To help celebrate, we created a fun Thanksgiving themed word search puzzle and seasoned it with your favorite answering service lingo. Relax knowing that we’ll be answering your calls while you’re filling up on Turkey. Specialty is always serving up live answering service as the main course, and we’ve included all your go to sides, too – like eCommerce, PCI Compliance, and Call Center!

Download the free Thanksgiving word search .PDF and print copies for everyone to solve while waiting for Granny’s famous pumpkin pie to come out of the oven. Smells yummy!

So please, enjoy Thanksgiving. We’ll be enjoying answering your telephone calls!

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#1. Because voicemail stinks

Remember way back in the day when voicemail was cool? Well, in case you’re living about 40 years in retrograde, newsflash: voicemail is annoying. It just doesn’t give you the same instant gratification as sending a text, and if you have voicemail, you actually have to check it. Umm, no thanks. Then there’s the old out-of-office message. If you’re like most people, yours still says that you’ll be out until January 2nd. 2 Januaries ago. No one ever remembers to change those things! Enter the answering service. Live operators, personalized scripting based on the current date, and messages delivered in real-time.

#2. Because your staff deserves a break

Are you one of those bosses who puts the kibosh on your receptionist being out of the office on the same dates as you? But what if they have a 5-star trip planned to the exotic beaches of Bali when you decide you want to hit the links for a week? Are you going to postpone your lesson with Tiger Woods’ caddy? Or are you going to tell the front desk that Bali is a no-go? Neither. You’re going to sign up for an answering service. And you’ll vacate, and the front desk will vacate, and heck – even the plant lady will vacate. Business will not halt. Sales will not suffer. Your 24-hour virtual receptionists have you covered, no matter where in the world you find yourself.

#3. Because round-the-clock availability makes you a superstar among merchants

Have you ever woken up at 3am, feeling a little funky from the cheese curls and cherry soda you had for dinner? Like any normal insomniac, you turn on the TV and flip through about 5,000 different infomercials to lull you back to sleep. But then, the inevitable happens. You get sucked in. And at 3:05am, you’re buying the sock drawer sachets you never knew you always needed. Are you talking to a computer? Nope. That’s an actual person taking your call. So, whether someone decides to ring your business up at 3:05am or 12:30pm, they’ll be met with a friendly, knowledgeable operator. That cinches your reputation for incredible service, any time of day.

#4. Because it’s cheaper than working with temps

Let’s say that your assistant wins the trip of a lifetime adventure to ride a glacier in Iceland. Without her around to keep up with your appointment calendar, you’re a sinking ship. So, you hire a temp. Did you know that staffing agencies can markup hourly wages by as much as 50%? If you would normally pay $15 per hour for some extra help, you’re actually paying $30. Talk about overhead! Why in the world would you ever spend that kind of cash when you can hire a virtual assistant to answer your calls, set appointments, and shield you from solicitors? You wouldn’t. You’re smarter than that.

#5. Because holidays happen

After summer comes Labor Day. Then Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. And so on, and so forth. Once you’ve been spoiled by the benefits of a vacation answering service, you’re going to want one all year long. It’s way easier than worrying about being glued to your phone or stuck on live chat for the better part of your week. Comprehensive call center services can do everything you can do: field inbound calls, handle outbound promotion calls, monitor your chat and social media channels, answer email, respond to sales inquiries, and more. It’s just like your office, only better. Because someone else is making you look good.

In any season, and for any reason, our professionals are waiting to design a service that will complement your customer care platform at a price you can afford. And most providers offer a 2-week free trial. You get to try before you buy and tweak things along the way to ensure that your business looks and sounds exactly like it would if you were able to answer every call yourself. What’s not to love? So, go ahead. Take some well-deserved time away from your desk, and encourage your office team to do the same. With the right service on your side, it will be smooth sailing, all summer long.

The post Top 5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs An Answering Service This Summer appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.

We’re so thankful for receptionists and everything they do for businesses. After all, it’s what our company is built on! We see firsthand, everyday, how much power our virtual receptionists have to make a business successful. So, in honor of National Receptionists Day, we asked 5 of our own amazing virtual receptionists to share their insights and offer advice to help other receptionists perform to the highest standard every day.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a receptionist? How do you overcome it?

