Reasons Why People Have Phone Anxiety

For some people, the thought of talking on the phone gives them a lot of anxiety. There are legitimate reasons for having this type of fear. Below are some of the reasons why people have this phobia.

Not Knowing What The Other Person Really Means

Body language can let you know how the person you are communicating with really feels. However, you will not be able to see nonverbal communication gestures when you are talking to someone on the phone. Without these helpful cues, it can be difficult to decipher what the other person is really thinking or feeling. 

The Fear of Being Judged

Getting on the phone with someone can make you feel vulnerable. After all, they could be scrutinizing every word you say. People will do everything in their power to avoid being judged by someone else; which includes avoiding phone calls.

You Are Not Used To Talking On The Phone

It seems like everyone prefers to communicate via texts or emails these days. In essence, these two modes of communication have replaced the need to get on the phone with someone. People who do not talk on the phone often may not feel comfortable conversing in this manner.

A faulty phone system could also deter you from making important calls. If you are ready to invest in a new phone system, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Things To Think About When Changing To A New Phone System

Changing to a new phone system is a good thing! It can also come with some unexpected challenges. Below are some things to consider during this process to make the transition smoother and easier. 

Advanced Features

Switching to a new phone system gives you the opportunity to take advantage of new technologies and advanced features. It is important to identify the advanced features that will be the most beneficial to your particular business. You will be able to choose from video conferencing to call recording and everything in between!

Room For Growth

Is your business growing at a rapid pace? If so, it is imperative to choose a phone system that will accommodate this growth. That way, you will not have to invest in a new phone system in the near future.

Remote Workers

In this day and age, there are plenty of companies who hire remote workers. If that is the case for your business, it is important to think about remote workers and their telecommunication needs when transitioning to a new phone system. Call encryption and VPN services can be very helpful for remote workers. 

Do you need a new phone system installed at your business? If so, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for the installation. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How Managers Should Communicate With New Employees

It is important for managers to communicate effectively with new employees. After all, it is their job to make the new employee feel appreciated and welcomed in the workplace. Below are some tips that will help you do just that. 

Encourage Open Communication

You may have heard your new boss say that you can ask them questions at any time. This invitation for communication will let the employee know that it is okay to be inquisitive. In the end, this small gesture can go a long way in making the employee feel like a valued member of the team.

Lead By Example

They say that the best way to lead is by example. This could not be more true! When a manager exudes confidence and strong communication skills, their subordinates will likely follow suit. 

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

Managers should give praise to their new employees when it is warranted. This can help let the new employee know that they are doing a good job. When managers give credit where credit is due, it can motivate the employee to work even harder.

It is also crucial for managers to communicate with new employees over the phone. If your business could use a new business phone system, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How To Communicate With A Team At Work

Effective communication is always important in the workplace--especially when you are communicating with a large team. After all, efficient communication with your team can lead to more productive days at work. Below are some tips that will help you communicate with a team in a professional manner.

Be Straightforward

The people that you work with may have different backgrounds and levels of education. Use simple words when you speak to ensure that all of your colleagues understand the message you want to get across. Being straightforward with the type of language you utilize can help prevent misunderstandings and miscommunications among your coworkers. 

Utilize Body Language

In some cases, your body language can speak louder than words. Remember to use body language cues that support your intentions. For example, nodding and smiling can convey that you are optimistic about what you are saying.

Engage In Active Listening

Last but certainly not least, participate in active listening. A good leader in the workplace takes the time to intently listen to others. That way, you are listening to understand instead of listening just to respond. 

A new phone system can also allow you to communicate more efficiently with a team at work. If you are in need of a new business phone system, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Best Practices For VoIP Phone Systems

Do you have a VoIP phone system? If you can relate, it is imperative to use it properly. Below are the best practices for VoIP phone systems.

Have Enough Bandwidth

If you do not want call quality to suffer with a VoIP phone system, ensuring that you have enough bandwidth is a must. After all, you must have sufficient bandwidth to handle the VoIP traffic. Having enough bandwidth can reduce the likelihood of encountering packet loss and jitter.

Get The Right Network Monitoring Software

In addition to having enough bandwidth, you will also need to have the right network monitoring software for a VoIP phone system. This will allow you to monitor the entire network. Installing this type of software lets you identify and fix any potential issues that arise within the system.

Obtain Adequate Support

It is vital to have an infrastructure that supports your VoIP activity. To accomplish this, make sure that each VoIP phone has its own Ethernet cable. This physical infrastructure support is especially important for smaller networks.

Would you like to have a VoIP phone system installed for your business? If so, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How Phone Calls Can Help Improve Client Relationships

Strong client relationships can help a business become successful. Are you looking for new ways to strengthen your client relationships? If so, discover three ways to enhance client relationships during phone conversations.

Time Commitment

Sending out an email is a quick way to communicate with clients. However, quicker does not always mean better. Taking the time out of your busy schedule to call a client will show them that their business is important to you. 

Client Preferences

When you talk to a client on a regular basis, you will start to learn their preferences. For instance, the client may prefer communicating via email. Nonetheless, there are situations where a phone call is necessary.

