Posts Tagged ‘small business’
How to Perform Efficient Reference Checks
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011How to Select the Right Call Center Vendor for Your Business
Friday, May 6th, 2011How to Select the Right Collection Agency
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011Five Reasons to Use National Vendors for Business Services
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
When choosing a vendor for the business processes you plan to outsource, you might want to expand your list to include national vendors as well as local ones. Some business owners limit their choices by considering only locally based service providers, but adding national vendors to your list can offer a number of advantages, such as:
- Access to the best providers available. Business services can vary greatly, not only in terms of quality, but also in the variety of features and services offered. While there may be several B2B service providers in your area who offer excellent service, your local provider in any given category may not always be the best choice to meet your needs. Comparing services on a national level will give you a much broader selection and could result in finding the ideal provider for your company.
- Better price range. In some parts of the country, prices for local businesses services run higher than the national average. National vendors are often much more competitive in their pricing. Many of the larger companies have greater buying power when purchasing software, business supplies and other business services, and pass these savings on to their customers. Even if you do choose to go with a local vendor, researching the price range of national vendors will give you a good idea of what you should expect to spend for the type of business service you need.
- Greater scalability. After assessing your plans for future growth, you might find that some of your local business service providers are not as capable of handling your company’s increasing needs as a national vendor would be.
- Superior customer support. In some cases, national vendors come with a larger and more fully developed customer service and support center, with representatives available at all hours to help you resolve any issues immediately.
- Local branches. With many B2B services, having a local presence is not essential to providing excellent service to their customers. When, for example, was the last time you needed to visit your phone or Internet provider’s office in person? Nevertheless, many national vendors do have local offices in several cities across the country, so if being able to speak to someone face-to-face is important to you, choosing a national vendor with an office in your area can give you the best of both worlds.
Five Tips for Choosing a Long Distance Provider
Saturday, December 18th, 2010
Long distance services are communication services that allow business associates to communicate with one another regardless of location. These services make it possible for business operations to run smoothly and for employees to be able to communicate effectively with clients.
There are many different types of long distance services vendors, including phone vendors and VOIP services. In some situations, VOIP services are far less expensive than telephone long distance services, especially when a business is located in a remote area. When looking for a long distance vendor, consider the following:
- Cost – This is one of the most important variables when it comes to long distance services. The cost of the long distance service vary based on the service provider and the technology the provider is uses. Be sure to look at the base monthly rate, minutes you will receive at that rate (if applicable), and additional features available at that rate.
- Sound Quality – The sound quality of your long distance service has a major impact on your ability to communicate effectively. Some providers who offer low rates use outdated technology, so the sound is muffled or appears to be distant. Select a long distance service that guarantees crisp sound and ask for a trial period before signing up.
- Ease of Use – How easy is it for your employees to use the long distance service? Do they need to be near a certain computer or type of phone in order to place a call? Some VOIP services operate through phones as well as computers. Assess your needs and determine how mobile your long distance service needs to be.
- Contract – If the long distance company requires you to sign a contract for its services, request a trial period first. Also be sure the contract you sign offers you the flexibility to switch services if a superior technology becomes available during the term of your contract.
- Reputation – Some long distance services have a reputation for dropping calls. Others may be known low call quality. Performing a Google search for reviews on your top choices will help you find the company that’s most reliable.
InsideUp can help you locate a long distance service provider to keep your business communication network flowing. We have carefully selected top national long distance vendors who will provide high quality communication services for your business at a significant cost savings.
How to Select a Provider of Business VoIP Phone Services
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010Many businesses use VoIP phone services as a replacement for traditional analog phone lines. The service is an important success component for business as it leverages the internet to add efficiencies, permit advance features and cut phone costs.
To find out more visit http:// www.insideup.com/VoIP
Ten Key Types of Insurance Your Business Might Need
Monday, December 13th, 2010
If your business is not properly insured, an unforeseen incident such as a lawsuit or a natural disaster could result in a major setback or even failure for your company. Whether you run a corner coffee shop or a major manufacturing facility, purchasing insurance for your business is one of the best ways to prepare for the unexpected.
- General Liability – This type of insurance will protect your business against legal problems due to claims of negligence. A general or umbrella liability policy will cover payments for property damage, medical expenses due to personal injury, the cost of defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments required during an appeal procedure.
- Product Liability – Protects against payments for personal injury or property damage caused by products manufactured or distributed by your company.
- Home-Based Business Insurance – Your homeowners insurance will not home-based business losses. For this you will need separate insurance that will protect your business against loss or theft, in addition to other concerns, such as professional liability, personal injury and disability.
- Internet Business Insurance – If you operate a web-based businesses you can buy insurance that protects against hackers and viruses. This can also cover lawsuits resulting from meta tag abuse, banner advertising, or electronic copyright infringement.
- Worker’s Compensation – This insurance pays for employees’ medical expenses and missed wages if injured while working. The amount of insurance you are required to carry varies from state to state.
- Criminal Insurance – Criminal insurance and employee bonds can provide protection against losses due to embezzlement, hacking, vandalism and general theft.
- Business Interruption Insurance – Covers losses caused by natural disasters, fires and other catastrophes, which could put your business on hold for a significant length of time.
- Key Person Insurance – This type of coverage is usually a type of life insurance that names the corporation as a beneficiary if an essential person within the company dies or becomes disabled.
- Employee Health Insurance – Although not required to, many businesses provide health insurance for their employees using a group policy plan, which lowers the overall cost of the health insurance per individual because of the group rate.
