Your clients more than an unknown number, and branded calling helps them deliver calls made to answer.
In a world where calls from unknown phone numbers often go unanswered, billions of missed connections create a daunting challenge for businesses eager to reach new and existing customers. Fortunately, a solution now exists. Through Branded Calling, First Orion empowers businesses to proudly display their name and purpose when calling mobile devices, assuring consumers that it’s a call worth picking up.
Today, we feature an illuminating conversation with Mike Coleman, the senior vice president of Enterprise Sales and Channel Chief at First Orion. We examine the various ways in which First Orion is reshaping the calling experience, and we discuss why the time is right for your customers and prospects to reimagine how they can connect with their customers in a modern world.
Q: What is First Orion’s mission?
A: We’ve all done it. I’m even guilty. “Unknown Caller” or the dreaded “Potential Spam” calls get sent straight to voicemail. Each year, billions of calls go unanswered because people ignore unknown phone numbers. For businesses trying to reach their customers, that’s a problem — but branded calling is the solution. First Orion enables businesses to display their name and reason for calling on mobile devices, ensuring consumers know it’s safe to answer.
Q: What does your company do best? What is your superpower?
A: Initially founded in 2008 to fight landline phone scams, First Orion is the original and most experienced branded calling provider in the market (and an Inc. 5000 company as of 2022). Our data-driven approach and advanced analytics help us create future-forward solutions. But it’s more than just our longevity and expertise — we take a hands-on approach and show businesses why their calls aren’t working and how they can improve them with Branded Communications.
Q: What business challenges does your company solve for users?
A: When consumers don’t know who’s calling, they’re less likely to answer, even if they’re expecting a call. Branded Calling gives transparency to the phone call and helps businesses get more answers. But it’s more than just increased answer rates — our clients have seen increased engagement rates, conversions, and sales. Contact center agents improve efficiency, closing more deals and completing more opportunities. Customers answer ready to do business and view companies that brand their calls as more trustworthy and legitimate. Clients could see an astounding 498 percent ROI after implementing Branded Calling. This new solution protects customers, strengthens brand reputation, and helps businesses close more deals or save money, ultimately improving their bottom line.
Q: Who is your ideal customer? What type of business/organization would make a good fit?
A: Any business that makes outbound calls.
Q: Who is the best “persona” to target at these companies, the key decision maker, and why do they need your solution?
A: Target personas fall into three categories: Those concerned with security, those involved with branding, and those focused on the customer experience. For those looking to create a more transparent and secure experience, the CTO or CSO. For companies interested in protecting brand reputation and increasing name recognition or brand trust, the CMO. And for those who want to create exceptional customer experiences and build customer loyalty, the CXO. There are also instances where a head of a contact center looking to optimize agent efficiency and time may be an appropriate target.
Q: What industry/vertical represents the hottest opportunity for a sale at the moment and why?
A: Insurance: Whether following up on a form-to-call or saving a policy from lapsed coverage, branded calling makes that connection. Clients in this industry have seen a 30 percent increase in policies sold. In customers ranked the phone as their number one communication preference for industries dealing with sensitive information, like Financial Services. Our clients in this industry have seen a 90 percent boost in engagement rates. And in Retail the key to repeat business is extraordinary customer experience. Retailers have seen a 41 percent boost in first contact rate.
Q: What’s the best way for our sales partners to engage with you through Intelisys?
A: Start here—Check out this story on how branded calling with First Orion delivered “phenomenal” results, getting urgently needed blood donations on the shelf just days after a tragedy. More videos and details about how to connect with us can be found on our MyIntelisys page.