• Diane Carpella: The biggest challenge that I encounter is that almost every call I take is so different. Although most calls go according to script, some take a different direction and force me to think on my feet. In these cases, I’m always thinking about how to be helpful to the caller and also keep the client happy.
• Lydia Ginsberg: Keeping the right attitude is difficult because so many calls have such a different feel. One moment I am speaking to someone who is going through something very exciting and the next I may be speaking to someone who is calling because they don’t have any heat in their home. Listening and empathy are key in these situations.
• Natalya Anderson: People can be so rude sometimes. I need to constantly remind myself not to take things personally. It’s helpful that part of my bonus is tied to me being polite under any circumstances. It’s also helpful knowing that all of my calls are recorded. I know that I can’t lose my cool, no matter how rude the caller on the other line is.
• Felicia Jordan: I don’t feel people really talk as much anymore. With texting and Facebook, a lot of people are rarely on the phone unless they have to be, and sometimes don’t even know really how to talk. It’s frustrating to have to keep bringing the conversation back into something concise which allows me to do my job.
• Talia Malone: Wearing so many different hats is not always easy. One call I am answering for a tow truck company, the next a funeral home, the next a doctor, and then a restaurant. I’m fortunate to have all of the instructions laid out nicely for me, but it’s still a challenge to be so many different receptionists.

What do you feel is the most important part of your job?

• Diane Carpella: Consistency. I feel a caller should get the same high level of service, no matter when they call. No matter the circumstances, no matter what I am dealing with, I need to deliver a level of service that our clients have grown to expect.
• Lydia Ginsberg: Smiling. In training, we were taught to smile. That the callers actually hear this through the phone line. I remember thinking that was silly, but it turns out to be true. If I am smiling it comes through and rubs off a little on the caller.
• Natalya Anderson: I think the fact that I am the voice of the company I’m answering for is so very important. Many people who call a company for the first time actually end up reaching an answering service. It is vital for me to make a good first impression.
• Felicia Jordan: For me, efficiency is the most important part of what I do. The most successful phone calls I’m consistently evaluated highly on on are the ones that are the most concise. When engaging in a shorter call, less can go wrong and the client isn’t paying for wasted agent time.
• Talia Malone: Manners, like saying “please” and “thank you”, are the most important for me. It makes me feel good to make someone else feel good just by being polite. Plus, manners are a way to show the caller that they are important to you. It works the same with co-workers.

What advice do you have for receptionists today?

• Diane Carpella: Practice empathy. You don’t know what the caller is dealing with on their side. Think beyond the way that they are treating you on the phone call. They may be going through something very difficult in their life. This isn’t about you. It’s about the caller.
• Lydia Ginsberg: Take pride in your job. What you are doing is very important. You’re not a key member of just your company, you’re a key member to the thousands of small businesses that you answer for. Too many operators just look at the task and not the bigger picture.
• Natalya Anderson: I guess to always be learning. There are so many resources out there, articles, videos, tutorials, that can help you do your job better. Use them. I know I do! By taking your job seriously enough to try to learn about it, makes you a better agent. The better an agent you are, the more likely you are to succeed.
• Felicia Jordan: What works for me is showing up early, staying late, not gossiping, and not complaining. My mother gave me that advice, and it works. It’s amazing how you stand out in this day and age by flying under the radar.
• Talia Malone: I would say to treat every caller like you want to be treated. Kindness really does spread. If you treat someone well, you will be treated well in return. It doesn’t always seem to work out that way when you are on the receiving end of an irate caller, but it always comes back to you.

So on Friday, May 10th, in honor of National Receptionist Day, recognize everything your receptionists do to help your business grow!

