Why You Might Need Custom IV...

September 28, 2009

IVR telephone services are utilized in many sectors of the economy to provide automated, low-cost 24/7 customer service. Although various “cookie-cutter” solutions are available to companies which desire to use IVR, a custom approach is often best. Here’s why you might need a custom IVR implementation

While properly designed IVR systems improve customer service by eliminating delays and offering around-the-clock response, a poorly designed system can do the opposite. Clients might stop patronizing a company if its telephone service only frustrates them and wastes their time, especially if they are already dissatisfied.  A custom IVR system allows you to speak to your customers in a tone of your choosing.

Different businesses and organizations have varying ways of identifying customers (by account ID, SSN, PIN, certificate number, etc). Even within the same industry, services (and their names) differ from one business to the next. A company’s IVR software should adequately reflect differences like these, and the only way to ensure it is through custom IVR.

Businesses may also have dissimilar departments, personnel, and employee duties that their custom IVR systems would accommodate. Some companies are based in a single location, while others have multiple branches and need to supply callers with information that relates to their nearest branch.

Businesses that use a “one-size-fits-all” system often find that it does not serve their customers effectively, and fails to achieve the desired result. These systems may not adequately conform to the characteristics of an individual company or its clientele. They also don’t offer anything special or innovative.

Plum Voice’s engineers prevent such problems by thoroughly customizing their IVR systems. They also ensure that custom installations are sufficiently integrated with existing telephone and data systems, so that updated information is easily supplied to callers.

A company can help to set itself apart from competitors by providing exclusive information and services via telephone. Some custom IVR systems set up by Plum have catered to very specific niches not covered by previous implementations.  If you need help determining if your business needs custom IVR, please contact us with your questions.

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Leveraging Outbound IVR

September 28, 2009

Interactive Voice Response systems aren’t just for inbound callers. Many businesses are leveraging outbound IVR to automatically notify their customers of various events and problems. Most people don’t mind these messages, as they supply useful information. Here are some of the ways your company might go about leveraging outbound IVR…

Doctors and dentists can utilize it to remind their patients of appointments. Educational institutions may report unexpected class or event cancellations by telephone. Pharmacies can alert customers of the need to refill prescriptions. Account holders at a bank or credit union could be notified by outbound IVR of fraud or security breaches.

Businesses often tailor their outbound calls to each individual recipient. This makes them much more useful than prerecorded messages, and ensures that the correct person is receiving an alert. For example, a physician might use this “template” for outbound IVR appointment notifications:

“Hello [name], this is Dr. Smith’s office calling to remind you of your [time] o’clock appointment on [date]. Please call 555-5555 if you have any questions or concerns… Say YES to repeat this message.”

Note that the use of voice recognition in this context is optional, but it better accommodates recipients who still have pulse or rotary telephones. The outbound IVR system can also leave a message on the customer’s answering machine if he or she isn’t at home (or mistakes the caller for a telemarketer).

Outbound IVR isn’t only about providing alerts and notifications. It can also be used to carry out polls, surveys, and other interactive procedures. For example, some television stations have used it to ask viewers about local issues, then broadcast the results during their news programs.

Contacting clients manually or sending notifications by mail is more costly and takes much longer to accomplish. Using outbound IVR also has the advantage of being able to contact a large number of people with individually customized messages. That’s why many companies are leveraging outbound IVR to great benefit.  If you would like to learn more, please contact us for a free consultation on how outbound IVR can improve your company’s efficiency and effectiveness.

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