Saturday, June 16, 2007

Work At Home Outbound Calling and Paid Training

It is always refreshing to find a company where home workers are employees. It seems this concept is beginning to catch on, however slowly. It is a very welcome trend to see companies also employ applicants to work from home, that were not first their own in-house employees, instead of only as independent contractors.

If you think you will save “all kinds of cash” by working from home, the realization that there are still big tradeoffs hits home when adding up the employee’s list of responsibilities for at-home work versus outside employment, and whether or not there are real company paid benefits in addition to the pay structure.

Fortunately, many legitimate companies will give you some upfront information pertaining to the list of equipment and other requirements needed to provide work for them (whether as an employee or independent contractor). It is your job to do the financial costs and personal benefits calculations to measure the real value and make informed decisions. Never quit your regular job before you totally understand everything involved.

The ability to hire the most capable home workers from countrywide or multi-state pools of applicants provides companies many unique advantages. These advantages are not only very financially beneficial, but also gives them the ability to discern and choose only those workers who will reliably and competently perform assigned tasks according to high standards.

It is becoming standard procedure now for many companies to not only require various testing procedures, but also background and credit checks as part of the hiring process to determine suitability for the job. It does not matter whether the applicant is a potential hire for in-house, independent contractor status, or will be working at home. The need to sign a contract is also becoming a norm.

Companies that handle outbound calling work to their client’s customers will not be a perfect situation for everyone. Training programs help both the company and the prospective home worker make correct choices.

Customer Loyalty Concepts is one such company that claims it hires Caller Employees to perform outbound calling services for their clients (you work at home), and are currently hiring in 26 states. Training time will be paid (if you become one of their Caller Employees and work for them). According to information on their website, they are offering paid hourly rates starting at $8 and go to $10 and $12 per hour.

Information provided to prospective employees is under the Employment link on the top of the page. Another link there is about Training. Take time to read carefully these links and the rest of the information provided on the website to begin familiarizing yourself with this company. (Note: Appearing in the content of Frequently Asked Questions under the Training link, the word “bonus” appears with further information, so additional earnings look possible.)

If you have previous experience with call center work, perhaps some of the information on the training link will be familiar to you. If you find you have an interest, this company (based on their website) looks promising to the right candidates. Always search and obtain more information regarding this or any other company you find promising as standard procedure before application is made. Here is their website: Customer Loyalty Concepts

Monday, June 11, 2007

Is Outsourcing To Offshore Really Changing?

I bring this up because as an incorrigible net surfer I have noticed what seem to be some trends toward jobs returning back to Americans who can do it better.

Many American jobs have consistently been sent away from our country so that corporations could utilize cheap labor and reap much larger profits. It left many here on our own soil unemployed and scrambling to find totally different jobs, often necessitating expensive re-education and the need to move to obtain employment. It has led to a lot of changes for many.

However, it has not been a comfortable ride for those of us who call for product assistance and find it a very frustrating experience to deal with a call center where their personnel cannot speak clearly enough or actually understand our language and needs.

It is very worrisome to know that unknown companies thousands of miles away could have access to personal information such as account numbers or social security numbers, personal tax information and so on. I am very displeased with this system. I have often wondered if this has any connection with the current problems of identity theft and other problems here.

It cannot be said that it is totally wrong to outsource some things (and exactly what they are will certainly be much clearer in the future as we all learn from this). Many nations are poor and in great need of work to lift themselves out of grinding poverty and human misery. It just needs to be done the right way on all sides so that it actually benefits everyone it impacts in a positive manner.

It seems that some shakeout has begun. I am noticing that the net has a great many companies that contract with American workers to work at home as call center operators. However, many have onerous requirements, such as you must incorporate yourself as a business and you are an independent contractor. (Remember, independent contractors can be personally sued, have to pay all the social security and taxes on their earnings and provide and maintain all their own equipment as well.)

Not all companies are alike in what they require and offer in return. While all companies attempt to pick the best and most educated, some even charge you for training. It is not unusual to start below the bottom rung of the ladder regarding pay (one website stated you would be guaranteed only a paid minimum of 4 calls per work hour contracted at a minimum of $1.40 per call – that is mighty slim pickins.) However, various companies often have programs you can follow for bonus pay and ways to increase calls assigned to you that will enhance your earnings per hour and they might not be the wrong choice.

There were no teleservices-type companies found on the net (and there is certainly more than the ones of which I have surfed their websites) that pay for your computer, virus/firewall software or telephone equipment. This is expected of independent contractors.

I did find two companies that note they hire employees to work at home to do call center work. Neither of them provides the equipment necessary. That is your obligation (as well as a totally quiet place to work).

Alpine Access defines a typical rate as about $9.00 per hour and offers voluntary benefits leveraging the buying power of a large number of employees, and a matching 401K plan for “qualified employees”, but does not define what that means. The FAQs section is not comprehensive, but can give you some general information and training is paid. Alpine seems to be expanding its business into more states, so that might mean you could find employment with this company. Click on their Careers link at the top of the website.

InfoCision was another interesting teleservices site that not only hires employees to be work at home communicators, they offer actual and attractive benefits. Once you get to their website, click on the Careers link and read their information. You have to provide your own equipment, do not need prior experience and note that they provide extensive on-site training and coaching via the internet.

If you have an interest, take time to familiarize yourself with these companies by reading the links on their websites. InfoCision also notes it does religious fundraising work as well as it has other inbound and/or outbound call divisions.

The companies noted above certainly seem to be taking steps in the right direction. Not everyone is able to be an independent contractor or work without needing benefits. Research the companies with other sources before you apply so you can proceed with more information.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Gonna Knock On Your Door, Keep Ringing The Bell And Ask You Very Personal Questions Too.......

