Most everyone knows that help desk services are great at answering the phone in the evenings and weekends, but they can also answer your phone during the business day. Though most applicable for entrepreneurs and small businesses, this also has application for medium-sized and large businesses.
When do you need help desk services? Here are some common scenarios:
Out of the Office
When you are out of the office meeting with customers and making things happen, let your answering service handle your phone calls. This way you won’t miss an opportunity when it calls – even if you’re not there to answer it.
During Appointments
If you are in an important meeting and the phone rings, what do you do? If you focus on the meeting you may miss a significant phone call. If you pause to answer the phone, you disrespect the person you are meeting with and may blow an opportunity. Your answering service eliminates this dilemma by answering your phone so you can concentrate on your meeting.
Already on the Phone
You go for a couple of hours without the phone ringing, then two calls come in at once. When you talk to the first caller, what happens to the second one? Let your answering service answer it for you. Then you won’t have to juggle two (or more) calls and risk bungling them both.
Block Out Uninterrupted Time
Some astute entrepreneurs set aside time each day to handle key aspects of their business, such as preparing quotes, processing orders, generating reports for clients, or working on customer projects. Phone calls interrupt each of these tasks, affecting productivity and hampering critical income-generating work.
Focus on Essential Tasks
Deadlines and time-critical projects demand focus if you are to complete them on time. Phone calls disrupt these tasks, interrupt concentration, and can cause errors. Your answering service protects you from a ringing phone so you can attend to vital work.
Success Tips for help desk services.
In using an answering service to handle your ringing phone during each of these critical situations, keep in mind that you shouldn’t use an answering service to perpetually dodge phone calls but to shift them to a more conducive time.
Keep two things in mind about your help desk services.
First, let your answering service know what constitutes an emergency and how they should alert you when urgent situations occur.
Second, give your answering service parameters on when you will call people back. You may strategically reserve time for this each day, such as between 2:00 and 3:00, or this could vary with each situation, such as after your meeting or as soon as you finish your current project. This way your answering service can present you in a professional manner to callers. Doing so will let them know what to expect, which will reduce their frustration and making repeat calls. Your answering service can serve as a key resource during office hours, as well as after.