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#1. Let your employees work from home

Even if it’s only a few days a month, letting your employees work from home can help cut down on the amount of resources they use in the office, which will help lower the environmental impact your business is leaving on the planet. Some activities that occur every day that suck up energy include:

• Driving to and from work
• Turning on the lights
• Using computers
• Adjusting the thermostat
• Making copies
• Brewing endless cups of coffee
• Heating up lunch in the microwave

When you outsource to an answering service that can handle the same basic tasks your staff does, you eliminate the need to have your employees come into the office every day, since most of their tasks can be completed remotely. While they may need to come in to meet with customers face to face, the majority of their work day can be spent in the comfort of their own home while your answering service fields all incoming calls and handles basic receptionist tasks like transferring calls to your remote team.

#2. Downsize your office space

No matter how much you think you need more space – you probably don’t. Instead of spending more money to hire more employees and increase your office space, you can outsource your calls to an answering service instead and use the money you’ll be saving to reinvest back into your business. Answering services can allow your business to grow without actually needing to grow physically. Smaller offices are easier to manage, cheaper, and much better for the environment.

In fact, an answering service can help you run a business without the need to have an office at all! Unless your business requires that customers come in for appointments, consultations or because you run a brick and mortar shop, everything else can be done remotely through your service. For example:

• With the use of a CRM,  you don’t need to store customer files in old school filing cabinets that take up space. Many answering services can integrate with whatever CRM you’re already using, and update that accordingly whenever they take a new call.
• Answering services can help schedule phone appointments, or appointments where you are going out to your customers’ house to provide estimates.
• Answering services can process orders on your behalf, handle event registration calls, and manage your email response, social media, and live chat assistance.
• If you have employees, using an answering service can make it easy for your staff to work from home, negating the need to come into an actual office. Conference calls can keep everyone on the same page, or you could always meet for lunch to discuss business matters.

If you already occupy a large office space, consider the benefits of using an answering service to handle the same tasks some of your employees currently do, and how downsizing to a smaller office space would help your business succeed. Remember, it’s not about the size of your business, it’s about what you can do with it that matters!

#3. Ditch your phone system

For the businesses that use intricate, outdated phone systems that suck up a lot of electricity, outsourcing to an answering service that uses energy-efficient VoIP phone systems is a great way to decrease your carbon footprint, your electric bill, and the amount of customers who are annoyed at being stuck in your IVR loop. Answering services are also typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so they are able to handle all of your incoming calls if and when necessary. That means you can ditch your phone system without worrying about your customers not being able to reach you.

#4. Get and pay your answering service invoices online

Snail mail is so last year. More and more people are opting to receive and pay bills online for a number of reasons. Not only are you able to have immediate access to your invoices, but you also don’t have to worry about your check getting lost in the mail, which may result in late fees. Additionally, the more bills you can pay online, the less paper you use in the form of stamps, envelops, return address stickers and the bills themselves. So, by opting to pay your bills online, you are helping save the planet as well as your wallet!

If you’re using SAS as your answering service, there are a number of ways you can check your bill online. If you’re new to the scene, we’ve broken it down for you below:

• Through your Billing portal: Both of our Advanced and Essentials service level customers have access to our billing portal. Here you will be able to view all past invoices, view all past payments, and update your payment method.
• Through your SAS Desk portal: For our Advanced service level customers, your online portal will also include billing information. The billing section within your general portal will include information about the plan you are on, the amount of minutes you’ve used so far within the month, and if you are on the right plan or not. If you are not on the right plan, you can select a new plan to make sure you are not overpaying for service. From your general portal, you can also access the standard billing portal if you want to view your past invoices or payments.

If you want your invoice to be sent through email only, then you’re in luck if you’re using SAS, as we always send invoices via email by default. For customers who specifically want their invoices sent via standard mail, they must reach out to our customer support department to enforce the change.

#5. Don’t receive daily fax reports

Every year Americans use over 90 million tons of paper products, which means millions of trees have to be cut down to support the paper industry. Many businesses rely on daily reports sent from their answering service in order to reach back out to clients, analyze metrics and determine marketing strategies. However, instead of having your service fax you these reports, see if they can send them via email or better yet – if you can generate them yourself through an online portal. Taking steps to reduce paper waste means a smaller carbon footprint and a happier mother Earth. By eliminating faxed reports, you are also not at the mercy of the fax machine if it happens to break or stall. Your reports can be sent immediately through email or you can have access reports on-demand through an online portal.

