Newbee needs advice!

Hi folks, great site, just what I needed.
I have recently put a business plan forward to a few banks/backers about an outsourcing service for a specific industry that I have worked in for many years.

The finance guys liked the figures enough, but said that my lack of knowledge about call centres meant that some of the start up costs and continued running costs were hazy.

So, I need help on various matters and am hoping that some of you experienced folks will guide me.

I know I need a consultation with a call centre equipment supplier and need to chat with folks who have been in the game.

I am based in Darlington, as will my head office. First year estimates show I would need 1 staff at start growing to 20 by year end, but if the field sales staff sign up their 10 businesses a month, to 6 months contracts, with a renewal rate of 25%, then by year two, I guesstimate I will need 20 staff at year start to 170 by year end.

Help!

Thanks

I would suggest you need the skills of a contact centre consultant to facilitate a full set up and continued training and support over the first year period. This will ensure proper processes and procedures are in place and make your staff in take much easier. It will also ensure you've got the most suitable equipment for your needs.

Best of Luck!

L

Jay,
I can help from a consultancy perspective and would be particularly interested to find out more about the business from a NED point of view. I dont want to contravene any advertising rules on here so have set up an address that means that neither myself nor my business are advertised; please drop me a line at ccned@hotmail.co.uk .
CC

What a great opportunity and good luck and well done for getting this going. I'vbe worked in the industry for 20 years now and still haven't jumped out on my own; but I have set up quite a few contact centres for clients and for myself when I decided to go client side a few years ago. I actually have a call centre set-up spreadsheet and would be happy to share if you're interested. If might go a little to far for what you need, but might give you what you want.

I would also agreed with hosting and have infact done this, but for 450 FTEs, and 10 years later its all still there, but I've moved on. Hosting gives you the flexibility to start small and grown as you need top, you also get a fixed known cost for your monthly outgoing and I would work on approx £400-£500 per desk; this is a desk, chair, computer and access to other general facilities within the building. I used a company called Portal, but they might be a bit big for you at the moment and also I'm not sure they have anything in Darlington.

Why not try and get local office space as this is currently the lowest its ever been and also do a deal with an office furniture company and tech company to pay them over time, and at no extra interest rates. Business is hard at the moment for these companies aswell and lots will be willing to do a deal.

Hope I haven't waffled on to much and hope I've helped.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, I may very well take you up on that.

I have the ability to purchase 10 pcs, phones and table and chairs and I have the office space sorted etc.

But hosting I am still waiting on quotes, a couple of calls but nothing after that, so I will search on.

I will be in touch as I move forward.

Many thanks

Jay