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Category: Learn

What is Web Callback?

30th January 2023 blog
What is web callback?

There’s a good chance that your prospects and customers are sick of waiting on hold for an available live rep. So to prevent subpar caller experiences and potential customer loss, …Read More »

A Guide to Telecom Compliance in the US and Globally

27th January 2023 blog
A guide to global telecom compliance.

As a global business, maintaining regulatory compliance can be a major challenge; especially when it comes to telecommunications. Most businesses are unsure where to start and how to navigate the …Read More »

Global Call Forwarding Implements PSTN Replacement to Expand Local Presence Dialing

16th January 2023 Press
PSTN replacement

Global Call Forwarding implements PSTN replacement to extend its global and local coverage. DELRAY BEACH, FL, January 2023 Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN is an aggregate of the world’s …Read More »

13 Ways to Manage High Call Volume

10th January 2023 blog, Call Management
10 ways manage high call volume

Lengthy hold times frustrate your callers – leading to poor customer experiences and low satisfaction rates. And after just one bad experience, 61% of consumers report they would stop purchasing …Read More »

Guide to International Number Ordering Requirements

6th January 2023 blog, International Business
Guide to International Phone Number Ordering Requirements.

International phone numbers allow businesses to establish a local presence in other countries. Incoming calls can be routed to any phone, PBX, or SIP destination worldwide. Users can also make …Read More »

What is International Local Presence?

5th January 2023 blog, International Business
What is international local presence?

Local presence is one of the most powerful features of our cloud-phone service. With local presence dialing, agents can connect with between 4-10x more prospects by showing a local number …Read More »

Why Some Companies Are More Successful than Others in Expanding to New Markets?

19th November 2018 Learn

Many companies have expanded globally to great success while others have tried and failed.

The difference between these companies is not what they offer; it is often how they go about providing it. There is much research to be done for a business before considering global expansion and which countries are most suitable.

Simply because one business model works in one country does not mean that the same business model will work overseas in another country. Advertising elements such as slogans could mean completely different things when translated into another language.

The same goes for logos, a picture or gesture that is considered normal in one country may be regarded as disrespectful in another. Not everything a business offers translates into a new country.

You can save yourself some time by putting in research, looking at the success and failures of other companies, and getting help from experienced entrepreneurs.

Considerations When Expanding Overseas

When you decide that your company should be expanded overseas, you have to develop a well-thought-out plan. Looking at companies that have already expanded to other countries is a great place to begin your research.

What are the best practices for global expansion that successful companies follow? What did the companies who failed do wrong? These are both great questions to get you started in developing a plan of action.

A Few Examples

Take Best Buy, for example, the wildly popular electronics store in America failed overseas in places such as China, Europe, and Turkey. Why? Best Buy only took what worked for its US consumers instead of researching what consumers prefer in other countries. Europeans do not like large stores, such as Best Buy or Walmart. They prefer smaller and more conveniently placed shops.

IKEA is another example, having worked tremendously overseas and almost failed in America. When IKEA first opened in the US, it was a small shop like its original European customers prefer, featuring convenient, one-size-fits-all furniture. IKEA began to fail and quickly realized that American consumers like big stores and diverse wares. The Swedish-founded furniture retailer decided to redesign its warehouses and its furniture offerings to cater to Americans tastes.

successful businessman
Source: Stockphoto.com O#23559 – ID#100078630902

Not Even Google is Fail-Proof Overseas

No company is safe from failing in an overseas market. Even Google can’t make headway in China because of its censorship laws and its inability to overtake local Chinese markets and its loyal customers. Without a proper long-term team to build brand loyalty and respond immediately to customer demands, Google will never be able to see success in China as it has in other countries.

