In today's fast-paced world, automation is the key. Many businesses are now leveraging technology to streamline their operations, reduce wait times and improve customer service. One of the most useful tools is a phone auto-attendant.
What is an Auto-Attendant?
An auto-attendant is an automated phone system that greets callers, provides them with options to choose from and directs them to the appropriate webpage, department or person. It is a highly efficient tool for handling large volumes of incoming calls, especially during peak hours.
Auto-attendants are commonly used in restaurants for handling reservations and call-in orders. They are also used by businesses to automate phone calls and deflect unnecessary calls away from staff. Auto-attendants provide a faster and more efficient way for customers to make reservations or place orders, without the need for manual intervention.
Call Deflection
One of the key benefits of an auto-attendant is call deflection. This means that unnecessary calls are deflected away from staff, freeing them up to focus on other important tasks. For example, if a customer wants to know the restaurant's opening hours, they can simply press a button to get the information, rather than having to speak to a staff member.
Faster Phone Reservations
Auto-attendants can also speed up the process of making phone reservations. Instead of having to wait on hold for a staff member to become available, customers can simply choose from a range of options provided by the auto-attendant. This not only saves time, but also improves the customer experience.
Call-in Orders
Restaurants can also use auto-attendants to take call-in orders. Customers can call in and choose from a menu of options, which can include daily specials, drinks and sides. The auto-attendant can then process the order and send it to the kitchen, without the need for manual intervention.
Benefits
While all of this may sound great, what is the actual benefit to restaurants in using this tool? In speaking with restaurants, the use of an Auto-Attendant has allowed some to reduce headcount by 1-2 staff members. These huge savings result in massive profit shifts, even if revenue stays the same. Restaurants that are limited in order taking are reporting a 20-30% increase in revenue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an auto-attendant is a highly efficient tool for handling large volumes of incoming calls. It can automate phone calls, deflect unnecessary calls away from staff and provide customers with a faster and more efficient way to make reservations or place orders. Auto-attendants are especially useful for restaurants, where they can be used to handle call-in orders and improve the overall customer experience