Unit 9: TELEMARKETING AND CALL CENTRES

Index:

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to telemarketing and call centres.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

The grammar of this unit includes:

Section 1: Telemarketing

Exercise 1: Selections

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

Telemarketing is a form of direct marketing in which a salesperson uses the telephone to sell products or services. The prospective customers are identified and classified by various means, including past purchase histories, previous requests for information, credit limit, entry forms for competitions or application forms. Names may also be purchased from another company's customer database, or obtained from a telephone directory or some other public list or forum. The classification process is intended to find those prospective customers most likely to purchase the product or service being sold or advertised. Charity organisations, alumni associations and political parties often use telemarketing to solicit donations. Market survey companies use telemarketing techniques to survey prospective or past customers of a client business to assess market acceptance or satisfaction with a particular product, service, brand or company. Public opinion polls are conducted in a similar manner.

Chose the correct answer.

  1. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 2: Listening

Exercise Help

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Recording:

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Choose the expression, A or B, that is closest in meaning to the expression from the text.

  1. PROSPECTIVE
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. PURCHASE
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS IS INTENDED TO FIND ....
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. TO SOLICIT
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. DONATION
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. MARKET SURVEY
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  8. OPINION POLL
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  9. TO ASSESS
    a. 
    b. 
    ?
  10. BRAND
    a. 
    b. 
    ?

Exercise 4: Transformation

Exercise Help
Explanation:

Notice this expression from the text:

... those customers most likely to purchase the product.

LIKELY means 'probable'. For example we can say: 'That is not very probable' or 'That is not very likely'.

We can also say: 'It is probable that John will come' or 'It is likely that John will come'.

But these two sentences are not very 'natural' or 'idiomatic'. It is more probable (or likely) that we would say:

'John is likely to come'.

Another example: 'It is more probable (likely) that we would say...' becomes 'We would be more likely (or: likelier) to say...'.

'likely' can be used in this special way, but not 'probable'. We can say 'John is likely to come' but NOT 'John is probable to come'. You can of course say 'John is not likely to come' but you can also use the opposite of LIKELY which is UNLIKELY. For example: 'John is unlikely to come'.

SURE TO and CERTAIN TO can also be used in a similar way.

We can say: 'I am sure (or: certain) that John will come' or 'John is sure (or: certain) to come'. The second sentence is more idiomatic.

LIABLE TO and BOUND TO are only used in the second (idiomatic) way).

LIABLE is similar to LIKELY, but refers especially to something unpleasant, dangerous or generally negative.

For example: 'John is liable to be late' means 'John is likely to be late' but being late is something negative.

Another example: 'Don't climb up that tree! You're liable to fall.'

BOUND TO is similar to SURE TO or CERTAIN TO, but stronger.

'John is bound to come' means that it is absolutely certain that he will come. He will definitely come.

In this exercise, fill in the gap in sentence B so that it means the same as sentence A:

  1. A. The Chinese economy will probably continue growing.
    B. The Chinese economy is to continue growing. ?
  2. A. That flight is always delayed. It probably won't be on time today.
    B. That flight is never on time. It is to be on time today. ?
  3. A. Ask Peter. I'm sure he'll be able to help you.
    B. Ask Peter. He's to be able to help you. ?
  4. A. If we don't improve our service we may lose a lot of customers.
    B. If we don't improve our service we are to lose a lot of customers. ?
  5. A. She's a brilliant student. I'm absolutely certain she'll pass the exam.
    B. She's a brilliant student. She's to pass the exam. ?

Exercise 5: True/False Statements

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

Telemarketing is often criticised as being an unethical business practice as some companies make unsolicited calls and often engage in high-pressure sales techniques. Such practices may be subject to regulatory or legislative controls related to consumer privacy and protection. There are several methods that people use to avoid telemarketing calls. Some parts of the world have implemented "Do Not Call" listings in which consumers can indicate that they do not wish to be called by telemarketers. Using caller identification or a privacy manager can allow the targeted subscriber to identify the caller before the call is answered and make the decision not to answer. Answering machines and voicemail can also be used to screen calls, as telemarketers generally do not leave messages. The simplest solution is to ask to be added to the "Do Not Call" list and hang up.

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

  1. An unsolicited call is a call you didn't ask for.


    ?
  2. Telemarketing always uses high-pressure sales techniques.


    ?
  3. There are no regulations to protect consumers.


    ?
  4. Some people use an answering machine to find out who is calling before they answer.


    ?
  5. If you don't want to talk to a telemarketer perhaps you should just hang up.


    ?
  6. Telemarketers who receive no answer are unlikely to ring back.


    ?

Exercise 6: Exposed Cloze

Exercise Help

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

  1. Some people say that telemarketing is unscrupulous and . ?
  2. People who in regular physical exercise are less likely to have a heart attack. ?
  3. Our offer is to certain conditions. ?
  4. We'll have to do it. It's something we can't . ?
  5. The management has decided to a new marketing policy. ?
  6. Our new perfume will young women between 18 and 25. ?
  7. Security companies their employees very carefully. ?
  8. I wasn't interested in what they were selling so I decided to . ?

Exercise 7: Listening

Exercise Help

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Recording:

Exercise 8: Cloze

Exercise Help

Insert the definite article THE where it is necessary or "-" (minus sign), where it is not.

