If you're trying to grow a business, you may want to consider call screening service as part of a package to ramp up your existing operation. The benefits of telephone call screening and other services allow you to free up time and resources to focus on new initiatives. Call screening takes a huge load off of your in-house phone lines as well as personal time or labor costs. Call screening also gives a business a more professional appearance to callers.

Business operators might use call screening services to:

1. Filter callers through different systems according to what they are calling about.

2. Provide an enhanced presentation of the business to callers.

3. Deal with a heavier volume of incoming calls because of a new business development such as a merger of offices.

Online call screening providers demonstrate their services through state of the art web pages to clue you in on how they can help.

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

Get automated call screening services

Some phone call screening services are technology based. With new advances in voice command technology, callers can talk to a 'robot' to go through a lot of informative calls. You can get call screening programs that route callers through their options, provide account balances or 'listen' to callers' voices and respond accordingly.

I recommend: The page at RingCentral shows how the company's range of automated telephone call screening solutions can grow with your business. With virtual call screening, you can route calls to staff members, take callers through option choices with automated attendants, and even do faxing and other multimedia messaging. Check out the site for plans and prices; some services are charged monthly.

Get off-site 'live receptionist' services

If you're looking for help with call handling, you can also outsource your calls to a live receptionist who is not your employee but instead in the employ of a third party. Scan the pages of live call service providers to see what fits your needs.

I recommend: For live answering services, try Davinci Virtual Office - visit the site to learn about DaVinci and why first impressions count. Pricing details and explanations of products are all there for you to browse. Davinci is an example of how third parties get callers taken care of for you when your office is too busy to do so.

Get phone call screening services for any size business

A comprehensive phone call screening service with a good online presence will let you know that they can handle solutions for your office.

I recommend: The site at GotVMail shows how call screening providers can outfit any size of business. Their animated guide intros show the range of services provided: you can research usage and check prices all on the website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't skimp on your end of the implementation process. Call screening services can do a lot, but in the end, you'll have to get staff involved, even if only for a few minutes to set up their voice mail boxes. Impersonalized voice mail defeats the purpose of setting up elaborate phone systems; callers need to know they are in touch with the actual people they're looking for.