Boost your telemarketing profits with predictive dialer
by judith
Over the past few years, with innovative technologies being released the scenario of telemarketing has changed a great deal. Your telemarketing team can now be more productive than ever with the use of predictive dialers and other call center software and products. It is a big triumph and a history in the field of telemarketing where telemarketers spend less time dialing and more time actually giving their presentation to potential customers and all this has been possible due to programmed telemarketing tools and the recent amalgamation between the Internet and telephone systems.
There are several exclusive telemarketing services and products that have been modernized the way telemarketers carry out their trade. And they are Auto Dialers, Monitoring Systems, Amplifiers, Headsets and Predictive Dialers. Auto dialers as the name suggest can dial telephone numbers automatically for your call center agents to connect the agent without any extra features. It is a versatile tool that comes within affordable range helps to automate your telemarketing efforts. To monitor calls for testing, training, motivation and assistance monitoring system is there for you. To ensure good sound quality for each telephone call amplifiers are really useful. You can control the volume and enable muting and you can even switch from your telephone to your computer easily with some amplifier. Headsets another tool for telemarketing helps the telemarketers to have free hands to write type or do anything else while talking with potential clients. In few words it could be said that this tool helps to work hassle free. It prevents dropping of the receiver or the need to hold the receiver in an odd position while trying to write or type the client’s information. You can write while you listen to client at the same time. You will come across many types of headsets including voice tubes, in the ear, over the ear, noise canceling, wireless, and convertible all of which are excellent in their own field.
Last but not the least is the predictive dialer that has successfully revolutionized the way telemarketers conduct their businesses. Like the auto dialers it was developed to dial phone numbers automatically but gradually with time some new features were added to make it more efficient. Besides dialing calls automatically it can also monitor calls and the types of answers it receives when dialing which was lacking in auto dialer. Unlike auto dialers that do not use algorithms to connect the agent to only successful calls predictive dialers connected telemarketing agents to the call once it recognizes that a real person is on the line. For such useful features predictive dialers are used in many call centers today, that have assisted thousands of telemarketers to maximize their hard work and dissipate less time dialing non-responsive numbers.
You will need a computer, internet connection and a telephone line to host a predictive dialer. With this predictive dialer you will receive both outbound and inbound dialing capabilities, and can incorporate the system with your analog lines without having a separate database server. Among the other features that you will enjoy with this dialer is query-based dialing, time zone sensitivity and will also have the capability to run multiple campaigns simultaneously, alternate number dialing, and monitor and record calls. So it could be concluded that predictive dialer helps you to boost your telemarketing profits effectively
Information about predictive dialers, predictive dialer and predictive dialing
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
Accounting outsourcing services give you an edge over others in enhancing productivity
by Allies Harbor
Accounting outsourcing services play a vital role in the present economic scenario and business environment. With an intense competition for survival and excellence, the companies need to build some sound strategies to beat the competition in their field. With profit margins getting thinner and thinner in recent times, business owners are under acute pressure to cut costs across their all business operations. Reducing the costs related to their accounting and finance activities is one area that is increasingly being seen as one of the most effective means to cut down on the administrative and overhead costs, increasing their productivity and profit margin, and these activities are often outsourced to achieve their goal.
By outsourcing the accounting job, the company hands over its accounting and bookkeeping related work to a third party. The accounting outsourcing firm perform all the routine accounting activities of an organization, right from making appropriate book entries, preparing ledgers and making all the financial statements to presenting an in-depth analysis of the general nature of the business operation.
Accounting outsourcing services are gaining popularity in the business world and more and more companies are opting for it as there are many advantages attached to it. It is a cost effective way to get your accounting job done by competent and experienced professionals. These days the top management of a company is not very keen in spending a huge amount of dollars on an in house handling of its accounts. Accounting outsourcing services firms help them in saving them a few dollars. By outsourcing these activities, the company does not have to bear the expenses required on keeping an experienced and qualified employee on the payroll and spending huge amounts on their salary, bonus and other allowances. The outsourcing firm takes cares of the expenses of their services. They do charge a fee, but this comes out to be a cheaper option for companies as they save on various overhead costs, costs involved in hiring and maintaining such technically qualified personnel on their payroll.