Top fast-food restaurants that are staples in America have had their share of struggles overseas as well. Places such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s have all struggled in certain countries. When Wendy’s tried to move into Japan, they were quickly defeated by established Japanese burger restaurants and American competitors, McDonald’s and Burger King. However, McDonald’s has had its struggles in other countries, too. McDonald’s has seen significant success in places like Japan and the Philippines because of their ability to cater to the tastes of the local people. They were unsuccessful in the Caribbean and Latin America because of the high costs to run the restaurants and the sluggish economies of the countries they chose.

There is no way to know if your company is going to fail or succeed in another country, but you can make the necessary changes to your company to ensure that your business is prepared for the different marketplace and new consumer tastes. Also, never assume that because your idea is different, it is going to work.

Before you move your company overseas, start by purchasing an international virtual phone number in the country of your choice. When foreign consumers have a way of getting in contact with your company, the consumer will feel safe in their decision to purchase from your business.

Always consider the risks and rewards of each country, too. It also helps actually to spend time in the country of your choice. When you travel to another country, you will get a feeling for what their market and tastes are all about. Talk to the local people, even people you meet on the street, and find out what it is that they like and what they are looking for. If they are going to be your consumer, you will need to understand what makes them tick. Finding ways to stay in contact with your consumer is always the best first step to success.

Related: Top International Business Expansion Mistakes to Avoid

Decision-Making Techniques to Keep You On Top

7th November 2018 Learn, Tips

When you’re a business owner, decision making can be even more stressful than usual. If you want to be a superior leader, decision making is an essential skill. Knowing how to make timely, well-thought-out decisions can earn you and your team legitimate success. It doesn’t matter what type of decision you’re making, whether it’s who to hire as an addition to your team, or which financial strategy to adopt, the ability to make the right decision utilizing all the available information is crucial. There are tried and trusted techniques that you can use as you approach decision making, which will help you avoid making bad choices and give you confidence in your judgment.

Establishing an Objective

From the outset, you need to establish the right environment for making a decision. For this to happen, you and your team must understand the issue at hand and agree on an objective. This will ensure that the appropriate concerns are being discussed and that the process will continue to move forward. You must initiate interpersonal considerations from the get-go. Don’t forget to keep the stakeholders keyed-in to what’s going on, and facilitate an honest and open discussion between all involved.

Generate Alternative Solutions

Another vital aspect of a sound decision process is to generate numerous realistic alternative solutions for consideration. Attempting to implement the first solution you come up with, is almost certain to preclude much better options. Take your time to brainstorm with your team and think up a number of ideas.

Weigh the Alternatives

Now that you have a list of alternative solutions; it’s important to consider each one carefully and assess the pros and cons of each possible outcome. This is usually the most time-consuming stage of the decision-making process. Three of the most important factors to consider are risk assessment, consequences of your decision, and the feasibility of implementing the decision.

Making the Decision

Here comes the part that is the most exciting and also the most stressful. At this point, you must be able to deal with these emotions objectively. Don’t rush to make a decision, even though you may have a deadline. Taking time to consider what will make your decision the right one, will increase your accuracy.

Assess your Decisions

When you are making your assessment, don’t forget that not every aspect of the decision process is objective. It should also make sense to you on instinctive and intuitive levels. If you assess your decision from all of these perspectives, you will be able to validate it more readily.

Implementing your Decision

You have now reached the final stage. Don’t try to force other’s acceptance. Communicate your choice clearly, and explain your reasons behind it. This is the best way to garner the support of your team.

Can you Be Decisive?

  1. Before making a decision, do you evaluate all the potential risks?
  2. Do you consider a variety of potential options before deciding?
  3. Do you take the time needed to make a decision?
  4. Do you often have doubts about your decisions?
  5. Have some of your decisions been more difficult to implement than you anticipated?

If you answered no to the first three questions and yes to questions 4 and 5, you need to reassess your decision-making techniques in order to avoid making a bad decision and to boost yours’ and your team’s confidence in your decision-making skills.

Think about developing a structured plan to help you implement your decision. Individuals respond to a clear plan with a positive attitude. Once your team knows exactly what to expect and what they need to do, they will understand and respect your decisions. Think ahead and take the time to figure out exactly what would make your choice the right one.

