One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of a business is being able to plan for growth. There are so many things to consider and to plan ahead, including staffing, office space decisions, and capital investments. If you don’t tackle these in advance and only decide to cross the bridge when you come to it, business growth may prove to be slow and painful.

During the early days of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, skeptics and detractors criticized the technology for its poor audio or voice quality. And given that the early infrastructure at the time wasn’t fully developed yet, early systems were indeed a bit rocky and as a result, calls frequently had dropouts. Today, however, the VoIP technology has vastly improved, and the days long ago when using VoIP sounded like walkie-talkies are long gone. Now users can easily enjoy crystal-clear VoIP calls without a hitch!

Office receptionists have always played a crucial role in organizations. They are the face and voice of a company because they are the first person clients and customers interact with on the phone. Receptionists also take care of the barrage of incoming phone calls, which helps managers and employees focus on more important tasks.

In order to get things done and to be productive at work (whether in the office or working from home), you need to focus and minimize distractions. But with busy phones, loud conversations, the internet, and all other possible distractions that scream for your attention, staying focused can be close to impossible.

Visit any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider site and you’ll likely be offered two options: business VoIP and residential VoIP.

For many, choosing between the two is a no-brainer. If you run a company or small business, you should obviously choose a business VoIP plan. If you’re after a more cost-effective home phone service, then a residential VoIP plan is your best bet.

As with any internet technology and application, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is not exempt from various security threats and risks. VoIP is open to the same digital threats that other communication methods (such as email) are prone to. But just because security threats exist doesn’t mean VoIP phone systems are dangerous to use, or that businesses are better off using traditional landlines. In fact, there are a number of preventative methods you can take to ensure that you have a safe and secure VoIP system.

Running a business from home (or even telecommuting a few days each month) is a dream for many. Aside from saving time and money on long commutes, telecommuting also lets business owners and employees work flexible hours (which, in turn, contributes to better work-life balance). But in order to achieve productivity while working from home, one of the first things you need to do is set up a reliable and well-equipped home office.

Toll-free numbers have long been the mark of legitimacy and professionalism for many businesses. Having a toll-free number lends credibility to a company and enhances their brand’s image. It also gives callers a free, quick, and convenient way to connect to a business regardless of location. But with all the communication options available today (such as instant messaging and emails), business owners might ask whether a toll-free number is still worth the expense. So should you get your business a toll-free number?

Starting and running a home-based business isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires discipline and determination to set goals and to work towards achieving them.

But aside from these, entrepreneurs also need to equip themselves with the right tools to ensure efficiency and success in business. And an essential part of any home business setup is a professional phone system.

In business--just as in our everyday lives--first impressions are everything. It doesn’t matter whether you run a small business or manage a large multinational company: how you present yourself to customers when they encounter you for the first time can affect your chances of closing or losing a deal.

There’s a lot of advice on how companies can make a great first impression, and one the most effective (yet often overlooked) ways is to customize a business phone system’s auto attendant.