If we were to ever actually figure out how many hours are spent each day on the telephone, I think we might actually be surprised! It is incredible how quickly time passes when we have someone on the other end of the line, whether it is for business, or pleasure.

The following four ways to save time on every call is an excerpt from my program entitled "Telephone Effectiveness." See if you can't save yourself just 5 minutes a day, which is 30 hours of time a year (just about a week of extra working time!).

Plan ahead.
What is your purpose for the call? What information do you need to get or give? This will minimize your forgetting something and having to call back.

Don't begin with "Hi, Rhonda, how are you?"
Many people ask that question and really don't want an answer other than "Fine." Unless you want to know the answer or need to establish rapport, don't ask the question. Find another way to begin the call, such as "Hi, Rhonda. I know you are busy, but can you spare me 10 minutes of your time?"

Group your calls.
Set aside a time to make your calls so that you are in the "phone call groove" and not stopping and starting tasks.

If you can, determine the best tactics to call people so that you can catch them when they are in and avoid telephone tag.

You can find more information about this program and others
from Rhonda Scharf (Finniss), at ON THE RIGHT TRACK - Training & Consulting
at (613) 821-0953 or www.on-the-right-track.com