10 Tips for using a Telephone Answering Service

Dec. 23, 2008 - PRLog -- 1. Does the telephone answering service already provide a service to companies of a similar size and type as mine?

Experience counts for a lot in how different calls and scenarios are handled. If the supplier works with a large client base, including companies similar to yours, they should have the ability and knowledge to provide you with what you want from a telephone answering service.

2. How long have they been in business, and are they trust worthy?

There are quite a few start-ups in the telephone answering industry. Are you sure they're going to to stay in business? Experience is the most important aspect, as is having trained, committed, long-term staff. Symmetry was formed in 1999 and we take calls from every type of business sector.

3. How much cover do I really need?

You might only need a few hours of day covered, maybe while you are at lunch or in a meeting. Perhaps you have a fulltime receiptionist who is unable to answer all the calls herself? In some cases we are the receptionist and we patch calls to employees in your building as if we were located in your building.

4. How much can the service be personalised?

Each member of staff can choose how their calls are answered, and how their messages are handled. Each person should also be able to have a list of all their most important callers, how they should be greeted and where they're from. Symmetry's Telephone Answering Service allows unlimited contacts.

5. Can the supplier become a live switchboard and pass calls onto me wherever I am?

A live switchboard can patch calls through to you wherever you are, and introduce the call to you so you know who is calling before you speak to them. If the call can't be patched through to you, you should receive the message automatically, by whatever means you prefer - fax, email, or SMS. Make sure you don't pay extra for messaging - it should all be included.

6. What is the calibre of receptionists?

Are they just message takers or are they experienced, trained telephone answering operatives? Our receptionists sound as though they're a member of your staff.

7. What training do they provide for their receptionists?

The supplier should be able to measure their receptionists performances, and know exactly how well each receptionist is performing so they can be trained and developed. Symmetry receptionists are either trained to NVQ2 or NVQ3 level in Customer Services, or are going through the training process.

8. Can the service grow with my business?

YES - If you want straightforward telephone answering now, and in future you'll want to run events or seminars which require bookings; you may also want to put out an ad with a phone number to call, or have an order line for people calling from your website. Check on the flexibility of the supplier and how well they could cope with your growth.

9. Can I keep my telephone number if I move on?

Once you own an 0845 numbers you'll spend a lot of time and money promoting them on your website and marketing material. Don't get caught out if you decide to move suppliers - make sure you can take your number with you.

10. Will they let me visit the call centre service and see how they work?

If they won't let you come and see the whole process in action, and to see how the receptionists work for other clients, beware! Symmetry is happy to have guests, it also gives everyone a chance to put names to faces etc, and really get down to showing you how we can work with you and improve your business profile, and your BPO

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Our telephone answering services answer your telephone calls professionally by professional call centre staff