Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “answer the phone with the same questions (hours, stock, bookings)”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

30 min
typically, every day
55%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

Software feature

Let an AI phone answerer handle the routine calls

AI phone answerers for restaurants, stores and hotels answer hours, directions, bookings and simple questions, and pass the rest to staff. Staff stop leaving customers in front of them to pick up the phone.

Typically saves about 45% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Write down the 10 questions callers ask most and your answers.
  2. 2Trial an AI phone answerer that fits your business (Slang.ai, Loman or your booking system's AI host for restaurants; your hotel's AI voice agent; Goodcall or similar for stores).
  3. 3Connect it to your booking system and set when to transfer to a person.
  4. 4Listen to a sample of calls weekly and fix wrong answers.

Tools: Slang.ai · Loman · OpenTable or SevenRooms · Goodcall

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you tried an AI phone answerer for the routine calls?
An AI answers questions like opening hours or bookings and passes harder calls to staff, so nobody has to leave a customer to pick up the phone.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Retail associateRestaurant / kitchen managerHotel front desk / guest services

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Take the free check Scan my team, $49

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Retail associates