Accounting outsourcing services firms also free the top management of the company from the need of supervising its accounting and finance related work, which are important but routine. It allows them to focus more on critical decision making pertaining to their core business activity improving the overall productivity. Many a times, a company has very specialized needs, and the company has to incur huge costs in getting these specialized activities performed by in-house professionals, who demand a high salary, but the accounting outsourcing services firms may provide these specialized services also at reasonable costs as they have in their payroll professionals expert in different domains of accounting.
Undoubtedly, accounting outsourcing services firms provide a great benefit to the company, but before outsourcing the work to them, it is essential to do a thorough background check on these companies. Because the company will have to share its confidential data and documents with them, it must ensure that the outsourcing firm has the track record of treating the company’s data with care and there is least possibility of misuse of information and documents. It should have a sound security system in place so that there is no inadvertent leakage of information to an authorized person or any third party.
Allies Harbor is a writer and writes articles on various topics including outsourcing.To know more about Accounting outsourcing,outsourcing seo,software outsourcing India and accounting outsourcing services visit www.ifrstaffing.com
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
Off the Phone and In Your Door!
by Traci Bild
How to Get Prospects ON SITE and ON YOUR OCCUPANCY LIST!
In my article last month, I talked about how the 2008 economic meltdown made it an absolute priority to keep your sales efforts on track and on target, to increase your occupancy rates and keep the revenue coming in. Sales is a Science - and if you stick to winning formulas, you’ll get winning results every time…even in the tough times we currently face.
Last month was all about how to drive traffic and get quality referrals. This time around, it’s all about getting those referrals to make the all-important on-site visit. As an expert in the senior housing industry, I’m used to hearing sales people say, “Get them in the door and my people can close them!” Well…okay, then. But who’s actually getting them in the door?
In other words, don’t ignore this vital piece of the sales puzzle. How sales people first interact with a referral can all but guarantee an on-site visit - or completely torpedo any further interest from them.
That’s why a consistent system must be in place for all the sales staff - and a lot of bad habits have to be modified. I like to advise my clients to hire an independent company to Mystery Shop their communities and cold call as if they were real referrals. The results are an incredibly valuable measurement of how effective your sales staff is at engaging potential buyers and getting them to commit to an on-site visit.
What you’ll find from the Mystery Shop process, in most cases, is that the sales staff ask the prospect one or two random questions about their situation, and then plunge into a laundry list of amenities that the community provides.
Impersonal - mostly about the community - and NOT so much about the person calling. Worse yet, the close of the conversation is usually an offer to send a brochure or information pack - not an invitation to visit the community in question. No personal connection unfortunately means a lost opportunity.
The ironic thing is handling these kinds of calls properly actually makes it easier on salespeople, not harder. It’s a matter of not focusing too much on making the sale during the initial conversation - instead, it’s about getting that all-important on-site visit scheduled. No one’s going to buy a housing unit blind over the phone - so don’t try!
Instead, work on locking down on-site appointments by concentrating on getting your caller over the VALUE THRESHOLD. They need to know that their main question - “What’s in it for me?” - is being answered, and that the value of what you have to offer to them is worth more than the inconvenience of them getting in the car and coming down to check out your community.
STEP ONE to starting that process is to immediately take control when a prospect calls. The salesperson should begin their side of the conversation by saying “I would be more than happy to give you that information, Mrs. Smith. Do you mind if I ask you a few quick questions so I know what kind of pricing to give you?”
This LOOKS like it contradicts what I just said…but it really doesn’t! By giving you permission to “interview” them, you can determine and acknowledge their needs and wants - which means you don’t have to focus on the pricing at all, but instead on what they’re after in a community. And getting that permission is all-important - because if you begin to ask personal questions without it…well, you know how creepy that can make YOU feel.
