Phone Tips

Think about how much time you spend on the telephone during the course of a workday. Communication by telephone is utilized more today then ever before. To be effective at this business necessity, pay close attention to the eight phone tips outlined below. Make them apart of your communication skills package.

• Make telephone appointments for important calls just like you would for an important meeting.
• Make a list of important points so that you are sure you have covered all you need to.
• Return all calls within twenty-four hours.
• If you receive a visitor while you are on the phone, motion them to take a seat or step outside the door. Don't interrupt your phone conversation.
• If you put someone on a speaker phone always inform them of who is in the room.
• If a caller has been announced, recognize the caller immediately.
• Before putting someone on hold say, "May I put you on hold". Never put someone on hold twice during the same conversation.
• When ending a phone conversation, say good-bye and then wait for it to be reciprocated before hanging up.