You know the saying, right? Well, the title of our blog today is one that is usually met with great skepticism. As popular as the phrase is, most people would respond by saying that “nothing in life is free”. Of course, that too is another popular phrase. But which one is more accurate? We figure it all comes down to what you’re talking about.

At Synergy Merchant Services, we’re talking about providing Canadian business owners with a quote. And yes, that quote is indeed free. Here is how we look at it: If we are able to give an owner of a small to mid-sized business in Canada an opportunity to discover how much money he or she is eligible for, that same owner may find a use for it.

As we have mentioned in blogs past, many owners claim to not have any use for extra money when they first become aware of our unique merchant cash advance program. And time and time again, our licensed funding specialists discover that this apparent lack of foresight is really just disguised skepticism.

And we don’t blame these owners at all, to be very honest. Why wouldn’t they be skeptical? With the amount of stress and frustration that many of them have experienced in their dealings with banks, it is understandable that many of them feel as if attaining extra working capital is an unwanted hardship and sometimes an impossibility.

The truth is, though, that all business owners have ideas for how they would expand their businesses – that is, of course, if they could find a legitimate way to get their hands on some extra money. When Synergy says that our quotes are free, we really mean it. We greatly enjoy providing entrepreneurs with information that we know will be of great use to them – at no cost.

See, in order to attain a merchant cash advance, business owners need only to fax in copies of their monthly merchant statements that reflect their credit and debit sales. Once one of our licensed funding specialists reviews these statements, he or she will determine just how much money the owner is approved for and what the cost of the cash advance will be.

It is this information that we find is pertinent to owners across Canada, as it provides an accurate description of how much money they can get. In turn, business owners can develop legitimate ideas of how to put that money to use. If the owner is uninterested, on the other hand, they are placed under no obligation. And again, it literally will cost nothing for that person to get the information.

So perhaps, the best things in life are free, after all. Many of our clients started out by being skeptical at first. And, as always, we understand why. It is those who took the next step by receiving a free quote for a merchant cash advance, however, that found out just how quick and easy it can be to get that much-needed money to grow their businesses.

The Synergy Merchant Services Blog has been in existence since January 2008. However, it was last year this month that this blog stepped it up and became a daily information source for all of our loyal online readers. Dedicated to providing the best in financial news, current event stories and business planning tips, this blog has become one of the most respected on the internet…at least, we’d like to think so.

We’d like to take this time out to thank all of you who continue to read our blogs. Of course, establishing a blog for your company website is a key ingredient in generating as much traffic as possible for your site. Especially when certain current event pieces are extremely popular, online users typing that topic into search engines are more likely to be directed towards your site if you’ve blogged about it.

The BP oilrig mishap that took place this past April, for example, was a hot topic in all of the news media. For both its impact on the environment and the business world, we decided that it was an important issue to focus on within a number of blogs we posted througout May. Needless to say, it remains a popular topic with our readers.

We do, of course, also like to keep our readers informed about the financial world with numerous tips and pieces of advice for those who own businesses. With the obvious targeted client base of small to mid-sized business owners in Canada, Synergy works to readily provide information that they can find helpful. Naturally, we recommmend that they take a look into the merchant cash advance program we offer.

It is important to keep your options open. And our blogs often communicate this message by advocating awareness about the options that are out there. Many news pieces over the past year have commented about the difficulty that business owners face when approaching banks to secure business loans. It makes sense for us to pass this information on to our potential clients through our blogs.

The G20 Summit that took place last month in Toronto was another hot topic that our blog touched upon. Having the Synergy headquarters in Toronto, we are very keen on keeping up with what is going on in our hometown. The very controversial summit was covered by news media everywhere, but we also decided to look at this event from a financial standpoint.

Of course, we are happy that our headquarters is not located in the downtown core as there are business owners who are still seeking compensation for the damage caused to their storefronts during the G20 Summit.

