Contact Center & BPO Advisors
Find the Right Customer Care Agency for Your Business
We are independent advisors, not a call center. We assess your needs and match you with vetted customer care centers that fit your goals, budget and brand.
- Vetted partners onshore, nearshore, offshore or hybrid
- 20-30% cost savings versus an in-house team
- Partner selection at no cost to you in most cases
Client experience includes Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Discover, Ameriprise and FEMA.
Prefer to talk? Call 952-929-0929
Tell us what you need
Share a few details and we will start matching you with customer care agencies that fit.
Why buyers use The Connected Hive
A vetted network, not a guess
We hand-select agencies from an extensive network of vetted BPO and contact center partners.
Lower cost of service
Outsourced customer care can cut 20-30% compared with keeping the same team in-house.
Usually free to you
Partner selection is typically delivered at no cost to the buyer. The placed partner pays the fee.
HIPAA and PCI know-how
We know the compliance rules that healthcare, insurance and financial programs must meet.
20 years in the industry
Founder Tim Austrums spent two decades leading contact center programs for major brands.
Support through the whole deal
RFI and RFP creation, vendor questions, site visit audits and negotiation support.
What a customer care agency match covers
A customer care agency handles the conversations your customers have with your brand. The right one protects your reputation. The wrong one costs you customers. We do a full needs assessment, then pair you with contact centers that fit your volume, channels, compliance rules and culture.
We are a trusted advisor and broker. We do not run call center floors, so we have no reason to push you toward one site. Our job is to find the best fit and help you negotiate it.
- Channels covered: phone, email, chat, social media, technical help desk and customer care
- Models: onshore US, nearshore, offshore and hybrid
- Typical partner pricing runs $8-$35 per agent-hour by location, complexity and volume
- Ongoing programs and shorter-term seasonal campaigns
- HIPAA-compliant and PCI-DSS-compliant vendor sourcing
- Outbound sales, acquisition and customer care programs
- RFI and RFP design, vendor questions and site visit audits
- Contact center technology sourcing: AI, chatbots, IVR, WFM and CCaaS
Experience behind your match
“I've had the pleasure of working closely with Tim for years, across many verticles and industries, including preparing and presenting winning RFPs, designing and implementing business process solutions, building lasting relationships and networking industry events all over the country. I've seen his unique abilities to bring strategic solutions and align the right partners to accomplish any initiative. His focus on organizational culture and core values when consulting and crafting customized proposals promote results better described as network expansion versus traditional outsourcing. Ethics, fairness and transparency guide his approach in each situation. Tim drives success, defined by meaningful metrics, bringing calibrated measurement to all involved stakeholders.”
“Tim is an expert in strategic thinking, relationship management and sales. His network of contact centers & experts in the industry make him an invaluable resource for anyone he works with. I knew him before he started his own business. It's been amazing to see him start his own firm to help his clients. He is passionate about enriching his clientele but also his connections in his network. He always strives to add value and perspective through industry research and well thought out responses. His consultative approach will make you rethink and consider business decisions to make the greatest impact on financials and ROI. I highly recommend him as an expert in Contact Center Outsourcing: & management, as well as a strategic consultant to optimize organizational efficiencies. He truly is a 'Connected Hive' of insight and information!”
“I've had a professional relationship with Tim for almost 20 years started beginning while in his role at The Connection. He managed our business partnership successfully, overseeing and growing our portfolio of services including, IB DTC Sales, Customer Service, and Lead Generation. As a challenging, seasonal client with unique business requirements, Tim was always innovative, flexible, and fair in creating solutions that provided cost effective programs for our changing business needs. I have continued to rely on Tim as an extremely talented and knowledgeable subject expert in the Contact Center Industry. His openness, reliability, and integrity have resulted in a lasting professional and personal relationship that has been invaluable resource for me and our business.”
What happens next
Needs assessment
We talk through your volumes, channels, compliance needs, budget and service goals.
Matched shortlist
We hand-select agencies from our vetted network and explain why each one fits.
Selection and launch
We help with RFPs, vendor questions, site visit audits and negotiation, then support the launch.
Frequently asked questions
Do you run your own call center?
No. The Connected Hive is an independent advisor and broker. We match you with vetted contact center and BPO partners instead of selling you our own seats.
What does your service cost?
Partner selection is typically delivered at no cost to the buyer. The placed partner pays the fee. Consulting engagements are scoped to your needs, and we confirm that up front.
What will the agency itself cost?
Typical partner pricing runs $8 to $35 per agent-hour, depending on location, program complexity and volume. Your quote will narrow that range.
Can you source onshore agents only?
Yes. We source onshore US, nearshore, offshore and hybrid models. Onshore usually gives the closest cultural alignment and easier scheduling.
We handle protected health or card data. Can you help?
Yes. We source HIPAA-compliant and PCI-DSS-compliant partners and technology, and we know the rules those programs must follow.
Is there a minimum program size?
We work with both large and small clients, and with ongoing programs as well as shorter-term campaigns. Tell us your volume and we will say what fits.
Get matched with the right customer care agency
Tell us about your program and we will bring back vetted agencies that fit your goals, budget and compliance needs.
- Vetted partners onshore, nearshore, offshore or hybrid
- 20-30% cost savings versus an in-house team
- Partner selection at no cost to you in most cases
Prefer to talk? Call 952-929-0929
