An AnswerFirst Minute - Episode 4 : How To Shop For An Answering Service

Teri Erickson, AnswerFirst's Business Development Coordinator, provides useful tips to consider when shopping for an answering service. AnswerFirst is an answering service and contact center solution provider based in Tampa, FL that provides service to more than 1400 clients worldwide. Contact Teri at 1-800-645-2616, sales@answerfirst.com or visit our website at http://www.answerfirst.com for more information.

AnswerFirst Answering Service Attends the Tampa Bay Business Journal Nonprofit of the Year Awards

AnswerFirst Answering Service Attends TBBJ Nonprofit of the Year Awards, a photo by AnswerFirst on Flickr.

AnswerFirst Communications, an international live telephone answering service and customer service solutions company specializing in answering & messaging services, virtual receptionist and call center solutions, announced this week that they will attend the Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) 2011 Nonprofit of the Year Awards Luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Tampa.

The TBBJ advertises this year’s event as the sixth annual Nonprofit of the Year Awards event and special publication dedicated to recognizing the nonprofit organizations who are making a difference in the Tampa Bay area every day. An independent panel of judges named 40 organizations finalists for the 2011 Nonprofit of the Year awards; each organization is a 501(c)(3), non-foundation community organization in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Hernando, Sarasota, Pasco or Manatee counties and has an established date prior to January 1, 2008.

According to its website, the Tampa Bay Business Journal is a printed publication that features local people and decision makers who are leaders in their business communities. They report on local and national issues that impact subscribers' businesses and assist them in growing their companies. Printed each Friday, the business journal includes topical listings and business leads for new business licenses, building permits, real estate transactions and court judgments.

Teri Erickson, Business Development Coordinator at AnswerFirst said, “The Tampa Bay Business Journal always does an excellent job of organizing events including trade shows, award ceremonies and networking showcases. We’re looking forward to interacting with representatives from local nonprofit organizations; they make a huge difference in our community.“

For more information about AnswerFirst's answering service and call center solutions please visit their website or call Teri at 1-800-645-2616.

AnswerFirst is on FourSquare

AnswerFirst is on FourSquare, a photo by AnswerFirst on Flickr.

Stop by and check-in on Foursquare to receive free set-up on a new answering service account. Up to a $100 value! foursquare.com/venue/23511966

How Reliable Is AnswerFirst's Infrastructure?

Our IT staff makes an extraordinary effort to insure our call center stays operational. Our telephone answering service was designed and built to function both during and after a category 5 hurricane. On premise we maintain our own power plant and utilize redundant telephony, including multiple circuits from different providers. Software and hardware are protected by the use of redundant servers, switches and routers, including both physical and virtual machines.

The other area of concern is employee reliability and attendance. To avoid attendance issues, our call center uses a mix of both in-house and remote virtual receptionists; we always have agents with access to our systems.

In short, our systems and center are very reliable, however we also understand the need to communicate should something happen. In the event of an emergency we are able to quickly notify clients via e-mail or fax through the use of our robust automated communications platform. In addition we encourage our clients to follow us on Twitter and Facebook as important updates also may be found there.

For more information about our services, please contact us at 1-800-645-2616 or visit us on the web at www.answerfirst.com

Happy Birthday U.S. Army! - June 14, 2011

Happy Birthday U.S. Army! - June 14, 2011, a photo by AnswerFirst on Flickr.

AnswerFirst Communications, an international telephone answering service and customer service solutions company specializing in answering & messaging services, virtual receptionist and call center solutions, announced this week that they attended the Association of the United States Army Suncoast Chapter’s Purple Heart and Cake Cutting Ceremony at the V.A. Hospital in Tampa, FL. The ceremony was a celebration of the United States Army’s 236th birthday which fell on June 14, 2011.

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is a private, non-profit educational organization that has been supporting America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees, Government Civilians, Wounded Warriors, Veterans, and family members since 1950. The AUSA represents every American Soldier by being the voice for all components of America’s Army, by fostering public support of the Army’s role in national security and by providing professional education and information programs. AUSA works to support all aspects of national security while advancing the interests of America's Army and the men and women who serve. AUSA also provides numerous professional development opportunities at a variety of events both local and national. The Suncoast Chapter includes MacDill Air Force Base, home of the US Central Command and the US Special Operations Command both of whom provide operational support for the Chapter. The Purple Heart and Cake Cutting ceremony was held in honor of the U.S. Army’s 236th birthday and attendees included AUSA corporate sponsors and representatives of the United States Army including veterans, officers and enlisted soldiers.

Teri Erickson, Business Development Coordinator at AnswerFirst said, “We’re happy to have the opportunity to support our local chapter of the Association of the United States Army. The organization provides recreational and educational opportunities to soldiers and their families and our corporate sponsorship provides us with the ability to show our support for our troops.“

For more information about AnswerFirst's answering service and call center solutions please visit their website or call Teri at 1-800-645-2616.

Answering Service Client Testimonial

"Hi! I just wanted to let you know, we’re very happy with Answerfirst's answering services! The receptionists have been professional, friendly and helpful. Thanks so much for checking up on us."

Dana
Nyquist Capital Partners

Contact us today for more information about how we can help you offer your clients better customer service while helping you run your business more efficiently.

http://www.answerfirst.com

1-800-645-2616

HVAC, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Professionals Answering Services

You can't afford to miss your customers' calls.

At AnswerFirst, we provide answering services to businesses in the HVAC, heating, cooling, air conditioning, ventilation and ducting industries. Your customers need to be able to reach you at all hours of the day and night. Routing calls to our call center that is open 24/7/365 is the perfect way to handle your customers' needs. Our agents evaluate each call and handle your customers according to your specifications.

Here are a few of the services that we provide to businesses in the HVAC industries:

After-hours answering services

Paging services for on-call techs after-hours

Paging & patching services for sales calls & quote requests

Back-up protocols available to insure your technicians are receiving their pages

Benefits of Using Our HVAC Answering Services

• Your calls are always answered by a live operator.
• Your clients are greeted according to your specifications.
• Your messages are delivered via whatever method(s) you choose: via text message, email, cell phone, pda, fax, paging or voicemail.
• You only pay when we answer your clients calls. We don't bill for minutes that you don't use and you automatically recieve discounts when your call volume increases.

Why HVAC Answering Services Are Superior

• We do not outsource. Our call center is located in the U.S. and staffed with live U.S. agents 24/7/365.
• We always have management onsite so that any account issues are handled in an expedited manner.
• Our agents are required to have a background in customer service and to complete our intensive in-house training programming.
• We handle your calls and messages according to your specifications.

Do you have questions about our answering services? Please call 1-800-645-2616 or contact us for assistance.

How do we configure your answering service account?

Everything about your answering service or call center account is customized just for you. We can answer in your company name or any way you wish. We will collect whatever information you desire based on the type of calls we answer for you and of course you can choose any of the many different methods we offer for delivering your information including text, email, fax, call patching, call forwarding and more. We can also provide information to your callers as well as completing other tasks.

Contact us today for more information about our answering services and call center solutions: 1-800-645-2616 or www.answerfirst.com