People buy when their needs are being met. By identifying their needs and demonstrating specifically how your community meets those needs in a one-on-one manner, you establish a rapport that makes them comfortable with you, and feel like they are being listened to.
I suggest creating an Inquiry Connection Sheet of a series of really great open-ended questions that can create a real conversation, instead of a standard sales pitch, and sticking to the sequence on that sheet. It’s hard for a salesperson - or anyone - to think on their feet and ask the right questions in the right order. You tend to panic and try to book the onsite visit too soon, before you’ve really identified needs fully and addressed them. Trial these Connection Sheets until you’re happy with one.
Don’t think it’s worth the effort? Well, studies have shown that a correctly-constructed Connection Sheet boosts your Mystery Shop service score from a sad 32% (no Connection Sheet) to an incredible 87% (fully-used Connection Sheet).
Obviously, it’s not enough to just ask the questions - you also have to be able to relate to the answers on a human level and follow up on those answers when you need to. It’s part of demonstrating the empathy that will create the connection you want.
For the close of your call, remember to repeat those needs and how your community can meet them - and then begin to schedule an on-site visit. Don’t ask if they want to come in for the visit - talk about it as the next logical step. If you give them a “Yes” or “No” option, guess what? 50% of the time you’re probably going to get a no!
Mismanaged sales calls can cost your business dearly - and there’s really no reason for it. If you and your sales staff are prepared and confident enough to climb over the Value Threshold, you can successfully convert those contacts into on-site visits.
Copyright (c) 2008 Traci Bild
Traci Bild is the best selling author of “7 Steps to Successful Selling” and an expert in growing sales and providing top level customer service within the health care industry. Her company, Dynamic Performance, helps organizations drive revenue through a systematic process designed to acquire new clients in record time. Her goal is to help people learn to work smart, not hard, while working less, yet making more than ever before. For more information please visit http://www.tracibild.com
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
Application of Lean Six Sigma in the Public Sector:
by Peter Peterka
The introduction of lean six sigma in the public sector has tremendously improved the performance, productivity, and customer serviceability of many companies over the time. The six-sigma process concentrates on using minimum resources such as workforce, materials, and funds. It helps to deliver solutions and results to the customers well on time. Let us understand the concept of lean six sigma in a better way. Earlier most companies use to follow only the six-sigma method to boost the overall development. As this method gave immediate results, entrepreneurs often relied on it to obtain desired results.
Sometimes to obtain more preferred results, companies had to collect and analyze the data accurately and this process took longer time. As a result, it led to slow changes and illiberal practices. To combat such practices, public sectors incorporated lean flow method in the six-sigma method, which is jointly called as lean six-sigma method.
Therefore, lean six sigma is the combination of two methods, lean flow and six sigma. Use of lean six sigma in the public sector is an implementation of a non-formalize type of investigative approach in the workflow of companies or organizations. The application of this method is suitable only after the immediate rescheduling of the new or improvised processes.
Thus, lean six-sigma method helps organizations to attain the synergy levels due to which various mechanisms and labor force work in harmony.
Application Lean Six Sigma In Different Units Of Public Sector:
Different manufacturing units in the public sector use several approaches of lean six sigma to achieve desired results. However, the typical methodology includes:
1. Examining different steps of a company process and determining the final steps.
2. Next, it includes calculating the cost that is associated due to the elimination of not so important steps. Next, it includes comparing those outlays versus the potential benefits.
3. It also includes the process to determine resources and devising out a final plan.
4. The last step includes taking the action.
However, the use of lean six sigma method is not confined to manufacturing units only. In fact, any office or process may incorporate this method, because all organizations are mainly concerned for improving the quality and harnessing or reducing the amount of waste. Even in the public service sector such as documentation offices, the role of lean six sigma strategy is notable.
Lean six-sigma applications lead to greater efficiencies, improvised quality, reduced burden of workflow, saved time and energy, evoke better response, reduce the cost, and enhances the customer service.
