Partner Selection
Get matched with qualified retail customer support partners through needs assessment, RFI and RFP guidance, vendor questions, site audits, and careful comparison of operational fit.
Scale retail customer support without sacrificing brand experience. The Connected Hive helps retailers identify, vet, and launch the right BPO contact center partners for phone, email, chat, social, and omnichannel care—balancing cost savings, customer satisfaction, technology fit, and operational flexibility during seasonal peaks, growth periods, and complex service demands.

Strategic BPO partner matching, outsourcing models, and technology guidance for scalable retail customer support operations.
Get matched with qualified retail customer support partners through needs assessment, RFI and RFP guidance, vendor questions, site audits, and careful comparison of operational fit.
Outsource phone, email, chat, social media, technical help desk, and customer care programs to specialized providers designed to improve service while reducing internal workload.
Use domestic contact center teams when cultural alignment, brand nuance, scheduling ease, and close communication are important to your retail customer experience strategy.
Balance cost efficiency and operational proximity with neighboring-country support options that can serve retail customers across channels while maintaining strong coordination.
Access global talent and cost-effective staffing models for retail customer care, overflow support, and scalable programs where volume and budget efficiency matter.
Evaluate and implement contact center technologies such as AI, chatbots, IVR, workforce management, CCaaS platforms, and automation to improve retail support efficiency.

The Connected Hive starts by assessing your retail support channels, customer volumes, pain points, growth plans, seasonal demand, technology stack, and internal team structure. This creates a clear blueprint for the right outsourcing model.
Experience shaped by major healthcare, financial services, government, and enterprise customer support programs.
The Connected Hive brings strategy, transparency, and proven industry relationships to retail outsourcing decisions.
Led by Tim Austrums with 20+ years in BPO, contact center strategy, and enterprise relationships.
Access a curated network of contact centers selected for fit, capability, and performance expectations.
Strategic assessment balances retail brand, culture, budget, customer expectations, and operational complexity.
Guidance reflects PCI and HIPAA knowledge vital for secure, compliant customer support operations.
Expert guidance from experienced contact center leadership.

Founder and CEO
Tim Austrums is the Founder and CEO of The Connected Hive, bringing over twenty years of executive and leadership experience in the BPO and contact center industry. Based in Edina, MN, Tim has built a distinguished career working with leading organizations such as Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Discover, Ameriprise, and government agencies including FEMA and the State of Louisiana. He specializes in healthcare member experience, contact center strategy, and negotiating multi-million dollar client and vendor relationships. A sharp strategist and skilled closer of $5–6 million dollar deals, Tim founded The Connected Hive to serve businesses with the personalized, expert guidance they need to navigate the complexities of the contact center and BPO landscape. His commitment to impeccability, transparency, and human connection drives every client engagement.
Retail in BPO means outsourcing retail-related business processes to a specialized provider, most often customer support, order assistance, returns, loyalty program help, chat, email, phone, and social media engagement. For retailers, BPO can improve responsiveness during peak demand, reduce internal staffing pressure, and provide access to trained agents, customer experience technology, and scalable operating models.
Get practical guidance before choosing a contact center partner.
Industry leadership in Midwest contact center community.
Association membership supporting contact center excellence.
Customer experience association membership and insight.
Share your retail support goals, current challenges, volume needs, and preferred channels. The Connected Hive will help clarify your options and next steps.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 952-500-0806.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 952-500-0806.