By Kyle Beach, CFE, Wonderly Lights

 

Being in the age of digital transformation, businesses especially are embracing technology to enhance customer experiences, create value and provide more tailored solutions. Take the AI language processing tool, ChatGPT, for example. The OpenAI chatbot reached 100 million users in its first two months of launch, breaking previous records for the roll-out of online apps. Technologies are advancing at lightning speed and companies are investing for the future. Nearly 92 percent of Fortune 1000 companies are increasing their funding into Big Data and AI.

Nearly 92 percent of Fortune 1000 companies are increasing their funding into Big Data and AI.

 Technologies like AI, drones, analytics and virtual and augmented reality are paradigm shifts for many companies, streamlining operations and optimizing the customer experience. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems have transformed businesses by supplying tools to track and manage interactions with prospects and customers. This enables businesses to tailor marketing efforts more effectively, improve customer service and boost sales.

But a necessary part of embracing the newest, latest and greatest technologies is finding what fits your brand’s needs. Our franchise, Wonderly Lights, has not only welcomed technological innovation but used it to devise remedies for efficiency challenges faced in the field. We recognize the immense potential that thoughtful technology offers, particularly in the interest of enhancing our customer interactions.

Finding Inspiration in Frustration

It was becoming clear to our franchise leadership and owners that we had to augment our technology to continue providing the same commitment to excellence for our customers. As a growing holiday lighting franchise, initially, our team relied on an existing software app to design mock-up installations to show clients how their homes will look when adorned with our customized lighting and décor. While the original app provided a basic rendering, it failed to capture the essence of our offerings. For example, bulb shapes varied, free-hand drawings of mini lights weren’t possible and the overall depiction was not always consistent with our signature premium style. What’s more, the inability to provide varied pricing options like ‘good, better, best’ quotes or save designs for further refinements made the process tedious. For us, this wasn’t just about showing a client a visual representation of how their home would look, we knew we needed to up our game, ensuring that every touchpoint echoed our brand promise — and the generic app we were using was not up to this caliber.

But we are navigating the balance between tradition and innovation, a strategic move all franchises should be making in this era of accelerated technological innovations.

 Crafting a Tailored Experience

Understanding our unique needs and seeing the gap in our existing tool, we decided to take matters into our own hands. The goal was clear: create an application that not only made the design process user-friendly at a higher speed but also accurately represented the brand’s product line and service offerings.

The new Wonderly Lights Design App does just that. It’s a proprietary software application, allowing for timely updates and developments based on evolving requirements. Franchise owners will receive training to employ the App effectively, be it during on-site estimates, at marketing events, or for virtual engagements.

A game-changer feature of the app is its adaptability. It accepts both on-site photography or image uploads. This flexibility ensures that even if our design professionals aren’t present at the customer’s location, they can still receive and work through design consultation requests. In addition, immediate mock-ups with pricing can be sent to clients, enhancing the speed and efficiency of interactions.

A Future Lit by Innovation

The realm of technology is ever-evolving. With advancements in AI, Wonderly Lights plans to integrate more user-friendly elements into our App. One such addition on the horizon is the smart measurement feature, set to streamline the estimating process further.

Embracing technological advancements not only underscores a brand’s professionalism but also gives it a competitive edge with the promise of increased conversion rates. Perhaps your franchise mirrors our challenges, competing with local businesses that might rely on conventional operations methods. Technology can help you stand apart from the crowd, by integrating fresh ideas into your core processes.

We’re in a business that is steeped in tradition — decorating homes for the holidays. But we are navigating the balance between tradition and innovation, a strategic move all franchises should be making in this era of accelerated technological innovations. It exemplifies how technology, when used thoughtfully, can enhance not just operational efficiencies but also brand-customer interactions.

 

Kyle Beach is the director of operations for Wonderly Lights, the newest offering from Buzz Franchise Brands. He has 15 years of franchising experience working in operations across both wellestablished and emerging brands and is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE).

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