On a happier note, events like this month’s Caribana festival and just about everything going in our fun-loving Vice President John Meloche’s life remain popular topics on the Synergy Merchant Services Blog. With John’s wedding coming up in just over two months, we’re sure we’ll have a lot to report to you about.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the past year of our daily blogging and look forward to maintaining our dedication to keeping you informed and entertained on a regular basis.

Just in case you’re thinking that the title of today’s blog is a typo, you can think again. We know, of course, that it is always a good idea to “be on your Ps and Qs”, but in the case of Synergy’s merchant cash advance program, experiencing the two Qs is most important.

Those two Qs, in case you were wondering, refer to the simple two-step process we provide our clients in order to let them know how much money their businesses can get: Qualification and the Quote.

Unlike a bank, Synergy does not put clients through a long drawn-out process that insists upon getting collateral and liens. We also do not require a standard credit check as a bank would when seeing about approving a customer for a business loan. Instead, we first qualify our clients by asking a few simple questions.

The qualification process begins by discovering how many years the client has been in business. We require that a Canadian business owner who accepts Visa, MasterCard and/or Interac cards as methods of payment be in business for, at least, one year. That way, our licensed funding specialists are able to provide a free review of statements from the last year of business to determine the type of transactions the merchant makes on a monthly average.

This monthly average then helps to determine the amount of the cash advance that may be approved for the client. We also ask which merchant processor the client works with to accept credit and debit payments as his or her store. Synergy is partnered with a number of processors including Moneris, TD Merchants and Chase Paymentech.

These relationships allow for the repayment process to be virtually seamless as the payments are made automatically through each future credit and debit sale. Finally, we ask what the merchant’s average monthly volume is. We are looking for our clients to make a minimum of $5,000 in credit and debit sales monthly.

Once a client is qualified, we move him or her on to the second “Q” – the quote. We happily provide our customers with a free quote that entails three essential pieces of information. Firstly, we reveal the approved amount of the cash advance. Secondly, our funding specialists confirm the exact cost of taking the money.

Again, we differ from a bank in that we do not charge interest. Instead, there is a one time fee that is added to the advance amount and is simply paid back over time through future credit and debit sales. This brings us to the third important piece of info in the quote.

The quote reveals a “withholding percentage”. This way, our clients know exactly what percentage of their future credit and debit sales will be used to repay the advance. As always, there is no obligation to take the money. However, going through the quick and easy process of “the two Qs” is a step we believe that all Canadian business owners should try.

Everyone goes through ups and downs. We suppose it’s impossible to have one without the other. When people go through rough patches in their lives, it only becomes more difficult when they feel that they don’t have the support they need to get out of their situations. Those who have the support of family and friends generally find that their rough patches are fairly short periods of time.

Synergy Merchant Services has proudly represented the friend or family member, metaphorically speaking, in times of need for business owners all throughout Canada. As the nation continues to grow financially stronger following the recession, there are a number of individuals who are still having a rough go at making ends meet the way they used to before the global financial crisis.

As we have blogged about before, bank loans have become harder to come by than ever before. As a result, more Canadian entrepreneurs are seeking the comfort of the merchant cash advance to meet the needs of their businesses. Staying competitive in today’s marketplace, of course, requires that one does not just stay afloat, but works to get ahead. As many business owners have come to find out the hard way, going to your local bank doesn’t help much in the way of growing your company.

As Rebecca Shamrock of EzineArticles.com writes: “Times are bad for just about all Canadians and more and more people are having trouble just keeping up with their bills…If you think you will be able to walk into your local Canadian bank, the one you have been banking with for years, then think again! They are barely lending out money for mortgages, let alone personal loans.”

Being approved for a loan is especially difficult, continues Shamrock, for those who may have bad credit. One of the ways in which Synergy has managed to assist Canadian business owners is through ensuring that we offer an alternative source of extra working capital that does not show on a credit report.

Because the cash advance is a purchase of future credit and debit transactions and not a loan, one’s credit need not be affected when participating in our program. The first step is to speak to one of our licensed funding specialists about your options. They happily offer a free review of your merchant statements to help determine exactly how much money your business may be approved for.