Practice, Practice, Practice

In order to provide the best customer service possible, you must train your employees well. Call shadowing and mock calls will give your employees the opportunity to practice their skills before getting on the phone with a customer. All of these measures will allow employees to feel prepared to handle their daily tasks in the workplace.

Does your business need a new phone system? If so, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Incentive Ideas for Call Center Employees

When you own a call center, it is important to motivate your employees to work their hardest. One way to achieve this goal is by offering enticing incentives. Below are some incentive ideas that can inspire your employees to improve their performance at work.

Contest For The Most Phone Calls Handled

Who doesn't love a good contest? Holding a contest for placing the most calls in a call center can really make the phone ring off the hook! This type of contest is particularly effective when a cash prize is at stake. 

Customer Service Points

Are you interested in helping your employees provide better customer service? If so, scoring your employees based on their customer service interactions can make all the difference. The employee who scores the most customer service points at the end of the year wins money, a gift card or merchandise.

Awards

It is also a good idea to award teams that perform well throughout the year. When employees know that they can be rewarded at any moment, they are bound to put their best foot forward at all times. This is especially true for people who have a competitive nature.

If your call center's phone system is on the fritz, it is time for a new one! You can turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for all of your telecommunication needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Do Not Make These Mistakes On Your Next Work Call

To put it lightly, conducting phone calls in the office can be stressful. Making a mistake during one of these calls could make your stress levels skyrocket. Below are some errors to avoid during your next work call.

Being Unprepared

Before getting onto a phone call at work, you should know what the purpose of that meeting is. Failing to understand the reason why you are involved in this conversation can make you feel unprepared. To make sure this never happens to you, be sure to find out what the agenda of the call is.

Not Taking Notes

It is highly unlikely that a person would be able to recall everything that was discussed on a lengthy phone call. Taking detailed notes during the call can help you document each topic that was mentioned. Be sure to have a piece of paper and a pen ready for any future phone calls.

Multitasking

Not giving your full attention to the phone call you are on can be seen as disrespectful by your coworkers. After all, the other participants of the call have taken the time out of their busy schedules to attend this meeting. To ensure that you are focused on the call, refrain from multitasking.

When your phone system is coming between you and the ability to make calls, it is time for a change. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems are ready to help you find a phone system that is perfect for your business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Tips For Transferring A Call At Work

A caller may get frustrated if you tell them that you need to transfer their call to someone else. Utilizing proper etiquette can only improve the situation at hand. Below are some helpful tips for transferring a call at work.

Ask If You Can Transfer The Call

First and foremost, ask the caller if it is okay with them to go ahead and transfer the call. This puts the control in the caller's hands and allows them to make that decision. There are instances where the caller does not want to be transferred.

Give A Reason For The Transfer

If the caller has expressed that they do not want to be transferred, it is time to explain why the transfer would be helpful. For example, you may transfer them to an individual or department that can give them the information they are looking for. After all, you may not be well-equipped to help them with their specific request.

Introduce The Caller

Once the caller has agreed to be transferred, be sure to give the caller a proper introduction to the new person on the line. Giving a brief overview of the situation will prevent the caller from repeating themselves all over again. Before signing off, remember to thank the caller for their time and patience.

If you have a phone system that makes transferring calls difficult, it is time for an upgrade! The experts here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that meets all of your business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Unofficial Rules To Follow During Conference Calls

These days, there seem to be unwritten rules for everything in the workplace. This certainly applies to conference calls! Below are the unofficial rules you should follow during your next conference call.

Schedule Call For The Right Amount Of Time

One main complaint people have about conference calls is that they waste time. However, this will not be the case if you schedule the call for just the right amount of time. There is no need to schedule a 30-minute call for an hour!

Mute Your Line

If you are not hosting the call, you should mute your line. That way, the other participants of the call will not be able to hear any background noise you are exposed to. You can unmute your line at the end of the call if there is a Q&A section. 

Do Not Multitask

During a traditional conference call, the participants of the call will not be able to see what you are doing. That is not an invitation to do other work throughout the call. If you end up asking a question that was clearly covered in the presentation, it will be blatantly obvious that you were not paying attention. 

If your business phone system holds you back from conducting conference calls, it is time to put an end to that! The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems are ready to help you find your ideal phone system. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Misconceptions About VoIP Phone Systems

They say that you should not believe everything you hear. This philosophy applies to VoIP phone systems because there are so many misconceptions about them. Keep reading to find out what they are.

VoIP Calls Are Sent Over Public Internet

Some people are exposed to the idea that VoIP calls are usually sent over the public Internet. However, a lot of businesses that have VoIP phone systems rely on private IP connections for these calls. This ensures that your calls stay private. 

Regular Voice Calls Are Not Transmitted Through IP Networks

In a similar vein, there are a lot of people who believe that traditional voice calls are not transmitted through IP networks. Nonetheless, most telecommunication companies utilize IP networks. This is due to the fact that IP networks can more efficient when it comes to transferring data. 

The Call Quality On A VoIP Phone Is Mediocre

This misconception could not be further from the truth! The call quality on a VoIP phone is just as good, if not better than traditional call quality. Better call quality can be chalked up to advanced audio technologies that come with a new VoIP phone system.

