LEAVE A REMINDER ON YOUR VOICE MAIL

LEAVE A REMINDER ON YOUR VOICE MAIL

If you've recorded an outgoing message on your voice mail indicating you'll be away, leave a message for yourself as a reminder to change the message when you return.

TIME MANAGEMENT, BUT NOT RUDENESS

Phone calls should be returned no later than 48 hours after the message is received, according to business etiquette expert Letitia Baldridge. Other people suggest within two hours. Be respectful of other people's time as well.

KEEP A "PERHAPS" LIST

Stephen Covey (First Things First) suggests you may think of things you're not prepared to work on yet, but don't want to forget. Put these on a Perhaps list.

PLANNING FOR SALES

Before you leave in the morning, your day should be planned from beginning to end, not simply in your head, but in your planner.

 

PLAN YOUR CELL PHONE CALLS

If you have to make a call on your cell phone while driving, plan it so you're not heading for a tunnel or getting out of range.

USING SELLING TIME TO ADVANTAGE

Prospects should be qualified in advance, appointments confirmed, presentations planned in advance, and emphasis placed on the priority activity of the sales call, the close.

MAINTAIN FOCUS AT MEETINGS

Respondents in a survey conducted by the 3M Meeting Management Institute at the University of Southern California said they spent about 11 percent of any meeting's time on irrelevant discussion.