Skype with Outsourcing
Getting Scalped in the Old West
People in foreign countries may not be aware of how dangerous America used to be, particularly in the Old West. Many folks would come from back East (America’s East Coast) to make a new life out West. Many knew what the perils consisted of. There were outlaws, bank robbers, gunfighters, pick pockets, swindlers, and worse. During the 1800’s there were Native American tribes that would scalp you if they thought you were an enemy, or in some cases if they didn’t like the way you looked. Scalping is a practice where you take the skin off someone’s head as a punishment or act of revenge. That person will never be able to grow hair on the top of their head again. Getting scalped is a cruel and horrifying practice which no longer exists in America. But, now there is an equally horrifying practice going on in India. Getting Skyped.
Getting Skyped in India
I made a sales inquiry to one of those smaller companies in India using an Indian number. The prior call I made was to a larger company in Noida who had a dedicated U.S. phone number. So, I called the smaller company and got the manager. He was very accommodating and offered to call me back to save me a little money on my phone bill. I thought that was very generous of him. The next words to come out of his mouth were, “Do you have a Skype number?” I then realized what had just happened to me. I had gotten skyped.
Skyping your clients may seem more cost effective and convenient in the short run, but how effective is it on your bottom line in the long run? Skype connections are not as clear as phone connections. They also require a specific account which needs to be kept current if it is a paid account. To me, being on an unclear phoneline undermines the quality of the call. My main issue with Indian companies is that I can’t communicate with them clearly, and if you further complicate this with a bad phoneline, I won’t be able to understand them at all which could lead to costly mistakes being made on critical projects. What is even more costly is that customers will have significantly less faith in them and not hire them in the first place if they are not satisfied with the quality of their phone line and phone communication. So, as it seems that you are saving money with Skype, you might be losing 20% of your customers. How much will your net savings be then, bhai-sabh (brother)? And if that happens, your boss will have your scalp!
BPO BOSS: Yes, is this India International Phone Service?
IIPS: Yes, how can we help you.
BPO BOSS: I want to invest in a professional phone system that accommodates international calls at a reasonable cost. Do you provide that service?
IIPS: Yes, that is our specialty. I can tell you the details now. The first month includes…
BPO BOSS: Yes, I’d like to know all of the details. Can you Skype me?