When not answering the phone when with a client cost me money.

[marvelit]

So today I was at a clients office having a meeting with him and my phone rang. Out of courtesy I very rarely answer my phone when with a client, so I hung up which gives the busy tone.

exactly 11 minutes later I call the client back and they have told me that they have found someone else.

I guess some times not answering your phone straight away instantly can make you lose money! For those who take lots of client calls, and brush them off, think about this next time it rings

(having said this, if answering the calls all the time on site in a meeting would piss people off, it could also lose you customers hehe.)

[Barb]

Originally Posted by marvelit

So today I was at a clients office having a meeting with him and my phone rang. Out of courtesy I very rarely answer my phone when with a client, so I hung up which gives the busy tone.

exactly 11 minutes later I call the client back and they have told me that they have found someone else.

I guess some times not answering your phone straight away instantly can make you lose money! For those who take lots of client calls, and brush them off, think about this next time it rings

(having said this, if answering the calls all the time on site in a meeting would piss people off, it could also lose you customers hehe.)

I have found a similar thing. I've noticed that if I can't get to the phone in time and the phone goes to voicemail, people don't bother leaving messages. In some cases I can call the number back, but it is a little frustrating.

Regards,

[BB]

You know, even if you had taken that call there was a 50 / 50 chance that you weren't going to get hired anyway.

But - by treating the client (the one you were with) with good manners and respect will always be remembered and there's probably a greater chance of getting another customer through a good 'word-of-mouth' referral.

If you'd answered the phone whilst in a meeting with me - you would have made me feel that I was not important enough for you.
That would have led me to believe that you didn't really want to work for me. I'd have ended up looking elsewhere also.

Good manners and treating your clients with respect will add many dollars to your income.

Cheers,

B.B.

[Astrid]

So right, B.B.

A potential client (the caller) who is interested in your particular services and who would then be greeted by a voicemessage like: "Sorry I'm just with a client or on another call, please leave your number" ... etc, will call back.

If not, then he was just randomly shopping around. The client you were with at that time has the right to get your full attention - unless he mentions that you should take the call (had that one or two times happening to me).

Astrid

[FletcherTax]

Should work in reverse too!

Personally can't stand it when clients pick up their phones during meetings!

[Barb]

In addition to what I last posted - I don't answer the phone while with a client either. I just get frustrated that if I don't answer the phone, people don't leave messages. But that's the way things go. I believe that when you're meeting with someone, then they should get your full attention.

Regards,

[Emroy]

Originally Posted by FletcherTax

Should work in reverse too!

Personally can't stand it when clients pick up their phones during meetings!

hahaha ... Kind of like when you I were on the phone this afternoon?

Jake: Hang on, hang on... My phone is ringing ... one sec.
Janna: Oooh My phone is ringing now... One sec.
Jake: One sec, my phone is ringing .
....

[FletcherTax]

Jake

If we were having an official meeting - then yes.

To be fair, I did call during your peak hour and got off topic quite a bit. But you were very polite and apologetic so no harm done. Will call again!

[wordmistress]

It's a double-edged sword, isn't it? Problem is, we live in an instant gratification society. I can't even stand waiting the 3 seconds or so for the Foxtel programme information to come up with I press the little 'i' button! Imagine having to wait for a phone to be answered! Unfortunately, I'm not unusual and people do crave to be answered immediately.

Could you consider hiring an answering service that answers with your business name? Or turn your phone off so that calls go immediately to voicemail, and you're not disturbed during your meeting, and have a better-than-usual voicemail message? My eyes glaze over when I hear the same old, same old message:

"Hi, this is xyz, I can't take your call at the moment but your business is very important to me. Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. And please remember to press hash before hanging up."

*Yawn!* I don't even bother to listen to the entire message usually, and just hang up. Also, I'm not convinced pressing the hash key really does anything.

I would suggest a more compelling message, such as:

"Don't hang up! This is Xyz from Marvelit. I believe in giving my clients [I]and[I] callers my undivided attention so please allow me to call you back when my meeting is finished."

• It's quick so it doesn't take ages to listen to.
• People know they have to leave their name and number and don't need to be told.
• It tells the caller why you have your voicemail activated.
• It lets them know that they will be just as important when it's their turn.

Worth a try anyway .

[Burgo]

If your in a meeting with a client the phone should be off.
Should a potential client try to phone you whilest your phone is off they have a choice . They can leave a message or they can hang up.


So make it company policy phones off when with clients....problem solved.