Are you annoyed? What would be your reaction to someone you do not know who comes to your door and asks you very personal questions if they offer you a chance at a drawing for some prize or promise you $0.50, $3.00, $10.00 or more, or just a chance that your opinion can make a difference?

If you are told you could earn a lot of money by revealing your personal information, would that make a difference? Does it matter if it is someone at your door or a website you found on the net? Is there a difference here?

Again, what would be your reaction when you find out you need to “complete offers” to get this cash? (And then you learn you do not actually get the money unless you complete enough offers to reach a certain monetary limit?)

More than likely no one will actually come to your front door, but you have probably seen a massive amount of enticing “information” on the net that financial rewards from taking surveys are so great that you can quit your regular job. Some websites are set up for just this purpose and for around $40 and up, you can gain access to various companies who want survey takers. (Note that this information can mostly easily be found on the net without a lot of trouble, there are a lot of search results if you look.)

Opinion survey companies have been around for many years. Information was requested by telephone or regular mail. (There are still legitimate, well-known companies who do this and you might earn something, but it will not be a lot or often.)

The popularity of the internet and ease with which people can volunteer and sign up to take surveys has opened an entire field of new marketing strategies. These new ways market products to customers who might never purchase certain items or services without it.

Some companies on the intranet offer enticing cash rewards to take surveys that require participants to “complete offers” from a listing provided. Some offers are often for higher priced items on which you are required to pay shipping to begin a trial period (you pay the price of the product if you keep it). If you decide you do not want to keep the product or service (and many offers involve a continuing relationship), you can also have to pay to ship it back.

You will then start receiving a lot of email (a tremendous amount on a constant basis), and you will need to read it all so that you have a name and password (or account number and other information) set up for each specific company whose offer you complete, and especially if you do not wish to continue the relationship.

There can be a lot of specific instructions including special code numbers that will need to be placed on packages when returning them, and you probably will not have that without going through their very specific processes. (Imagine you sign up and complete 20 offers or more you realize you do not really want?)

A calendar of dates (with all specific information) will need to be created so you know exactly what you need to do on time. (This is especially important if you decide you do not want to keep the item (or service) and then have to pay the full price for it when the trial period ends or your credit card will be charged.)

The whole process just does not seem to be worth the effort as a way to earn from home. It looks like substantially more money (and a lot of effort) will be required of the customer (survey taker) over the long term than can be earned by completing the offers for cash or maybe a prize reward.

If you would not answer personal questions from a stranger at your door, is the intranet any different?

Transcription Company That Welcomes Independents And Homeworkers

TruTranscripts, a division of RIM, Inc., 9 East 37th Street – 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016 notes on their website that they are a national transcription company that specializes in time code, media, financial and pharmaceutical/medical transcription work.

To find career information, it was necessary to search the site map, which was located at the bottom right of the web page. Transcription Careers was a link choice with very little information other than noting they also welcome independent and home transcribers. Particularly, there isn’t any information whether or not you need to live close to their office; quite possibly, you do not. A PDF application form is provided together with the fax number to send it to them.

A left-hand sidebar scrolls with a list of companies that are their clients so that you can see some well-known names among them.

If I was looking to apply, (and this criteria would be the same at any transcription service), I would want to make certain that none of the transcription work involved matters that I would personally find objectionable.

If you decide to fill out the application to fax to them, make certain that you also include a professional looking cover letter. That can help set you apart from your competition. Note also that one of the questions on the application is “earnings per hour expected”. Give that some very careful thought and thorough research before answering; you don’t want to price your services too low or inordinately high if you know you are a good match for the work.

http://www.trutranscripts.com/transcription-jobs.htm

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Can We Get One Less Hoop To Jump Through?

I do not claim to possess any tech abilities when it comes to computers or have any major understanding of the intricacies of how they work. That does not preclude my understanding that there are processes that are not being done that could be, and what I want handled differently.

When a rebate on merchandise is offered to customers, why are customers put through so much hassle to request it, and then still have to wait for a check to arrive, assuming that all requirements have been properly accomplished.

When applying for a rebate it not only requires filling out forms, finding and attaching information, making a photocopy for yourself, paying for postage, and making sure it is mailed on time, you still have to stop at the bank to cash the check when it comes – assuming there weren’t any glitches that negates the rebate. The whole process really seems to be a hassle that surely isn’t necessary.

At most stores I have been to when purchasing various merchandise, a scanner reads a bar code so that the purchase and the price is identified as well as the method of payment and other specific information. Pay by credit or debit card and the store immediately knows if your card will suffice for the purchase. If you check your accounts on line, the purchase normally appears either the same day or very soon thereafter.

Is there any reason why with all the identifying information collected that a rebate cannot automatically be generated? If a rebate is offered on a product purchased, whichever company offers it, should see to it that it is paid without the current hassle required to request it. There’s a lot of potential for a customer to lose a sales slip or just forget about it until it’s too late to try to collect.

Personally, I would like to see rebates generated and given directly at point of sale. With today’s computer technology, it certainly cannot be impossible. Our lives are complicated enough and one less hoop to jump through welcome.

I leave it up to you to think about this, make a request of the store manager or get appropriate information to call and make the request of the manufacturer/offer provider for a simpler method.

When In San Antonio, Texas, Eat Dinner Under An Umbrella

Have you ever noticed that when you decide to go somewhere, a neighbor, friend or coworker makes an independent decision to also go the same place? Here's the picture taken by a friend.



San Antonio Riverwalk was a lovely place (and there's shade there!) to browse around and get some dinner. Many large birds thought it was a great place as well -- so when you decide to eat, find a table with an umbrella or there might be an "oh nooooooooo" that suddenly drops onto your plate....just ask my husband! Picture below was taken by my son.