Once you receive this information, you will also be informed about the cost of the cash advance and the method of repayment. This is one of the best parts about the program. No monthly payments are ever required. Instead, payments are made automatically through a merchant’s future credit and debit sales.

So if you’re in need of the type of support a friend or family member may generally give you, it may be the right time to call Synergy. Although we may not be able to cook for favourite meal or offer you a hug through the phone, we would like to see you take your business to the next level. We believe we can offer you the support you need to achieve your goals.

Could it get any hotter in Toronto? The home of the Synergy Merchant Services headquarters has been experiencing quite the scorcher lately. With temperatures in their mid-30s, that feel like they are in their early 40s (Celcius, of course), the City of Toronto is definitely in the midst of yet another heatwave.

With that, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to suggest to business owners from all over Canada that they start heating things up. In the past, we have thrown quite a few suggestions and tips the way of the Canadian entrepreneur. Our clients are very well aware of just how helpful these tips have been in getting their businesses to experience a new hot streak.

So what can you do to fire things up with your company? Many business owners have utilized our innovative merchant cash advance program to renovate their locations. We often hear, that a fresh start always brings about fresh interest. Perhaps, it’s time to repaint the walls, get new signage for the front of the store or even revamp your entire set up.

There are other ways in which you can turn up the heat on your competitors, of course. Many Synergy clients enjoy putting their cash advances towards new advertising campaigns. Do you operate your business in an area where a new flyering strategy may be appropriate? Is taking out ads in the newspaper or local magazine a more sound strategy? Maybe it’s even time for you to be heard on the radio!

It doesn’t stop there. One of our most excited clients is one who purchases new inventory each and every summer. Knowing that he will be able to get a good deal during the warmer months of the year on winter clothing, he always turns a fantastic profit once the weather cools down and everyone heads to his store to pick up their gear for the upcoming cold season.

This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve suggested this but it begs repeating. With such sunny and hot days taking place, it provides the opportune time for your company to host an outdoor event of some kind. Perhaps your merchant cash advance would best be spent on creating a contest of some kind that customers can enter when they visit your event.

A barbeque is always fun. Free food and prizes will be relatively small expenditures when compared to the large increase in your customer base that is a benefit to holding such events. Now, we know it’s hot outside, but there’s always time to heat things up even more.

So contact a licensed funding specialist at Synergy Merchant Services today. It’s the least you can do for your company. Discover just how much hotter your company can be through a simple and timely review of your monthly merchant statements. No collateral, no liens, no sweat!

Is there really ever such a thing as the “wrong time” to get money for your business? Many business owners across Canada have responded by saying that “it’s not the right time” when they were first asked about getting additional working capital for their companies.

What exactly does that mean though? It would be strange if a business owner actually meant to say that he or she would wait until things got worse for the company before considering trying to save it. Synergy Merchant Services, of course, is not in the business of trying to save companies.

Instead, our objective has always been to work with companies who are doing well…in an effort to help them to do even better. So when entrepreneurs respond with a “not the right time” response when asked if they could use some extra money, we always remind them that there is no better time than the present to invest into their businesses.

We are firm believers that to assume that there is any time when a business owner should NOT think about growing his or her business is equivalent to having a defeatist attitude. It is no different than assuming that one cannot be successful if they were to put forth an idea into action.

Most often, business owners feel that they will not be successful with their plans because they do not have the working capital necessary to put the plan into action. The notion that banks are making it harder for business owners to get business loans is getting more and more popular.

This is, obviously, due to the fact that banks are lending less and less these days. So, it’s no wonder that some company owners feel that now may not necessarily be the time to grow their businesses through expansion, renovations or the purchase of new inventory.

The quick and easy steps taken to get a merchant cash advance, on the other hand, have helped many a Canadian entrepreneur become successful in making their business dreams come true. There is never a wrong time to take your business to the next level. There is only a wrong attitude in thinking that your business cannot grow now.

Give one of our licensed funding specialists a call today and we are sure that you’ll be glad you did. You know the time is right.

