Yes, I know. There are clients who want service and prospects who want to place orders and one must keep their business humming lest someone else steal our clients.

Stop. Listen (or – read).

I am the biggest culprit of diving for the phone but a phone call I had today just reminded me that I need to improve on this.

Don’t answer the phone if:

• You are in a meeting. You are only going to say ‘I am in a meeting can I call you back?’ Besides the caller feels bad for having interrupted your meeting. We didn’t know you were in a meeting. If it’s a real emergency, we’ll find you anyway.
• You are with a client or prospect. Focus on who is in front of you – they need your attention the most at that moment and if you are taking calls from others, what does that say about how you prioritize the client or prospect sitting before you?
• You are with your family after business hours. Oh, there are no business hours any more, you say. Look, I am so guilty on this one as to be the poster boy but I need to get better at it and so do you! Work to Live, don’t Live to Work! Work Smarter Not Harder! Pick your slogan. I’m trying out Family First!

Shame on me for needing a slogan to remember anyway.

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