  1. Most people don't like telemarketing calls. ?
  2. Some governments have implemented controls related to consumer protection. ?
  3. Telemarketing is used more in some parts of world than others. ?
  4. By using a 'Do Not Call' list, consumers can indicate that they do not wish to be called. ?
  5. Caller identification allows you to identify caller before you answer. ?
  6. You can also use an answering machine to screen calls. ?
  7. Perhaps simplest solution is to hang up. ?

Exercise 9: Selections

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

Job Advertisement - Telesales Executive - Excellent Opportunity

In this post you have the first contact with our prospective customers. The first impression you give will set the tone for the rest of their communications with our company. You will take customer details, provide information and recommend our products to the customer. You will be responsible for answering incoming telephone requests and placing outgoing calls both proactively and in follow-up to support the company's marketing and sales strategies. Your function will be to:

Chose the correct answer.

  1. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  7. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  8. a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Section 2: Call Centres

Exercise 1: Exposed Cloze

Exercise Help

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

A call centre is an office where a company's ? calls are received, or ? calls are made, allowing the company to centralize customer service, sales and support functions. Depending on the ? of the call centre, a single office could have anywhere from a few dozen to ? of telephone staff. Some call centres ? on answering inbound calls, such as a bank that gives customers who need assistance a toll-free number, i.e. the call is free for the customer. Other call centres focus on outbound calls, such as market ? or telemarketing companies. In that case, representatives make outbound calls to ask people to answer survey questions over the phone, or to sell ? or services.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

Call centres provide a number of advantages. By centralizing telephone-based service and support in one location, companies can easily adjust staffing to match call volume. Call centres can be located almost anywhere, allowing companies to take advantage of time zones and cheaper labour rates in different regions or countries. Call centres also centralize the technology needs of companies, allowing major telecommunications setups to be installed in a small handful of large call centres instead of a number of small offices, making it easier to perform upgrades and training. As call centre equipment and staff can be expensive, many companies outsource their telephone functions to an external call centre. In this case, external call centre staff are trained to answer phone calls from a number of different companies.

Chose the correct answer.

  1. Which of the following is not mentioned as an advantage of call centres:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Outsourcing means that a company:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Which is correct?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 3: Listening

Exercise Help

Now listen to the recording of the text of the previous exercise:

Recording:

Exercise 4: True/False Statements

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

Is your call centre able to handle all your inbound calls? Outsourcing is the solution. It offers greater flexibility and cost savings. At Bizkall we can offer you customer contact 24/7. We ensure that all enquiries are handled by trained, intelligent specialists. This frees you to concentrate on your core business. Our inbound Call Centre Services include:

In which of the following cases would you consider outsourcing to Bizkall?

  1. You advertise, on television, an apparatus that gives people a perfect body in just two weeks.


    ?
  2. You send furniture catalogues to people by post.


    ?
  3. You want to eliminate poverty in Africa and want people to give money to your charity.


    ?
  4. You sell language courses in Spain through advertisements in newspapers and magazines.


    ?
  5. You make a new type of pen that records everything you write. It is sold by selected office equipment shops and bookshops all over the country and you advertise it on the radio.


    ?
  6. You have a webpage describing an electronic device that you manufacture for training dogs, but you don’t want to get involved in sales and solving people’s problems.


    ?

Exercise 5: Listening

Exercise Help

Now listen and repeat in the spaces provided:

Recording:

Exercise 6: Exposed Cloze

Exercise Help

Use the correct word or expression from the list below to fill in the gaps in the sentences.

Yes, we also make an electronic dog-training device, but our ? business is TV remote controls. Our secretary isn’t able to ? all the phone calls we’ve been receiving. They’ve got call centres in different time zones, so they can offer a round-the-clock ? service. You can ? our number in Yellow Pages.

The Bizkall Call Centre will ? you to concentrate on Research and Development.

Exercise 7: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Choose the correct article (A - AN - THE) to fill in the gaps in the following sentences. If you think no article is needed, choose 'NOTHING'.

  1. Call centre technology evolves constantly, helping ____ staff to assist customers more efficiently.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Inbound call centres often use ____ automatic call distribution.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. ACD or automatic call distribution routes ____ incoming call to an agent that is free.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Automatic Dialling automates outgoing calls and may have various levels of ____ sophistication.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. With Interactive Voice Response ____ inbound call is answered by a recording.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. An IVR recording asks ____ customer to press buttons on the keypad in response to a menu of options.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  7. Intelligent routing is a system that identifies calls and routes them to ____ most appropriate agent.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  8. For example ____ calls from France would be routed to a French-speaking agent.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  9. Top and Tail recordings are ____ pre-recorded greetings and goodbyes that sound fresh all day.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  10. Call monitoring is used by quality assurance staff to ensure that ____ customer’s needs are met.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 8: Multiple Choice Questions

Exercise Help

Read the following text:

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Bizkall Call Centre requires Multi-Lingual Speakers. German – Italian – Dutch. €23,000.

The position involves dealing with customers, handling their queries and resolving them quickly to ensure customer satisfaction. Preferably the successful candidate will be highly customer service oriented and have some experience working in an office environment.

Good communication, problem solving, organisation and computer skills are required. Fluent English and one of the above European languages are essential. Generous remuneration and a fantastic opportunity to progress in a world leader in its sector are guaranteed.

Please contact David or Elena now for immediate interview on 559 1511 or email your CV to us.

Chose the correct answer.

  1. The salary indicated (€23,000) is probably:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. If you want to apply for this post you must be able to speak:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. What is not mentioned in the advertisement?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?