What would you do with an extra $20000 in your bank account? Many people would go on vacation. Some would buy a new car. Others would invest it. Those “others” are more than likely entrepreneurs of some kind. Most business owners constantly think about ways that they can grow their businesses. So how do you want to grow your business?

Especially in the post-recession era, it’s no secret that banks are making it harder and harder for small and mid-sized business owners in Canada to secure bank loans. Near the end of April, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog commented upon a recent piece in the Financial Post that outlined one business owner’s difficulty in trying to get his business money to renovate.

As a result, some entrepreneurs don’t actually have an answer for the question we posed to begin today’s blog. This is because without the extra working capital necessary to actually make their plans come to fruition, they figure that there is no use in planning. However, when these same owners are presented with a legitimate path to fast cash, their ideas become endless.

At Synergy, we believe strongly that our merchant cash advance program is best taken advantage of when the recipient of the cash advance invests their newly-acquired money back into his or her business. Of course, our money is not “borrowed”, and due to that fact, our clients have every right to do whatever they like with their cash advances.

Obviously, the ones who are most successful within their respective industries are the ones that put the funds towards growing their companies. Some clients choose to buy as much inventory as possible during the months of the year when the items are not in demand. That way, the inevitably cheaper purchase translates into greater profits once the seasons change, and the demand for the products increase.

This is especially true for clothing stores who stock up on winter gear in the summer, knowing that when the cold returns, they will be well-prepared to service their clients. Not only does the cash advance allow them to pick up more inventory at bargain prices, but it ensures that they don’t have to dip into their own savings to do so.

Some clients enjoy utilizing our program practically on a yearly basis to take advantage of the aforementioned idea. Others use the money to renovate their locations in order to ensure increased sales all year round. Restaurants refurnish their patios. Auto repair shops buy new tools and equipment. And no matter what industry you are in, advertising your brand always helps.

The old adage “it takes money to make money” is one of the truest statements ever uttered. These days, “it’s hard to get money to make money” seems to be a phrase that is becoming more common for those who have been turned down by their banks. Here’s our favourite saying though: “A merchant cash advance is the quickest and easiest way for Canadian business owners to get money today”.

Even as the merchant cash advance industry continues to grow in Canada, it is still a concept that is relatively foreign to the majority of Canadian business owners. So, with the Major League Baseball season in full swing, we figured that the great sport would help to make the perfect analogy for what it is we do here at Synergy Merchant Services. Of course, we hope to be able to hit it out of the park with this explanation.

As baseball fans already know, there are a total of four bases on a baseball diamond. Obviously, there is first, second and third base, and finally home plate. To simplify the way in which a merchant cash advance works, one could look at the process as the touching of four bases. Perhaps then, you may call our program a “home run” as we are confident that our program supplies owners with the quickest and easiest way to get money for their businesses.

So how does it work exactly? Well, let’s visit first base. There is, naturally, a qualification process. In order for a Canadian merchant to qualify for a merchant cash advance, the business must be in existence for at least one year.

We also look to see if the merchant meets our minimum monthly requirement of $5,000 on average of Visa, MasterCard and Interac sales. Once a business owner is qualified, we can then move on to second base.

At second, our licensed funding specialists provide a free review of a merchant’s monthly debit and credit sales summaries to help determine how much money can be offered. This is why we look to have a business have at least one year under its belt so that such statements from the previous year may be supplied.

Once these statements are reviewed, our funding specialists provide a quote that includes exactly how much money the merchant is approved for, what it will cost and exactly what percentage of their future credit and debit sales will be used to repay the cash advance. All of this information is provided so that the merchant receives a clear idea as to how the program works before they agree to anything.

Unlike with banks, there is no collateral required nor is there a fixed repayment schedule. That brings us to third base. At third, a merchant receives the cash advance. This process takes approximately five business days. The quickness in which we are able to supply the funds is another reason why we believe that our program gives business owners the quickest and easiest method of attaining extra working capital in Canada.

