Who needs a secretary?

The hiring of a secretary for a lot of small businesses could be too expensive at first and for a home-based business it’s usually out of the question, but there is an alternative. With the explosion of mobile technology and growth of the internet, many look to outsource their incoming calls and use a call answering service.
In today’s highly competitive business world companies need to take advantage of every source of business that comes along, however many may be missing opportunities or potential sales without even knowing it. It is thought that around 80% of people hang up when they hear a voicemail or otherwise recorded message. In other words, if a business is unable to answer their calls and leaves it to the mercy of an answering machine, out of every 10 possible clients, 8 could well be sourcing their business elsewhere with a competitor.
Many small businesses and especially sole-traders like the flexibility that employing a call answering service gives them, for many in trades it means that they can actually be out servicing their clients whilst at the same time be safe in the knowledge that their calls are being answered professionally, quickly and politely. A good plumber may not always be the most communicative person to speak to, especially if he has just taken his head out from under a sink to answer a call but by using a call answering service the plumber can get on with what he knows best and service his clients.
Operators at call answering services usually work in small teams of 4 or 5 so that they become familiar with each client. Upon answering a call they follow on screen instructions on what details to collect ranging from name, contact numbers, business names, reference numbers- whatever the client requires to manage his or her business effectively. The operators can then either send the message to the client or act as a front desk receptionist and transfer the call through. In the case of the plumber with his head under a sink, he may have requested that new clients be sent as a txt message to him and told that a call back will be as soon as he is available.
Whilst many people may associate the use of a call answering service with hours when a business or organization is closed, the truth is that many companies use such a service specifically during hours when they are open. This can be especially helpful for organizations and businesses that experience a high degree of call volume.