- Malpractice Insurance – Licensed professionals typically need protection against bodily injury lawsuits, the cost of defending such suits and payments resulting from judgments or settlements.
Considering the multitude of available options, business owners must carefully weigh whether the cost of certain premiums will justify the coverage for a given risk. A qualified business insurance provider can provide detailed information and help you make an informed decision regarding the type of insurance your business needs.
Simple Steps to Avoid Having Your Merchant Account Frozen
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
Fear-inspiring stories abound regarding businesses that have had to shut down when their merchant account is put on hold. Fortunately, a little extra diligence on your part can reduce the likelihood of this happening to your business.
Reasons for merchant account holds typically fall into two categories—violation of the account service agreement and suspicion of fraudulent activity.
- Study your merchant agreement carefully when you first sign up for an account. Many credit card processing providers will ask you to declare the average volume your business will experience each month, as well as the expected average ticket amount. Be sure to make a note of the amounts you project, and be careful not to exceed them because this can cause your account to be frozen or cancelled.
- Never accept payment for goods or services other than those described in your merchant agreement. Again, it is a good idea to consider carefully what you agree to sell when you sign up for the account. If you own a carpet cleaning company, for example, listing your business as “floor care” will allow for the possible addition of related services. If you plan to sell items that are completely unrelated, you may need a separate merchant account.
- Excessive chargebacks can also constitute a service agreement violation and cause your account to be frozen. Good customer service and communication will prevent many chargebacks. Some merchants find it worth the effort to call their customers to verify each sale, and customers usually appreciate the extra security measure.
Suspicious processing activity can be more challenging to prevent, there are steps you can take to avoid having your account frozen for suspected fraud. Let your bank know ahead of time if you expect any changes in processing behavior such as a sudden increase in your average ticket amount or if you expect an unusually large single transaction. In this case, you should ask to speak to someone in your bank’s risk department.
Reputable credit card processing providers are as concerned about their customers as you are about yours, and finding such a provider will prevent many future frustrations. Plans and pricing differ, however, and most businesses find they need help sorting though all the variables.
Choosing the Best Call Center Services for Your Business
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
Your call center is often the first point of contact between your business and your customers, so it’s vital to choose a call center whose agents will leave a good impression on your callers. Here are some points to keep in mind when making your vendor selection:
- Purpose – Analyze your needs to determine the main purpose the call center will serve. If you are looking for specialized services, such as tech support for your products, you will need a call center that employs IT professionals who can learn your product line. If you need customer service representatives, find a call center capable of learning your products. You will also need to decide if you need dedicated agents, who take calls exclusively for your company and will acquire a detailed knowledge of your products, or shared agents who take calls for multiple businesses.
- Price – How does the call center charge for its services–monthly or annually? Will you have to sign a long-term contract? Will you be charged per call? The price of the services can vary greatly. Check the fine print so you won’t be surprised by hidden charges.
- Features - Each call center will offer its own features. Ask about the prices for additional features, as well as a list of options for you to choose from. For example, some call centers will send you detailed messages in an email, while other call centers will call you with the message.
- Agency Size – To get an idea of the size of call center you will need, determine the amount of call traffic your business currently receives, and try to project the volume you expect to receive from planned advertising campaigns.
- Reputation - Do a simple Google search to see criticisms and praises of your top companies. Ask for customer references to verify the vendor’s reliability and professionalism. Also, ask colleagues for their recommendations.
You will also want to find a company that has:
- An understanding of your particular industry.
- The ability to forecast and schedule for expected call volume.
- Technology such as performance management and data analytics.
- Reporting formats that are compatible with your company’s software.
- The ability to make changes and readily adapt to market conditions.
It’s important to balance cost savings and features with quality of service. Choosing a provider based on price alone could end up costing your company in terms of reputation and customer loyalty, but a call center that matches your customer service standards will be an asset to your company.
Outsourcing Can Help Your Business Emerge Unscathed During Tough Economic Times
Monday, November 8th, 2010
Despite hopeful predictions for the economic future, many businesses are still coping with the problem of sustaining growth in a down economy. Organizations continue to tighten budgets by reducing staff and work hours. However, some of these budget-trimming moves can have a negative impact on customer relations.
In a classic study reported in the book, “The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits and Lasting Value,” by Frederick Reichheld, a mere 5 percent improvement in customer retention rates was found to result in a 25 to 100 percent increase in profits. Considering the fact that it costs more to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones, clearly it is prudent to give top priority to customer relations, even—and especially—during difficult economic times.
Many organizations, which are dealing with the current economic downturn, are finding outsourcing to be the ideal solution, allowing them to reduce expenditures while maintaining a high level of customer service. In its January 2009 BPO Index, Nelson-Hall reported that “BPO is holding firm in a difficult market.” One reason for this, the report states, is that “BPO has a major role to play in improving customer retention and facilitating new market entry, as well as reducing costs to serve.”
In their recent white paper, “Retain Your Customers in a Down Economy”, EDS, an HP company and provider of IT services, observed that, “By focusing on the value of existing customers, and by leveraging the cost and performance advantages of an outsourced service model, companies can manage costs, retain customers and position themselves to survive and even thrive in a difficult economic environment.”
Partnering with outsourcers that specialize in customer management can help your organization retain and acquire customers while reducing operating expenses. Outsourcing also lets you easily scale up or down as needed, which can be especially helpful during times of unpredictable change.