Decision-Making Mistakes

There several common mistakes people make when faced with making decisions. One of the biggest is that people either rush into making a decision without thinking it through carefully, or they procrastinate for so long, they lose sight of the objective. Another mistake is a failure to trust your gut instincts when trying to make a decision. When you tune into your intuition, you can make much better decisions in the long-run. Another pitfall to avoid is trying to make a decision without having enough information. If you’re faced with a big decision, and you’re feeling uncertain about what to do, it may benefit you to consult an expert for advice. Getting another party’s opinion can help you keep things in perspective.

There are many different tools and techniques you can use when faced with making a decision. Choose one that feels right for you and be prepared to be flexible and modify your decision-making techniques.

Security Features of the New iPhones

18th October 2018 Learn, Tech

The new iPhone XS and XR have finally dropped and with them, an abundance of security features. Thanks to the latest iOS update, iOS 12, your phone is safer than ever. In addition to the new OLED displays, aerospace-grade aluminum bands, and the professional “portrait mode” camera feature, there are great, new ways to protect your information. Smartphone security features have always been a point of pride by Apple, and with their latest innovations, they have clearly been a priority. Here are some of the latest updates you can expect to find on your iPhone.

Limits On Ad Tracking

If you’ve ever wondered why a website displays banner ads for a new toaster, car, or clothing items every time you’ve been searching the internet for a new toaster, car, or piece of clothing, then you’ve witnessed targeting ads. It is easy for a website to find out a bit of information on you every time you log on. Luckily, Safari on iOS has been blocking third-party cookies for some time. However, the new iPhones have an additional feature; now Safari can block social media sharing icons and comment boxes that automatically identify you and plug in your information. The new iPhones are also putting up a bigger fight against Facebook. Before, if you were logged into your Facebook account in your browser, any site could track who you are if they used a Facebook Share button, even if you decided not to share the page. Now, the browser is able to recognize when a website is tracking you and you can choose to block the tracker or not. This traffic-restricting tech will also be available on the new macOS.

Video Chat Will Be Safer

iPhone uses encryption for your privacy in everything from your texts to your pictures. Data cannot be read without a facial scan, fingerprint, or passcode. Now, FaceTime chats can’t be spied on either. All chats and videos sent between iPhones can’t be stopped and spied on by hackers, in fact, Apple can’t even gain access to them. Even now that Apple has updated FaceTime to include group chats for up to 31 people at once, encryption will be still be activated.

Stronger Password Protection

Safari already uses a tool where it suggests strong passwords and will keep them safe in a storage system. Apple claims that this tool will be stronger than ever in iOS 12. Your Safari browser will also recognize when you use the same password and login information for multiple accounts and advise that you change one. And you won’t have to worry about juggling all of these different passwords since iCloud will keep them all safe and linked between all of your devices.

Emergency Location Sharing

If you find yourself in an emergency where you need to dial 911, your iPhone will automatically share your location with the emergency operator. This is an extremely important feature that could save lives when timing is everything, or it can’t be vocalized for some reason. This is also important for people who find themselves in emergency situations while in unfamiliar places.

Better Hacking Security

The new iPhone is prepared for hacking criminals and law enforcement agents trying to hack into your information. Previously, if your phone was not unlocked for seven days the security would block attempts at entry. Now if your phone is not unlocked for one hour it will be prepared to block attempts at data retrieval from persons trying to crack your codes.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is commonplace for many secure websites such as those that deal with your money. A two-factor authentication means that you would need a code from your phone in addition to your username and password for entry into the site. This is a great inconvenience to a hacker, but it could also be annoying for you if you just want a faster entry into your information. This next great security update uses AutoFill to automatically fill-in your passcode on sites that you visit frequently. So not only are you doubly protected, but you also don’t need to add in double the information.

