Telephone Tips, Techniques and Etiquette

Whether using the telephone for business or personal use, using this communication tool effectively means being timely, communicating clearly and having the other person's interest in mind.

1 ? Plan and schedule your telephone calls so that you can allow time for off-track discussions. If you plan a 10:30am telephone call "schedule" it like you might schedule a face to face meeting: a little extra time, particularly for those you know like to talk!
2 ? At the beginning of your call, mention you know you can cover the points needed within time enough for you to make your next appointment, at a stated time. Then as you want to wind up the conversation you can backtrack to restate the appointment you mentioned. Or, you may find that someone will remind you, "Oh, you have to get on to that appointment, right?"
3 ? Maybe you prefer to wait until you are into the conversation before needing to ask for an exit. As you near time to say goodbye and find it difficult to end, try saying, "Oh my gosh, I have a long distance call I need to take. Can you hold while I take it?" Your customer or friend will likely say the conversation can pick up later. And, once again, it is the other person who ends the call.
4 ? If you have to leave a voice mail, certain elements are important to include: your name, when you are calling, a brief message about your purpose, and a telephone number to return the call to you. If you work in a staffed office and there's another extension of someone as an alternate contact, leave his or her name and extension as well. This last point is being considerate of the other person's time.
5 ? When leaving a voice mail make it easy for the person who is taking and likely writing down this information. First, you can say the number slowly by area code, exchange and last digits. For example, say it just as you might write it in the United States: 777-555-1234. Alternately, or even in addition to the divided method, you can repeat your telephone number a second time. Or, you can combine both methods!
6 ? Your outgoing message (om) is as important to etiquette as the message you leave when you are the caller. For business protocol it's wise to identify yourself by name. At home, if you want more security, you may want to just state, "You have reached, 777-555-1234." In either environment, state for the caller to leave their name, telephone number and a brief message. If you include the date, "Monday, February 21st," in your om, be certain you change it everyday. If you ever have anyone run out of time with leaving his or her message, you may also want to include, "and there is a 30 second (or whatever time) for your brief message."
7 ? The clich? that "time is money," is particularly true for the working person. That we all have the same amount of time is true for everyone. Return your telephone calls on a timely basis, within 24 hours is professional and considerate in either a business or personal setting.

Try one of these tips next time you find yourself wanting to be in charge of the telephone.


Copyright? Patricia Weber, http://www.prostrategies.com.

Pat Weber is a coach, certified telelcass leader, and corporate trainer. With her incisive, effective communication skills, her services can help you to accelerate professional and personal results you want, by helping you increase your choices and build your self-confidence. With personal coaching, a teleclass, an online email course or on-site workshop, get what you want, more easily and more often. Visit her website at http://www.prostrategies.com. Contact her for a free coaching session.

---

How Successful Is 3G REALLY In The UK?

How successful is 3G REALLY in the UK? I'm getting mixed messages about 3G take-up in the UK. On one hand, 3 announce that they have added 3m subscribers (http://www.guardian.co.uk/mobile/article/0,2763,1449689,00.html), and then on... Read More

The 5 Best Cell Phones on the Market

There are literally hundreds of cell phones out there made by dozens of manufacturers. It is hard to determine which are the best of the group - or at least, which is best... Read More

Buying a New Business Phone System

Buying a new business phone system is one of the most important purchases any business will ever make. The selection of a phone system can either bring a business closer to its customers... Read More

The Telephone ? A Brief History

During the 1870's, two well known inventors both independently designed devices that could transmit sound along electrical cables. Those inventors were Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray. Both devices were registered at the... Read More

Free Cellular Phone

Free cellular phone offers.You can definitely find a free cellular phone by looking through the promotions offered by various phone companies. Usually you will have to sign a one or two year contract... Read More

Some Tips For The Safe Use of Cell Phones And Batteries

1. Increase the life span of your cell phone and battery by following the manufacturer's directions for using the phone and charging the battery.2. Do not use incompatible cell phone batteries and chargers.... Read More

Cellular Phone Service

Cellular phone service ? pick the one you like.You can select the cellular phone service of your choice from one of the many cellular phone companies like AT&T, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless,... Read More

How to Find the Best Cellular Phone Service Deal

Finding the best cellular phone service deal can seem as frustrating and difficult as shopping for a new car. Nothing can be as vexing as trying to set up a new service plan... Read More

New Tips For Shopping Cellular Services

The best money saving practice for buying new cellular phones and service plans is to buy from a dealer, not through the cellular provider directly. Dealers compete against each other with lower prices... Read More

Cellular Phone

Technology advances in cellular phone field.Cellular phone shoppers can find many excellent cellular phones in the USA at the current moment. Cellular phone companies produce phones that are technologically advanced, have attractive design... Read More

Cell Phone in Forests

We are putting cell phone towers in the forests for safety, tourists and Forest Service Workers. Sounds like a good idea alright. They will also help when fighting fires, as they add a... Read More

What is SMS?

