How Do You Answer Your Business Phone?

How do you answer your business phone? Wow ... have you ever really thought about that one little moment that happens throughout the day?

The topic came to my mind as I was spinning some ideas on ways we all "secure our connections" throughout the day. I remembered a sales manager I had a long time ago who when he answered your call made you feel like you had made his day. It made me feel so good.

At one point while working for this boss, my desk was within hearing distance of his office. I learned that he answered all his calls the same way. It did not disappoint me, it impressed me. Such a simple little step to take to strengthen bonds!

It's not as easy as it sounds. I am still trying to implement it consistently and am going to make it be a point in 2010.

Think about it .... try it! I know some of you already do this ... well. Some of us do it with people we really want to hear from, but not everyone. And then there are others of us who can get off track with anyone who calls us, as we work at home alone with our thoughts.

Here's how my x-boss did it. You make a point of a pleasant hello. Upon hearing who is calling you simply say with joy, "John ... hi, how are you?" Saying their name out loud back to them always strengthens connections ( anywhere you use it .... good and bad :-) ) Don't over-do it, as that can look somewhat false .... just stick with pleasant as you begin and include that name.

So here's my challenge ... let's all try it, starting the moment you read this. We make "everyone" who calls us feel like they have made out day. We check back with each other in one month, February 8th ... just marked my calendar. I'll do another posting with my experiences and let you share yours as well.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Branding Via Your Text Messages/Postings

There are so many ways to brand your business in addition to your logo and colors! What are some of the ways you have developed your branding? It is always interesting to see what people have discovered ... it also helps all of us in our own branding.

With social networking the "text" message is in many cases the first place a new prospect sees our business. It is important to start the branding process within these initial text communications. Branding "sinks in" upon repeat occurance and where else do you get such frequent visiblitiy than when social networking?

How do you do this, you ask? Text is text ... how do you apply a branding process with plain text? Here are several ideas for you to try "just" on your business postings. When being personal don't apply any branding ... it can negate the effect, I believe. See what you think.

• Have a consistent "sign-off" from your business postings. I end my postings with "Enjoy!"
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• Have a consistent "opening" ... begin each posting in the same manner. Doesn't have to be a formal greeting, per se ...just same intro, i.e. "once upon a time," "a funny thing happened, " etc.
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• Use a consistent "tone" within your postings. Be positive, be negative, be inviting ... but be consistent.
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• Use the same" format" consistently. Maybe your business postings will always be in the form of a question, or an analogy, a story, etc..

If you haven't noticed "consistency" is the name of the game when developing branding. You don't want to overdue it ... subtle consistency, I believe, works best. I'd pick one of the above to begin with and see how it works for you!

You can easily expand this to your email messages and blog postings as well! Before you know it your business will have an "image" just from how you present it within simple text postings. How cool is that?

Let me know how it goes for you?

Keep your business growing ...
margie