The month of June has arrived … and with it my deadline to complete the manuscript for my upcoming book, appropriately called The Phone Book. And I need your help! While I’m struggling to put words in the right order for my publisher Boularderie Island Press, I need you to write my blog. Simply send me your “phone story”. Humorous or practical, rant or rave, advice or wisdom – if you’re interested in sharing, give me a call or send me a message (email, Twitter, LinkedIn). All of my contact information is on this page.
This week’s story comes from Sue Archer and Doorway Between Worlds:
Calling up a stranger on the phone can be intimidating. It’s like your on the bridge of a spaceship making first contact with an alien species. If the conversation goes wrong, you may end up causing an interplanetary incident. Or at least get yelled at.
I used to work in a call centre as part of a customer relations team Our job was to call customers who had complained about our company’s products and resolve the situation. When I first took on that job, I had doubts about my survival. How could I possibly talk to upset people everyday? It turned out to be the best learning experience I have ever had. I now feel confident that I could ring up the Grand Poobah of Alpha Centauri and not break into a sweat. Why? Because I’ve learned how to master first contact.
The first thirty seconds of a phone conversation are critical. Here are five things I’ve learned about how to create a good first impression. Read More!