Categories: Business

Is Hiring A Receptionist The Right Move For Your Business?

As companies start to get bigger and employees to become busier, you may be considering whether you should hire additional support staff for the office, such as a receptionist. However, in our pandemic age, many people have naturally been working from home – and, as this is set to continue as the new normal well into this year, the prospect of hiring a receptionist whilst no one is in the office might seem ineffective.

What you may not have realized is that a receptionist can make a huge impact on any business – whether employees are based remotely, in the office, or a mix of the two. Just as your other employees can work flexibly, so can your receptionist.

However, as it will ultimately affect that all-important bottom line, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons. Therefore, when asking yourself whether hiring a receptionist would be the right move for your business, here are some things to consider.

IMAGE: PEXELS

A Professional First Impression Of Your Company

Having a receptionist can give this impression to potential clients or customers. No matter how big or small your business, a receptionist puts a face to the name and personalizes the customer experience.

Takes The Pressure Off Other Employees

When your employees have a lot to do at work and home and a pandemic to navigate, having someone else do something as simple as answering the phones for them will take a load off their shoulders. Bringing more staff on board can also allow for more flexibility in your staff’s schedules.

Specific Customer Service Role

A receptionist does not just answer the phone; they are also responsible for meeting and greeting customers when you have a front desk. When you have someone specifically there to tend to customers, this will keep customers happy and allow employees to focus on their specific tasks.

What About A Virtual Receptionist?

One phenomenon that has popped up over the years is the virtual receptionist, where an AI assistant ‘answers’ your phone and can deal with basic questions. When it cannot answer the query, it allows the customer to leave a voicemail. Though this is more efficient than a human, it is devoid of a human receptionist’s personal touch to the customer experience.

Receptionists Could Be Included With Your Office

Before you decide, it may be important to note that your offices may have a receptionist included in your pricing. If not, it might be time to upgrade to a serviced office, where you get a dedicated receptionist, voicemail services, cleaners, and more, all included in the rental price of your office space.

You could also find flexible workspace for those members of your team still working from home because of COVID but willing – and allowed – to drop into a traditional office from time to time. There you have it! Now that you have all the information to consider, you will make a more informed choice. Every business is different, so the decision is in your hands.

If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.