What everyday activities make Gen Z anxious? Mary Jane weighs in on phone anxiety and why conversation skills still matter. Read more.
sales skills
There’s no doubt that the value of phone conversations is steadily gaining recognition by CEOs, managers and entrepreneurs. Companies large and small are realizing that talking to customers and prospects on the phone builds stronger relationships, reveals opportunities and directly supports increased revenue. So, if email has been your “go to” … Read more
I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately about sales – how difficult it is to find good salespeople, why this is the case and why so many entrepreneurs struggle with the sales part of building their businesses. My own evolution as a salesperson was far from easy, yet as … Read more
When we pick up the phone to speak with our customers or prospects today, we encounter three main challenges that often prevent us from communicating effectively. Challenge #1: Everyone is overwhelmed. It doesn’t matter who we are calling, whether we are calling them at work or at home, or if they’ve been a customer for … Read more
The relationship is the conversation. Susan Scott, author of Fierce Conversations Oh, how I wish I’d written that sentence! In five words, Susan Scott has summarized my deepest belief about the value of the telephone – it allows us to participate in conversation with anyone, anywhere at anytime. And whenever we are … Read more
Many of my clients are people who never – ever – wanted to “sell” anything. They are: Owners of startups, passionate and knowledgeable about the product they’ve created but now need to produce revenue; Franchisees with tons of relevant knowledge about their product or service, but absolutely no sales … Read more
Yup – that’s a red maple leaf that crossed my path during my Labour Day travels. It’s a colourful reminder that … it’s September. And whether or not you live where leaves become yellow, orange and red, it’s still the final four months of 2015. Now is the time to “crunch” the numbers, … Read more
Welcome to the first in a series of posts by Scott Davis, owner of Davis Writing Solutions, documenting his discovery of the power of phone communication. His dedication to his craft – and to embracing phone communication – is inspirational. Enjoy and share! I’m terrified of cold calling. Let me … Read more
Welcome to the third in a series of posts by Leslie Gallagher, owner of Worklocal.jobs, documenting her discovery of the power of phone communication. I’ve been inspired by the joy, excitement and success she’s generated while developing her new skills – and I hope you are too. Enjoy and share! When I was growing … Read more
Welcome to the second in a series of posts by Leslie Gallagher, owner of Worklocal.jobs, documenting her discovery of the power of phone communication. I’ve been inspired by the joy, excitement and success she’s generated while developing her new skills – and I hope you are too. Enjoy and share! I never expected to … Read more
Just over a month ago, I was introduced to Leslie Gallagher with a request to help her pick up the phone. Her ability to own her discomfort and her determination to learn a new skill has been inspiring. She’s agreed to share her experiences with us in a series of … Read more
A dear friend of mine used to say “There are three possible answers to every question – yes, no and I don’t know.” I’m reminded of the wisdom of these words often, especially when it comes to the telephone. Effective phone communication is direct and honest. Without the benefit of body … Read more
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To celebrate 20 years of The Phone Lady, we're revisiting what truly makes communication meaningful. Every second week, we'll share a bit of wisdom to remind us that small shifts in how we speak, listen, and connect make a big difference. (You'll also receive access to our Exclusive Resources, including 4 ebooks.)
I've spent 20 years teaching people to communicate. Phone anxiety has never been worse. I see it most often among younger employees entering the workforce, and the issue is more complicated than it seems. Find out more.
Remember party lines? Switchboards? Yellow Pages? The traditional telephone is almost gone, but its cultural impact deserves a ringing endorsement. Mary Jane weighs in.
Bosses and employees are wrestling over whether voice calls have a place in the hybrid era. The Wall Street Journal recently spoke to Mary Jane. Find out more here.
22 Minutes correspondent Brandon Hackett figures out which end is up on this thing called a telephone, with help from The Phone Lady. Watch Telephone Lessons for Millennials.