How to Handle Business Calls Quickly and Efficiently

With Blackberries that connect you to the rest of the world 24/7, you can conduct business from almost anywhere. Though some calls are too important to miss, there is an etiquette to follow when you accept a call while in the company of other people.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Tell your most frequent contacts the best way and times to reach you. Obtain caller ID for your work and cell phones if they don't already have it. This way you can quickly decide how important a call is.
2. Email responses to voicemails if email is more efficient and accessible for you. Purchase a Blackberry or other mobile devices that have e-mail options, which will let you quickly and discretely communicate with others.
3. Excuse yourself from a meeting or conversation if you receive a business call that you must accept. Engage in a short exchange with the caller. If the conversation can wait or will take too long, tell the caller you'll call them back at a specific time.
4. Notify frequent business contacts of any travel plans or other engagements that may keep you away from your phone or e-mail. Provide a contact person who can be reached in your absence. Include this person's contact information on your voicemail or Autoreply when you're not available.

Tips & Warnings

• If you must leave the room or table to take a call, excuse yourself and apologize again when you return.