Friday, August 22, 2014

The Importance of Call Center Phone Etiquette

Running and managing a call center is among the most challenging aspects in the world of business. Call center agents are required to not only provide customer support but also take orders, deal with customer complaints, etc. With so much to work on, sticky situations are almost inevitable.

Running a call center can also turn out to be one of the most rewarding tasks in a business. The manner in which situations are handled when they arise can mean the difference between the retention of loyal customers and losing customers. Good customer service begins the very moment a call center agent receives a call. If you are wondering how to gain more business through your call center, you may want to start by looking at your agents’ phone etiquette.

Training

The most important thing that managers sometimes overlook is the great need for training. Whether your call center is being handled by one or two people or by a large team of agents, training is the key for overall success. It is advisable for small and large business owners to ensure that every person who responds to customer queries and concerns on the phone has been trained. Basically, any person who answers the business lines should have undergone training. It is up to the business managers and owners to ensure that employees apply company phone policies and best practices. 

Here are some of the things that should be observed to improve phone etiquette:
 
Consistency
 
When it comes to consistency, it means making sure that everyone answers the phone consistently. If a call is an in-bound call, it is important to indirectly let the customer confirm that they got the phone number right. Most importantly, the agent’s hello should be brief. Employees should be trained to mention the company name first followed by their names. This simple introduction should be enough. 

Don’t interrupt the customer

No one loves being interrupted, especially when they are expressing dissatisfaction of a service. In this regard, never interrupt a customer who is complaining. Business managers and owners should ensure that this is achieved regardless of how difficult it might be. Employees should be trained to listen to the entire problem regardless of how long it takes. This is particularly more emphasized if the employee handling the call intends to hand of the call to another member of the call center. It leaves the customer feeling well taken care of.

Knowledge of how to use the phone system

Ensure that every employee with permission to respond to business calls knows how to use the phone system. Does everyone know how to make use of the hold button? One of the worst things your employees could ever do is to the put phone to their chest with the intentions of muffling the mouthpiece for them to speak amongst themselves. Customers might hear things you really do not want them to hear. In such instances, the hold button is your best friend. 

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

Essential Call Center Management Skills

Call center management is a discipline that incorporates a wide array of skills that blend well to create a successful and effective call center. However, gaining such skills requires a lot of dedication, among other essential factors.

Call center management entails a responsibility and role-playing on the individual assigned to handle this important activity. You should have several skills to incorporate into your leadership approach to enable a successful transition from a poorly run call center to a successful one.

Start by setting goals

Goal setting is one of the most important skills in any management position. Start by enlightening your call center employees about the importance of working towards particular goals. Make them aware of the benefits that the department stands to gain when the goals are followed to the letter. Ensure that your approach is as focused as possible and once they get this concept, they will work proactively by setting their own goals in a bid to realize the bigger goal. Work with them towards those goals and work out on what is to be achieved.

Lead by example

Be a role model to your employees. Creating your own goals and then sharing them with your employees will help them identify with you much better.

Always focus on continued improvement

Goal setting isn’t the only way to improve. You should be constantly devising other methods of further ways to potentially improve the call center. Since the employees are your greatest asset in the call center, you can also focus on their improvement. You can engage them in training courses to acquire more skills that will benefit them and the company. Such improvement will go a long way in increasing the efficiency of the call center.

Avail yourself at all times

Always try to be available for the employees whenever they require any form of assistance. Work out a plan out of your busy schedule to attend to all their needs.

Continually coach your employees

Your guidance should always be part of your approach. Give praise where it’s due and offer constructive criticism where there is need. Always aim to encourage them to improve.

Have a firm belief in your employees’ success

After coaching and encouraging them, have faith in them to deliver. Help them to have confidence that they can get the job done. Show them that they have your dedication to their success, and you will get a team that is fully dedicated to do the job.

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