Day Number 5, Manage your Incoming Phone Calls

The 4-day work week is becoming a "likeable" business solution. Not only are employees saving in the number of commutes to work but the employer saves on overhead and perhaps avoids employee layoffs. NBC Chicago and MSN recently reported that Utah, Hawaii and Washington state governments are experimenting, with success, the 4-day work week. It’s only a matter of time when this cost cutting measure catches on fire with private companies across the country.

This is a good answer to this economy as long as it is well thought out and planned. One area that may not immediately come to mind when putting this strategy into place is how to handle your phone calls on the day selected for closure. Your new inquiries will not know your work schedule. Your client’s emergencies will continue to happen whether you are in your office or not.

Solution, hire an answering service. Answering services are open 24/7 and have the ability to answer more than one call at a time. Answering services are a professional, multitasking resource. They can schedule appointments, take catalog orders, contact your on call staff with emergencies, obtain ad response information, capture information from sales inquiries, act as your virtual receptionist and do it all for as little as the cost of a Starbucks drink a day.

Yes the 4-day work week is the new cost savings trend but make certain your business is in business the 5^{th day.}