If you think your business could benefit from having a VoIP phone system installed, what are you waiting for? The professionals here at ReliableVoice & Data Systems can help you find the VoIP phone system that works for your business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Mistakes Enterprises Should Avoid When Switching To A VoIP Phone System

VoIP phone systems can work for businesses both big and small. They can even work for enterprises! Below are some common mistakes enterprises should avoid when switching over to a VoIP phone system.

Not Having Enough Bandwidth

Before you select the VoIP system of your dreams, you need to know how much bandwidth the company needs. Failing to factor this in can make the quality of the phone calls suffer. To avoid this, be sure to have a thorough evaluation of the network conducted prior to implementation.

Failing To Address Your Security Needs

Many companies forget about security when it comes to their VoIP systems. This oversight can lead to security breaches where sensitive business data and even customer information is leaked. Fortunately, having your VoIP data encrypted can help defend against these kinds of attacks. 

Underestimating Costs

Some people underestimate the costs of switching over to a VoIP phone system. It is crucial to understand all of the costs involved with having this type of phone system installed and maintained at your business. That way, you will not be surprised when the bill comes.

If your enterprise is interested in having a VoIP system installed, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems. We are the premier resource for VOIP phone systems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How Mobile VoIP Phones Work

Mobile VoIP phones can be very helpful for business professionals who are always on the move. Do you know how these phones work? If not, keep reading to discover how mobile VoIP phones operate.

In order for a mobile VoIP phone to work, it must be within the vicinity of a wireless Internet network. Once that network has been detected, you will be able to make a VoIP call via the Internet connection. If the mobile phone is out of range of a wireless Internet network, a cellular call will go through instead.

Mobile VoIP phones are perfect for people who travel often for work. A mobile VoIP phone can converge your desk phone and cell phone numbers together. That way, both phones will ring when you receive an incoming call. 

When people step away from their office, they may set up an out of office email saying they cannot be reached at this time. However, this will be a thing of the past when you give your employees mobile VoIP phones. Mobile VoIP phones ensure that your employees can be reached at all times, regardless of their physical location.

Would you like to invest in mobile VoIP phones for your employees? If so, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Ways To Prepare For Your Next Client Call

If you are a sales representative, you may want to hop on calls as soon as you arrive at the office. However, getting on the phone with a client without planning beforehand is not ideal. Below are some tactics you can use to prepare for your next client call.

Have A Purpose For The Call

Do not call the client without having a specific purpose in mind. After all, you do not want to make the client angry by wasting their time. Having a purpose prior to the call gives you a clear goal that you are attempting to accomplish. 

Ask The Right Questions

Since time is money in the business world, be sure to only ask important questions. You can determine what the right questions are by making a list of them before picking up the phone. That way, you can weed out questions that do not help you closer to the end goal. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing your sales pitch over and over is the key to having a successful client call. It is a good idea to record yourself giving this spiel so you can play it back and see where there are areas for improvement. They say that practice makes perfect for a reason.

In the event that your phone system is preventing you from conducting client calls, it is time to change that! The professionals at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that suits all of your business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How To Become A Better Listener

When it comes to improving your communication skills, the way you communicate with others probably comes to mind. However, listening is a big part of communication that is often pushed to the side. Below are tips you can use to enhance your listening skills.

Give Your Undivided Attention

Do you often find yourself not soaking up what someone is saying because you are preoccupied with other things? If so, it is time to remove these distractions from your external and internal environments. That way, you can give the speaker your undivided attention. 

Read In Between The Lines

It is equally important for you to listen to the words someone is saying as well as the ones they are not saying. In other words, be sure to notice the tone of voice a person is using. The way someone is talking can help you read between the lines and discover the emotions that person is feeling. 

Offer Verbal Affirmations

One way you can show the other person that you are actively listening to them is through small verbal affirmations. Saying 'yes' or 'right' while they are speaking lets them know that you are interested in what they have to say. In the end, this can help you establish rapport with that individual. 

When your phone system makes it difficult or impossible for you to hear people clearly during calls, something must be done! Our professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that is right for your business needs and your budget. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Tips For Being Polite On The Phone

It is easy for certain things to be misconstrued during phone calls. After all, a lot can get lost in translation with the absence of body language and face-to-face communication. You can avoid this scenario altogether by being polite on phone calls.

Give Them A Warm Welcome

It is commonplace to thank the caller for calling the business. In addition, mention your name and ask them how you can help them today. This short but warm welcome can make all the difference in their experience with the company. 

Be As Accommodating As Possible

The person calling you may have a lot of questions, concerns, and demands. As the employee handling this call, it is your job to be as accommodating to their needs as possible. Remain cool, calm and collected even if the caller is aggravated with the situation at hand.

End The Call On A Good Note

When the call is coming to a close, remember to summarize the call and review next steps with the caller. Not only will this establish you as a business professional, but it shows that you care about helping the customer. This will let you end the call on a good note.

If your business phone system is holding you from having productive calls with your customers, it is time to rectify that! The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems are ready to help you find the best phone system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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