Despite the age of the internet and social media, a surprising amount of all new business is still generated the old fashioned way through business telephone calls. The quality of any company’s telecommunications systems can mean the difference between gaining or losing new business. This article sets out some basic concepts for optimal business telecommunications onsite, offsite, between multiple sites and when relocating.

Using Integrated Systems

As well as telephones, the ideal system needs to seamlessly integrate reliable internet and email. If your systems cannot ensure telephone calls and emails are reliable both for outgoing and incoming traffic, you can lose credibility with customers. You also need to consider off-site arrangements, which the latest VoIP for business systems can make considerably cheaper.

Processing Business Telephone Calls

The way your system processes incoming calls is more important than you might imagine. Consider the number of lines you need and whether your existing system delivers the best value. Ask your telephony supplier for a comparative quote for VoIP for business system compared to your current one. This should include features such as Call Waiting, Voicemail, Call Diversion etc, plus call rates for local, national and international dialling.

The majority of customers prefer to speak to a member of staff over an automated system, and some will not even leave a voicemail message. Working with a system equipped with Missed Call Alerts allows for the capture of their telephone number for follow up, even without a message. If you do not already have it in place, also ask your telephony supplier about automatic distribution of your inbound calls to the first available staff member.

Offsite Working

If you work away from the office or site, customers, clients and trading partners still need to be in reliable contact with you. Business VoIP has evolved to the stage where you can use a universal telephone number allowing you to make calls just as you would onsite.

As well as cheaper business telephone calls, consider whether your business mobile phone could offer you additional functionality. Email enquiries are increasingly important and there is an expectation that efficiency equals a rapid response. The latest generation of Blackberry mobiles will allow you to send and receive emails, again, just as though you were onsite. You’ll also be able to access the web for your own needs. You can also make and amend appointments using the integrated personal organiser.

Relocation and Multi-Site Working

Using a business VoIP system allows for a ‘non-geographical’ telephone number. This is useful for multi-site operations, as customers do not need to contend with different numbers. Calls between sites should also be free. It also means any type of company should not lose business when relocating, as your number stays the same.

Your systems must be reliable enough to ensure emails never go astray and callers do not endure long waits ‘on hold’. Callers should also be able to contact you or specific staff members away from the office by email or phone. Finally, the quality of both landline and mobile business telephone calls should never falter – customers must never hear the words “sorry, it’s a bad line”.

Author Bio: Leon Perry works for SynergyOne, the UK’s leading specialist for business telephone calls. SynergyOne provide products, services, information and free initial advice on all aspects of business VoIP, telephone systems, lines and maintenance.

Category: Business
Keywords: business telephone calls,VoIP for business,business VoIP