| A call handling service is an excellent way of | | | | the impression to callers that they are part of the |
| managing telephone correspondence for small, | | | | company and in many cases can do much of |
| medium and even large businesses. In today’s | | | | what a normal receptionist does be it booking |
| highly competitive business world, companies need | | | | appointments, giving directions, placing orders or |
| to take advantage of every source of business | | | | simply transferring the call to the relevant |
| that comes along, however many may be missing | | | | department or person. The key is that the caller |
| opportunities or potential sales without even | | | | feels they are able to speak to the business |
| knowing it. It is thought that around 80% of | | | | whenever they call, most of the time they don't |
| people hang up when they hear a voicemail or | | | | even realize they've been speaking to an |
| otherwise recorded message. In other words, if a | | | | outsourced receptionist. |
| business is unable to answer their calls and leaves | | | | A good call handling service should not be seen as |
| it to the mercy of an answering machine, out of | | | | a glorified answering machine and should certainly |
| every 10 possible clients, 8 could well be sourcing | | | | not be compared for cost. Answering machines |
| their business elsewhere with a competitor. | | | | only give the option for callers to leave a |
| By offering the assistance of live operators that | | | | message, there is no human interaction and the |
| are familiar with the companies practices, | | | | vast majority will go elsewhere. If a business is |
| products and important clients, call handling | | | | happy to spend a minimal amount on an |
| services (sometimes referred to as "virtual | | | | answering machine then they should expect a |
| offices") can offer great advances in customer | | | | minimal amount of business from it. |
| satisfaction. | | | | Whilst many people may associate the use of a |
| By utilizing a good call handling service, businesses | | | | call handling service with hours when a business or |
| can stay that one step ahead of their | | | | organization is closed, the truth is that many |
| competitors. Customers want to be heard there | | | | companies use such a service specifically during |
| and then, not at a time convenient to the | | | | hours when they are open. This can be especially |
| business when they run through their voicemail | | | | helpful for organizations and businesses that |
| messages. Good virtual receptionists (as many | | | | experience a high degree of call volume. |
| operators refer to themselves) are able to give | | | | |