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5 Reasons Your Small Business Needs a Secretary

Tina Samuels

November 04, 2013

Small businesses frequently look for ways to cut costs in order to maximize revenue. There are many ways to do this, including reducing the number of positions within the business.

However, if you decide to cut some positions from your small business, make sure that you retain your secretary.

Sometimes a secretary's job is cut to make room for another position or to reduce costs. This can be a big mistake, as secretaries do much more for smaller businesses than people think.

Let's take a look at why a secretary's job is so important for small businesses.

The Job Responsibilities

When you think of a secretary's job responsibilities you probably envision someone at a desk, taking calls and organizing files.

This is a simplistic view however; as it is critical to understand that a secretary is often the first person your customer's come into contact with. First impressions are incredibly important for small businesses.

When customers or clients call you need to have an intelligent, friendly and articulate secretary. The way this person represents him or herself goes a long way in establishing great relationships with customers. A secretary is often the first link between your business and a new clientele.

Consider this fact before you decide to cut your secretary position from your small business.

More Organization

Organization is a critical aspect of a successful business, and a good secretary is on the front line of organizational responsibilities.

Secretaries are often responsible for scheduling appointments or sales calls. These appointments and calls can become confusing for business owners to manage by themselves.

There are just too many other responsibilities to cover. Your secretary can handle scheduling and can help you to manage your valuable time more wisely. This prevents customers from becoming angry for a perceived lack of organization and professionalism.

Reliable Information

A secretary also provides critical information for new clients or customers. The importance of this fact cannot be overstated.

When a customer calls with a question about a product or service, your secretary is the first person they come into contact with.

A reliable secretary does what it takes to provide the necessary information to customers on a consistent basis. They transfer calls to the correct department in order to serve a customer's needs.

If you have ever been frustrated by repeatedly being transferred to other associates when you call to inquire about products, then you understand why it is important to have a secretary.

Secretaries often work overtime to help a small business grow.

They put in as much effort and work time as other employees. It can be a tough job, and its importance should never be overlooked.

If you choose to cut your secretary position from your business, chances are that organization begins to diminish. High volumes of sales calls will be missed, causing small business owners to look at other positions to cut to improve revenue.

Carefully evaluate the role your secretary plays within your small business before jumping to the conclusion that his or her job is an expendable one.

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