Surge in Start-ups in 2013

The UK launched half a million start-ups in 2013 with 10,000 loans totalling over £50 million awarded by the Government's Start Up Loans scheme. Entrepreneurs hoping to grow businesses in the UK can get ahead of competitors and make an impact in the marketplace by proving they have great customer service and a dedicated telephone answering service is an essential element in growing small businesses and managing larger companies.

Call answering services provide a point of contact for customers day and night with professionally trained call handlers who can accommodate a range of different services according to your company's needs. From virtual reception services to diary management, brochure sending to call centre services, franchise call handling to non-geographical numbers - Zoom Answer Call offers high quality tailored services to start-ups, SMEs and large established businesses.

With a record number of start-ups emerging in the UK last year, we hope 2014 is the year of success for your company, and if you need help managing your incoming or outgoing calls let us help you to find the perfect solution with Zoom's dedicated telephone answering service. Try a free 7-day trial to see just how effective call management services can be for your business and watch your company grow in 2014!

Improving Your Customer Service - Part 3

At Zoom Answer Call, customer service is one of our greatest strengths - we believe that your customers build your business, and it's important to treat each one as well as possible. If you need professional assistance to help boost your customer service department, our call answering services can help! Or if you're simply in need of a few pointers and tips to raise your customer service game a little, then read on... (You can also read part 1 and part 2 of our customer service series for more advice.)

1. Say "yes" whenever you can. This means finding a way to help your customers no matter what. If you can't do exactly as they ask, then offer a suitable alternative or compensation - the fact that you've tried to accommodate their request will serve as a big positive for your customer service reputation.
2. Know when and how to apologise. Sometimes things go wrong - everyone can understand that, and even the grouchiest customer can be appeased if you handle it the right way. Apologise, admit your error and - most importantly - deal with the consequences professionally and quickly.
3. Make things easy for your customers. This includes finding information, organisational systems, transactions, enquiries, returns and complaints. If your customers can't get hold of you, or become confused and frustrated trying to negotiate your system, website or customer service line, they will either become angry or simply give up. Keep a reliable human element in your business and make sure there's always help at hand for your customers. This may mean implementing a phone answering service to ensure that there is always someone professional and knowledgeable at the end of the phone.
4. Go above and beyond. How can you improve on your competition and give customers more? How can you offer a better and more reliable service? How can you surprise and delight your customers? A big part of this can come down to customer service - customers like feeling like they are valued and respected on an individual basis. Take the time to show your appreciation. Ask if there's anything else you can do. 
5. Train your employees well and include them in the daily workings and development of your customer services. Having happy and knowledgeable employees means that they will pass these benefits onto your customers. Show them the importance of your customer service department and work together to find ways of improving it.

We hope these tips have been of help to you and your business in improving your customer services. If you need practical help with customer service management, call answering services, a virtual reception,  seasonal cover and more, get in touch with us at Zoom Answer Call.

What Kind of Business Use Call Answering Services?

If you're wondering whether your business needs a call answering service, you might want to consider the amount of different companies that currently implement phone answering professionals in order to maximise their productivity - from small local businesses to huge global brands.

Call answering can help the day to day running of your business as well as improving sales numbers, raising your level of customer service and reducing the stress of managing a busy company. So what kind of businesses actually use call answering services like Zoom Answer Call?

The answer is: almost every industry! Companies big and small are turning to call answering services to cover their phonelines, and here are just a few examples:

• Individuals/managers in need of a 'virtual' PA
• Small local retail businesses
• Retail suppliers 
• Solicitors
• Training providers
• Education specialists
• Design agencies and web developers
• Car hire companies
• Interior designers
• Communication providers
• Property management companies
• Consultants
• Power providers
• And many more...

If you'd like to know how Zoom Answer Call can help your business to grow, develop and function more efficiently, give us a call on 0800 583 5020!