By Kelli Barabasz, Vice President of Operations
Working with inbound call center services in the call center industry for over 25 years I get a lot of questions. One of the most common I am asked is, “Aren’t all call center’s the same, I mean a call center is a call center, right?”. Well, there is a straightforward answer to that question…. No, call centers are different, specifically those that provide inbound call center services.
By Nathan Teahon, Strategic Account Manager
In the world of inbound call center outsourcing, many things are going to factor heavily in deciding which call center to use for inbound call handling. Those factors are going to include things like location, agent quality, experience, facilities, reporting capabilities, the likability of management staff, certification requirements such as HIPAA, PCI Level 1, as well as several other factors. Indeed, one of those things is going to be price.
Now, as it pertains to price and before diving into models and numbers, it’s important to note a couple of things. First, these models and prices discussed in this article are for domestic inbound programs placed in U.S. call centers. You can utilize offshoring for call center outsourcing if you are looking for the best prices. Still, there are several reasons why telemarketing services are best in the U.S. Second; it’s important to note that not every inbound program is created equal. The level of complexity, amount of training, and overall talent of agents required for a particular campaign can affect pricing.
By Melissa Werth, Customer Service Supervisor
Author note: When I use the term inbound calls, I am also referring to other customer contacts like text, chat, and email. In today’s inbound customer service model, all of these customer contact types are viewed interchangeably.
You’ve made the decision to employ inbound call center outsourcing to save money, improve service or both. Inbound call center selection is not easy. There are lots of call center options. And after you’ve made the decision, you need to be prepared to make a heavy investment of time with the new team to ensure they are successful. Many executives and managers overlook the importance of the time investment when they are developing the plan.
To ensure your outsource initiative is successful, here are some keys to ensure success. Continue reading
By Patricia Qvern, Operations Manager
As consumers, we want every call center that provides us service to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want to be able to call and order a “thingamabob” at 1:00 AM, as well as, reach a live person to help when it’s 90 degrees and the air conditioner stops working. As consumers, we LOVE to have the convenience and reliability to pick up the phone and get what we want or need on our time schedule. The reality is, we don’t always get what we want and must compromise and call back during regular business hours and in some instances, it’s perfectly okay – just a little inconvenient.
But what about the times when you need immediate customer service? And how does a business determine if offering 24×7 inbound call center services is necessary? Continue reading
By Melissa Werth, Customer Service Supervisor
Your boss has asked you to find a third party call center for your inbound customer service or sales calls. You don’t know the first thing about what to look for, but it can’t be that hard, right? Here are a few things to consider and look for.
First, here’s a little bit of background: my area of expertise and focus is in inbound calls, including inbound sales and customer service. I believe that the front line team that speaks with your prospects and customers can make or break your business. While customers don’t see their face, they are the face of your business when the customer is calling in. Continue reading