Ways To Minimize Silence On Phone Calls

There is a big difference between a natural pause in a conversation and an extended period of awkward silence. Do not let this happen to you on your next conference call! Below are some tips and tricks you can use to minimize silence on phone calls.

Explain What You Are Doing

When a customer or client hears crickets on a call, they may think you are no longer on the line. Often times, you are working on something for them. Telling them what you are doing prevents silence on the call and keeps them in the loop. 

Chit-Chat

When you really need to stretch out the conversation, you can always turn to small talk. This type of chit-chat can also help you establish a positive relationship. It's a win-win situation!

Put Them On Hold

If all else fails, you can put the person on hold while you take care of the matter That way, you can devote all of your attention to the task at hand. It is always a good idea to tell them how long they will be on hold for. 

If your phone system makes it difficult to put people on hold, it is time for an upgrade. Our professionals are equipped to help you find a phone system that is easy to use. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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What You Can Do To Prepare For A Phone Interview

If you are in the process of searching for a new job, do not try to wing your next phone interview. Instead, take the time to properly prepare for it. Below are some tips that will help you do just that. 

Know Your Resume

This may seem like an obvious one, but you should be aware of what is on your resume. After all, the interviewer will be asking you questions about it during the call. You can even have it in front of you since they will not be able to see you!

Keep Your Cover Letter Close By

In addition to your resume, the interviewer could also refer to your cover letter. Since cover letters are usually customized for a particular job description, it is a good idea to have that on hand as well. Cover letters should be used as a guideline as opposed to reading it aloud verbatim. 

Ask Important Questions

Nothing is worse than an interviewer asking if you have any questions for them and saying no. It implies that you have not thought thoroughly about the position or you did not do research on the company. To avoid this, write out at least three important questions on a sheet of paper prior to the call. 

If your phone system has disrupted phone interviews in the past, it is time for a change. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that is perfect for your particular business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Tips For Sticking To An Agenda On A Phone Call

Have you ever been on a conference call that seemed to be all over the place? If so, it is possible that an agenda was not introduced at the beginning of the call. Below are some tips that will allow you to stick to the schedule. 

Set The Agenda

Every call you have should contain a clear purpose. That is where an agenda comes into play. The agenda spells out the point of the call and what exactly will be discussed. Sending this agenda out to the team prior to the call will keep the participants in the loop.

Invite The Right People

The more the merrier does not apply when it comes to business meetings. After all, people are less likely to pay attention if the meeting does not pertain to them. To prevent this from happening, only invite the employees who need to be there. 

Reserve Questions For The End

The participants might have questions throughout the presentation. However, it is best to ask the host all of the questions at the end of the call. That way, the presenter can explain all of the agenda items in chronological order before answering questions. 

If your phone system is preventing you from having important conference calls, you may need to search for a new one. At Reliable Voice & Data Systems, we can help you do just that! To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Ways To End A Business Phone Call

There is always that one client who seems to ramble. Since they are so chatty, it can be difficult to bring the call to a close. Below are some tactics you can use to politely end a business phone call.

Ask Direct Questions

When a talkative client is asked an open-ended question, they can take a long time to answer the question. To avoid this, only ask them very direct and relevant questions. Not only will this help keep the length of the call to a minimum, it will also help you get to the heart of the matter.

Offer A Solution

Once you have uncovered what is on the client's mind, do your best to offer a solution in a concise fashion. This approach will let you control the direction of the conversation. In the end, it can minimize the amount of tangents the client goes on. 

Discuss Next Steps & Say Goodbye

To conclude the call, it is always a good idea to discuss next steps. This should be the first indication to the client that the current call is ending. After the next steps have been established, you can politely say goodbye. That's all there is to it!

If your phone system is not working properly, it is time to start looking for a replacement. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that is tailored to your wants and needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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How To Strengthen Customer Relationships On The Phone

Establishing a positive relationship with a client can be challenging--especially if you have never met them in person. Luckily, there are things you can do to strengthen a professional relationship over the phone. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Prepare For Calls In Advance
Failing to plan is planning to fail. This old adage rings true if you do not prepare for client phone calls ahead of time. Having mock phone calls and reviewing old phone calls in your office can help any employee improve their phone etiquette skills. 

Communicate Frequently
You never want a client to feel like you have forgotten all about them. You can avoid this by communicating with them on a regular basis. Giving a client a call to update them on any progress you have made on their behalf will reassure them that you are keeping them in the loop.

Know When A Phone Call Is Needed
In some instances, an email to a client simply will not do. After all, it may be easier to explain the situation over the phone rather than in an email. A phone call is also preferable if you believe that the right tone cannot be communicated effectively in writing. 

When your phone system is holding you back from connecting with clients, something must be done. Turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems if you would like to upgrade to a new phone system. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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The Right Way To Put A Call On Hold

Placing a caller on hold can put a damper on the entire call. Fortunately, it does not have to! Below are some tips that can help you successfully put someone on hold. 

Give Them A Reason

First and foremost, it is a good idea to explain to the caller why you are going to put them on hold. This explanation can help justify the wait time for the person on the other end of the call. It can also put their mind at ease that you are taking this time to delve deeper into their inquiry. 

Provide A Time Frame

No one wants to be on hold for an unknown amount of time. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the caller with an estimated wait time. That way, they are aware of how long it should take. 

Thank The Caller

Once you have returned to the call, it is always beneficial to apologize for the inconvenience and thank them for waiting. This will help make the caller feel that they are a valued customer. After all, you want to end the call on a positive note. 

If your phone system makes it difficult for your employees to put callers on hold, it may be time for an upgrade. We can help you find a phone system that is more user-friendly. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Tips for Proper Phone Etiquette

Carrying yourself in a professional manner at work is of the utmost importance. This kind of behavior is especially crucial when you are on the phone with a colleague or client. Continue reading to learn more about proper phone etiquette.

Do Not Interrupt

You do not want to come off as rude in the workplace. Therefore, you should never interrupt someone while they are talking. Taking the time to listen to your coworkers, clients or customers could help you maintain positive relationships with them. 

Keep Smiling

Your attitude and demeanor can be detected through the tone of your voice. Smiling while on the phone can give you a happier disposition. When you are at work, remember to put on a happy face. 

Learn How To Use Your Phone

Nothing is more embarrassing than struggling to put someone on hold during a phone call. To avoid this type of scenario altogether, learn the right way to use your phone system. Asking your coworker to show you the ropes can all the difference on your next call. 

If your phone system is holding you back from having productive calls at work, it is time for a change. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you pick out the right phone system for your particular business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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The Causes of Common Phone Issues

When you are at work, nothing can derail your day quite like phone issues. You may be wondering how these phone problems come to pass. Keep reading to discover what causes them in the first place.

Inclement Weather

It is no secret that inclement weather conditions can wreak havoc on your phone system. This is due to the fact that precipitation can seep into phone lines and cause problems. In addition, lightning has the ability to interfere with the connection. 

Other Devices

You might think that fax machines, answering machines and line splitters have nothing to do with your phone system. However, this simply is not true! These other devices could be responsible for noise within a phone system.

Digital Subscriber Line Services

Do you have Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) devices? If so, this could also be the culprit of your phone system woes. The high frequencies they emit can mess with a phone that is on the same line. 

No matter what is causing phone line issues at your business, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can get to the bottom of it. We can solve even the toughest phone problems. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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