Secrets to Achieving the Elusive Work-Life Balance

17th October 2018 Learn, Tips

Managing a full-time job and finding the time to set aside for the things that you enjoy is a problem for many people. A majority of people believe that their work commitments demand too much time from them. Not every 9-5 job ends at 5. Being successful means having success in both business and your personal life. In order to achieve this elusive success, a balance must be struck.

In order to begin setting aside the right amount of time for work and play, first, you must become cognizant of how to establish boundaries and set goals. Read on to find out how you can get started on achieving harmony in your life today.

Be Prepared

The best way to achieve more in your week is to set up a plan and execute it. Write down every task that you need to accomplish and organize each task by importance. Give each task an amount of time that it will take so you don’t take on too much in one day. Taking one-half hour out of your week to plan the days ahead will save you a lot of time in the long run.

Focus

Now that you have a list to refer to, concentrate on finishing one task before you move on to the next one. Looking at your list, you may start to feel overwhelmed with all of the items left, but as you slowly tick them off, you will begin to feel relief. Try to prioritize harder tasks at the beginning or when you know that your focus and energy is highest.

Create a Morning Ritual

Crafting out the beginning of your day saves on time, too. Having a strong routine that prepares you for the day ahead will create a more productive workday. For example, if you like to enjoy a cup of coffee before work, be sure to set your coffee maker in the morning. You don’t want to end up in a long, stressful line at Starbucks when you’re running late to work. When something goes wrong in the morning, it tends to make people spiral out for the rest of the day. It is best to set up more than enough time to get ready and get to work to avoid any morning mishaps.

Don’t Let Your Vacation Days Go To Waste

So many people let their vacation days expire and disappear. They are there for a reason and you’ll be refreshed and ready to work once you get back. Even if your budget only allows for a staycation or a weekend trip to visit family, make time for it.

Don’t Miss Out On The Holidays

Holidays are similar to vacations because they are a break from routines. Make plans for every holiday and carve out time for the people you care most about. Even if you have to be at work, it’s fun to celebrate with little things like holiday cookies, office decorations, and costumes. Without holidays, how would we break up the months and distinguish one from the next? We all need a moment to sit back and think about the things that we are grateful for because that is where the fruit of our efforts really comes in.

Set Boundaries

At work, be present at what you’re doing at work, and at home, be present at home. Sounds simple? Not really. We live an age where we are constantly reachable by call, text, email, or fax. Set boundaries and designate work hours that work for you. Don’t forget to let your bosses and your clients know the best time to reach you and when you will be out of the office. A great way to make sure you don’t slip back into old habits is to stop staring at your phone. If you can’t resist the urge to check your emails while you walk your dog, then perhaps you should leave it at home. Or remove your email account from your phone.

When you have a full-time job and a full-time personal life, there is always something that won’t get done. However, that’s life and you should not beat yourself over it. The most important thing is that you prioritize what is important and recognize what is good or not good for your health and relationships.

Communicating Across Cultures in Our Intercultural Business Landscape

17th October 2018 Learn, Tech

Developing a global mindset and having cultural competency are the fundamental elements of having a successful business in the global and domestic marketplaces. In order to thrive in today’s integrated labor force, employees, expatriates, and their managers must know how culture can impact business practices and everyday communication. The global business market has become very diverse and, as a result of technology, there are no more tangible borders and impossible transportation/ exportation problems. The only intangible border that exists between multiple countries now is the communication barrier.

Differences, even if subtle, are common across all cultures, and are even evident across state lines in the US. There are differences in the ways that people talk, the ways they walk, and even how they eat their pizza. As a person entering into the global business field, you must expand your awareness of multicultural communication in order to take advantage of the opportunities and avoid things that may present challenges when doing business.

What is Globalization?

Globalization has been and will continue to be the creator of a new and ever-changing international business landscape. Globalization has served as the object tethering societies together no matter how far away in the world they actually are. People now work and communicate across cultures daily with immense simplicity, like they never have before.

