WARNING: this book is a PhD dissertation (2000) and contains academic research. It’s made available primarily to aid other academics who are conducting their own industry research. If this is what you seek, here’s an overview: The telephone answering service industry is maturing and undergoing rapid changes. In recent years, the traditional client has been vanishing, switching to alternative technologies, bypassing their answering service. Telephone answering services have reacted in various ways, such as mergers and acquisitions, pursuing niches, or expanding their businesses’ scope. The conventional wisdom is that there will always be a need for the human interaction which an answering service provides. It further assumes that answering services will serve fewer clients and generate less revenue unless steps are taken to increase their reach or obtain non-traditional clients. Previous research has recommended becoming a call center to better tap and capitalize on the needs of an emerging non-traditional client base. The findings of this research effort determined there were the essential elements which should be present for a telephone answering service to transition into a call center. Additionally, there were five items which are common industry dilemmas to be addressed. An inventory of significant call center characteristics was also developed. Most importantly, several areas of focus were advanced.

Live a life that sticks! Sticky Living challenges us to make every moment matter and leave a legacy that lasts beyond our careers…and our lives. While work is important, it only accounts for a fraction of our lives. Embrace the significance of family, relationships, and non-work time in creating a fulfilling life that sticks. Through chapters on family, attitude, celebration, busyness, and more, discover practical advice and wisdom to help navigate life’s complexities with intentionality and purpose. From money management to social media use, from forgiveness to community engagement, Sticky Living provides a roadmap for living a life that lasts and impacts others positively. Join Peter Lyle DeHaan on a journey to transform your daily interactions, habits, and mindset to cultivate meaningful relationships and build a legacy that goes beyond work and career. Sticky Living is a must-read for anyone seeking to make a difference in the world and create lasting connections that matter most. Take the next step towards a life that sticks with Sticky Living. Get your copy today.

Do you want to own a telephone answering service? Would you like a nice double-digit profit every month? A mature answering service can do that for you. That’s the good news. The bad? If you don’t do it right, it could be the worst decision of your life. You could lose your shirt. Learn the inside story from Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD, who has spent his career in and around the answering service industry. He’s owned, managed, bought, and merged answering services. He’s also an industry writer and publisher. And he worked as a consultant. In this essential book, you’ll discover: - The precise steps to set yourself up for success - Key shortcuts to minimize risk - The secrets that will make you become profitable faster - How to avoid the surprising mistakes most answering service startups make - If your personality fits this high-risk, high-reward industry You’ll learn about equipment, cash flow, and managing a team. And you’ll discover a sound growth strategy, how to make the startup phase as short as possible, and the specific methods of thriving answering service companies. If you’re considering starting a telephone answering service, this indispensable guide is a must read. Buy How to Start a Telephone Answering Service today and dive into this exciting industry.

Tips on making your call center a genuine profit center In North America, call centers are a $13 billion business, employing 4 million people. For managers in charge of a call center operation, this practical, user-friendly guide outlines how to improve results measurably, following its principles of revenue generation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. In addition, this new edition addresses many industry changes, such as the new technology that's transforming today's call center and the location-neutral call center. It also helps readers determine whether it's cost-efficient to outsource operations and looks at the changing role and requirements of agents. The ultimate call center guide, now revised and updated The authors have helped over 60 companies improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their call center operations Offers comprehensive guidance for call centers of all sizes, from 20-person operations to multinational businesses With the latest edition of Call Centers For Dummies, managers will have an improved arsenal of techniques to boost their center's bottom line.

WARNING: this book is a master’s thesis (1998) and contains academic research. It’s made available primarily to aid others who are conducting their own industry research. If this is what you seek, here’s an overview: The telephone answering service industry is facing uncertainty due to misconceptions, rising costs, and company closures. This book presents extensive research on the industry, including a SWOT analysis and input from industry professionals. It identifies six core items for survival and success: flexibility, customer-focus, management skills, service quality, staffing practices, and employment attractiveness. The book recommends conducting company-specific SWOT analyses and developing strategic plans, as well as increasing rates, improving sales and marketing efforts, and capitalizing on 24/7 staffing. Readers must assess their specific circumstances to determine if these strategies are applicable. This book equips industry insiders with valuable insights and recommendations to shape the future of their businesses. By being proactive and prepared, the industry can overcome its challenges and flourish in the ever-changing telecommunications world.

Give your front-line call center staff the training they need With How to Be a Great Call Center Representative, call-center staff will learn what technology-based customer service is all about, including the history, terminology, legislation, and technology options. This book is designed to supplement and enhance the industry-specific policies and procedures plus local, state, and federal guidelines to which a call center staff must adhere. Filled with exercises and self-assessments, the course presents specific, practical strategies for improving listening skills, building trust with customers, problem solving, and decision-making--all within the context of a busy call center. How to Be a Great Call Center Representative provides all the tools needed to be confident in handling customers and building a foundation for future growth and advancement. Readers will learn how to: Identify the roles and responsibilities of a call center staff Prepare yourself to deliver quality service Learn to communicate successfully Identify current legislation, terminology, and technology affecting call center staff Develop skills for building trust Enhance telephone verbal skills and vocal quality Build problem solving and decision-making skills Learn to handle difficult customer situations Improve your time-management and multitasking skills Identify ways to control your stress level Learn to recover from mistakes-yours and your customer's. This is an ebook version of the AMA Self-Study course. If you want to take the course for credit you need to either purchase a hard copy of the course through amaselfstudy.org or purchase an online version of the course through www.flexstudy.com.