Talent sourcing and retention is a challenge for CX leaders

To maintain their advantage, said the report, CX leaders globally are focused on obtaining and developing great talent. Two in five (40%) CX leaders said that attracting and retaining talent in digital, data and CX-related areas was their most significant concern for 2020. Over a quarter (26%) stating that finding and keeping the right people with the right skills is a barrier to creating successful digital experiences.

The report said that 34% of APAC businesses are planning to invest in ML and AI compared to 25% globally.

To retain and develop talent, CX leaders are 27% more likely to invest in training compared to non-CX leaders (20%), with a focus on teaching business concepts beyond a narrow definition of marketing. In a recent Econsultancy study, over 90% of executives said that it was essential that marketers understood the metrics and strategies of the wider business.

“Obtaining and developing great talent is a huge challenge for marketers and requires businesses to add and improve skills on an ongoing basis. This challenge also brings opportunity. Investing in people, technology and processes are all key ingredients for effective customer experience. Supporting talent early on will help businesses benefit in the long-run,” Rigby said.

Automation will empower marketers

APAC already leads against Europe and North America on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology, with more than half of APAC businesses (54%) using or planning to use these tools.

The report specifically talks about cloud-based accounting software company Xero.

“As we transition from customer support to customer success we’re investing in our people, new technology and educational programs to enhance the customer journey,” said Rachael Powell, Chief Customer Officer at Xero. ‘Xero Central’, our support and learning site for Xero’s business and partner products, harnesses the capabilities of AI and machine learning to provide predictive analytics that allows us to anticipate and solution a query as customers ask questions in real-time.”

The report said that 34% of APAC businesses are planning to invest in ML and AI compared to 25% globally.

“The Digital Trends 2020 report is now in its tenth year and the data clearly shows us that businesses focused on customer experience are sailing ahead,” said Rigby. “Today, we’re able to interact with and understand our customers in more ways than ever before. The power of technology and data combined means that businesses are starting to operate in new ways, making CX a business imperative, not just a marketing objective.”

Key Takeaways

CX is the priority for growth amongst APAC businesses but maturity lags

  • One in five (19%) APAC organizations has identified better CX are their most exciting opportunity this year
  • More than half of APAC companies are planning to invest more in CX technology, compared to 51% in Europe and 41% in North America this year

Talent sourcing and retention is a challenge for CX leaders

  • 40% of CX leaders believe that attracting and retaining talent in digital, data and CX-related areas was their most significant concern for 2020
  • To retain and develop talent, CX leaders are 27% more likely to invest in training compared to non-CX leaders (20%), with a focus on teaching business concepts beyond a narrow definition of marketing

Automation will empower marketers

  • APAC are leading against Europe and North America on the adoption of AI and ML, with more than half of APAC business (54%) using or planning to use these tools
  • APAC businesses are demonstrating their commitment to bridge the CX maturity gap in their IT budgets, with 34% of APAC businesses planning to invest in ML and AI compared to 25% globally

You can download the full Digital Trends 2020 report here.

The Staff

The Staff

Gettin' it done, when the done needs gettin'.

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