Of course, we may now head home. Once we have rounded the bases and provided our clients with their cash advances, the final step in the process takes effect. As we mentioned before, the best part about our program is that there is no fixed repayment schedule. The cash advance is repaid through a simple automated process that requires no effort on the part of the merchant.

No cheque needs to be cut. No balance needs to be transferred. With each daily batch out, a small percentage of the credit and debit transactions made comes back to Synergy as a payment. It does not matter how long it takes for the money to be repaid. There is never a late fee as there is no such thing as being late. We only get paid when the merchant makes a sale. If there are no sales, there are no payments. Now, how’s that for a “home run” idea?

Is there really such a thing as having “enough money”? It would be an amazing experience if such a thing was ever true. If we all had “enough money”, we wouldn’t need to go into work every day. Nevertheless, many clients who first hear about our merchant cash advance program insist that they have “enough money”.

Well, we completely understand that perhaps, as the owner of a small or mid-sized business in Canada, you may not want to involve yourself in something that is foreign to you. And our licensed funding specialists usually discover, after having conversations with such owners, that they most certainly could use some extra working capital.

It is important that we make something clear, because the concept of the merchant cash advance has often been misinterpreted. Our mission at Synergy Merchant Services is to assist Canadian business owners by helping their companies grow. To be very honest, we are not in the business of “saving” businesses from bankruptcy or debt.

So there are times when business owners feel that by expressing that they have “enough money”, they are communicating that their companies are not in financial trouble. It has never been our intent to imply that about any business. Our funding specialists have gained a lot of experience getting to know that the most successful business owners are the ones that are best suited for our program.

We believe that an owner of a company that is doing great business will best know how to utilize our merchant cash advance program to turn an even greater profit than he or she is used to. And while our cash advances can be used for literally anything the business owner wants, we know that they are best used when the money is invested back into the business.

Take, for example, a restaurant owner who has a very successful bar and grill operation. He gets tons of patrons, especially on the weekends and days when a major sporting event is taking place. By all accounts, he is successful and could rightfully claim that he has “enough money”.

However, he knows that if he were to add or expand a patio outside of the restaurant, he could entertain hundreds of more customers throughout the summer season. He could, potentially use his own money to construct this patio. But doing so, of course, would force him to dip into his personal savings and/or use money that would generally be used for payroll and inventory among other things.

Instead, he decides to not use his own money and put a merchant cash advance towards the cost of the patio. While not spending any money of his own, the owner now has a new patio installed that significantly increases the amount of sales his establishment makes.

The payback process is as easy as continuing to process credit and debit sales as his restaurant does regularly. Therefore, once the repayment of the cash advance is made, that owner is instantly earning greater profits than he ever has before without having to use his own cash.

This may sound like a random example, but it’s the truth. It has happened before, and it could happen for you. Whether or not you feel you have “enough money”, you may still want to consider the cash advance option to bring your business to the next level.

One of the best aspects of Synergy Merchant Services’ cash advance program is the fact that we have such great relationships with merchant processors throughout Canada. Our relationship with Moneris – Canada’s largest processor of debit, credit and gift card transactions – for example, allows for us to be the leader in this industry.

Working with processors throughout Canada allows for us to provide small to medium-sized businesses in the country the opportunity to get their hands on extra working capital quickly. In fact, we are confident that our merchant cash advance program is the quickest and easiest way for owners of small and mid-sized companies in Canada to get money.

You may be wondering what their processors have to do with it. And if so, we’re glad you were wondering that. Firstly, our relationships with companies like Moneris allow us to assess just how much money we can advance to a business owner. We base this number on a merchant’s monthly credit and debit transactions.

Without requesting collateral, liens or even the standard credit check, Synergy is able to determine exactly how much of a cash advance can be offered and what it would cost. We do this by simply reviewing the statements provided to a merchant by his or her merchant processor. Our ties with many of these processors allow for this process to be a simple one.

Secondly, these relationships allow for our clients to enjoy the usually painstaking process of paying the money back. The repayment of the cash advance just so happens to be our program’s greatest feature. And it is because of our relationships with their processors that we can offer it.

