For business phone calls from home are you aware of your tone of voice, language, physical position, and organizational skills? You should be!
Working in a home office for yourself or remotely for another company can feel very, very relaxed. After all, you are not in stuffy business attire but pajamas and you are in your home not an office. But, does this show through in your business calls? If you sound too comfortable, that can be detrimental to your business or remote working situation!
If you have ever called someone only to have them sound half-asleep, on the run, at a store, or shuffling papers in the background, then you know what I am getting at here…
Just because you are working from home does not mean you should sound like it!
Whether you are working from your home office for yourself or for your employer, take that “work time” seriously. Act like you are at a place of business during business hours whether set by you or your employer.
It can become way too comfortable when you work from your home and the way you sound when you answer the phone or participate in a conference call with a client, potential client, or your employer can really show your reliability, creditability, and responsibility.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking calls as a home worker:
- Physical position is important. When you answer a call from a customer, client, or your employer stand up or sit up! Do not remain laying down on the couch or bed. Believe it or not, the person on the other end of the call can tell. This will not bode well for you in any situation.
- Keep your phone nearby. If you are truly working, then having your phone nearby should be obvious. If you leave your phone in your home office and check out the latest episode of “Judge Judy” in the other room, you will certainly sound out of breath when you hear your phone ring and run for it. Keep your phone with you during work hours.
- If you must leave the house, plan for it. If you have to pick the kids up from school, head to the post office, or grab some batteries at the store – plan for this. Let your boss know you will be unavailable for a short time OR do it during your lunch break. If you work for yourself, either answer and let the person know you will call them right back OR let it go to your voicemail. Do not try to take a business call while in line at Wal-Mart!
- Be professional. Honestly, I can almost always tell when someone is at home as opposed to an office. Office surroundings tend to instill professionalism on the phone whereas working from home “sounds” too casual. Do not let the person on the other side of the line question your professionalism!
- Watch your language. Being in a physical office usually makes people aware that they should not use curse words. But sometimes when people are in their “comfort zone” they tend to forget that they are still acting as a professional. Remember to speak as a business person, refrain from curse words, and speak as such.
If there is one important thing to remember when it comes to phone calls when you have a home office is that the person on the other side of the phone should feel that you are a professional.
Do you have some tips to share about answering calls when you have a home office or work remotely? Share them below, we would love to hear from you!