As great as globalization may seem, it does come with its challenges. Globalization adds work for managers who have to take on the responsibility of handling the operations of not only their local business, but a global business as well. There is a need for managers to not only have the correct amount of education, experience, and competency, but they must also be able to conduct themselves properly in a setting where there are differences in societal norms and beliefs.

The Importance of Observing Cultural Differences

If a manager is not able to understand such cultural differences, then a corporate partnership or business relationship will essentially be ruined. Misunderstandings between different cultures can become costly for businesses if they are not conducting themselves properly in international territories. When the management is effective in different parts of the world it typically means that they have an awareness, respect, and understanding of the way multiple cultures think, act, and do.

In order to communicate in a cross-cultural manner, the management must be highly aware and prepared beforehand of the best ways to communicate with global business partners. Many corporations have become globalized already and the task of management has grown in difficulty and complexity. Furthermore, managers must now make decisions keeping in mind the issues of other countries. They are in charge of informing their employees and training their employees to be empathetic towards cross-cultural issues. If a manager and her team are not sympathetic to another culture’s issues, there will be disastrous and costly consequences that will affect the reputation of the corporation.

If intercultural business can be conducted properly, then a wide range of options become available for a company. Globalization has seen the growth of many companies beyond what any business was capable of before. Businesses that are successful in intercultural communications gain an advantage over their competition because they can more seamlessly flow into global expansions.

To understand the link between communication and culture, you must first understand that it is culture that influences how one communicates. It is not just language; there are also other characteristics, values, and traits that belong to certain cultures that need to be understood and respected. Culture and communication go hand-in-hand because it cultivates the way people interact, not just what they say.

To become successful in an international business landscape, steps must be taken to understand their language, products, and food. Those are givens, but you must also think about their values, such as what is considered right and wrong. Everyday norms must also be understood, such as how one conducts themself at dinners, in the office, and at home? Where people live and how they live is also important to consider when entering a person’s office or home. Each country is different from another, but doing your research on these key components will help you and your business to become successful in any country in the global marketplace.

UIFN or ITFS?

17th October 2018 Learn, Tech, Tips

If you are a business owner you’ve probably asked yourself which would be better for your company, a UIFN or ITFS number? There are a few key differences between these service numbers that you should learn about before making your decision.

What are UIFN and ITFS Numbers?

Before we delve into the differences between these types of international phone numbers, let’s do a quick recap of how these numbers function:

ITFS Numbers

ITFS stands for International Toll-Free Service. An ITFS number works like any other toll-free number, allowing customers to contact businesses without paying for the call. Calls made to an ITFS number can be delivered to other countries with international call forwarding. For example, your Mexico-based business has customers in South Africa. You can get a South Africa toll-free number and forward incoming calls to your office in Mexico. Callers from South Africa won’t be charged for the call.

Compare UIFN and ITFS numbers.

UIFN Numbers

Universal Free Phone Numbers (UIFNs) are toll-free numbers accessible from multiple countries participating in the UIFN program. When you choose this service, your business can advertise one number across multiple countries. Companies that benefit most from universal numbers are Software Services and Data Centers, Patient Care and Clinical Rehabs, Medical Research Companies, and Universities.

Understanding Whether Your Business Needs UIFN or ITFS Numbers

Since UIFNs seem like the more convenient option, should every business just use a UIFN? Why not just get one number for many countries, rather than one for each country? It sounds like the better option, but there are difficulties with universal numbers.

Global Call Forwarding offers both international toll-free numbers and universal numbers. Our experts can help you determine what type of number will best suit your business communication needs. Let’s look at the key differences between UIFNs and ITFS numbers.

1. Coverage

Currently, only 60 countries participate in the UIFN program regulated by the ITU. In comparison, you can get international toll-free numbers from more than 160 countries, including hard-to-reach and remote locations. You have a better shot at extensive global coverage if you go with ITFS numbers.