Through a seamless, automated process, merchants pay back their cash advances through a small percentage of their future credit and debit sales transactions. What that means is they never have to worry about cutting a cheque or transferring a balance from their bank accounts. There literally is no such thing as ever being late as there is simply no fixed repayment schedule.

There are other merchant funding operations out there, of course. But they don’t enjoy the type of relationships we do with processors across Canada. As a result, many of them require the opening of a “lock-box” or third party bank account that a merchant’s daily batch outs are placed in. What this does is force a merchant into wait an extra day or two to have their money deposited into their own bank account so that the funders may retrieve their percentage first.

Our program offers the easiest way to not only get money, but to pay it back without worry. So what are you worried about? Give one of our licensed funding specialists a call and discover just how easy it may be for you to get the working capital you need to help your business grow. We promise to provide an easy process.

With all of the talk in the mainstream media lately about the reluctance of Canada’s big banks to lend money to small businesses in the country, it’s only a matter of time before they are no longer considered the primary option for business owners.

For the past several years, Synergy Merchant Services has continued to grow by offering small to mid-sized Canadian business owners the extra capital required to help develop and expand their own companies.

We have been successful in doing so, by the way, without putting the owner through the long drawn-out process which is generally the norm at traditional banking insitutions. We proudly are able to fund our clients with merchant cash advances within five days of having their businesses approved. Quite often, when speaking to these clients, we discover that it took several weeks and sometimes even months for them to discover whether or not the bank would even approve their applications.

As the Financial Post made abundantly clear last week, more often than ever before, these applications are being turned down. Now, not only are we known for providing Canadian entrepreneurs with the quickest and most convenient way to get money that they will ever experience, but we also put business owners at far less risk than the big banks do.

Unlike the banks, we do not request any collateral or liens. So, of course, there is nothing for an owner to put on the line to potentially lose in the event of a default payment. As well, with our merchant cash advance program, there is no such thing as going in default as “late” payments are non-existent.

Upon first hearing of these major differences between the process of applying for a bank loan and trying to secure a merchant cash advance, most clients ask that all-too-familar question: “So, what’s the catch?”. We believe strongly that a “catch” is something that is hidden. And quite frankly, we have nothing to hide.

There is, obviously, a cost for the cash advance. Known as our “discount fee”, we tell our clients upfront the exact cost of the cash advance. That way, they know exactly how much they will have to pay back before even receiving their working capital five days later. There is no fixed repayment schedule, and as a result, there are no due dates that a business owner could possibly miss.

One thing we never do is call a business owner and make the proclamation that our program is “better” than a bank. We would never be so bold as to make such a statement. We want our clients to form their own opinions about which option they feel is better for themselves.

We feel that, with all fairness, if they actually have options to weigh against each other, they will be better equipped to decide what will work best for their businesses. One thing is for sure though.

Synergy Merchant Services is not in the business of declining business owners at the rate the banks do. It starts with you speaking to one of our licensed funding specialists who will review your Visa, MasterCard and Interac sales at no cost to you in order to provide you with the quote you need to make the decision that could change your business forever.

With April in full swing, many people are already basking in the sunshine and thinking about the summer ahead. For some, it feels as if the fresh spring air is symbolic of a fresh start. So, of course, one of the most popular activities to partake in, at this time of year, is “spring cleaning”. Getting set for the summer by getting rid of the clutter can help invigorate you and feel renewed.

For businesses, this is especially an important task as it prepares companies to start a brand new season of opportunity. As Alyssa Gregory pointed out earlier this month on SitePoint.com, when businesses partake in spring cleaning, it helps to “shake off the winter woes and get a renewed enthusiasm for the season of growth and new beginnings.”

Many believe that when you unclutter your physical surroundings, it helps to clarify your goals and better prepare you for your next step. Organization is key to running a successful business. Gregory lists a number of steps that can be taken so that your business can utilize the concept of spring cleaning to clear a path to a brighter future.