If you happen to use a service that doesn’t offer an online portal and faxing reports is your only option, try reducing the reports to be sent daily (instead of with each incoming call), or weekly (if you’re not relying on the reports to return calls).

#6. Use an app and give your printer a break

If your answering service offers a mobile app, use it! Using a mobile app will eliminate the need to print out messages, on-call schedules or directions for service technicians. As long as all of your staff has access to a smart phone, they should be able to access your service’s mobile app. From their mobile app, they should be able to do things like:

• Check new messages and respond from wherever they are
• Check who is on-call or make updates
• Have immediate access to the caller’s address and use Google Maps to bring up directions
• Generate on-demand reports without needing to print them out

#7. Ditch your computer to reduce energy consumption

While it may not seem like using a computer is harmful for the environment, you should know that computers are energy hogs. Depending on the type of computer you use (i.e., a laptop vs. a desktop). A desktop computer uses an average of 200 watts/hour when it is being actively used. A computer that is being used for 8 hours a day would typically use about 600 kilowatts/hour which emits around 175 kg of carbon dioxide per year! Now times that by the number of staff members you have and you’re leaving a pretty big carbon footprint. Some ways you can reduce energy consumption from your computer include:

• Turn off speakers if they are not being used
• Turnoff the printer if it is not being used
• Turn off your computer when it is not being used instead of putting it to sleep or stand by mode
• Use a laptop instead of a desktop

Letting an answering service enter data into your system means less time you’re in front of the computer. Your answering service agents can update CRM records via an integration, schedule appointments, process orders and troubleshoot basic issues. While you won’t be able to cut out the need to use a computer entirely, reducing your energy consumption is always a step in the right direction.

#8. Share an on-call phone

According to the EPA, discarded cell phones and their components that are lying in landfills allows lead to seep into the ground, air and water, which can then be consumed by humans. If your business uses an on-call schedule that rotates between your employees, you can cut down on resources by having your employees share one on-call phone that rotates between them. The less cell phones and cell phone chargers that end up in landfills the better. If you’re not sure how to go about sharing a phone among employees, here are some tips:

• The company should purchase the phone so no one has to share their personal device or pay out of pocket to buy it themselves
• After each on-call rotation is finished, the last employee to be on-call will bring the phone back into the office and hand it off to the next person on rotation.
• Instead of giving customers the direct number to the on-call phone and increasing the chance of non-urgent calls, you can route your office lines to the answering service, and then have them reach out to the on-call phone for any urgent issues.

#9. Use your service to send important documents to your customers

Taking into account how many paper products are used each year, you can opt for email instead, and use your answering service to send important documents to your callers. With SAS, this can be done in a few different ways:

• Email App: The Email App is useful for sending pricing information, product details, medical office forms, and more. It can also be utilized to create customized call detail routing for your colleagues so that new SAS leads will be easily identifiable.
• Google Calendar: The Advanced Settings section of the Google Calendar app gives you the option to send callers their appointment details following a call. The email will send them their appointment date and time or confirm a canceled appointment. Note that this is not an appointment reminder message, but an email confirmation of their appointment details.
• Google Docs: With Google Docs, documents can be sent to callers as a link or an attachment. You can also use this app to provide operators with detailed information about your business in response to specific questions.
• Google Maps: When callers are requesting directions to your business, we can take their starting address and send them a link with point-by-point directions provided by Google.

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Hilariously depicted, manning your front desk, and sure to create a spooktacular experience on every call… SAS presents, “Bad Receptionists: Trick or Treat?”

From Dracula to Frankenstein, and every frightening and funny character in between, take a listen to our Halloween Hotline horrors. Guaranteed to give you a good laugh, it’s the very best of All Hallows’ Eve from the very best in small business answering services!

#1. The Sleep Clinic Hotline

Receptionist: Freddy Kreuger

Answering for: 9-10 Never Sleep Again

Greeting: “You have reached 9-10 Never Sleep Again sleep clinic hotline. This is Freddy speaking. Can I transform your nightmares today?”

