101: Phone Etiquette
For more than a century, the telephone has been a staple for businesses both large and small. Yet remarkably, it seems many businessmen and women have overlooked the fundamentals of good telephone etiquette.
Eliciting the advice of Regina M. Robo, news editor at Salary.com, the following tips will bolster your phone skills and instantly improve your connection with customers and clients.
First impressions. The old adage that you only get one chance to make a first impression applies to phone conversations just as much as it does with in-person introductions.
“Remember that a conversation over the phone carries just as much weight as a face-to-face meeting,” says Robo. “Telephone calls usually lead to some action to be taken, so make sure your first vocal impression is a good one by trying to answer the phone as pleasantly and professionally as possible.”
Start off strong. When beginning a business conversation, make sure you are upfront about the nature of the call.
“When you are connected with the person, state the purpose of your call and be sure to ask if you are calling at a convenient time,” she says. “This is one of the most overlooked areas of phone etiquette, and allows the person you’re calling the opportunity to better address your needs at a later time.”
Honesty is always the best policy. While it may be tempting to gloss over the scope of your intention at the onset of a conversation, it’s always best to inform the other party of the full extent of your needs.
“Don’t fib about how long your call will take — if you know it will take longer than five minutes, don’t say, ‘It’ll be quick,’” says Robo. “Let the person know what they are getting into at the start of the conversation."
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments