If you’re calling a UTMB colleague this week and get put on hold, you’ll hear something new mixed in with the classical music that normally fills your ears. We’ve reintroduced a “voice on hold” program, where recorded messages about UTMB and its programs are mixed in with music. We originally piloted this in 2006; we recorded the first messages on my laptop with a $30 microphone and my mumbly voice. Those first messages didn’t sound so hot, but gave us enough information and experience to come back with a good plan and process. We pitched a proposal to leadership, and through a collaboration with Information Services, Marketing and our public affairs area, launched it this week. You can read more about the system (and hear the first messages) here.
I’d like to thank Erin Swearingen for taking on the management of the system, Jim McCurdy and Candy Galan for lending us their voice talents, and David Svegliato, Connie Lausen, Barry Rexford and Ivan Howard for their technical support. Take a listen and send us your ideas.