help! i can't figure it out on my own!
@britany_renee (156)
United States
May 12, 2008 4:51pm CST
So, I started my job about a month ago as 'director of client affairs' for a financial company. Part of my duties is answering the phone. Today, my boss (kindly) pointed out that I need to refine the way I answer because when the caller asks if my boss is busy or whatever I tell them to hang on just a second and I will go check. Then I ask who is calling (so I can let the boss know ahead of time). Well, as my boss pointed out today, it sounds like I am going to tell my boss who it is to see if he is too busy to talk to them. (Well, that is kind of what I am doing, but we don't want the clients to know that! lol)
So my question to all of you is How can I answer the phone, with still finding out who I am speaking to, without making it sound like I am just screening the calls for my boss? (keeping in mind that we have some very well-to-do {aka millionaire} clients, some of who are stuck up, and some of whom are just 'good ol boys').
I would bew greatful for any advice ya'll could give me cause I'm at a loss on this one. (My boss is trying to help me come up with something, too, but he is stumped also.)
4 responses
@Pitgull (1522)
• United States
12 May 08
My mom is a business woman and when I had to answer the phone at home she used to make me answer the phone...
"Hello, (last name place of business), may I ask who is speaking? One moment please..."
My friends used to laugh, but they said it sounded like they were calling a business, and sometimes they were...
1 person likes this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
17 Jun 08
That's what I was going to say!
I used to answer phones for our business
and this is what I would say, too.
It works.
Once a person chooses to reveal their name,
they're no longer nameless and faceless
and they can't be rude to you anonymously or else
you might not let them through next time.
And they know it.
If they choose not to respond to that or give you
their name, then
you can simply ask for their telephone info and let them
know he's in a meeting and will return their call
within the hour.
As the gatekeeper, you control who speaks to your
boss and who doesn't. So, these good ol' boys will get
the idea after awhile that they need to be nice to you.
They'll play ball!
Hope it works out for you!
Let me know.
Be well.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Hi pitgull-
My mom also ran a business out of our home, although she had 2 phone lines, one for the business, and one for the personal home phone, but occasionally she would mistakingly pick up the home phone and answer as if it were the business phone.
I was also not allowed to recieve or make personal calls until the end of the business day at 5pm.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
13 May 08
ok, so here is how it goes.
caller: hello, may I speak to Mr Bossman?
you: May I ask who is calling please?
caller: this is Mr Client
you: Would you mind holding Mr Client, while I check to see if Mr Boss is available.
caller: ok, thank you.
you: thank you, one moment please
@britany_renee (156)
• United States
13 May 08
lol...your're awesome...love the format of the whole scenario convo...thanks for your input!!!
@CheshireKat (564)
• United States
13 May 08
The way things work at my job is as follows:
me: I think *bossnamehere* might be on the other line/has someone in their office/etc., but I'll go check for you. May I tell *bossnamehere* who's calling?
caller: namegoeshere
me: okay, namegoeshere, in case we get disconnected or I'm right and they are on another line, is there a number that I can have them reach you back at?
That way it seems less like you're call screening, and more like 'I legitimately think they may be busy, in that case I'll have them call you right back'
I hope this helps!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
24 Jun 08
When I call for my husband at work, they always say "can I tell him who's calling" that way it says to me that they just want to tell him it's me, not that they're screening his calls. Of course half the people he works with have gotten to know my voice well, so now they say "is this his wife?".
1 person likes this
