Reasons to Hire a Virtual Receptionist |
Posted: February 24, 2017 |
Thanks to the advancing technology, more businesses are hiring people remotely. One of the few positions that has remained an in-person job until recently is the receptionist. However, the idea of a virtual receptionist is growing, which opens up many possibilities to small businesses that are just starting out.
What Can a Virtual Receptionist Do?
The short answer is anything a traditional receptionist can do. With online customer service programs and databases, a person can work from a remote location and do much of the same tasks as if they were in the same office as the manager.
Virtual receptionists handle scheduling, making appointments, even answering the phone. They can take on projects and do much of the day-to-day tasks that keep the business running smoothly. They can coordinate meetings through conference calls and handle correspondence.
Who Needs a Virtual Receptionist?
Any business where the owner works from home or out in the field can benefit from a virtual receptionist. It doesn’t make sense to pay rent on an office space if the owner/manager doesn’t need it for his or her own use. Instead of creating a physical location for a receptionist, working virtually will save the company money.
Many small businesses start out with just the owner and a few employees. The owner wears many hats including that of customer service. They may not feel they can afford a full-time receptionist or personal assistant. Hiring someone remotely allows them to set a part-time schedule which fits in their budget. They may only need someone after hours or through lunchtime or when the owner is in a meeting. A virtual receptionist will fit the needs of a growing business by providing a flexible schedule and only working when needed.
How to Find a Virtual Receptionist
While you can advertise on your own for such a position, you can also talk with call centres and customer service companies. Many provide remote staff to fit your needs and schedule. You don’t have to worry about providing enough work for the person, because they will have other clients when you don’t need them. You also don’t have to take on the challenges of training them or ensuring they are available when you need them.
When you hire someone through a call centre agency or customer service company, they are responsible for finding the right person and training them. They take care of staffing for the position based on your needs. If they have turnover and have to replace that person, they must cover the schedule with a temporary or new person. This takes a lot of stress off you as you focus on other aspects of your growing business.
A virtual receptionist can provide the flexibility and function you need in your business without having to hire someone to work full-time in an office. You will know your company is being represented to the world well as you focus your attention on other matters and allow your receptionist to work from their own location.
Ashley Meszaros is the Owner/President of We An-Ser Communications in Calgary. We An-Ser Communications provides award winning call center services in Calgary, dispatching, medical answering services, man down services, lone worker support, wireless panic services and more. They service the North American market.
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