Telephone Manners

When the hustle and bustle and stress of work becomes overwhelming throughout your day, remember to remain poised and calm when speaking to clients on the telephone. It is important not to let your voice show your stress levels or frustration over phone conversations. Your apprehensive nature can actually show through the tone of your voice, and your clients will pick up on this. If they sense uncertainty, frustration, or believe you to be in a frantic state, they will be less likely to trust you with their business and less likely to feel comfortable calling you. Nothing is worse than to call someone and feel frazzled after you hang up the phone, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth as well as you may even subconsciously make some sort of negative mental note.

Clients who communicate regularly with their partners have a better and more productive relationship; it is essential that clients feel comfortable picking up the phone to chat, and vice versa. Touching base with your clients is a key factor in maintaining a healthy working relationship. Remember common courtesy and be polite. Also, smile when you are talking and try to keep good posture, just as if you were speaking to someone in person. Try it and you will be surprised with how pleasant you sound!

So next time you are in the middle of spreadsheets, strategies, planning dinner, and arranging to pick up the family dog from the vet and the phone rings, remember to be calm, cool and collected and give 100% attention to the person on the other end. You can never be too professional over the phone. This will not only assure your clients that you are put together and organized, but it will also reflect the professionalism of your business.