#2. The Candy Store

Receptionist: Michael Myers

Answering for: Lampkin Lane Candy Store

Greeting: “Thank you for calling Lampkin Lane Candy Store. Are you looking for a sweet Halloween fix?”

#3. The Hockey Supplies Store

Receptionist: Jason Voorhees

Answering for: Crystal Lake Hockey Supplies

Greeting: “Thanks for calling Crystal Lake Hockey Supplies! What can we get you checked out with today?”

#4. The Wedding RSVP Hotline

Receptionist: Chucky

Answering for: Wedding RSVP Hotline

Greeting: “Hi, I’m Chucky, wanna play? You’ve reached the Wedding RSVP Hotline. Are you a guest of the bride or the groom?

#5. The Party Planning Hotline

Receptionist: Pennywise

Answering for: Party Planning Hotline

Greeting: “This is Pennywise, the dancing clown. You’ve reached the Party Planning Hotline. Would you like to place a balloon order today? They all float down here.”

#6. The Holiday Character Hotline

Receptionist: Jack Skellington

Answering for: Rent-a-Claus

Greeting: “Jack speaking, are you calling to book a Sandy Claus for your upcoming holiday party?”

#7. The Thanksgiving Hotline

Receptionist: Scream

Answering for: Turkey Carving Infomercial

Greeting: “Have a screaming good time this Thanksgiving with the best turkey on the block. Now, let’s teach you how to gut it like a fish.”

#8. The Dog Food Recall Hotline

Receptionist: Werewolf

Answering for: Wolves Are Aware Dog Food Poison Control

Greeting: “Thank you for calling Wolves Are Aware Dog Food Poison Control line. Hoooowwwl can I help you today?”

#9. The Hardware Store

Receptionist: Frankenstein

Answering for: Nuts N’ Bolts Hardware

Greeting: “Thank you for calling Nuts N’ Bolts Hardware. What can we scrap together for you today?”

#10. The Blood Bank

Receptionist: Dracula

Answering for: Once Bitten, Twice Shy Blood Bank

Greeting: “Fang you for calling Once Bitten, Twice Shy Blood Bank. Are you calling to provide a transfusion today?”

#11. The Home Inspection Hotline

Receptionist: Ghost

Answering for: Specter Home Inspections

Greeting: “Hello, this is Casper. It’s a bootiful day at Specter Home Inspections. Are you experiencing a class 4 vapor?”

#12. The Funeral Home Hotline

Receptionist: Zombie

Answering for: We’re so Glad You’re Undead Funeral Home

Greeting: “Thank you for choosing ‘We’re so Glad You’re Undead’ Funeral Home, where we specialize in apocalyptic services. Are you calling about our ad in Zombie Daily?”

#13. The Cleaning Hotline

Receptionist: Witch

Answering for: Double Double Toil and Bubble Cleaning

Greeting:  *Ah hee hee hee* (cackle). “Double Double Toil and Bubble Cleaning hotline. What is your broom emergency?”

#14. The Fabric Store Hotline

Receptionist: Mummy

Answering for: Imhotep Fashions Garment

Greeting: “Welcome to Imhotep Fashions Garment hotline, where we specialize in gauze and linen remnants. How can we wrap you today?”

#15. The Hotel Reservation Line

Receptionist: Jack Torrance

Answering for: The Overlook Hotel

Greeting: “Hello and thank you for calling the Overlook Hotel’s reservation line, here’s Johnny! Would you like to book our presidential suite?”

#16. The Pumpkin Patch Hotline

Receptionist: Jack-O-Lantern

Answering for: Pumpkin Patch Almanac

Greeting: “This is Jack-O-Lantern with the Pumpkin Patch Almanac. Can we provide you with growth and harvesting estimates today?”

#17. The Boat Rental Hotline

Receptionist: Pirate

Answering for: Scalawag Boat Rentals

Greeting: “Well, shiver me timbers, it’s another call! You’ve reached Scalawag Boat Rentals. Argh you calling about our wooden plank special?”

#18. The Family Counseling Hotline

Receptionist: Uncle Fester

Answering for: Addams Family Counseling Services

Greeting: “Thank you for calling. You have reached Addams Family Counseling Services, where ‘we gladly feast on those who would subdue us.’ How can we torture you today?”

