Telephone answering/call centre

Ted, I think it really depends on who you pick I have a virtual PA that I use and she does all manner of things for me. I wont give out her details publicly as she is fully loaded – the good ones seem to be! The larger business will tend to just cover call minding as you describe, the smaller individual will tend to offer a full secretarial service if required. That said I’m sure some of the larger ones would do the complete package. Ive just emailed somone who may be able to help - cant recall if they are still doing it. Regards,
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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk
01235 536 773

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Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT

Something tells me that outsourcing certain jobs like this calls and message taking may not be the best for any small business owner. The big firms out there may not mind when they lose money on such outsourcing simply because they are big, they will simply try their hands on some thing else. It's the usual corporate way of life although many of us don't get to know the many blunders they go through. Imagine entrusting your business into the hands of another business owner whose main objective is entirley different from your own. I think that communication is the live wire of any business and risking the only concrete channel (telephone) isn't the best idea. Customers value real responses to real problems even if they have to wait for some time to get the responses they want. I would hire someone and teach the person all he/she needs to know about the business rather than out source to someone who is still looking for more calls to handle as it translates to more money. For example, our friend here James won't give out her contact's name because he wants her to concentrate on his work but some other people may still be making use of the same person or company, get the gist? No matter the effort put in any business, if all the participants don't have the same goal the business is in real trouble. Don't take my word for it, but rethink what you intend to do and do what's best for your business. All the best.
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Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
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Hi Firstly thanks for the contacts James. Afam I think you have to look at the context of my situation. Basically I have a very well paid good job working 5 half days, so obviously I cannot answer the phones in this time so I need a virtual assistant who can ask the clients questions and pass on the messages to me so that I can call them in the afternoon. Regards Ted

Hi Ted, That's why I stated that you should do what's best for your business. If it's a home business fine but if you have an office (not the 1/2 day job), then a dedicated worker (for your business only) will suffice. Just felt like presenting a different approach to the issue. I love choices. I didn't mean to undermine what James said. I am sure you will agree with me that a single dedicated staff will do better that one with other responsibilities apart from your business. Better still, get as much questions that you have received as possible and post them on your website, it saves time, energy and costs. I can't remember ever contacting google, yahoo, cnn because these companies try to present as much information as possible on their websites. Maybe I feel this way because the cost of phone calls is expensive in Nigeria, actually I direct most callers to the site and they end up contacting me via email when they must have gotten as much information as possible from the site, and they are happy because the extra costs of calling have been saved. All the best Ted.
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Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
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I would recommend Forsch Torr. The can provide a bespoke call answering service to meet your needs. www.forschtorr.co.uk.
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F Khan

I could recommend an excellent service at On Net Communications. Very friendly and eager to please. Let me know if you need the contact details. We provided the technology for their contact centre, so have all the necessary details

Alldaypa have had their financial problems but can floow scripted scenarios when answering the phone. Alan www.villarenters.com