Why Business Must Strike A Balance With AI And Emotional Intelligence

As we turn to AI to do more tasks for us, the need for emotional intelligence has never been greater. This was true even before coronavirus took hold. Now, imagine how important emotional intelligence is in creating environments where leaders must manage employees who in many cases are stressed, scared, and uncertain about what lies ahead. Still, while it’s true that we need emotional intelligence in business management, that’s not the only area where an empathic approach is necessary. It’s also incredibly important—especially now—in balancing your utilization of AI in your business, customer experience and marketing efforts.

First, what is emotional intelligence? In the simplest form, it’s the ability to not just solve problems, but understand and connect with the reasons why those problems are occurring and how they impact other people. It’s the ability to care. Rather than getting stuff done, people (and therefore businesses) with high emotional intelligence get stuff done in a way that works best for those they are working for. And if it isn’t obvious why this is important, just consider some of the workloads we are looking for AI to solve. Examples include asking an automobile to decide in an instant how to minimize an automobile accident or the utilization of AI and Automation to send in the moment offers to a family that may have just suffered the loss of a love one—While technology is getting smarter and more real-time, the need for high emotional intelligence in our use of technology is continuing to grow in its importance.

In marketing, especially right now, the need for emotional intelligence is also essential. It’s one thing to reach out to customers to let them know your store is still open. It’s another to understand that your customers are scared, nervous, living on an increasingly stretched budget, and perhaps as I alluded to before, even dealing with the loss of someone they love. These are things data and analytics don’t flag without human perspective. That’s where today’s marketers need to step up their emotional intelligence game.

Emotional Intelligence and AI in Marketing: A Marriage of Tech and Emotional Intelligence

One of the biggest things to know today is that the “hard sell” is rarely appropriate. Even in the best of times, it can be off-putting. But in a time when so many people are stressed to the max, it’s essential to change your voice from salesperson to empathic and understanding friend. Being able to isolate varying stress levels or buyer signals and individualize them is the key to being able to target, personalize and deliver the right message to the right consumer. This is where the balance of emotional intelligence and AI is key. I’ve recently talked about Customer Data Platforms and those, because of their rich data sources can certainly play a role. We have also seen tremendous advancements in AI frameworks, like NVIDIA’s Merlin, can use deep learning to much more accurately recommend products and services to customers. This partnership between data, technology and emotional intelligence is key.

Keep in mind: the fact that customers are stressed does not mean you can no longer market non-essential products. It just means that they need to be marketed in more empathic ways. During the pandemic, we saw tech companies that offer B2B hardware and software solutions like Dell, Cisco and HPE introduce discounts and other payment programs to help customers. Marketing these opportunities shows you’re listening and you care.

Whereas most today’s deployed AI and analytics solutions will tell you X number of people or companies that are looking at your product, only a human can determine if they need to know about the deals that are being offered or that you’re willing to work together to find a solution that works for everyone. This of course, will evolve as our data continues to be enriched and our algorithms improved, but we have all seen how bad and sometimes thoughtless these systems can be when recommending us products based on current data models.

Pro-Tip: If you really want to step up your game, make empathic questions part of your data-gathering and analytics efforts.

Emotional Intelligence and AI in Business and Marketing: Making Yourself Available

With so many people working from home and finding a new balance in life, there is one thing your company needs to do: be available. While AI might tell you that X number of customers typically call on a certain day, at a certain time, regarding a certain topic, emotional intelligence will tell you to staff up for longer calls and shorter wait times. Customer service reps need to be prepped on the importance of emotional intelligence. Empathy and understanding will go a long way to help people find solutions they need. As an added bonus, it will likely develop a stronger sense of loyalty between the customer and your brand. We all know it only takes one bad experience for a customer to leave a brand, a positive experience can gain you repeat business — something we are all striving for right now.

Emotional Intelligence and AI in Business and Marketing: Know Thyself

One of the key tenets of emotional intelligence is that you aren’t just able to read the needs of others, but you’re aware of your own emotional trappings. Therefore, if you tend to be more analytic and problem-solving in nature, it’s essential that you make an intentional effort to work more empathic goals into your business, marketing, and AI efforts. In a recent podcast conversation I had with Splunk CTO Tim Tully, he shared that he has started looking at problems with an emotionally intelligent mindset, asking questions like what are the other issues I’m not seeing here.

