Just like a bad romantic relationship, your relationship with your telecom carrier can also go sour. The happy “honeymoon phase” is over and you’ve finally started to notice the little things they do that drive you crazy. They’re confusing. They don’t show up when they say they will. Worst of all: they take your money on a regular basis and you’re not really sure where it’s going. There are some clear-cut signs you need to break up with your telephone carrier or, at the very least, invest in telecom expense management to cut costs:
Business Has Grown
If your business has grown recently, there is a good chance you are getting more calls than usual. Customers who hear a busy signal when they call are not likely to call back because they have already deemed you “unreachable.” Take care of all your customers by making sure your phone service can handle your current call volume, as well as future volume, if your company continues to expand.
You’re Moving
Some carriers will charge “transfer fees” and other hidden amounts during a move. If your company is going somewhere in the near future (or if you are adding locations), it’s probably a good time to reevaluate your current telecom contract to see if any sneaky stipulations were worked in.
You Have a Call Center
Call centers are ideal for larger businesses who want to provide ideal customer support without sacrificing essential employees. What many businesses don’t know is that their call center can impact their overall telecom bills. Our telecom expense management will catch overfilling due to call center use and help you work with your telecom carrier to find more cost-effective solutions.
Employees Travel (or Work from Home)
Telecom solutions can get tricky any time an employee travels or works from home. Many companies offer specific mobile phones to be used for business purposes in addition to the employee’s personal phone, but this presents complications with multiple phone numbers floating around for the same employees. Many companies might benefit from VoiP systems instead, which could save money and present more streamlined business practices.
IT is Overloaded
It might be time to look into cheaper (and simpler) telecom solutions if your IT team is already overworked. A hosted private branch exchange (PBX) or VoiP system managed by a provider eliminates costs associated with on-site technicians coming back time and time again for telecom maintenance.
You Never Hear From Them
You would think someone in the telecom industry would be an expert in communication. Unfortunately, many telecom carriers reel in new customers only to vanish in a puff of smoke for the remainder of the contract. Tech support is always “busy” and your desperate calls for help interpreting your bill are met with snarky comments. Never fear, thought: their top salespeople will conveniently reappear shortly before it is time to renew your contract.
You Can’t Read Your Bill
Many telecom carriers create confusing phone bills on purpose. After all, it’s easy to get away with unethical charges if your customers can’t find them. Whether you pay per call or per the minute, it is important to not only learn how to read your bill, but also to implement regular telecommunications audits to catch unnecessary payments and identify areas where you could save money.
If these sound familiar, it might be time to evaluate your options and consider going separate ways with your telecom carrier. After all, your telephone carrier’s poor customer service can actually cost your business in the long run. Call Telanalysis today for telecom expense management guaranteed to save you money or your audit is FREE! You’ve got nothing to lose. The experts at Telanalysis are on your side.