2. Formatting

Callers trying to call a UIFN number must dial their country’s international access code. Otherwise, they will not be able to connect to the business. This means that callers will need to dial their international dial / access code (IAC) followed by the toll-free prefix and the 8-digit subscriber number. Most callers may not know what the IAC or their country code is, leading to obstacles in calling your business. Learn more about how to dial a UIFN number here.

International toll-free numbers, on the other hand, look just like regular toll-free numbers, making them familiar and easier to dial.

3. Restrictions

Certain countries have restrictions placed on universal numbers. For example, in the Netherlands, UIFN is not required by law and therefore some phone providers do not offer voice access through their service. In New Zealand, UIFN numbers can only be dialed through two service providers, Vodafone and Telecom New Zealand.

In addition, people calling a UIFN from certain countries might hear a message that they’re being charged for the call. This can be discouraging to some potential customers.

ITFS numbers do not have these restrictions. In Taiwan, hotels are required to allow guests to dial ITFS numbers but not UIFN numbers. Such restrictions make international toll-free numbers a better choice. You can also inquire about our Toll Free FlexDial solution that provide global toll-free access througha single toll-free number.

uifn or itfs
Source: Stockphoto.com O#1202 – ID#100204678100

4. Expenses

A universal registration fee is required before you can start using your UIFN number. On top of that, there is an annual maintenance fee and then monthly subscription charges for each activated country. Fees for ITFS numbers are paid by the provider instead of the business, making these numbers the cheaper alternative.

5. Advertising

ITFS numbers are also easy to advertise on your website. You can simply provide the numbers through a drop-down box and have the country correspond to the correct ITFS number. If you are advertising your number through more than just your website, you might want to consider using a UIFN number. After all, you don’t want your costly advertising efforts to go to waste.

Which Number is Ideal for your Business?

Specific companies will benefit from both UIFN or ITFS in different ways. If you only deal with a few international countries, then there is no need to have to pay the registration costs and annual fees of universal numbers, so ITFS will do just fine.  But if you have customers in many of the 60 countries included in the UIFN program, then a universal toll-free number may be perfect for your business.

Still unsure of what is the best solution for your communication needs? Consult with our telecom experts. We’ve been providing businesses like yours with toll-free and local phone numbers for over 29 years. Let us help you find the right business phone number so you can communicate with your customers with ease. Call us at +1 (561) 908-6171 or chat with us online!

Sign Up For UIFN

What is a Predictive Dialer?

1st October 2018 Learn, Tech

When dialing a number manually, delays are typically caused by the phone continuously ringing while the caller does not answer and by the actual action of dialing the number. These problems are why researchers came up with a solution known as predictive dialing. If you have heard of robo dialers or auto dialers then you may also have heard of predictive dialers. Predictive dialers work in a similar way to autodialers with some slight differences between the two.

How Does the Predictive Dialer Work

A predictive dialer begins with a long list of telephone numbers that it is programmed to automatically dial. If a call is answered, then the call will be switched over to a human agent; this usually occurs within 3 seconds of answering. This is to minimize time wasted on humans placing phone calls one at a time. The predictive dialer uses an advanced algorithm to send out these calls at a rate that is meant to minimize the time that an agent waits to speak to the customer. The algorithm changes based on the number of agents available, so the possibility of someone answering and not being connected to an agent is also minimized.

Predictive dialers can also screen for voicemails and busy signals. These predictive dialers call multiple numbers at a time and use call metrics to predict the best time to send the call so that an agent will be available to answer. The intention is to maximize the number of calls that get connected to an agent in a day. An agent can possibly manually dial a customer and wait about one minute before getting an answer. The predictive dialer, however, calls several numbers at the same time and only those that are answered with a “Hello” will take up the agent’s time. The predictive dialing formula usually lasts about three seconds before an agent is connected with a customer on the other line.

businessman cellphone laptop
Source: Stockphoto.com O#1202 – ID#100150145640

The History of the Predictive Dialer

These dialers began nearly 30 years ago to make it easier for the banking industry to pursue debt collections. Predictive dialers began as hardware, but they are now available as an easy-to-set-up software. Many companies choose to use predictive dialing software for the reduction of up-front costs and IT expenses; they provide excellent cost savings, while the technology can be immensely time-saving. Another reason many companies choose to use predictive dialing software is that it is easily integrated into Customer Relation Management systems or CRMs.