#19. The Bike Store Hotline

Receptionist: Billy the Puppet

Answering for: Tricked Out Trikes

Greeting: “Welcome to Tricked Out Trikes. Wanna play a game?”

#20. The Pest Control Hotline

Receptionist: Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice)

Answering for: Deetz Family Pest Control

Greeting: “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! What pests are you looking to get rid of today?”

The post Bad Receptionists: Trick or Treat? appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.

While The Voder machine doesn’t look like a creepy robot in any way, the noises it was able to produce say otherwise. If you don’t believe us, check out the website for yourself @ https://www.whatisthevoder.com! Beware, the sounds you are about to hear are spooky (look out for Mary and her lamb), and may incur nightmares. You’ve been warned!

The post Meet the Voder appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.

Where Did it Come From?

In the late 80’s, magazine sales were tanking, which put the pressure on marketing agencies to come up with ideas on how to move more subscriptions. To spark sales, Sport’s Illustrated offered VHS tapes of sports bloopers as an incentive for new subscribers. This idea was marginally successful, but it was getting tough to fill up a tape with new material. There’s only so many times you could watch Jeff Francoeur misfire on the throw to first. So, the SI marketing team went back to the drawing board.

Sport’s Illustrated VHS Blooper Ad

And now for a John Slattery break.

Frog Phone = Football Phone

In 1986, the marketing director for Sport’s Illustrated, Martin Shampaine, came across a phone that resembled a frog, which then led him to the idea (obviously) of creating a phone that looked like a football. Because you know how many times you’ve tried to dial a frog.

Shampaine, the Einstein of his time, spent months working out the logistics of how the product could look like a football, and still have the functionality of a telephone. By the early 90’s, SI had successfully gene spliced a football with a phone and they were ready to show the masses.

Sport’s Illustrated Football Phone Ad

What started as a simple gimmick to try and get people to subscribe to a magazine, the Sport’s Illustrated Football Phone scored major points among fans and helped contribute to 1.6 million new subscriptions between 1986 and 1991. The company had so much success with the football phone, that they played around with other variations as well.

They eventually created the sneaker phone but by the mid 90’s, Sport’s Illustrated resorted back to offering VHS compilations as their premium freebie. Like anyone could ever throw a perfect spiral with a shoe.

Sport’s Illustrated Sneaker Phone Commercial

But will it help my time in the quarter mile? Yes.

Fast forward to present day, where technology has evolved from football phones to face and fingerprint recognition to unlock your cell phone. Technology is always progressing, but that doesn’t mean we’ll ever forget about the OG of sports equipment shaped telephones.

Spoof Football Phone Ad from Howler Magazine

Great line to watch out for: ‘Where’s the camera on this thing’

Sport’s Illustrated Football Phone Ad Transcript

But wait, there’s more! We’ve transcribed the SI football phone advertisement for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Girl #1: Buying Christmas presents for my boyfriend is one of the most impossible things ever.

Girl #2: Everything I give him, he always wants to return it.

Grandma: Stores are busy, the cashiers are impatient.

Girl #3: Christmas shopping is just about the only thing that wrecks the holiday season.

Narrator: Catch this, it’s Sport’s Illustrated’s most exciting Christmas gift ever – the football phone! Free with a paid subscription to SI.

Couple #1 (after being thrown the football phone): It’s a phone!

Grandma (after being thrown the football phone): My goodness, it’s a telephone inside of a football!

Girl #1 (after being thrown the football phone): Awesome! It’s a phone!

Guy #1 (after being thrown the football phone): Oh, cool! I would love something like this. Mom, if you’re watching, I would love something like this for Christmas

Couple #1 (after being thrown the football phone): He’s looking for the pass, it’s a phone call!

Narrator: it looks like a football, but works like a regular phone. The football phone plugs into a standard jack and has push button dialing, on/off ringer, mute button and automatic redial.

Guy #2: Hello, Colleen? This is fantastic, I’m at the stadium right now and I have a football phone!