“Clean of your desk”, she writes. The simple task of having a neat and tidy workstation will ensure that your assignments are completed free of distraction. Sometimes, employees get caught up in what feels like an overwhelming number of different projects simply because they cannot remember just how many they have to complete. Unkept files and miscealleaneous documents strewn all over a desk is only cause for confusion.

Ensuring that you are organized will help you stick to a schedule that will allow time for all of your tasks to be completed. Gregory writes that workers should “get rid of ‘rolling’ tasks by getting them done, delegating the work or removing them from your list entirely.” Procrastination, evidently, is an example of clutter and disorganization.

Gregory also recommends that you “freshen up your business card, website and other marketing materials”. Your business can appear out of date, behind the times and even off the market (to use a few catch phrases) when things do not look updated. It is also a good idea to “review client agreements, and act on any revisions/renewals that need to be made.”

Keeping your contact list up to date, sometimes means making contact with those on the list. “Touching base” helps your clients remember that you haven’t forgotten them. This encourages loyalty in addition to potentially re-opening doors for further business with these clients.

“Schedule a meeting with a colleague, or even competitor, to explore a collaborative effort,” says Gregory. Sometimes the creation of a new project or joint venture is just what is needed to provide that extra boost to your company during the advent of a new season.

Of course, there are many ways that businesses can being their own spring cleaning regiments. If you haven’t begun yours yet, you might want to get to it. You may just find that it will help for your upcoming summer to be your most successful season yet.

Yesterday, the Synergy Merchant Services Blog visited the concept of keeping your phone manner as pleasant as possible for the benefit of your business. A courteous and professional approach to answering your business line is a surefire way to make a good impression. Considering that the way in which your phone is answered is the first impression you can give of your company, it is imperative to make sure that it is done properly.

To be honest, this topic drew our interest when a staff member commented on a number of outdated voice messages he received when calling certain businesses. Susan Ward of About.com agrees that keeping your phone greetings (be they live or recorded) accurate and attentive is of great importance to the success of a company’s image.

Revisiting some of the many useful tips that she provides business owners, Ward also advises that the taking of telephone messages should be done in a complete and concise way. The only way to make a favourable impression when returning a call is make sure that you know exactly who you are calling and what the nature of the call is.

She writes that if there is something you do not understand and can’t spell – important things such as someone’s last name – you ask the caller to repeat or spell it so that the right message gets to its intended recipient. It is also a good idea to return phone calls within one business day.

Writes Ward: “I can’t emphasize this one enough. Remember the early bird? The early caller can get the contract, the sale, the problem solved… and reinforce the favorable impression of your business that you want to circulate.”

Another great suggestion that so many businesses tend to forget is to ask the caller if it is okay to put him or her on hold. Simply saying, “please hold” can be taken as rude and abrupt, not to mention, annoying. Also, be sure to not keep the caller on hold for too long. If necessary, return every 30 to 45 seconds, simply to offer choices such as, “He is still on the other line, would you like me to have him call you back?”. This courtesy will be much appreciated.

Avoid the speaker phone, if possible, says Ward. They give callers the impression that they do not have your full attention. It also implies that the call is not private and may make the person who is on speaker uncomfortable. A speaker phone should only be used when more than one person needs to take part in the conversation on one end and all parties are aware that the feature is being used.

Finally, all of the tips from today and yesterday’s blog would not be useful if everyone in your company who answers the phone wasn’t trained to adhere to them. You may even want to call your own business yourself just to make sure the phone is being answered in the professional manner that you trained. Following these tips will keep the impression of your company a top-notch one for years to come.

Today is Thursday, April 15th, 2010. So what impression would you get of a business if you called one today and received the following voice greeting?: “Hello. I will be out of the office until March 31st , so please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I return.”

Or how about this one?: “It’s Monday, April 5th, and I’m not my desk at the moment. Leave a message at the tone and I’ll return your call when I’m back. Have a good day.” Why is it that some people who own businesses do not complete the simple task of updating their voice greetings on their business lines? An outdated outgoing message immediately leaves the impression that your business does not necessarily function all that well.

