Office

Luke Mead, from Caelum Communications, has created these top ten ways to help small and medium businesses reduce the costs of their telecommunications services and lower those corporate phone bills.

1. Keep your services with one supplier

It can often prove more efficient in terms of cost savings to actually keep all of your services with one supplier. Check that they offer packages of broadband, telephone and mobile solutions and this can keep your charges lower

2. Only use integrated solutions

Make sure your supplier can integrate all of your telecoms requirements as this will help with reducing your call charges and costs.

3. Request a bespoke service offering

When you are discussing services with your telecoms provider, ask them to create a bespoke service agreement just for your business. This will ensure you get the best out of the agreement and you won’t be hit with any unnecessary charges.

4. Make sure your price is protected

When you take out a telecoms contract, make sure there is some kind of price protection or guarantee supplied as you don’t want to face a sudden price hike halfway through the contract.

5. Monitor how much you actually use

Watch what your business is actually using and make sure your contract has an option to downgrade if you find you don’t need as many features after all. Check that you don’t have any unused services which are adding to your costs.

6. Tailored to your business

Make sure the services you receive are tailored to the type and size of business you are running as one size does not fit all businesses and your needs will be different to the large corporate firm down the road.

7. Any additional benefits

Check to see if the supplier can offer you any added benefits within your contract, for example, free calls between your company mobile numbers, as these can really help to reduce your costs.

8. Cutting edge technology and innovation

Make sure that the provider you choose keeps up-to-date with modern technology and innovative telecoms systems, and passes this knowledge down to you. You need to be able to future proof your telecoms system and makes sure it doesn’t become obsolete.

 9. Watch out for expensive numbers

Check that your suppliers and customers are not using premium rate contact numbers when you need to call them. Always ask for a cheaper alternative where possible and this can have a dramatic impact on your costs.

10. Don’t rely on the phone all the time

When working internally or making quick calls, is it cheaper and easier to have the conversation by email or instant messaging instead? This can be another way to improve communication efficiency and reduce telecoms bills.

Hopefully you found these ten suggestions useful. For more ideas and ways to streamline your telecommunications systems, why not get in touch with us at Caelum Communications on0333 366 0058.