Dialing Up a Successful Business

In this recent economy, more and more people are being pushed out of the work force and into starting their own businesses. For some, this sudden career change has been exciting. For others, it has been scary. But for everyone, it’s been a learning experience. And one thing that everyone has to quickly learn is how to make their telephone pull its weight in their new business ventures.

For instance, you may want to add a dedicated phone line to your home for your new business. Or you may, at the very least, just change the way you answer your phone. The simple “Hello” is now changed to “Gonzales Enterprises” or “Williams Landscaping, may I help you?”

Once you have made your decision on the best way to handle how you answer the phone, the real work begins. A professional tone on the phone is essential, and proper, business-like etiquette is key. Here are a few basic tips:

Incoming Calls

Tip 1- All incoming calls should be answered in a timely manner––by the second ring if at all possible.

Tip 2- Business telephones should be answered with a consistent, friendly phrase like, “Good morning, ABC Movers, Ernesto speaking.” The business’ name should be stated as soon as the phone is answered along with the person’s name. This allows the caller to know that they have reached the right business, and to whom they are speaking.

Tip 3- Avoid putting your caller on hold, but if you have to, be sure to check back with them every minute or so and ask if they would like to continue to hold. This lets them know that they have not been forgotten, and that you are attending to their call.

Tip 4- Speak clearly and slowly when you answer a business telephone in your best English. Do not slur or mumble your words. Speak with confidence so the person on the other end has the feeling that you know what you are doing.

Tip 5- Never be rude to a caller, no matter how rude they are to you. Always remember to handle yourself in a professional, business-like manner. This is the best way to calm down an agitated customer.

Outgoing Calls

Tip 1- Speak clearly and slowly when you make a business call. Time may be money, but if the other party cannot understand what you are saying, then you might as well have not made the call.

Tip 2- All customers expect to work with a professional organization. How they are treated over the phone is their first measurement of your new company.

Tip 3- When calling another business, it is proper etiquette to give your name and the company’s name to whomever answers the phone. Do not make them have to guess.

Tip 4- If you get the wrong number, apologize to the person who answers the phone­­––do not just hang up. This is especially important nowadays when people have Caller ID on their phone lines. All they have to do is to check their device to find out who just rudely hung up on them.

Tip 5- When leaving a phone message, always state your name, company, phone number and reason for calling.

Starting a new business is always a challenge. It is a series of small decisions and tiny choices. But as little a thing as phone manners may seem, good etiquette can pay big dividends to your new enterprise’s success.

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