Susan Ward of About.com discusses the various ways in which proper phone etiquette can be maintained to keep the impression of your business a great one. She writes that “phone answering skills are critical for businesses” as the telephone still represents a company’s “primary point of contact with customers.”

How you answer the telephone is the first impression given of your business. So, naturally, this is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Ward insists that following a number of her tips will help prove that you run a “winning business.”

The first tip is to answer all incoming phone calls before the third ring. This helps to provide the impression that you are on the ball and not neglectful of your customer base. You want to provide service that is dependable and efficient. Ward also advises that you answer the phone in a warm and enthusiastic manner.

Welcome callers in a courteous way while identifying yourself and your business, she insists. Your greeting should make it so that no one ever has to question if he or she has contacted the right place.

“Enunciate clearly,” writes Ward, “keep your voice volume moderate, and speak slowly and clearly when answering the phone, so your caller can understand you easily.” It’s frustrating for customers who are seeking information or assistance when they are greeted by someone who appears as if they will be of no service.

In addition to making yourself understandable and clear, you should also refrain from using any slang or jargon. Ward believes that one should maintain a business-appropriate vocabulary that also sounds positive and upbeat. Do your best to highlight what your company can do as opposed to what it cannot. So, for example, use phrases like “I’d be happy to find out about that for you” instead of “I don’t know”.

Remembering that the ways in which you answer your business line represent the first impression that your business gives, it is important to not only update your outgoing message but ensure that you update your approach to your own personal greeting. We will continue to visit this topic in tomorrow’s blog. Thanks for calling!

This morning, Synergy Vice President of Marketing, John Meloche rallied the troops and offered up to his staff some of the best advice an office manager could give. Speaking to the fact that it was a Monday morning, the seemingly always-lively John shared his method of ensuring that every morning, he is energetically prepared for his day of work.

We know that no matter where you work, Monday morning isn’t exactly the easiest time of the week. After either a relaxing or party-filled weekend, most people don’t get overly excited about waking up on Monday to prepare themselves for the first day of the work week. This doesn’t apply to John, however. In addition to loving his job, John also has managed to develop a failsafe regiment that always puts him in the best physical and emotional mood.

Firstly, John shared with his team the sound of his wake-up alarm. And it’s not what you would generally expect. Instead of the often-irritating noisy alarm sound that awakes most people from their slumbers, John’s wake-up call is a single peaceful strum of a harp. We’re not kidding. And it actually wakes him up!

John’s insistence that this is the perfect sound to wake up to lies in the fact that the harmonic and graceful tone sets the mood for his entire day. He doesn’t wake up agitated or annoyed but instead, is at peace and happy about the day ahead. John is a big believer that moods – like colds – are contagious. Therefore, he does his best to ensure that he walks into the Synergy offices each morning with a smile on his face and an exuberant approach to his interactions with his employees.

This way, believes John, his mood will catch on with the rest of his team, providing a joyful atmosphere for all to work in. This, of course, fosters a more productive work day from everybody. Perhaps, it is this productivity that inspires John to get to work early each day.

Ehow.com agrees that “to overcome the Monday blues” one should plan ahead and set a goal for the very reason to get out of bed on Monday morning. When you have developed an incentive to get out of bed, it will help with the wake-up process.

It may sound cliché, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day. John insists that you make it a hot breakfast as well. This gets the body going and the blood flowing, he says. The energy derived from a good, hot breakfast is also a requirement to get you through the day.

John also loves to discuss what the members of his team did over the weekend. Think about starting your Monday morning meetings with this topic in an effort to put your staff at ease. In Ehow.com’s steps to overcoming the dreariness of a Monday morning, it also suggests sharing exciting news with your friends and co-workers to help get you get in the mood for your Monday morning.

Most important, perhaps, is the site’s advice to “embrace the day (and) remember that it is not going to last forever. If you keep a positive attitude throughout the day, it will go much faster and you won’t have to endure the Monday blues.”