Virtual Phone Center and Phone Volunteers

With technology from Database Systems Corp., the concept of a virtual call center is now a practical reality. Consider having your call center workforce accepting and making calls from remote offices or even from home. Also consider having monitoring and control technology in place to make this scenario possible. Perhaps even your supervisors are working from home as well. Also consider having a phone system that answers your customer inquiries on its own, but with agents available if ever needed. This phone system can even contact your customers or prospects with announcements and alerts.

Allowing your employees to work from home gives you a competitive edge over traditional call centers. Now you can hire highly qualified individuals who could not otherwise commute to your center. Handicapped individuals, single parents and the elderly can now become an integral part of your remote workforce.

The following is an article relating to work at home technology products and services.

Students balance school, work with campaigning efforts

From: The New York Teacher

In just one evening in Suffolk County, more than 3,000 calls were made by 77 volunteers, reminding their New York State United Teachers colleagues to make sure to vote Nov. 5.

"Technology makes our job easier, but we couldn't do it without the hundreds of volunteers around the state," said NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin.

Phone banks were set up in NYSUT's 16 regional offices, as well as larger local union venues, in the three weeks leading up to Election Day.

Lynn Costello, a political action coordinator in Suffolk, said their operation was first concentrating on tough races and calls to members living in reapportioned legislative districts. "Many of our members have a new representative: We want them to know who the union-backed candidate is."

Peter McMahon, a mid-Hudson leader, said volunteers were working out of the regional office plus satellite offices in Wappingers Falls, Wallkill and Sullivan County. "We're right on schedule," he said. "Halfway to Election Day, we're halfway through calling every NYSUT member in the region."

Retirees are getting in on the action, too, by calling other retirees. "It's important to remind people to get out to vote," said western New York activist Marcella Fugle.