Terms

Call Disposition

A call disposition is a label or tag used to categorize the outcome of an inbound or outbound call. After a call ends, an agent selects a code—like "deal closed" or "requires follow-up"—to log the result. This standardized data helps teams track performance, identify trends, and streamline their workflows without extensive manual notes.

Importance of Call Disposition

Call dispositions are vital for contact center efficiency. They save agents time by replacing manual notes with quick, standardized labels for every call outcome. This process reduces human error, ensuring the data collected is accurate and consistent for analysis.

This reliable data gives managers clear visibility into team performance. By analyzing trends, leaders can identify coaching opportunities, optimize sales processes, and refine overall strategy. These insights are crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction and driving better business results.

Common Call Disposition Codes

While call disposition codes can be customized for specific business needs, several common labels are used across industries. These codes help categorize call outcomes for sales, support, and logistical tracking. They provide a quick snapshot of what happened on each call, from successful sales to unreachable contacts.

  • Sale: The call resulted in a closed deal, booked demo, or scheduled appointment.
  • Follow-up: The lead requires more information or a callback at a later time.
  • Not interested: The prospect has explicitly stated they are not interested in the product or service.
  • Unreachable: The call could not be completed due to a busy signal, incorrect number, or no answer.

Call Disposition vs. Call Outcome

While often used interchangeably, call disposition and call outcome refer to different aspects of logging call results.

  • Disposition: This is the formal process of labeling a call with a predefined tag. It standardizes data for detailed analytics and improves agent efficiency, which is ideal for enterprises and scaling mid-market companies needing systematic reporting and compliance. However, it requires proper training to avoid inconsistent data entry.
  • Outcome: This refers to the actual result of the call, which is the data point itself. It provides a clear, high-level record for follow-ups and KPI tracking. The focus is on the data for triggering automated workflows, though it can lack detail without a structured disposition system.

Best Practices for Call Disposition

To get the most out of call dispositions, it's essential to follow a set of best practices. These guidelines ensure your data is accurate, consistent, and actionable, turning simple call logs into powerful business intelligence.

  • Standardize: Use a consistent set of customized codes tailored to your business needs.
  • Automate: Integrate with your CRM to trigger follow-up actions and streamline workflows.
  • Train: Ensure agents understand code definitions for consistent and accurate logging.
  • Analyze: Regularly review data to identify trends, coach teams, and optimize campaigns.
  • Log: Require agents to record outcomes immediately after each call to maintain data accuracy.

Impact of Call Disposition on Customer Service

Call dispositions directly enhance customer service by streamlining agent workflows and providing actionable insights.

  • Efficiency: Reduces administrative tasks, allowing agents more time to focus on customer needs.
  • Personalization: Enables tailored follow-ups and helps avoid unwanted contact, improving the customer experience.
  • Quality: Provides data for targeted coaching and process improvements, leading to better service.

Frequently Asked Questions about Call Disposition

How many disposition codes should we use?

Aim for 10-15 codes. Too few won't provide enough detail, while too many can confuse agents and lead to inconsistent data. Focus on distinct, actionable outcomes that align with your specific business goals and can trigger automated workflows in your CRM.

Can call dispositions be automated?

Yes, many modern dialers and CRMs can automate dispositions. AI can analyze call transcripts to suggest or even auto-apply the correct code, saving agents time, improving data accuracy by reducing manual entry errors, and ensuring consistency across the team.

What's the difference between a disposition and a tag?

A disposition is a required, structured label for a call's primary outcome, often tied to specific workflows. A tag is typically more flexible and optional, used for adding secondary context or notes that aren't part of the main outcome classification.

Other terms

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