1. Basic Telephone Skills

2. Welcome
The Grand Opening

3. WHY ????
A friendly welcome sets the stage for a positive exchange of information
When callers receive a friendly greeting, they are inclined to talk more openly.

4. What it does for your Customers
This is emphatically reassuring and puts the customer at ease
Tells him/her that you care
It shows that you’re friendly
It demonstrates to the customer that you are focusing on them

5. Be Prepared Have a pen and paper handy all the time.
Prepare yourself mentally to handle the customer

6. Make Up your Mind Decide to be a better listener .
Remember - hearing is only physical , listening is intellectual.

7. Opening Up and Closing In
Use open - ended questions to “ open - up “ a conversions.
Use close - ended questions to close in one area and pin down specific facts or details.

8. And another good technique is _ _ _
Remember - a series of abrupt or disjointed questions can make callers uncomfortable .
Use the “And …..” technique to gather information without making callers feel they’re being interrogated .

9. Hungry for Answers ? Dig in !
Use probing questions when you want to dig a little deeper
to identify the callers need .
Remember - If one doesn’t work , Use another .

10. Know How to ask someone to wait
Ask the customer if he or She is “able” to wait.
Give people a choice of whether ready or not to wait.
Some people will not be able to wait ,so handle their needs immediately

11. Lead , don’t Push
When callers are unable to decided ,use leading questions to direct them to a decision
Remember- the objective is to lead, not to push

12. Take Accurate Messages
Take messages word for word
When Time permits offer to read the messages back to the customer (Para-phrase)
Write date and time on every message/request

13. Avoid Mouth Noises Noises while talking are offensive to others.
Avoid eating , drinking etc. when handling a customer.

14. Give the caller your Undivided Attention
Don’t do other things while handling the customer.
Don’t ignore the customer.
Always give the customer your undivided attention

15. Be Sincere
When you say something mean it. Don’t pass fake information.
Handle customer as if your job depends on it, it usually does.
You have an obligation to make a good impression for the company.
Be sincere and show conviction.

16. Give Feedback
You need to show the customer you are paying attention by using spoken feedback signals.
Some good spoken feedback phrases are :Okay, Yes, I understand, Fine and we will do that.

17. Leave a good last Impression
Remember the last impression is just as important as the first impression.
Use positive phrases in closing a conversation such as “Thanks for the visit & “have a nice day/evening” etc.

18. Remember
Its Fun to be Good !