When predictive dialers are working flawlessly, they provide agents with a constant flow of phone calls. Telemarketers and customer service agents can save a lot of time because manually dialing takes up to 30 seconds per call, and there is no guarantee that the phone call will be answered. Predictive dialers don’t just call multiple lines at once; the metrics can even calculate how long the answered phone call will most likely last. That way, agents can finish one phone call and immediately be switched to the next caller.

Who Uses Predictive Dialing?

Many companies take advantage of predictive dialing services. As previously mentioned debt collection agencies started the predictive phone call hardware and still use it today. Other businesses that use predictive dialing software tend to be in customer-service, market research, or telemarketing.

Not every company will find that predictive dialing is right for them. If your company is focused on creating customer relationships rather than quickly collecting a debt, getting fast answers, or solving an issue, then predictive dialers won’t work well. The mission for predictive dialers is to have a high turn-around; not to discuss important details on high-cost products and services.

However, if your company is in the business of selling everyday products or services, then you might find predictive calling a very effective way to see results. Agent productivity is especially effective when choosing to use predictive dialing software.

The drawbacks of high volume calling do not allow enough time to find out any real information. Although the efficiency of agents rises and the number of calls increases, there is a lack of background information that can be found. This means that agents will not be able to prioritize leads. The FCC has also banned auto dialers that do not have pre-authorized approval by the people the company is attempting to reach.

Tips For Recording a Personal Voicemail Message

26th September 2018 Learn, Tips

In order to effectively market yourself and your business, there are a few basic tools that you will need to have perfected. You may not be thinking that your telephone skills are of much importance, but a good or bad voicemail message could make or break a professional opportunity. If you find that your personal voicemail is pretty blase or not even set up yet, you might need to check out these tips and tricks to make a great personal voicemail message.

These tips will guarantee that you make a great impression and maybe even get someone to leave a message or two.

Get Rid of Background Noise

Find a quiet space to begin recording your message. Don’t be afraid to re-record if something goes amiss during the middle of your message, like if the dog starts barking or if your toddler starts calling for you. Nothing about a noisy background says that you’re a professional. Background noise is also distracting and can confuse a caller.

Identify Yourself

If you’re getting phone calls from people other than your grandmother, then they probably aren’t going to recognize that it is you by just hearing your voice. Letting people know your name and even the name of your business lets them know right away that they have reached the right number. And as an added bonus, it lets callers with the wrong number know that they’ve reached the wrong person and you won’t have to listen to messages for strangers.

It’s an instant vetting process.

Have Fun

This is the time to show your personality. People are more at ease with someone with a bit of excitement in their voice because it shows that they are capable of holding a conversation. Just because you want to come off as professional does not mean you need to come off as monotone or unapproachable. If you’re funny, you could even add a joke to your message. Just be sure that you sound approachable and warm.

Specify What You Want To Hear

Letting callers know to leave their name and number so you can call them back is an excellent way to get the right information that you may need from someone that you missed a call from. Otherwise, you might be left with a number with no name to ask for or vice versa. If you run a business and want to include something that usually comes up in professional phone calls, include that as well. For example, if people often ask you to check on business orders, ask them to leave the shipping number so you can get back to them with a ready response.

tips for recording a personal voicemail
Source: Stockphoto.com O#1202 – ID#100133781710

Smile

Smiling while you record your voicemail message can actually be heard on the other end of the line. People speak differently when they’re smiling and callers can tell if you’re unhappy. When you greet someone in person, it is usually done with a smile so your voicemail greeting should be no different.

