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The importance of effective switchboard cover

Effective switchboard top tips

Good switchboard support can be one of the most valuable things to any business.

Julie Hulme, Business Development Manager for the FM sector at Moneypenny and newly appointed Deputy Chair of BIFM (Wales Region) outlines the ten most common reasons FM Managers approach Moneypenny for professional telephone answering support:

1. Helpdesks that need help

As a central hub for all things FM, the way businesses operate their helpdesk can be fundamental to the overall smooth running of their operation. Helpdesks often need a helping hand to capture all the calls coming in and to guarantee callers receive a consistent service.

2. Peaks and troughs

Recognising that staffing for the peaks and troughs of telephone traffic is a challenge, organisations are making positive decisions on how they would like their calls handled; whether on an overflow or fully outsourced basis to guarantee every call receives the professional response it deserves every time.

3. Relocation

Moving offices is often a catalyst for seeking better solutions for front of house services. Many companies are finding that the high cost of office space, especially in central London, is encouraging them to seek alternative ways of managing their telephone systems and reception areas.

4. Out of hours reception

Out of office hours telephone calls are often answered by untrained security staff whose primary function is to protect the company’s assets. Staff need to be focussed on their core activities, while callers need to receive a quality telephone response whatever the time of day or night.

5. Cost/headcount reduction

With highly scrutinised budgets, organisations are under more pressure than ever to reduce costs. FM managers are tasked with seeking out new ways of working smarter and recognise that an outsourced partner can provide a cost effective solution while delivering a first-rate service.

6. A disaster waiting to happen?

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity are huge issues in FM, whether it be the ability to survive a telecoms outage, adverse weather, a staff emergency or something else that affects business as usual. FMs are looking for a failsafe back-up solution.

7. Integrity of switchboard services

More and more large organisations are choosing to procure their switchboard services directly from a specialist outsourced switchboard provider rather than bundling it into an FM contract where too often the service will be become part of a helpdesk facility or a non-specialist call centre with staff ill-equipped to deal with the types of calls received by corporate sector business.

8. Securing a new contract/business growth

A new contract win or business acquisition inevitably leads to increased call volumes and this can happen very quickly. It’s critical to deliver the right impression from the off so FMs are looking for flexible resources to deliver this.

9. Improving the ‘Front of House’ customer experience

There is greater recognition that separating telephone answering from the front desk ‘meet and greet’ function makes for less of a juggle and an improved customer experience as a result.

10. Management Information

Bespoke reports via our online portal which outline call history and call trends are appealing to FMs as useful management information tools.

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