When NOT to answer your own phone

A publisher called the other day with a problem.
I was busy but listened to him to help him.
During the call, he put me on hold twice.
Once was bad enough.
The second time I just hung up. He was rude.
What's worse, he wasn’t even aware he was rude.
He needed training in telephone business manners.
He would have reprimanded an employee for this.
Tuesday I asked if you answer your own phone.
Some of us feel we’re too important to do that.
Sometimes you shouldn’t answer your phone.
Lets say you’re busy on a project. The deadline is near.
Ignore the phone. Let voicemail take a message.
Turn the ringer off if it’s a distraction.
The caller has no idea you’re on deadline.
At times, I let voicemail catch my calls.
I can always call back.
It’s not rude. It’s common sense.
Close your office door when you need time alone.
Most people will understand your need for privacy.
Those who don’t are too dense to worry about.
Want a copy of my seven vital time-saving tactics?
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Email me at Jerry@JerryBellune.com

Do you answer your own phone?

How many times have you been treated rudely on the phone?
This isn’t by pimply-faced teenagers who don’t care.
This is by business people who should know better.
They’re the ones who demand: "Who’s calling please?"
The "please" part never sounds sincere.
We have had to let two receptionists go because of this.
They just weren’t friendly answering our phones.
Fellow editor Bill West passed this along the other day.
It’s from Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership.
The book’s author is Laurie Beth Jones.
She tells of the success of an executive recruiting firm.
The owner said her secret was simple:
"Whenever the phone rings, I say to myself, ‘That’s God on the line.’
"Then I think about all the ways I can serve that person."
Here are three simple questions you might ask yourself:
1. Who answers your phone and how well do they do it?
2. Can you imagine that God’s sending you business?
3. Are you too important to answer your own phone?
I answer my own phone. People are surprised.
They expect a receptionist to screen my calls.
Or they wait, thinking they’ve reached a voicemail recording.
I’ll ask again: Are you too busy to answer your own phone?
For my video Business Tip of the Week, click here.