Isn’t it amazing how it’s so easy to miss important messages in the world of business? I’ll wait for an important client’s call all day, but the minute I step out to have lunch with a friend, or run an errand, I’ll get that important call and I can’t pick up the phone. It’s either that, or I’ll be in the middle of a meeting, knowing that there’s a voice mail waiting for me, just screaming to be heard, and I can’t put the phone to my ear out of respect for the meeting.
There are dozens of situations where you just can’t sit through endless voice mail messages, waiting to hear from that one client or customer with valuable information.

It’s with those situations in mind that I sing the praises of TalkText. This is a service provided by FreedomVOICE Systems (FVS), that uses advanced technology to convert voicemail messages to email. Powered by SimulScribe™, TalkText allows people to read their telephone messages in locations where listening to voicemail would be inappropriate.

TalkText is ideal for those of us on-the-go, because it allows us to view phone messages on a Blackberry, laptop or cell phone. So let’s say you’re in a conference call and you can’t take another call but you need to take care of business while a colleague gives a never-ending report, you can actually read voicemail messages and take a course of action. Being able to do this translates into higher productivity.

TalkText employs high-level voice recognition software and advanced proprietary algorithms, developed by SimulScribe, to convert voice messages to email. According to company officials, the average turn-around time is about two to five minutes, depending on the length of the message.

If you think about how many minutes you’re sitting during a day, listening to voicemail, you’ll realize how valuable this benefit can be. Especially for those who receive a particularly large volume of calls, like entrepreneurs, sales managers or attorneys. With TalkText, you can scan the content of the messages and even use text searching tools like Google to sift through them all. You can then instantly see who has called, what was said, and respond accordingly.

TalkText provides a service that is automated, secure and time-saving, which are qualities that every small business owner can appreciate. If you aren’t using this service yet, you definitely should be.

Are you completely fed up with answering the phone, missing important calls and keeping phone messages straight? Could you really use an assistant, but don’t have the room or the money to hire one? Well, it's time to relax, because there is a simple solution that will meet your small business needs and help you find a little relief from the insanity that is your business world.

The answer? Virtual office solutions that will help enhance your professional image, while paving the way for increased productivity, all at the same time. With the right provider, you will receive a full selection of features that can serve your business, no matter how small or big.

The first step? Get a toll-free phone number. Studies have shown time and time again that businesses with an 800 service are seen as competent and established by consumers. You will be perceived as reliable and customer-service oriented.

So how can you benefit from virtual office solutions?

You’ll want to choose a provider that offers advanced features and unlimited flexibility. These services should include:

• Unified messaging
• Teleconference
• Voice to text transcription
• Specialized services
• 800 numbers and vanity number options
• Customized features

And that’s just to get you started! A company like FreedomVOICE can meet your needs when it comes to virtual office solutions, and you’ll suddenly find the time you need to focus on new things besides manning the phone … like your business!

I am writing this entry at the airport in Atlanta, taking advantage of frequent flyer club amenities and conveniently eavesdropping on a fellow traveler’s nightmare. It’s not like I can ignore or shut out the gentleman next to me, who is phoning his wife.

“What do you mean, he didn’t leave his number?” he’s shouting, and his face is getting redder by the minute. He’s grumbling about a client, and it has something to do with samples and a mixed up customer order. Apparently his wife is his personal assistant as well, for he has asked her about numerous messages and faxes. “I couldn’t call you back,” he’s saying. “I’ve been traveling all day.”

I’m keeping an eye on him, as his face deepens to a shade of purple, and I’m trying to recall the steps for CPR that I learned about seven years ago. He’s getting angrier by the minute.

“Well, did you tell him it’s too late?” he’s asking his personal assistant/wife. I have a feeling that his PA/W is getting short on patience, for he’s saying again, “What can I do? I’m traveling all day!” I have a feeling he could write a very good book about excuses.

Anyway, I’m resisting the urge to jump up and mop his sweaty brow (well, I probably wouldn’t go that far) and explain to him the benefits of virtual office solutions. He needs a phone system that will help him, and possibly save his marriage.

Doesn’t he know that he need not be unavailable during a day’s worth of travel? Doesn’t he know that he could be receiving his faxes, voicemails and everything else he needs to keep his small business running smoothly, no matter where he is?

I really should yank the cell phone away from him, talk to his wife, and let her know how much better she’ll feel if she gets some assistance from FreedomVOICE, and then she could take a nice long afternoon and go off to the spa. Her nails would look polished, and her stress level would be way lower.

I would like tell her about the toll free services that have helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their business. I would tell her how she could increase company productivity, and potentially increase profits significantly. Most importantly, I would tell this overworked wife about the benefits of 1 800 numbers, unified messaging and follow-me call forwarding.

But I think, after looking one more time at this frustrated stranger and his furrowed brow, I might just mind my own business. Hopefully he’ll hear about FreedomVOICE, and learn to mind his own business a littler better too. 

Home office workers and entrepreneurs are some of the most on-the-go people I know. There’s no such thing as a typical work day, and you can be sure that surprises and unexpected interruptions will be a part of it. That’s why, whenever there’s a way to get more done and be more productive, you should jump at the chance!

One of the best ways to be more efficient is to use the services of a phone system provider. A virtual office system will make you more productive and help you provide better customer relations. But when it comes to managing your phone system, or even getting a phone system implemented, there are lots of choices out there. Finding one that makes your life easier and helps you manage your workload should be a priority.

One of the best features you can get when you secure an appropriate phone service to help run your business is what’s called Follow-Me-Live-Call-Transfer. This service will allow you to be tracked down, no matter where you are. You will be found at your home or office, on your cell phone, or at any other number of your choice in order to deliver a caller to you.

With the Follow-Me-Live-Call-Transfer, you’ll also get an announcement of the caller so you can decide whether you want to talk to that person or let the call go into voicemail. You can even choose the times of day when you want to take a call for that particular number.

So what’s so exciting about this feature? Well, for starters, you’ll never miss a call. We’ve all had those days when we feel tied down to our home office, waiting on an important call that could make or break a deal. Hey, you don’t have to work like that any more.

Another way this service is great is that you’ll save time (and money) when you’re not wasting your own precious time talking to “time wasters.” You will also have the ability to create an image of a single office, even if you and your partners or associates happen to work from entirely different locations.

Follow-Me-Live-Call-Transfer is just one of many benefits that you can enjoy when you find a phone service that offers you what you need. Once you reap the rewards of a great phone service provider, you’ll wonder what you ever did without them!