Lenz Celebrates Nearly 16 Years In Decatur With Installation Of Voice Mail System

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By Michael Killeen

Lenz Graphic Designer Kali Sanders checks her voice mail box using the Avaya Partner voice mail system (inset).

Lenz, Inc., an integrated marketing company located on the downtown Decatur square, recently announced the installation and office-wide use of a turn-key voicemail system that records retrievable incoming phone messages and stores them in a centralized digital repository.

John Lenz, Lenz Vice President of Information Technology, is credited with spearheading the initiative. “My role at Lenz is stay ahead of the latest IT trends and make sure our company is at the cutting-edge of the communications field. After nearly 16 years of observing and analyzing market trends, I determined voice mail to be an aggressive, but sound investment for the company.”

Lenz uses the Partner voice mail system, made by Avaya, Lucent phones, and phone service provide by AT&T. Lenz President/CEO Richard Lenz supports the effort. “For years, we were concerned that a voice mail service would put one of our less productive employees out of a job,” he said. “But eventually, we determined the system to be additive. After all, the very employee that used to take messages is now free to do my laundry.”

For some at Lenz, however, the transition has been difficult. “Last Friday I was at an off-site meeting when my wife called to say she was stuck at the airport,” said Lenz Art Director Scott Sanders. “Unfortunately, I didn’t pick up the message until the following Tuesday. Let’s just say I’ve been designing dog houses ever since.”

Aside from the learning curve that is inherent with any breakthrough technology, most of the Lenz staff is adjusting quite nicely and enjoying enhanced quality of life. Since the system’s installation, job satisfaction is up nearly 42 percent.

For Michael Killeen, Lenz Marketing Director, the system offers more than mere practical advantages. “Growing up, I was always number 11 on my basketball team because I so admired Isiah Thomas,” he said. “Now I’m extension 11, which is equally rewarding. My voice mail truly feels like an ‘extension’ of my personality.”

According to Wikipedia, voice mail is a centralized system of managing telephone messages for a large group of people.

For more information, contact: Michael Killeen, extension 11 Jenny Paynter, extension 12 Ryan Klee, extension 13 Nathan Beaver, extension 14 Matt Tinsley, extension 15 John Lenz, extension 19 Kali Sanders, extension 20 Scott Sanders, extension 21 Alice Murray, extension 22 Richard Lenz, extension 24

—Filed under Press Releases by Michael Killeen