When a business decides they need to hire a telephone answering service or virtual receptionist, they are often anxious to start right away.
That’s understandable. It’s human nature that once we decide to do something, we want immediate results.
Sometimes people base their selection criteria on how fast their account can be set up and activated. Some companies promise “immediate activation” or some similar concept. While this is an impressive achievement, it comes at a price in terms of lost quality and being forced into a one-size-fits-all approach.
A quality answering service will never promise instant activation because to do so requires automation, and automation thwarts quality and customization.
If you want to force your business to fit into an “instant on” answering service, then maybe a computer can automatically setup your account. But most businesses have unique expectations that require a custom configuration, which takes time to set up.
Unless you want to force your business into a cookie-cutter solution, then allow the call center the time it takes to set up your account right – the first time.
Is that what you want?
A better solution is to give them a couple of days to train their staff on your account. This will help ensure quality from day one. This is what you deserve.
You could guess and try to make everything fit, hoping it will all work out.
Or you could give your information to a real person who knows the right way to present it to their staff in order to handle your calls correctly.
If you need service now, then the “instant activation” solutions are your only option. Just know that you will sacrifice customization, staff training, and personalized service in the process.
However, if you want a quality answering service to meet your business’s exacting requirements, then give them time to set up your account properly and train their staff. You will be glad you did.
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