Tag Archives: phone

Please…Speak Up?

Several times a week, I answer the phone and hear a faint, soft, stumbling voice on the other end. Sometimes it is due to a poor cell phone connection (that is a whole different blog article!) but often it is just poor phone skills. It reminds me that as business owners, we need to have confident, clear, and concise telephone voices. Getting ourselves organized prior to making a call and making sure that we talk neither too quickly nor too slowly can also help. I always feel like a bossy brute asking people to “please speak up.” Often, I will … Continue reading →

Afraid of Using the Phone?

E-mail has become the preferred means of communication in the business world these days. So much so, I think that some people have developed a fear or phobia for actually picking up the telephone and calling someone—or returning a phone call. Of course this is all conjecture and opinion, but in the world I move in, I am running into more and more people who avoid using the telephone… I do not want to appear judgmental, but I do have issues with folks who seem afraid to use the phone for business. First, the phone can be much quicker than … Continue reading →

Do You Need More Than One Phone Line?

Technology is one of the things that make it possible for so many of us to branch out and start our own home-based businesses. With the personal computer and desktop publishing, fax machines, cell phones and other cutting edge technological advances available at our finger tips, it has become possible for home businesses to compete—even on an international level—with all sorts of more traditional types of businesses. It can be challenging, however, to figure out just how much technology we need, and when it is to make upgrades and additions. If your business depends on the telephone, you will likely … Continue reading →

E.T. Phone Home—For Free!

As you can imagine living 5,000 miles away from my parents can translate into some HUGE phone bills. This is especially true since their first grandchild (my 2-year-old daughter) is more than willing to chat endlessly to grandma and grandpa about her daily accomplishments. Consequently, I have researched various phone plans, 3-in-1 plans, cell phone offers, pre-paid phone card options… the list goes on and on. Some deals were better than others (I found one that offered calls to Hawaii for 2 cents a minute), but none compared to what any homeowner would consider hitting the jackpot: FREE phone service. … Continue reading →

How’s Your Phone Personality?

Do you do much of your work or the daily operations of your home business on the telephone? Chances are, in this modern world of technology–you are interacting with clients, customers or vendors on the phone throughout the day. How long has it been since you gave yourself a little evaluation and looked over your phone communication skills? Do you know how well you are coming across with people over the telephone? The key to having a good telephone personality is to come across as friendly and professional. Of course, it will depend on the type of work you are … Continue reading →

The Cell Phone Debate Continues

This is actually an old story. The New York City Public schools have been fighting with parents over banning the ‘desperately needed’ devices for a few years. However, recently the Board of Education has suggested a compromise. . .allowing the students to store their phones in a locker outside of the school. The locker would be designed specifically for cell phone storage. They’re so Convenient I actually see both sides of this issue pretty clearly. We are contemplating getting our own child some type of cell phone for her birthday. We would likely go with something specifically designed for a … Continue reading →

A Unique Way To Bring Peace To Your Home

There was a time when the home phone was the preferred method of keeping in touch with the outside world. Then technology advanced and what used to be an incredible invention that helped bridge the gap between friends and loved ones turned into a telemarketers weapon of choice… used to disrupt the family dinner hour (and various other hours of the day). Well, here’s a way you can fight back. No, I am not referring to the “no-call list” (which I happen to be on, yet STILL get harassed by telemarketers). There is a new way to combat telemarketers (or … Continue reading →

Cell Phones Part 2 – Phones

Phones! Phones! Phones! Earlier I explained a bit the difference between coverage and service. Now we can talk about the next deciding factor, the actual phone! You need to be happy with your phone. To many people your cell phone is a status symbol or one of your accessories so you need to have a selection of phones that will provide you with the features you want. I remind you though without service, your phone is just a fancy piece of plastic. You can buy your service and phone online but many people like to actually feel it and see … Continue reading →

Television and Telephone Time Disputes

With a family of six, four of whom are children, the fight for the TV is always on. With two of those children being teenagers, and another cruising toward the teen years quickly, the fight for the telephone rages on as well. What are parents to do? Should we buy another satellite receiver or install another phone line? These don’t seem like very cost effective solutions to this mom, especially when you can pick up a kitchen timer for just a few dollars. This is how it works. Each child gets the same amount of time, and that time limit … Continue reading →

Toy Mobile Phones Recalled for Choking Hazard

February 28, 2006 Release #06-099 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 445-8347 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: iPlay My First Mobile Phones There are approximately 50,500 units The Distributor is International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J. Hazard: The toy phone’s yellow antenna can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. … Continue reading →