Building an internal customer experience (CX) team from scratch is a massive undertaking. The costs associated with salaries, benefits, training, and infrastructure can be substantial. In fact, research indicates that the average cost to hire a single new employee can run into thousands of dollars, not to mention the weeks or months it takes to find the right talent. For many organizations, outsourcing CX can save up to 40% on operational costs compared to building an in-house team. For growing businesses, this expense and time commitment can stall progress. As a result, many leaders are looking for alternatives to building internal CX teams that deliver exceptional service without the heavy financial and administrative burden.
This article will guide you through the smarter alternatives to creating a CX department from the ground up. We will define what these solutions look like, explore the key benefits, and even look at how specialized roles, like a real estate affiliate manager, can be sourced through these models. Furthermore, we will show you how to choose the right partner and why Stealth Agents provides a superior solution for businesses that demand both quality and efficiency.
What Are Alternatives to Building Internal CX Teams?
When we talk about alternatives to building internal CX teams, we are referring to outsourcing this entire function to a specialized, managed service provider. Instead of you shouldering the responsibility of recruiting, training, and managing customer service staff, you partner with a company that handles it all for you. This model includes managed virtual CX teams, dedicated remote support agents, and hybrid solutions where an external team complements your core staff.
This approach fundamentally shifts the responsibility of day-to-day management away from you. You define the goals and the brand voice, and your partner provides the trained professionals and the infrastructure to execute. It allows your business to offer world-class customer support without the immense operational drag of running a full-scale, in-house department. It is about getting the results without the HR headaches.
Benefits of Choosing Alternatives to Building Internal CX Teams
Opting for a managed service over an internal team offers significant advantages, especially for businesses that need to stay agile and focused on growth.
✔️ Drastic Cost Savings
You eliminate expenses related to salaries, benefits, office space, and equipment for a full team. Instead, you pay a predictable fee for a service that is ready to go from day one.
✔️ Access to Experienced Professionals
Managed service providers have a deep pool of CX talent. You get access to experienced agents who already know how to handle customer inquiries professionally and effectively, cutting down on training time.
✔️ Scalability to Meet Demand
Your customer service needs can change with the seasons. A managed service lets you scale your team up during busy periods and down during quieter times without the pain of hiring and layoffs.
✔️ Reduced Management Burden
You no longer need to spend your days managing schedules, monitoring performance, or handling HR issues. A dedicated account manager from the service provider oversees the team for you.
✔️ Improved Customer Satisfaction
Because you are using a team of trained professionals, your customers receive faster, more consistent, and higher-quality support. This directly leads to better satisfaction and loyalty.
Key Services Offered by a Real Estate Affiliate Manager
The principle of using managed alternatives extends beyond general CX. Consider a specialized role like a real estate affiliate manager. Building this function internally requires finding someone with a rare mix of sales, marketing, and industry-specific knowledge. Outsourcing this to a specialized provider is often a much more effective strategy.
A real estate affiliate manager focuses on creating revenue through partnerships, a key growth area.
1. Managing Affiliate Partnerships:
They proactively find and recruit new partners, like mortgage lenders or home staging companies. They are responsible for nurturing these relationships to create a steady stream of warm leads for your business.
2. Tracking and Reporting Performance:
This manager uses software to track the leads and sales generated by each affiliate. They provide you with clear, data-driven reports so you know which partnerships are worth your investment.
3. Coordinating Marketing Campaigns:
They work with your partners to create and execute co-branded marketing efforts. This ensures your brand is consistently represented and reaches a wider audience.
4. Ensuring Compliance:
Real estate is a highly regulated field, and affiliate marketing must follow strict rules. The manager ensures that all partner activities are compliant, protecting you from legal risks.
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Choosing the right partner to handle your customer experience is a critical decision. You are entrusting them with your brand’s reputation, so it is important to vet them carefully. First, investigate their talent pool and hiring process. A great provider is selective. They should be transparent about how they screen their agents for skills, experience, and professionalism. You want a partner who hires career professionals, not temporary gig workers.
Next, focus on the support structure. Does the provider offer a dedicated account manager? This is a non-negotiable feature for a true partnership. One of our clients, Mark, put it best: “I tried a service without a manager, and I felt like I was just yelling into the void. With Stealth Agents, my account manager knows my business and handles issues before I even see them.”
Finally, look at their track record. Read reviews and ask for case studies. Look for evidence of long-term client relationships, as this is a strong indicator of reliability and customer satisfaction. A company that is proud of its client success stories is one you can likely trust with your own.
Why Stealth Agents Is the Best Choice
When you decide to explore alternatives to building an internal CX team, Stealth Agents stands out as the premium choice. We provide more than just remote workers; we deliver a fully managed service built on a foundation of experience and reliability. We understand that your customer interactions define your brand, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Our commitment to quality starts with our people. We recruit only the top 1% of virtual assistants, many of whom have over 10 to 15 years of experience in executive and customer-facing roles. They are seasoned professionals who can think on their feet and represent your brand with class. This dedication to excellence is why Forbes has recognized us as one of the top virtual assistant services in the industry.
With Stealth Agents, you are never left to manage things on your own. Every client is assigned a dedicated account manager who acts as your single point of contact. This manager ensures your team is meeting its goals and that your operations run smoothly. One of our clients, Jessica, told us that her account manager “felt like a true partner who was as invested in my customers’ happiness as I was.” We facilitate this partnership through a secure cloud platform, ensuring communication is seamless and your data is always protected. Our outstanding Google reviews reflect our commitment to delivering this level of service consistently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions business owners have about outsourcing their CX teams.
1. First, what kinds of tasks can a virtual CX team handle?
They can manage everything from inbound customer inquiries via phone and email to live chat support, ticket management, and processing returns or exchanges.
2. Next, how does this compare to an in-house team?
A virtual team offers greater flexibility and cost savings. You get the same, if not better, level of professionalism without the overhead of internal employees.
3. In addition, is it truly cost-effective?
Yes. You save on recruitment, salaries, benefits, and infrastructure. This can reduce your customer service operating costs significantly.
4. So, how do I ensure the team understands my brand?
We work with you to create detailed training materials and brand guidelines. Your dedicated account manager ensures the team is fully briefed and consistently represents your voice.
5. Also, what industries can benefit from this?
Any business with customers can benefit. We serve clients in e-commerce, real estate, healthcare, tech, and professional services, among others.
6. Then, how does Stealth Agents ensure quality control?
Our account managers conduct regular performance reviews and quality checks. We use data to monitor response times and customer satisfaction scores.
7. Moreover, can I scale the service?
Absolutely. We can add or remove agents from your team as your call volume fluctuates, ensuring you are only paying for what you need.
8. Finally, what makes Stealth Agents different?
Our focus on hiring the top 1% of experienced professionals, combined with our dedicated management model, provides a level of reliability and quality that is unmatched in the industry.
Final Thoughts
Building an internal CX team is a noble goal, but for most growing companies, it is an expensive and distracting one. Alternatives like managed virtual teams offer a smarter, more efficient way to provide outstanding customer service. You get access to top talent and professional oversight, all while keeping your costs down and your focus on your core business.
By partnering with a trusted provider like Stealth Agents, you can be confident that your customers are in good hands. We provide the people, the platform, and the process to deliver exceptional customer experiences on your behalf. Stop worrying about hiring and start focusing on growing. Reach out today to learn how our managed teams can support your business.
