One of the best ways for call center professionals to stay informed of industry news is to subscribe to call centers publications. There are many publications, trade journals and newsletters available that cover current trends in the call center industry; but rather than inundate yourself by subscribing to them all, you may want to pick and choose the ones that best meet your business's needs.

There is a huge selection of industry publications to choose from. Where some are very limited and cover specific topics, others give an overview of the whole industry and offer a variety of resources. The trick is to get the most information out of the fewest resources, thus saving you money and keeping you well informed without consuming all your valuable time. When choosing a call center books, magazines and journals, remember the following:

1. Some call center magazine publications offer free trial subscriptions that you can take advantage of.

2. When subscribing to publications, find out what period your payment covers. Make sure you receive any back issues within the time period you are paying for. Some publications may just begin subscription with the current issue.

3. Order your call center publication directly from its website, if possible, or you may miss out on subscription perks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to call center magazines and take advantage of the perks

Many publishers offer discounted pricing with subscriptions, in addition to other perks. Check to see if they offer free trial subscriptions or copies. You may even be able to cancel your subscription without payment or penalty if you are not absolutely satisfied.

I recommend: Connections Magazine is free to industry members in the USA. There is also an option to purchase the digital version, for your convenience and to reduce waste. Contact Professional Magazine does offer complimentary subscriptions to industry professionals in certain areas.

Take advantage of online call center newsletters and magazines

E-mags and web publications have evolved for the better, and there are many benefits to taking advantage of them. Not only are they readily available, the medium also allows publishers to compliment articles with multimedia resources. You may have to sign up as a member, but that can be an added bonus. It might get you access to free sample copies or journal archives.

I recommend: Customer Management Insight is an online industry publication offering online tools such as trade email newsletters, up-to-date news and discussion forums. CallCenterOps.com features news headlines, industry opportunities and a research library as just a part of its online industry tools.

Join a professional association for access to call center publications

If you a business, you may consider becoming a member of an association for call center professionals. As a member, you'll receive access to free publications, as well as other informational resources. If you sign up as a business, you can extend these services to your employees as well.

I recommend: The Association of Customer Contact Professionals and the American Teleservices Association are both call center associations that offer online publications to members. As a member, you also get access to industry tools and resources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local library for publications, as many subscribe to online databases that may include call center journals, magazines and books.