We can't take every call. We're in a meeting, driving, or just can't. Now Miládka takes those calls. She asks what it's about and sends us the message on WhatsApp straight away. We know who called and why, and we call back when we can.
It started the other way round. We wanted Miládka to call us when something in the mail couldn't wait. Then we found out you can also talk to her. You ask for details and she answers from your notes and mail. And when you allow it, she calls someone else too and agrees a time with them.
This is an add-on for advanced users. You need your own account with Twilio with a payment card and a purchased phone number, for which Twilio may ask for an ID and an address. You pay Twilio for the calls. If that's not for you, you're not missing anything: Miládka keeps writing to you on WhatsApp or in the morning brief.
What it does
- She calls you when it matters. She reads out a message in a natural voice. What matters to you so much that it can't wait for a message, you decide.
- You can talk to her. You ask for details and she answers from your notes and mail. What you want to reply she repeats back to you and sends you the draft for approval after the call.
- She sorts things out for you. On your instruction she calls someone else and agrees a time or finds something out. You confirm every such call with a click, and in it Miládka has no access to your notes or mail.
- She answers when you can't. On a server she works as a secretary: she asks the caller what it's about and lets you know.
- Call log. Every call is written down: when, to whom, what was said and how it went. A conversation with its transcript.
You set the rules
When Miládka calls you, whom she may call and what she talks to you about is up to you. No forms to fill in: Miládka asks you during setup, suggests a sensible start and changes the rules whenever you tell her.
- When she calls you on her ownWhat matters to you so much that it can't wait for a message. Or nothing, and she calls only when you ask.
- Whom she may callOnly you, or on your instruction also people you save. You confirm every such call with a click.
- When she mustn't disturb youThe program enforces quiet hours and a daily limit. Exceptions are up to you.
- What she talks to you aboutWhether she may look into your notes and mail, and how long a call may last.
- What she may arrange for youWhat to find out, what she may promise and how formal to be.
- Secretaryserver onlyWhat she asks the caller and how she passes the message on.
- How she sounds and what she recordsVoice, pace, how she introduces herself. Call log and transcripts.
Call me whenever anyone from Nováks writes.
Noted. As soon as something comes from them, I'll call you.
Don't call me at weekends, unless Monday's meeting gets cancelled.
Got it. At weekends I'll call only if Monday's meeting is cancelled.
When a client calls, find out what it's about and message me on WhatsApp right away.
Will do. I'll send you the secretary's messages on WhatsApp straight away.
What it looks like
Hi Karel, it's Miládka. Jan Novák needs the meeting date confirmed by noon tomorrow, or he loses the room booking.
When is the meeting?
One moment, let me look. Thursday at ten, at their office.
Tell him it's confirmed.
Okay. I'll send you the draft for approval after the call.
Without conversation Miládka just reads the message and hangs up. With conversation she answers within a second, and when she has to look in the mail, she tells you.
Three levels
- 1Miládka calls you
She reads the message and hangs up.
an ordinary computerhalf an hour - 2A conversation with Miládka
You ask and she answers. She also arranges things with someone else.
a public addresseasiest a server with a domain - 3Secretary
She takes the calls you don't pick up.
a server that runs all the timefor the technically minded
Start with the calls. You can add conversation any time later.
What you need and what it costs
- A Twilio account. Twilio is the service Miládka phones through. You open it yourself, in your name, with a payment card. You pay for what you use.
- The computer on, or a server. Miládka calls only while she runs: on an ordinary computer only when it is switched on, all the time on a server.
Security
Mail can't make her call. No email or message from a stranger can make her call anyone. On her own she calls only you, others only on your instruction.
- The program enforces the safeguards. Whom she may call, quiet hours, the daily limit and the length of a message. Miládka can't be talked out of them.
- Keys stay with you. They're in a file in Miládka's folder that Miládka doesn't read and that isn't backed up.
- Cancel any time. Delete the key in Twilio, or tell Miládka to disconnect the phone.