That can hurt your bottom line. Many people dislike using voice mail systems. Their distaste is heightened even more by companies that throw customer service concepts out the window when they activate their systems. If you must use a voice mail system, make it as user-friendly as possible.
Offer callers a short list of no more than four or five menu options.
More than that, and their attentions can wander. They end up irritated because they don't know which option they should press, and it is irritating to have to listen to a list of menu options for a second time. That will help callers unfamiliar with your company feel their calls are being directed in the right general direction. Callers who know the person to whom they wish to speak likely will know the appropriate category select. Others who simply have an inquiry or problem and aren't calling for a specific person, can be channeled in the right direction.