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Call centers are places of constant fluctuation as practices are updated to better suit customers and workers to ensure optimal performance. However, one relatively unchanging element of a call center, the furnishing, may also improve call center performance — with a few upgrades.

A recent blog post at CRMXchange.com suggests that strategic furnishings in a call center environment can actually increase communication, promoting improved operation.

Cubicle panels, for example, should be considered. Tack-able panels allow employees to place important documents, like scripts, at eye level. This has a fairly obvious benefit for work performance. Also consider, though, that employees can tack up documents on the outside of cubicles as well as reminders.

Furthermore, marker board panels are a good idea for outside of supervisor workstations as they can feature notes and goals for the day. Both of those panel types can be acquired with little cost, but offer significant benefits.

Speaking of broadcasting messages, TV monitors are another important addition to any call center as they can promote goals and contests while keeping employees informed about company bulletins, news and even office birthdays. Monitors can also broadcast meeting information, which ensures that employees all get the message simultaneously without interrupting workflow.

Lastly, Huddle Rooms are a useful addition to any call center and have been gaining popularity of late. Since call center floors are typically open spaces, it's hard for supervisors to chare a private word with employees. Huddle Rooms provide just that: a place for private discussion. Obviously, tables and chairs are an essential part of any Huddle Room.

Of course, ensuring employee comfort is of great importance in a call center environment, but this is largely in an effort to improve the comfort of customers. TMCnet recently reported that  the push toward call center efficiency can often impede the call center's ultimate goal of customer satisfaction and as such, slowing down to really understand what the customer wants can sometimes be the quickest way to improve call center operation.

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