Last week, we talked with Brandi Cummings, Co-Founder of Telecentrex and www.Freedom800.com (did I mention that I LOVE interviewing female business owners? Love it, love it, love it) and she talked about how a home based business MUST have a separate phone line for business.
This week, she shares with us the number one mistake small businesses make with their phone system.
"Many small businesses tend to not see the importance of a quality phone system and therefore not pay enough attention to it when they set it up. One of the first impressions a customer gets of a company is when they call them. Small businesses need to make sure that they have their best foot forward.
This means: callers are greeted professionally and consistantly every time they call, they can reach the person that they are looking for quickly and easily, if no one is available they can leave a message with confidence that someone will be getting back to them shortly.
This means that small businesses can't just grab an all in one phone and answering machine and think they have their communications covered. Their bigger competition has the advantage of bigger pockets, but with the technology available today small businesses can level the playing field when it comes to their communications."
Next week with Brandi's final phone thoughts (on this blog, that sounded a bit morbid, didn't it?), we'll finally find out what PBX is.
Meanwhile I'd better change my business message to something a little more polished just in case she calls (the words are okay but I have a pause in the middle because the hubby was asking me something).
Comments (1)
Kimber:
I am loving these small business tidbits that you write about. I was wondering if you could write a piece encouraging all women small business owners to implement a retirement plan. I talk to so many everyday where the thought hasn't crossed their mind. Because you are working for yourself it is even more of an incentive to make sure ALL your bases are covered! It is also can be a great tax deduction for some as well! Thanks so much!
Posted by Octavia | November 21, 2007 7:02 AM
Posted on November 21, 2007 07:02