Rehearse It

It might be a short voicemail message that you’re recording, but you do want to make sure you hit all the bullet points. It also helps to speak eloquently over the phone and that works better when you are prepared with what you’re about to say. You are trying to sell yourself in this message so put your best foot forward. If you practice and write down what you’re going to say, you can get rid of all the awkward pauses, ums, and stumbling over words.

Update Regularly

Don’t keep the same old voicemail greeting forever. Not just because it can get stale and boring, but because you’re missing out on the opportunity to let people know what you’re up to. If your business is having a sale, be sure to update your voicemail with that information. Or if you plan on being out of town for a few days, let people know that their phone calls will not be returned until the date that you return.

Get Voicemail to Email Service from Global Call Forwarding

We just shared a couple of awesome tips for recording voicemail greetings. Now you’ll have to decide what to do with your voicemails as they get recorded.

The best solution would be to forward your voicemail messages to an email address. This gives you a way to download the recordings and forward them along to friends. We offer a voicemail to email service that is available with all our numbers.

Give us a call if you want to learn more about it!

Ways To Make Your Customer Service Better

26th September 2018 Learn, Tips

The best way to improve your relationship with your customers is to improve the way you provide customer service. Even if you have the best product on the market, people will remember if they were not treated well by your staff. If customer service is the face of your company, then you always want to make a good first impression. Companies that have been in business for a long time know the importance of having good customer relationships, and they constantly ask themselves how they can be making better customer service choices. Any good company knows the best way to grow a business is to consistently lookout for ways to improve customer service. After all, it’s much easier to keep an existing customer than to gain a new one, and loyal customers help their favorite businesses by marketing through word-of-mouth.

Read on to learn some tips on improving your customer service.

Listen to the customer’s wants and needs.

It might seem simple, but when you truly listen to someone, it not only helps you to understand their issues, it also shows great respect for the other individual. When a customer feels like they are being heard they will remember that feeling and how well they were treated. Your employees should not be going down a list of questions to get to the bottom of an issue, simply listen to the customer and what they have to say. Once you have fully heard them, you will be able to respond to them with the best solution for their issue.

Respond quickly to problems.

Customers don’t want to wait for anything, especially when they’re already not satisfied with something. If you are unable to provide the customer with exactly the response they need that day, at least acknowledge that you’ve heard their inquiry. If someone sends your company an email and you can’t resolve their problem without looking further into the issue, at least make initial contact with them to let them know that you are working towards a solution.

clients with manager
Source: Stockphoto.com O#1202 – ID#4910767

Provide support.

Never get angry with a customer because they do not have all the information that you need to help them out. Instead, provide them with as much assistance and support as you can until they can obtain all the necessary information. Treat every customer as if they are your next top brand ambassador. Staying calm with an irate customer is extremely important, too. Every time you interact with a customer you are establishing a relationship and creating a potential selling point.

Establish trust.

Customer and company relationships begin professionally, but once you have spent time on the relationship with them and have built loyalty you can go the extra mile for them. Showing that you care for your customer, like remembering his or her birthday, are small things that help to establish trust in your customer/ business relationship.

Train your employees.

It is important that all of your employees are trained in how to properly interact with customers. You should provide training for all possible situations, including how to deal with angry customers, and how to go above and beyond for loyal customers. Each time a customer comes to your store or calls your customer service line, they should know what to expect, and they should expect a pleasant experience.

Don’t sacrifice quality for quantity.

Yes, you want your company to grow and be successful, but if it happens too quickly, you might be headed towards a swift downturn. Some companies can survive a quick growth, but others are better off winning at a slow and steady pace. Organic word-of-mouth referrals can eventually be your best marketing strategy. And the best part is that word-of-mouth marketing is free! Slowly establish loyalty with the customers that you have and then sit back and watch your company expand into the company you’ve always wanted it to be. Good customer service is a powerful tool to not only get new customers but to keep them coming back.