I currently am running an accountancy practise and also working full-time, therefore my current boss doesn't wish me to answer my business calls, which frustrates me even though I understand where he is coming from.
Is any one else in this situ, and what have you done to help the situ, I have just set up a answer phone message, but feel that isn;t enough, thinking about usingh an answering phone messaging co, does anyone on here use an tel ans services?
should say, sorry bad typing lol, rushing, I have set up a answerphone message on me phone, but thinking of using a co as a receptionist to answer all my calls and take messages.
Have to say that I actually agree with the current employer in that if you are paying someone you expect 100% commitment whilst they are on your premises (in banking they expect 100% even when you are not on their premises!).
The situation though is no different to having half a dozen clients thinking that you only work for them. Generally if I am with one client then I switch my mobile off which redirects all calls through to the landline answermachine.
Not a great sollution but until I take someone on it's the best available.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks for your answers, it is difficult, a juggling act. Amanda reference leaving Full-Time job, my company is about a quarter of the way there to being able to leave, I just need to keep going as I am I think and hopefully the time will come soon.
Hi Lor, I seem to have missed this one. My own view is that answering machines don't work. They certainly don't work for new clients. Personally if I want some work done I generally look for 3 quotes. I'll have a list of people to phone and if I get an answering machine I just hang up and move on. I don't generally leave a message. I can't be the only one out there who does this.
My advice is to look the the service you are talking about, having a real person answer the phone and take the message. I used one previously called answer.co.uk and the only reason I moved is because they seemed to struggle with the Ayrshire accent and I was getting all sorts of strange messages. They charged about £1 per message which I thought was ok. There are others out there too, Rob who used to come on here had one. Personally though I always refused to use a call answering service who did bookkeeping too, I just never felt totally happy they wouldn't be poaching my clients.
thanks Kris, for the reply, I know what you mean, if I call someone, I want to speak to a person!, haven't set anything up as of yet though!, haven't got round to it yet.
I use Answer.co.uk at the moment and am happy with them. They are really quick at relaying messages - I get a text to my mobile and an email too so I can always get in touch with anyone if it's urgent.
I think Kris' point about accent is worth considering as they are based in the south. I'm in Yorkshire and I have had comments about their 'southern' accents and also some funny translations of client names when they couldn't understand the Yorkshire accent. It doesn't put clients off, if anything it's a conversation piece!
