Global dough-slingers Pizza Hut have recently stepped up their “conversational ordering” game with the debut of a new social media chatbot. Until now, Pizza Hut lagged behind other chains like Dominos and Papa Johns when it came to implementing tech into their marketing scheme, despite being the largest pizza chain in the world. Finally, the pie peddlers are striking back with a new, interactive way to order your favorite pie.
At the recent MobileBeat 2016 expo, Chief Digital Officer Baron Concors demonstrated how Pizza Hut’s chatbot would improve the customer experience.
“The new Pizza Hut social ordering platform is another example of making it easy for our customer to order their favorites from Pizza Hut,” said Concors. “We are constantly pursuing ways to simplify our ordering experience. This platform allows our consumers to quickly order or get information where they are already spending a great deal of their time.”
This chatbot got me thinking about some of the other companies that could benefit from a chatbot. Not only is a chatbot fun to interact with, it actually can help streamline various tasks for a quicker, more efficient experience.
How Other Companies Can Benefit From Chatbots
Tinder
It’s always an awkward conversation when you’re messaging a complete stranger using a dating app. Do you keep it simple with “hey”? No, that’s too boring. “Howdy?” No, you’re not John Wayne. See, even the intro is hard. A chatbot could become a mediator, finding out what you and your match have in common and introducing you both through a similar topic. Your tinder chatbot could become your wingman/woman to help step up your game. Plus, there’s no chance it will steal your match…well at least I hope not.
Urbanspoon
I don’t know how many times I’ve been sucked into the endless wormhole that is, “trying to find a place to eat that you and your significant other agree on.” The back and forth tennis rally of “I don’t knows” and “It’s up to you’s” can be exhausting. A chatbot could suggest places to eat based on food preferences and pass dining experiences. When one of your friends suggests a new restaurant to try, we almost always take their word. A chatbot can do the same thing while also providing a menu, directions, reservation details, and other dining needs.
Any Phone or Cable Provider
Please…if I hear one more “please select 1 for….” I don’t think I can handle it. I understand that it’s just not economical to hire more people to answer calls instantly, but at least let me go through the hell of discussing my phone bill via text instead of sitting on the phone for a few years. A chatbot could answer some simple questions that aren’t worth the hour-long wait. For more difficult questions, they could transfer you or provide a number to the exact department you desire. We live in the age of texting, so why not take advantage of it and make things easier for everyone.
Really Any Customer Service
Although it might not be the best customer service option, chatbots should at least be available for the majority of companies. Those who have hearing issues need a better option when it comes to customer service. In an age where texting has become the optimal form of communication, chatbots can help make the service industry run smoothly.
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