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A Checklist for Selecting an Inbound Call Center

By Jon Wuebben
Aug 14, 2009
In today's competitive business climate, companies are doing everything they can to reduce labor and
infrastructure costs. Outsourcing your inbound call center services is very popular today because handling customer calls internally can be very inefficient and expensive. Outsourcing functions that are not a part of your core competency is a common practice and an efficient way of doing business.

If your organization is contemplating outsourcing but is challenged in finding the right inbound call center partner, here is a checklist to help you identify a good quality call center:

1. Services

A high quality inbound call center can provide you with cost-effective services and in turn, help you to reduce operating costs. Do they have:

*24x7 call handling
*The capabilities to handle your requirements
*Multilingual agents (if required)
*Techno savvy call center agents in the event that you need tech support

2. Service Quality Assurance
Communication is essential to great customer satisfaction and retention. Remember, these people will be talking to your customers. It's very important that they get it right.

*Does the call center have a good quality assurance program
*Do they provide daily monitoring for motivational and formative feedback

3. Technology

Is the call center using the latest software, hardware and equipment, including:

*ACD
*Skill based routing system
*Web enabled work stations
*Interactive Voice Response
*Digital recording
*Digital back-up

4. Reporting

*Do they provide daily reporting to track and measure performance
*Do they answer 80% of their calls in 20 seconds (industry average)
*Is their abandonment rate less than 5%
*Is their average handling time within your requirements

5. Confidentiality

You don't want your business practices, strategies, intellectual properties, customer lists or leads to get in the wrong hands.

*Is total confidentiality maintained
*Do they provide a signed non-disclosure agreement

6. References

*Do they provide references
*Are the references current
*Are the references similar in size and function to you

Contact the references and find out how happy they are with the proposed inbound call center.

*Are they getting a good return on investment
*Are customer complaints going down
*How is their performance relative to Industry service level averages

Talking to references can give you a good idea about the inbound call center's services, communication skills and professionalism.

If you are looking for an inbound call center, and you don't have the time to vet multiple call centers, then you can benefit from the knowledge of a great call center referral agency. Work with one that matches your specific needs to the most appropriate inbound customer service center.

Benefits from inbound call center outsourcing:

* Increase ROI from your media dollars
* Increase conversion rates
* Increase sales form up-sells and cross-sells
* Drive and measure results using advanced technology
* Lower handling costs with effective solutions
* Assistance with strategizing for optimizing customer acquisition and retention
* Flexibility with monthly call volume
* Provide recommendations based on volume and requirements
* Multi-language support
* Guidance on customer acquisition and retention programs
* Reach or exceed you MER benchmarks

Whether you are a small startup or a Fortune 100 company, ensure that you find the call center you need with the return on investment you are looking for. Selecting an inbound call center is an important decision; be sure to make the right one.
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