When is comes to quality vs. cost, direction is pretty clear. Before choosing proper VoIP phone system for your business, you need to figure out exactly what your business needs. If your business relies heavily on phone for prospecting customers, providing customer support, or giving out important information through phone, then you should definitely opt for better quality.

If you use phone for short communication with your business partners or agents, or any other reason which is NOT your main business function, it would be better to save a little and go with low cost option. The difference in quality is not very apparent in most cases.

If you are just starting your small business, VoIP phone cards also provide some sort of temporary solution until you can get enough financing to develop a better system. Phone cards usually let you dial international and national long distance at a lower cost because they use either VoIP as back end provider or through a special promotion or arrangement between telecommunications companies.

Today, you can even get "virtual phone cards" which allow you to make phone calls by dialing a toll-free number in a long list of countries. This is especially useful if you spend more time travelling and doing business overseas than you are at home.

Regardless of which VoIP phone system you choose for your small business, make sure you are getting most out of money you spend for these long distance or international plans. Forget bells and whistles. The purpose of having a good phone system is, and always should be, to communicate and express yourself.

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Step 3: Achievement

The Accountability/Alignment process brings immediate results, but lasting achievement is gained through maintaining discipline fostered by process. There are several ways to ensure that Accountability/Alignment brings long term achievement.

Keep Accountability Agreements Visible

Post progress reports in prominent locations. Provide a forum for people to comment on progress.

Put Accountability Agreements Online

A company’s intranet can provide easy access to all Accountability Agreements. Or, use our Align Online tool. Visit www.alignonline.com for more information.

Model Accountability

Leaders must set an example and share Accountability Agreements widely. Also, references should be made to Accountability Agreements in reports and presentations.

Synchronize Process

Link accountability to related processes such as goal setting and performance management. Use accountability to prevent duplication of effort.

Ensure Business Results

Accountability is not about shifting blame; it embraces a process of mutual support and learning to ensure that goals are achieved. Accountability Agreements can be modified according to past lessons and to better adhere to new circumstances.

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The Accountable Workplace

The alignment process legitimizes raising difficult conversations, creates a positive context for resolving disagreements, and builds an environment of mutual support. Improving an organization can be a gamble, yet successful organizational effectiveness initiatives have proven to be invaluable relative to time invested. The Accountability/Alignment process can revitalize a workplace, focus attention on shared goals, and sustain a new way of working across an organization.