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Tag Archives: appointment scheduling software

02/09
2010

Turn These Business Resolutions Into Reality

New Years Resolutions for 2010 150x150 photo (appointment scheduling software)New Year’s Resolutions we’ve collected for doing business in 2010:
I resolve to… improve the overall experience of my customers.
I resolve to… reduce my administrative costs.
I resolve to… smooth out the peaks and valleys in my business cycle.
I resolve to…keep better track of customers and employees.
I resolve to…reduce the amount of time my customers spend waiting.
I resolve to…reduce the number of appointment no shows.
I resolve to…reduce the number of abandoned calls.
I resolve to…spend more time with customers.
I resolve to…keep more of my customers.

For the past two years businesses have dug in, deepened the trenches, reduced staff and cut costs to the bone. Now, in 2010, economic progress reports suggest the time is coming to start building and growing again.

But you don’t need to hire new employees or add a lot of costly equipment to turn these resolutions into realities. Every one of them has been attained by real companies using web-based appointment scheduling software. Read their stories in our case study library, and then make some resolutions for your own business in 2010.

Rich Silverman
TimeTrade Blogging Team

Public domain Image by Ivan Akira courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

02/05
2010

What’s Wrong with Manual Appointment Scheduling?

onhold photo (appointment scheduling software)Appointment scheduling the old-fashioned way can easily turn into a hassle for both the customer and the service provider. 

Customers want convenience: a quick process to book an appointment that matches their schedule.

Service providers want bookings, as many as possible. But the busier you get, the harder it is to take time to take calls.

Continue reading »

02/04
2010

Personal Service Providers: Make Life Easier On Yourself – Let Customers Schedule Themselves

spa1 photo (appointment reminder)Hair Salons and Day Spas – regardless of size – need appointment scheduling software. The “needs” test is not based on the size of the business, but the volume of business. Busy salons and spas can enhance customer service while also increasing efficiency.

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02/03
2010

Appointment Scheduling Software Reduces Errors

Photo - Telephone SwitchboardThere will always be people who want to schedule appointments by talking to a live person. They can ask questions, tell the scheduler a cute story about why they are making an appointment or just have a nice conversation with a fellow human being.  But a large and growing group of people want the 24/7 convenience offered by online scheduling software. Both types can be satisfied with online appointment scheduling.

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01/13
2010

On-Line Appointment Market Looks to Grow, TimeTrade Gets Set To Grow With It

Photo of Ed MallenThe on-line appointment scheduling market is beginning to take off, says TimeTrade Systems CEO Ed Mallen in a story recently published in MassHighTech.com.

“The switch will be like banks going to ATMs,” Mallen says.  “It’s a very natural play to begin to have consumers be able to make their appointments over the web and be satisfied that when they get there the resource is going to be ready, willing and able.”

TimeTrade, a market maker in on-line appointment scheduling since its founding in 1999, has its sights set on that $5-$8 billion market opportunity, according to Mallen.

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01/06
2010

Fight Back Against Online Merchants: Offer Online Customer Service in a 24/7 World

24hours2 photo (appointment scheduling software)In a 24/7 world, how can brick-and-mortar businesses compete with “always open” online merchants? By offering everything they can do online.

  • A national portrait studio chain offers online appointment scheduling.  Result: more than 20% of their business comes in while they’re closed. (That’s a 25% increase. What would you do to boost business 25%??)
  • Sprint uses TimeTrade to let you self-schedule advanced support for your smartphone, 24/7. Imagine: no more queues – no lines, no waiting!
  • Sonora Quest lets patients schedule quick appointments for blood tests etc. Result: 22,000 people a month self-schedule. They all get seen within five minutes – and think how much staff time would be needed to schedule those appointments manually.

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12/30
2009

The Benefits of Online Scheduling Software for the Retail Industry

sale photo (appointment reminder)Smart retailers differentiate themselves with superior customer service.  Storefront “greeters” and personal shoppers help; here are some real-life examples of the unique blend of superior customer service  and cost-saving offered by online appointment scheduling:

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12/22
2009

Customer Care Goes High Tech With Appointment Scheduling Software

calender photo (appointment scheduling software)While some may think that automated technology diminishes customer service, the opposite can be true.  Appointment scheduling software has actually been proven to help businesses streamline processes and deliver better customer service.

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12/11
2009

Help Manage Busy Lives – Offer Online Appointments

busylife photo (appointment scheduling software)What if service providers – hair salons, doctors’ offices, auto mechanics, etc. – became part of the solution to organizing a busy day?

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12/01
2009

Seven Signs It’s Time to Upgrade to a Better Appointment Scheduler

reception photo (appointment scheduling software)Some appointment scheduling tools are nothing more than a calendar with limited options.  How do you know if it’s time to upgrade?

Here are seven signs that it’s time to get the next generation of appointment schedulers:

1. You’re finding that Outlook is just not cutting it anymore

Some might believe that Outlook (or another personal information manager) can do it all, but unfortunately, it is not specifically designed as an appointment scheduler.  If you find yourself wishing that Outlook could do more with appointments for your team, it’s time to migrate to powerful, dedicated scheduling software.

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