What is SMS?SMS, also known as short messaging service, is the rage in Europe and parts of Asia. Gradually SMS is gaining momentum in the US as a low cost messaging solution. SMS... Read More

Cellular Phone Contract Tips

Choosing a cellular phone contract and choosing a cell phone for you can be very challenging. Choosing a cell phone that's right for you depends on your personal preferences and your needs.Cellular phone... Read More

Here Are Some Tips For Safe and Appropriate Use of Your Mobile Phones

Bought the latest in mobile phones? Can't wait to show the cellular phone off to your friends to project the new cool you? Have you considered your safety and appropriate use of your... Read More

UK Top 40 Singles: Should It Include Ringtones As Well?

I noticed two interesting stories today. The first one on the BBC stated that from Sunday the UK singles chart will include online downloads for the first time, which will have a major... Read More

Mobile Devices Security

As this security solution is not such a great idea, other companies have researched, and finally found a new way to prevent cell phones and PDAs theft. This method permits to remotely disable... Read More

Heres How Cell Phones Make Your Life Easier

Cell phones, the prepaid ones, are the great way to stay within your budget restraints. You will either make an adjustment to how many minutes the prepaid cellular covers, or discipline yourself to... Read More

What Are All Those Cell Phone Accessories Used For?

Cell phone accessories would include antennas, batteries, cases, faceplates, holsters, holders, hands free kits and a few others. Antennas are to boost your signal and an additional battery may be a good precaution.... Read More

Cell Phone Abuse - Tips to Curb Employee Abuse

Looking for a way to save your enterprise or government organization tens of thousands of dollars a month or more on wireless mobile communication use? First off, it's going to take some discipline... Read More

Telephone Tips, Techniques and Etiquette

Whether using the telephone for business or personal use, using this communication tool effectively means being timely, communicating clearly and having the other person's interest in mind.1 ? Plan and schedule your telephone... Read More

Choosing a Voice Mail System

Voice Mail put simply In its simplest form a voice mail system is essentially just another phone answering system. They store their messages on a computer disk. Each user is assigned a mailbox... Read More

Protective Accessories For Your Cell Phone

Like most electronic devices, cell phones are remarkably fragile. Your cellular phone needs to be protected from water, extreme temperatures, scratches, and unnecessary falls. Luckily, a wide selection of cellular accessories is available... Read More

The Different Cell Phone Accessories Available

Where do I start? Always start with the essentials. If you intend using the cell phone in the car it is important to purchase a hands free car kit. In many states it... Read More

Kids & Cell Phones

Is it safety? Is it security? Or is it just cool? Have you ever noticed how many kiosks have popped up in you favorite mall? And just about all of them... Read More

Making Sense of Cellular Phone Minutes

Cellular phones are different from your land-line home phone in that you'll need to determine in advance how many minutes you'll use in any given month. Deciding how many minutes you'll need and... Read More

Cell Phone Abuse: Are You A Victim?

Like millions of others, you may be the victim of cell phone abuse. What is cell phone abuse? Let's say you're in a public place trying to concentrate on something or having a... Read More

Indian Mobile Infrastructure - To 3G or Not To 3G

To most overseas investors circa 1994, a first look at the Indian Telecommunication Policy appeared to mitigate concerns. In our naivet?, we expected this Policy to put India at least on par with... Read More

An Introduction to Text Messaging

Why Text?Text messaging is a quick way to stay in touch with people for personal or business purposes. With text messaging, you can chat with a partner by typing on the keyboard and... Read More

Selecting a Cell Phone

More Than Just a PhoneSelecting a cell phone is no longer just about mobile communication ? it is now a lifestyle choice. If you don't select the phone that fits your personality, you... Read More