Background noise at a bargain price [BT broadband office]

Background noise at a bargain price

Posted 15 June 2007 at 8:47AM by Simon Dickson in Email and communications

If you think your home-based business suffers from a lack of credibility, a San Francisco-based marketing executive has thought of the solution. 'Thriving Office' is a CD of office background noise - 'the sounds people expect to hear from an established company' - for you to play whilst you're making business calls.

It contains two 39-minute audio tracks: 'busy' and 'very busy', promising 'the sounds of voices, phones, computers, drawers and more'. The product's website makes great play of its simplicity: 'just press "play" and it starts working instantly... no training or special hardware/software required.' But then again, it's just an audio CD - how difficult can it be?!

I'm not personally convinced of its business value - is there really such a stigma attached to small-scale, home-based operations? - but the website lists an impressive number of endorsements from some big, big names, and it claims to be in use by 'thousands of people in home businesses and at huge well known corporations'. Although I haven't been able to find a UK stockist for the CD itself, you can buy MP3 versions for $5.95 - a fraction over three quid. One to bear in mind for a comedy Christmas present, perhaps.

Tags: background noise, mp3, thriving office

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Comments

1. At June 15, 2007 2:56 PM, Jonathan wrote:

Why I can see a point with this is still pretty pointless isn't it?

2. At June 15, 2007 7:52 PM, Chris Davis wrote:

I don't know, it may have its uses. When a client calls, put the CD on at full volume, that way it will drown out the kids, hoovering, and other tell-tale domestic giveaways!

3. At June 16, 2007 5:27 PM, J G Dawson wrote:

What a stupid idea - bound to give the impression of a call centre and an instant put-down...

4. At June 17, 2007 11:10 PM, Martin wrote:

It look pretty good. but a PABS with prerecorded soundtract and business messages would do better. Though may cost more. In any case, it's not a bad idea at all.

5. At June 20, 2007 4:04 PM, Pete wrote:

My kids recorded a "prestige" version some 20 years ago. Lots of calls from The President and captains of industry easily gets over the "call center" snag!

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