Call Forwarding Feature

I’m dedicating my next several blog entries to bringing awareness to the different features and options available for managing your phone calls while you are away from your office.  This information will come in handy if you are starting a business or revamping the phone system you currently have in place.  If you are presently in good hands and confidently juggling your calls (yes this pun is intended), please pass this blog series on to a colleague, friend or anyone you feel may benefit from this information. 

The very first feature I am spotlighting is call forwarding. While call forwarding has been around for quite awhile it has traditionally been used by businesses and medical practices that transfer their phones to an answering service during lunch and when they close for the evening. Although these industries continue to subscribe to call forwarding there are other industries and situations that call for this feature.

Transferring your phone calls to another phone number using call forwarding gives you the flexibility that’s needed in this day and age. This feature is perfect for the guy in Los Angeles who is selling widgets to a manufacturer in Cleveland.  When his Cleveland customer calls to place an order 8am EST, the LA office is not open to field their call.   This situation calls for live representation such as an answering service or the ability to receive this phone call on a mobile phone via call forwarding.

An additional benefit of subscribing to the call forwarding feature is if your phone is lost or broken or if your phone lines happen to go down, you can have your provider internally transfer your calls to a phone that is working.  It is a nice safety net that keeps you from missing that all important phone call. 

Call forwarding is a feature provided by your landline or mobile phone carrier for a fee.  Currently the fee from a landline company such as Qwest, is a monthly, nominal, flat rate charge without usage. But beware; transferring calls to or from your mobile phone will create time usage charges on your mobile phone bill. 
 
Gail Gamertsfelder
VP/CAO, A Better Connection