KeyboardGeek
04-07-2008, 01:26 PM
A few weeks ago you wouldn't find me sitting here typing this, without seeing me holding a phone to my ear at the same time. Since reading Tim's book and listening to the audio version, over and over and over again. I've developed a real nack for getting rid of people and avoiding interruptions altogether.
I'll tell people the minute they phone, "Hi. I'm just on another call right now, can you drop me an email ..... " or "Hi. I'm expecting an urgent call in 2 minutes........" Strange thing is that people apologise now when they call me, they say they know how busy I am and will make it quick etc..
I stop people when they start waffling on.. I ask them very politely but with a little urgency in my voice, "what is it you want to talk to me about" or "what would you like me to do about" etc.. I'll then stop them again and bring them back to my original question if they start to digress !
Get your lines ready, because I'm an IT Manager I use server crashes and install deadlines as my main SPIN. All calls are met with an urgency line, i.e "Hi, I'm just on the line to another customer, can you email me?" etc.. Just asking people to tell you what they want when they start waffling can save you 20-30 minutes of wasted conversation (seriously, some calls used to go on for hours). Don't be worried about hurting someones feelings, just ask them to come to the point, after a while they get used to this and start treating your time with the respect it deserves. Good puppy, good puppy! Train them now and they'll roll over later...
:)
I'll tell people the minute they phone, "Hi. I'm just on another call right now, can you drop me an email ..... " or "Hi. I'm expecting an urgent call in 2 minutes........" Strange thing is that people apologise now when they call me, they say they know how busy I am and will make it quick etc..
I stop people when they start waffling on.. I ask them very politely but with a little urgency in my voice, "what is it you want to talk to me about" or "what would you like me to do about" etc.. I'll then stop them again and bring them back to my original question if they start to digress !
Get your lines ready, because I'm an IT Manager I use server crashes and install deadlines as my main SPIN. All calls are met with an urgency line, i.e "Hi, I'm just on the line to another customer, can you email me?" etc.. Just asking people to tell you what they want when they start waffling can save you 20-30 minutes of wasted conversation (seriously, some calls used to go on for hours). Don't be worried about hurting someones feelings, just ask them to come to the point, after a while they get used to this and start treating your time with the respect it deserves. Good puppy, good puppy! Train them now and they'll roll over later...
:)