Small business articles and tips

Small business owners know that the work doesn’t stop when they step outside the office. While leaving your desk to get things done is essential, missing calls while you’re out just isn’t an option. Too bad you can’t be in two places at once… or can you?

Since 2016, Bell has provided small businesses with an option to stay connected, be more productive, and never miss an opportunity. With Bell Total Connect your landline, smartphone, and computer work together so customers, partners, and employees can reach you in the same place, at any time.

Yet according to Marie-José Legros, Unified Communications and Senior Product Manager at Bell, not many small businesses know that this level of integration is available to them. “Based on customer calls and market research, this level of mobile integration is low for small businesses. In fact, we’re seeing that many SMBs still operate under two separate identities: wireline (landline) and wireless (smartphone).”

Legros attributes this low level of integration not to a lack of interest, but to a lack of overall awareness. “Our market research reveals that 60% of SMB owners are unfamiliar with the very concept of seamless communication integration. That said, once we take the time to explain the Bell Total Connect service offering to our customers, the majority are interested in signing up.”

Why is this such an attractive offer for small businesses? Seamless communication integration offers them a never-before-seen level of flexibility. “With Bell Total Connect, you can switch seamlessly from your smartphone to your landline during the same call, set-up chat services with employees across desktop and mobile apps (not to mention see their online availability), and even answer, makes calls and manage your calling features from anywhere in the world,” explains Legros.

According to Legros, the most popular features our customers choose to buy from our Bell Total Connect service are:

• Simultaneous Ring: set multiple devices to ring when your business number is called.
• Voicemail to Email: Stay organized with all your voice messages centralized to your inbox, easy to access and forward – no need to check your voicemail inbox to retrieve messages.
• Auto Attendant: Have your phone system automatically perform the role of receptionist by answering calls with a company greeting and giving inbound callers touch-tone options to navigate. You can record your own greeting or use the included menus and prompts.
• Hunt Group: Direct an incoming call to a designated group of employees for any member of the group to answer

“This level of customization, available at the individual and team level, reinforces consistency with customers and offers small businesses a single unified presence like never before.”

“Basically, we’re unshackling the small business owner. No more sitting around the office waiting for the phone to ring. Or worse still, having to pay someone else to sit around the office waiting for the phone to ring. Bell Total Connect brings all of your business devices together for one seamless communications experience, letting you increase efficiencies while never missing a call.”

Here’s a breakdown of exactly what Bell Total Connect can do for you:

Learn more about Bell Total Connect here.