It seems that we are all being tugged in different directions. We have to be very conscious of our surroundings, our words and actions.
When do we have time to just sit and read a good book, watch a program with our spouses...relax?
I make this a priority every night...but that means being organized. Some times I am and some times I am not! For the most part I am way over the top.
We have all these methods of communication...cell phones, faxes, emails, yet the most effective of them all is still the personal touch. These methods help keep us organized but some of them are just excuses that may save a few dollars only to hurt your busy in the long run.
I hate to call anyone and get an automated receptionist. Usually I have to punch buttons or say words that have nothing to do with my reason for calling. It takes longer and is much more frustrating to me.
It is refreshing when someone actually answers the phone. I can not tell you how it makes me smile when a pleasant voice on the other end of the phone introduces the company and asks the question, "how can I help you"? or "how may I direct your call"?.
I hope I am not the only one...that would mean I am not keeping up with the new age of business methods. I have a news flash....I don't care....my company is going to pay someone to answer the phone with a friendly voice. They can do other things when the phone isn't ringing but being a friendly smiling voice is their number one job, as far as I am concerned.
If this is the way I have to save overhead....this is a sad state of affairs.
Do you like going through all the automation only to find that you have to leave a voice mail anyway? If you have that pleasant voice answer they can tell you your party is out of the office and ask if you would like to call them on their cell or leave a voice mail. We even have the option of forwarding to the cell from our line.
Call me old fashioned but service is talking to someone who says....hello can I help you?.
What do you think....which do you like?
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Hi Dona, I have had the same issues you outlined. I think a great receptionist is under valued too. I'll have to remember to give my wife a raise! I hope my receptionist doesn't find out! :-) Thanks for the comments Dona.
Hi Gary, having a smiling face answer the phone or greet clients into the office is more than worth its cost. So is a small sign in the lobby saying "Welcome Mr. & Mrs. " . along with refreshments if needed.
Still in the snow?
My dad is older and doesn't see very well. Seems the phone does something crazy before he can press the right button on those automated devices.
GARY, I just spent 4 1/2 hours with SBC global trying to figure out a problem that should have been resolved in a few minutes. I was tranferred around and didn't dare get off because I didn't want to go through all the trouble of getting past the automated voice to a person. I will take the real life voice any day.
Hi Gary,
Great service never goes out of style!
Gary, one of the nearby offices that has been recruiting me doesn't have a receptionist. Those agents in the office at the time answer the phones. (When they get to them..) I was pretty darned blunt in why I wasn't interested in joining their company. No receptionist? Not me. I also want that cheerful "How may I help you?" voice answering the calls from consumers.
Gary, me too!! I will always pay someone to answer my phone, there are two things on the top of my list of things I really hate and one is the automated answering voice that directs your call all around and wastes your time. It really really irritates me. And, the second is someone who thinks that whatever they have going on is more important to me or should be more important to me than my family.
Hi Gary,
Progress is not always good. Most people do not like answering machine or voice mail but do understand the necessity but I believe the biggest complaint is when they are asked to push button after button to get to a real person.
No doubt, a live, friendly person is the VERY BEST approach but it is not always possible.
Gary, I don't like it when I have to push 10 buttons to get to where I want to be.
Hi Keith & Robin, snow is gone! ice off the lakes...yesterday...can you believe it? I am with you the phone is one our key methods of personal service.
Hi John, I can understand it would be very difficult for seniors...heck I have my own issues with it! Thanks for the comments.
Hi Marchel, I know the feeling only to well...I have done exactly the same thing...only to find out the voice I was so happy to finally get was in India! Thanks for the comments Marchel.
Hi Kris, it does make a difference...I feel many companies are sacrificing way more than they think by eliminating the receptionist. Thanks for the comments.
Hi Linda, service is something we expect and when we punch buttons it does not feel warm and friendly to me. Thanks for the comments.
Hi June, I like the way you think June. Thanks for the comments.
Hi Cynthia, most of us are OK with leaving voice mails at this point but a business that is automated to the point of making it difficult to get a real person has a real chance of losing the prospect if they are not already a client. Thanks for your comments Cynthia.
Hi Duane...we are just old fashioned guys that think service means a real voice. Thanks for the comments Duane.