SPONSORED EDITORIAL

A recent survey has shown that over one third of businesses in the Maidstone area are losing money because they are simply not picking up the phone.

The figures from the survey - which was carried out by East Malling based Miss MPS - showed that out of the 100 sole traders and small businesses, only 34 answered the phone at the first opportunity while five were still unreachable despite multiple attempts.

A common problem amongst many smaller businesses and start-ups is their inability to devote enough time to both existing customers and chasing new opportunities.

Hiring staff for office support would go a long way to resolving those issues but lack of funds is often the reason they have to go without.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, other studies show that smaller businesses cannot rely on potential customers leaving a message to be called back because as much as 80% of callers don’t leave voicemail.

“During our research, we found that many of the respondents were spending at least £1,000 a year advertising on the likes of Checkatrade,” said Clare Runham who is Managing Director of Miss MPS.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MISS MPS CLICK HERE

“Given we found many rivals within such a small area, genuine customers can simply move onto an alternative, leaving the 34% who didn’t pick up their phones pouring money down the drain.”

And in an age when at least half of all small start-ups in the UK fold within the first five years, it is money that cannot be lost at any cost.

Fortunately, there is a solution.

More and more businesses are turning to Virtual Assistants that are quickly gaining momentum when it comes to helping business owners without the overheads and stress of employment.

“Virtual Assistants provide ad-hoc admin support, from answering those all-important calls, to arranging appointments – essentially anything you’d expect from back office staff,” continued Clare.

“However, rather than employing them, you just pay a Virtual Assistant by the hour, as and when you need them.”

The true cost of employment involves recruitment fees, taxes, equipment and a pension on top of a salary, which has supported the growth of Virtual Assistants as an alternative. However, companies should carry out the necessary checks before going ahead.

“As with any supplier, you should verify a Virtual Assistant’s credentials. Get some references, and ensure they have the relevant insurances and privacy policies in place. I’d also check they have some experience in your industry as you’ll get far more value.”

To learn more about Miss MPS and their Virtual Assistant systems, visit their official website by clicking here.