Workforce Management Software - The Lifeblood of Call Center Efficiency

Jul 22
08:19

2009

Gardner Wilkinson

Gardner Wilkinson

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If you operate a call center, you know how important it is to have reliable Workforce Management (WFM) software . Without it, you face the danger of b...

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If you operate a call center,Workforce Management Software - The Lifeblood of Call Center Efficiency Articles you know how important it is to have reliable Workforce Management (WFM) software . Without it, you face the danger of being understaffed during peak call periods, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction and a possible loss of business, and you won’t be able to accurately gauge your workforce’s efficiency. And with the high rate of turnover associated with many call centers, it is important to maintain your workforce as much as possible, which can be accomplished with the aid of WFM software.

So what are some of the things to look for in WFM software? First of all, it should be able to help you when it comes to forecasting. Many call centers have peak periods throughout the year, especially if it is a company that sells holiday gift merchandise or seasonal clothing. Conversely, there can be periods where business is slow, and you don’t need much more than a skeleton crew to keep things going. Your software should be able to provide an accurate accounting of sales and service activity from past years, so you know exactly how big or small of a staff you need to have on hand at all times.

Your WFM software should also be able to assist you when it comes to scheduling. Since many call centers operate on a 24/7 basis, and offer a variety of full-time and part-time shifts with flexible scheduling, meeting your employees’ needs can be a big challenge. You want to keep everybody happy, but at the same time you need to make sure you have all the bases covered, including lunch breaks and vacations. The last thing your business need is for a customer to be greeted with a phone call that goes unanswered or is routed straight to voice mail. The software you use should allow you update schedules easily and efficiently.

Another feature of WFM software is that it should allow you to track employee accountability. With all the different shifts available, there are workers coming and going at various times during the day, so the software should indicate who is showing up for work on time, or if there are attendance issues to be concerned with. This can be especially important when it comes to determining employee productivity. So don’t leave your customers and employees in the dark. Select WFM software that meets all of your call center’s needs.