The use of six sigma in the document management sectors of the state and the local government organizations have improved the efficiencies by carrying out the repository solutions. It simplifies and rationalizes the document business processes.
Some of the repository solutions consist of scanning, coordinating, and storing of back files and arriving documents for the officials to have an easy access, when they need them.
Some government agencies also take help of industry professionals to help them implement the change using lean six-sigma method.
Conclusion:
When public sector companies use lean six-sigma technique, the method replaces the slow processes with highly streamlined and efficient workflow. In addition, the information gathered during the process of lean flow execution helps to discover new opportunities. It gives an ideal structure to produce high quality goods, work faster, and produce the results with least time consumption.
Numerous companies use lean six sigma method to increase the speed, reduce the waste, and improve the quality. Therefore, lean sigma process certainly has the potential to improve the quality of public sectors.
Peter Peterka is the President of SixSigma.us. For information on Six Sigma , Six Sigma Training or Master Black Belt programs contact Peter Peterka.
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link
The ABC’s of Small Business Taxes: 3 Keys to Cracking the Tax Code
by Wayne M Davies
The complexity of our tax code is especially burdensome to the small business owner. Here’s three keys to understanding the U.S. tax system.
1. Forms, Forms and More Forms
Regardless of what entity type you own, each entity has a long list of business tax forms that must be filed. Even the simple one-person sole proprietorship has a much more complicated tax return than the W-2 employee. And if you decide to incorporate your business or form a partnership or LLC, things get even more complicated. Each entity type requires special tax forms.
Perhaps you’ve been comfortable preparing your own tax returns when you were an employee. Now that you own a business (even a simple sole proprietorship), the consensus among experienced business advisors is simply this — when it comes to preparing your business tax returns, don’t try this at home. Swallow any “I-can-do-it-myself” pride and get some help.
2. Strive to Understand the Basics
If you’re a sole proprietor (or LLC being taxed like a sole proprietor), all the required business tax forms are filed as part of your personal income tax return. The two most commonly required forms are Schedule C and Schedule SE.
If you’re an S corporation or a partnership, or an LLC that is being taxed like a S corporation or partnership, you must file a separate business tax return, but technically the business doesn’t pay any income tax. The S corporation files Form 1120S; the partnership files Form 1065. If you look on these forms, the heading says “income tax return.” But the S corporation or partnership (or LLC being taxed like a S corp or partnership) does not actually pay any income tax. In effect, this so-called “income tax return” (Form 1120S or Form 1065) is an information return, giving the IRS a summary of the business’ income and expenses.
The S corp and partnership then give the business owners a Schedule K-1, which reports each owners’ share of the business’ profit or loss. The owner then reports this K-1 information on his/her personal income tax return (Form 1040), where the income is taxed or the loss is deducted.
The C corporation files Form 1120, as does the LLC being taxed like a C corporation. The C corporation is the only business entity that pays its own income tax.
The LLC doesn’t have a LLC-only tax return form. For tax purposes, the LLC is like a chameleon and can be taxed like a sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation or C corporation. So it will file whatever tax form is required for the type of entity it has chosen to be treated like for tax purposes.
3. Beware the Dreaded Double Taxation of Corporate Profits
If you are thinking about forming a C corporation, remember that it pays income tax on its profit not once, but twice. Do you understand what that means? If you want to enjoy the legal benefits of incorporation (and there are many), then you must come to grips with this issue — how are you going to legally avoid the possibility of paying both corporate and personal income tax on your business profit?
There are legal strategies available to the small business owner to avoid the dreaded double taxation of corporate profits. For many, forming an S corporation is a good option. If you are giving thought to incorporating, you should also give serious consideration to applying for S corporation status with the IRS. Be sure to consult with a competent tax professional on this issue.
Wayne M. Davies is author of the 3-volume ebook on small business tax strategies — The Ultimate Small Business Tax Reduction Guide. For a free copy of his Special Report “How To Instantly Double Your Deductions”, visit http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com.
Article Source: Article Directory
Article: link