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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Designing CRM retention strategies using Deep Learning Customer Churn Prediction model in a subscription-based company

Authors

;

Term

4. term

Publication year

2019

Submitted on

Abstract

I brancher med hård konkurrence som tele og abonnementer er det afgørende at opbygge og fastholde kunderelationer. Dette speciale undersøger Customer Relationship Management (CRM) med særligt fokus på kundetab (churn, når kunder opsiger) og fastholdelsesstrategier. Emnet udforskes gennem et systematisk litteraturreview, der dækker forretningskontekst, graden af individualisering i CRM, segmentering, udvælgelse af nøglekunder, muliggørende processer, medarbejderengagement og effektmåling. Derudover udvikles og anvendes en deep learning-model (en avanceret AI-metode) til at forudsige, hvilke kunder der kan være på vej til at forlade virksomheden, og til at give supplerende marketingindsigter. På baggrund af litteraturen skabes et konceptuelt rammeværk for fastholdelse, som efterfølgende sammenholdes med resultaterne fra churn-modellen for at vurdere, i hvilket omfang modellen kan styrke arbejdet med CRM-fastholdelse. Resultaterne peger på, at deep learning er en effektiv måde at håndtere kundetab på: Modellen kan både identificere kunder med høj risiko for opsigelse og fremhæve de faktorer (prediktorer), der er knyttet til churn. Når denne viden kombineres med kendte årsager til opsigelse, kan den understøtte mere målrettede marketing- og fastholdelsestiltag. Indsigterne kan desuden suppleres med oplysninger som kundens livstidsværdi (den estimerede værdi over hele kundeforholdet) eller tilbøjelighed til at reagere på marketing. Modellen bør dog ikke stå alene; udviklingen af fastholdelsesstrategier må også tage højde for forhold som virksomhedens kontekst og konkrete fastholdelsesmål.

In highly competitive industries such as telecommunications and subscription services, building and keeping customer relationships is critical. This thesis examines Customer Relationship Management (CRM) with a focus on customer churn (when customers cancel or leave) and retention strategies. The topic is explored through a systematic literature review that covers business context, the level of CRM personalization, segmentation, selection of key customers, enabling processes, employee engagement, and performance assessment. In addition, the authors develop and apply a deep learning model (an advanced AI method) to predict churn and generate supplementary marketing insights. Based on the literature, they assemble a conceptual framework for retention and combine it with the model’s results to assess how much the model can strengthen CRM retention work. The findings suggest that deep learning is an effective way to address customer defection: the model can identify customers at high risk of leaving and highlight the factors (predictors) associated with churn. When combined with known reasons for leaving, this supports more targeted marketing and retention actions. These insights can be further enriched with information such as customer lifetime value (the estimated value over the full relationship) or likelihood to respond to marketing. However, the model should not stand alone; effective retention also depends on factors such as the company’s context and specific retention goals.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]