AI won’t take the step to do this for you. In fact, it will only reinforce whatever bias you bring to the marketing table. So, especially now, make a conscious effort to surround yourself with empathic people who truly understand what your customers are going through, and empower them to make decisions they know to be right even when AI tells you otherwise. This also might be a good time to reintroduce some unconscious bias training. Tim shared that he recently went through an unconscious bias seminar and it opened his eyes to a number of his own personal biases.

This is a time like none other in history. It’s a time when AI and analytics can offer tremendous insights and answers, but when relying on those things alone will force all of us to fall short in serving our customers’ needs. If you lead a data-driven organization and find it difficult to merge that type of enterprise with a greater touch of human empathy, that’s OK, for now. Just remember: in natural selection, the companies that can adapt to change are the ones that ultimately survive. And right now (and arguably never), a data-only culture is not what customers want or need.

 

Original post: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2020/07/06/why-business-must-strike-a-balance-with-ai-and-emotional-intelligence/

104 comentários em “Why Business Must Strike A Balance With AI And Emotional Intelligence

  1. I am the co-founder of JustCBD brand (justcbdstore.com) and am seeking to expand my wholesale side of company. I am hoping anybody at targetdomain can help me ! I considered that the best way to accomplish this would be to connect to vape companies and cbd retail stores. I was hoping if someone could suggest a trustworthy site where I can purchase Vape Shop Business Leads I am already considering creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Not exactly sure which one would be the very best option and would appreciate any support on this. Or would it be easier for me to scrape my own leads? Suggestions?

  2. I’m the manager of JustCBD Store company (justcbdstore.com) and I am currently seeking to expand my wholesale side of company. I am hoping anybody at targetdomain is able to provide some guidance ! I considered that the most effective way to do this would be to reach out to vape shops and cbd retailers. I was hoping if anybody at all could suggest a reliable web-site where I can purchase Vape Shop B2B Database with Email Addresses I am presently considering creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Not exactly sure which one would be the most ideal solution and would appreciate any advice on this. Or would it be easier for me to scrape my own leads? Ideas?

  3. Spot on with this write-up, I truly feel this amazing site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the advice!

  4. Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  5. After looking at a handful of the blog articles on your web site, I really like your way of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and tell me how you feel.

  6. Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  7. Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to revisit once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  8. Hello there! This article could not be written much better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

  9. I seriously love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own personal blog and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Cheers!

  10. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  11. You are so cool! I don’t think I’ve truly read something like this before. So wonderful to discover another person with some unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  12. Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely believe this site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the information!

  13. Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  14. Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Many thanks for sharing!

  15. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read through content from other authors and use something from their websites.

  16. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this in my search for something concerning this.

  17. Hi! I just wish to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent info you have got here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon.

  18. Right here is the right web site for anyone who would like to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  19. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  20. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this matter here on your blog.

  21. I’m very pleased to discover this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new stuff in your website.

  22. When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  23. It’s difficult to find well-informed people for this subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

  24. After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you!

  25. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  26. I was more than happy to uncover this page. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new stuff on your web site.

  27. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!|

  28. Having read this I thought it was really enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  29. I was excited to uncover this website. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you book marked to look at new stuff in your web site.

  30. Achieving your fitness goal doesn’t have to require a certified personal trainer or an expensive gym memberships, it’s not hard to exercise at home. It’s easy to go down a training and fitness rabbit hole, however, when you’re looking for the best home exercise equipment to outfit your personal home gym.

  31. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!|

  32. Can I simply just say what a comfort to find somebody who actually knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people really need to look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you are not more popular since you certainly possess the gift.

  33. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

  34. This is the right webpage for anybody who would like to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for many years. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!

  35. Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to understand so much about this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I feel that you could do with a few p.c. to drive the message house a little bit, but other than that, that is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.|

  36. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own website now 😉

  37. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to return once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.|

  38. Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  39. You are so cool! I do not believe I’ve truly read through anything like that before. So nice to find someone with genuine thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

  40. The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint me just as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I truly believed you’d have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  41. I really love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own personal site and would love to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Kudos!

  42. Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  43. Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *