Why should you record your calls

In this article, we take a quick look at the reasons why businesses should use call recording.

It seems that whenever we pick up the phone nowadays to make a necessary call, we are consistently greeted by an automated message informing us that the call we are making will be monitored and recorded upon connection. The general consensus would suggest that it's only the larger corporations, such as insurance services and mobile phone companies, that implement such measures. However, smaller businesses are now seeing the benefits of recording their incoming phone calls, and for a number of very good reasons.

Staff training and development is a key component to running a successful business and call recording can play a fundamental part of that development. As far as staff training goes, recording telephone calls between an employee and customer can emphasise where the staff member perhaps needs some guidance to meet with company policies, as well as recognising the areas in which an individual needs further training to become better at the job they do. In essence, phone call recording can undoubtedly improve the customer experience and enhance the level of service that customers receive.

Disputes and complaints are never a pleasure to deal with, and every business needs to keep the complaints to a minimum at all times. However, occasions do arise where a customer complaint ensues and the complaints procedure is duly adhered to. In cases of disputes and complaints, a telephone call recording is quite possibly the most reliable and accurate form of evidence to support your business and is, therefore, invaluable. With a viable word-for-word account of who said what, and when, all available at an instant, on record, it can often lead to the end of the dispute and a complaint being dropped.

While it's common practise for big businesses to use call recording services in an effort to successfully enhance customer service, and thus improve quality and performance from employees, it's also significant to remember that call recordings can, and do help, in cases of corporate liability, defusing situations before they become a costly processes both financially and aiding in dissolving the threat to your reputation. This should not be limited to large corporations. The trend in smaller companies utilising call recording software is rising, and it's easy to see why. Smaller, independent businesses need to offer the same level of service and customer care as their larger corporate counterparts, and the smaller business is just as vulnerable to disputes and complaints - complaints that could hit the smaller business harder, where reputation and service quality really counts.

In effect, recording telephone calls is something every business should do. If the reputation of your business relies on providing a first class customer service, selling services and / or products to an individual consumer or on a business-to-business level, call recordings are an extremely beneficial resource.

Call recording software is available for the majority of business telephone systems. If you would like further information, contact Midland Networks today on 0800 849 8585.

Why Rent Equipment for Your Business?

Renting your office equipment makes sense both in practical and financial terms. This is particularly true for small businesses and startups. Here’s the benefits of renting in detail…

Save Money

Anyone who has set up a new office will know how quickly the costs can add up. Furniture, IT and communications equipment, stationary supplies and all those little bits and pieces you need to make the place your own can all add up to hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Startups, in particular, tend not have the financial resources that are needed to kit the office out exactly as they would like and that’s when renting can be a real lifesaver. By renting all of the larger, more expensive, equipment, you can pay in manageable instalments and invest your money where it’s needed most – in growing your business.

Retain Business Flexibility

New businesses need to retain a higher degree of flexibility in their strategies as they expand and evolve. It’s not always immediately clear which bits of equipment will prove necessary and vast sums of money can be wasted on trial and error. This problem is eliminated when you rent your equipment. Renting allows you to retain that degree of flexibility and change your equipment to suit the needs of your business as it grows and evolves. You can start small and rent further equipment as and when you need it, so you’re never wasting money on items that sit around unused.

Get competitive

Having decent equipment can really help a small business to up their game and compete with larger firms. Renting can make high-end resources accessible to startups, allowing them to pay in manageable instalments rather than stumping up large sums up-front. Equipped with the most up-to-date technology, your business can achieve more, appear more professional and drive efficiency savings.

Enjoy Peace of Mind

When starting up a new business, you have plenty to worry about. When you rent your equipment you, at least, don’t have to worry about that going wrong. It will be the responsibility of the rental company to get you back up and running again if something goes wrong with your equipment. This means that you don’t need to worry about sorting it out yourself or paying the cost, you can simply enjoy a fast repair service or a replacement item if necessary. This gives you security and peace of mind – blissful words to any startup business owner!

Enjoy Professional Expertise

For the least technically minded, this will probably be the biggest attraction of rental equipment. Modern technology can be complex and, when setting up your new office, you don’t want to be slowed down by the challenges of figuring out how to use your new equipment. When you buy your own equipment, it’s up to you to figure out how to use it and learn how to get the most out of it. But if you choose to rent, you can benefit from the professional expertise of your rental provider. They will show you everything you need to know about how to use the equipment and explain how you can get the most out of it. Before you even take out an agreement, your provider will be able to advise you on the best equipment to suit your needs and, again, when the time comes to upgrade. This means that you don’t run the risk of choosing equipment that may not best suit your operations.

Are you starting up a business in Birmingham or the West Midlands? At Midland Networks, we offer great rental incentives on business telephone systems. Contact us today on 0800 849 8585 to find out more.

The Top 7 Mobile Accessories for Commuters

In this post, we list the top seven mobile accessories for commuters, that can help commuters enjoy a less stressful journey to and from work – yes, that blissful time spent staring out of the window while being bodily crushed (train/bus seats are a luxury, remember) or stuck in traffic as the journey from A to B is made.

1.Let’s start simple, very simple.

If the commute takes a person outside and into the realm of inclement weather, a waterproof carrying case is required.

Also, whenever humans are involved, dropped mobiles are probable; imagine driving off without remembering to place the phone inside the vehicle.

It was an all too common occurrence at a field based company that will remain nameless. They even had an employee who accidentally delivered his phone into the toilet. Be warned.

A case is cost effective, often overlooked, but vital accessory. It may be the best £3-£25 you’ve ever spent.

2.Headphones need to be the best, who wants to hear their fellow passengers rather than the music coming through?

Whether it’s in ear, on ear or over the ear, it’s recommended that noise cancelling headphones are used. Best rated wireless ones are available for prices as little as £120, those with wiring are less expensive at £30 and upwards. Kids headphones start at £15 if the commute includes little ones.

3.Portable rechargers are a must. Samsung produce their own branded chargers for between £15 and £31 for their smartphones, but there are universal chargers that act for mobiles and tablets available for about £20. They are easy to carry, bag or pocket sized, easy to use and perfect to avoid commuting boredom.

4.For a commute in the car, the mobile obviously can’t be held by the driver or person supervising a learner driver if they’re on the phone - it’s illegal – so the mobile needs a secure holder or cradle, somewhere convenient to sit. Whether it’s a dashboard holster or a bracket attached to the car, this piece of kit is as needed as the steering wheel to ensure safe driving.

5.A Bluetooth earbud is a prerequisite for freedom. Mono and dual channel with hours of talk time and multipoint connections, a Bluetooth is convenient, discreet and safety enhancing.

6.Winter equals gloves and that can inhibit phone usage, but there are gloves that are tailored to be compatible with all touch screen devices so whether the customer has a Blackberry, an iphone or another brand of smartphone they can use their device without un-gloving for a snug commute.

7.Prone to using and losing stylus’? We recommend that rather than one have a whole selection to choose from. There’ll be one to hand whenever the last one, like a normal pen, vanishes into the ether. Packs of ten stylus’ are ridiculously inexpensive and well worth having.

There’s such a great choice of accessories online and in stores so indulge in the best gadgets around and be the envy of all fellow commuters. If you're looking for a new business mobile contract Midland Networks can help.