Non-scheduled training for an agent in a call center
First Claim
1. A method for providing a snippet training session to an agent of a call center during a work shift of the agent comprising:
- storing snippet training data in a memory by a computer, the snippet training data configured to be provided to an agent'"'"'s computer, wherein the snippet training data is configured to be delivered to the agent during the snippet training session having a time period that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent during the work shift;
determining a condition triggering initiation of the snippet training session while an agent'"'"'s workstation is in an available state for processing calls during the work shift;
placing the agent'"'"'s workstation from the available state to an unavailable state in an automatic call distributor processing calls in the call center, wherein the agent'"'"'s workstation is precluded from receiving further calls from the automatic call distributor;
delivering the snippet training data to the agent'"'"'s computer by the computer during the snippet training session, wherein the snippet training session is completed in a time period less than the scheduling interval; and
returning the agent'"'"'s workstation back into the available state after the snippet training session has ended, wherein the agent'"'"'s workstation is able to receive further calls from the automatic call distributor.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Call center agent training is provided on a non-scheduled basis and is characterized as having a duration that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent for their work shift, as well as schedule other activities in the work shift. The delivery of snippet training content may be triggered by various conditions, including in response to: a request for training originating from the agent, a period of continuous call processing activity of the agent, various agent performance metrics, or probabilistically assigned to an agent in a group. Various parameters may selectively limit provision of a snippet training session. The agents provided with training are placed in an unavailable state prior to the snippet training session, and placed back into an available state afterwards. The snippet training content may be variously structured and can be grouped together to form an e-learning course delivered to the agent.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for providing a snippet training session to an agent of a call center during a work shift of the agent comprising:
-
storing snippet training data in a memory by a computer, the snippet training data configured to be provided to an agent'"'"'s computer, wherein the snippet training data is configured to be delivered to the agent during the snippet training session having a time period that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent during the work shift; determining a condition triggering initiation of the snippet training session while an agent'"'"'s workstation is in an available state for processing calls during the work shift; placing the agent'"'"'s workstation from the available state to an unavailable state in an automatic call distributor processing calls in the call center, wherein the agent'"'"'s workstation is precluded from receiving further calls from the automatic call distributor; delivering the snippet training data to the agent'"'"'s computer by the computer during the snippet training session, wherein the snippet training session is completed in a time period less than the scheduling interval; and returning the agent'"'"'s workstation back into the available state after the snippet training session has ended, wherein the agent'"'"'s workstation is able to receive further calls from the automatic call distributor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system for providing a snippet training session to an agent in a call center, the system comprising:
-
an automatic call distributor (“
ACD”
) comprising a processor configured tomaintain a shift schedule for the agent, the shift schedule defined based on using a scheduling interval, process calls involving the agent during the shift schedule, place an agent'"'"'s workstation in an unavailable state in response to receiving an off-line message, and place the agent'"'"'s workstation in an available state in response to an on-line message; and a training server comprising a processing device configured to present a first indication to an agent'"'"'s computer that the agent'"'"'s workstation is in the unavailable state to process calls from the ACD prior to initiation of the snippet training session to the agent, provide the off-line message to the ACD prior to initiation of the snippet training session to the agent, provide the snippet training session to the agent'"'"'s computer, wherein the snippet training session has a duration that is less than the scheduling interval used to schedule the agent, provide the on-line message to the ACD, and present a second indication to the agent'"'"'s computer that the agent'"'"'s workstation is in the available state after the snippet training session has ended. - View Dependent Claims (13)
-
-
14. A computer program product for providing a snippet training session to an agent of a call center, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein, the computer-executable instructions configured upon execution by a computer processor to:
-
store snippet training data in a memory of a computer comprising the computer processor, the snippet training data configured to be delivered to an agent'"'"'s computer, wherein the snippet training data is configured to be presented to the agent during the snippet training session over a time period that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule a work shift of the agent; determine a condition triggering delivery of the snippet training session while a workstation associated with the agent is in an available state for receiving calls during the work shift; transmit an indication to an automatic call distributor to place the workstation in an unavailable state, wherein the workstation is precluded from receiving subsequent calls from the automatic call distributor; deliver the snippet training data to the agent by the computer processor during the snippet training session, wherein the snippet training session has a duration less than the scheduling interval; and return the workstation back into the available state after the snippet training session has ended, wherein the agent is able to receive calls from the automatic call distributor in the call center. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification