Never underestimate phone systems!
I'm tired of seeing countless business organizations treat PBX phone systems as commodities that should be the lowest cost possible. This happens all of the time in the business phone system world, especially to small business organizations who are opening up a new location. In the midst of all of their new office preparations, the phone system decision often gets lost and placed on the back burner. Does this really make any sense at all?
The PBX phone system will be involved on each and every inbound and outbound call your office will ever handle. Everytime a customer calls in for service, or a new prospect calls in to check you out, your phone system plays the key role in that communication. Companies with great phone systems make better first impressions on new callers than companies with sub standard phone systems. So why in the world do so many businesses neglect this and treat phone system purchases with such apathy?
The answer lies in the education of the consumer and the desire to get things for a low price. The consumer does not fully know what he or she will need over the long-term in terms of features, scalability, and maintenance levels. Since the customer is not clear on how different phone systems create different environments, they mentally group them all together into a commodity style product. Once they've done this it's only a matter of seconds before they simply bite at the one with the best purchase price. Ignoring the fact that the one with the best purchase price is often the one that will cost the most when it comes to support, maintenance, and upgrades for growth, all issues that are extremely important to any business.
So I urge you. Do not make the mistake 9 out of 10 businesses go on to make. Be sure that you've done homework on the phone systems, and you actually see them in action. Talk to exisiting customers who have used the phone system you are looking at. Test drive the system if at all possible, and bring your receptionist and front office staff to the test drive to ensure everyone is comfortable with the system! Follow these guidelines and your business, medium, large or small, will be much better off in the long run!
The PBX phone system will be involved on each and every inbound and outbound call your office will ever handle. Everytime a customer calls in for service, or a new prospect calls in to check you out, your phone system plays the key role in that communication. Companies with great phone systems make better first impressions on new callers than companies with sub standard phone systems. So why in the world do so many businesses neglect this and treat phone system purchases with such apathy?
The answer lies in the education of the consumer and the desire to get things for a low price. The consumer does not fully know what he or she will need over the long-term in terms of features, scalability, and maintenance levels. Since the customer is not clear on how different phone systems create different environments, they mentally group them all together into a commodity style product. Once they've done this it's only a matter of seconds before they simply bite at the one with the best purchase price. Ignoring the fact that the one with the best purchase price is often the one that will cost the most when it comes to support, maintenance, and upgrades for growth, all issues that are extremely important to any business.
So I urge you. Do not make the mistake 9 out of 10 businesses go on to make. Be sure that you've done homework on the phone systems, and you actually see them in action. Talk to exisiting customers who have used the phone system you are looking at. Test drive the system if at all possible, and bring your receptionist and front office staff to the test drive to ensure everyone is comfortable with the system! Follow these guidelines and your business, medium, large or small, will be much better off in the long run!
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