Couple #2: Cute! This has got to be out of her price range, though, something like this.

Narrator: And the football phone is free!

Girl #1: No way… It’s free?

Girl #2: Free?

Girl from couple #2: That’s even better! And I don’t even have to go shopping for it, I hope!

Grandma: What do I have to do to get this?

Narrator: Here’s the unbelievable catch. The football phone is free if you get Sport’s Illustrated at their biggest Christmas savings ever. A year’s subscription at almost 65% off the cover price. You can be billed after the new year, or you can use your credit card today. So, call now!

Girl #2: I’d say you’re crazy. Nobody cuts prices before Christmas!

Girl #1: I’ll buy it for my father, my brother and my boyfriend!

Narrator: You only pay 99 cents an issue and the subscription includes the NFL, NBA and baseball previews, the yearend double issue and the 1991 swimsuit issue.

Guy #1:  I would love to have Sport’s Illustrated for Christmas, I never get anything I want.

Girl #3: Sport’s Illustrated, I should have thought of that a long time ago!

Grandma: All I have to do is buy this for all the men in my life and I wouldn’t have any problems at all!

Girl #1: My Christmas worries are over!

Guy #2: I hope she orders that for Christmas for me!

Guy #1: I would love to have this for Christmas. So, mom if you’re watching, please, for once (gestures to football phone).

Narrator: Don’t wait, call our toll-free number now. Get Sport’s Illustrated for all your favorite fans at SI’s biggest Christmas savings ever, and get the football phone free, plus a gift card.

Guy #2 (on the phone) get Sport’s Illustrated for me for Christmas. I want this phone!

The post Pay Your Respects To The Sport’s Illustrated Football Phone appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.

Tip 1: Elves have serious attention to detail.

You’ve gotta hand it to those Elves. They painstakingly craft millions of toys every year, and each one is more perfect than the last. Of course, Elves understand the importance of the big picture – having enough toys to go around. But they also know that it’s the little things (no pun intended) that make all the difference in any old toy that you could purchase at the mall vs. a carefully-honed item that was built with its recipient in mind.

Takeaway

Both big and small businesses alike need to have enough quantity to satisfy demand. But quality is what will ultimately sell your product and keep customers coming back year after year. The same goes for the answering service industry. Sure, you can answer calls faster than Elves can make a rocking horse; but it’s how you answer them that counts.

Tip 2: Elves take pride in their work.

Elves are happy people. They get to live with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the Elfin Eatery is fully stocked with buttery cookies and hot cocoa. Who wouldn’t be happy? While that sounds magical, their sprightly outlook isn’t just about the company they keep or the awesome snack bar. Elves love what they do, and they take pride in it! Are there days when the mere sight of another tinker toy is enough to send them packing for Fiji? Probably. But all in all, they excel at toy manufacturing because they believe in the good they are doing.

Takeaway

No job is perfect, and customer service can be especially challenging during the holidays; however, every employee offers a valuable contribution to the people you serve. When the going gets tough, think about the positive impact you have on your customers.

Tip 3: Elves thrive on teamwork.

Any great business starts with exceptional leadership, and it doesn’t get much better than Santa. The jolly old elf himself has been running North Pole operations without a hitch for eons. So, he must know a thing or two about getting the job done. He relies on the Elves to work on their projects as a team, ensuring that each toy truck has wheels, sirens and a nice paint job, and each dolly has curlicue hair and that sweet, baby powder scent. When the day is done and everyone has whittled their last spinning top, they head to the Candy Cane Corral for free eggnog and some good old fashioned camaraderie.

Takeaway

To put it plainly, Santa is about as good without his Elves as a call center is without its agents! No man is an island. There is no I in TEAM. And here’s one more cliché for good measure: teamwork makes the dream work.

Well, what have you learned? We hope that this has been a quick refresher course in how to be the best customer service representative you can be. No matter what your industry, it never hurts to take a step back and reevaluate how you approach your job. Humans spend an average of 2,080 hours a year at work, so you may as well make the most of it!

The post The Top 3 Customer Service Tips We Can Learn from Santa’s Elves appeared first on Specialty Answering Service.