Articles About Tele

Cell Phone Dos And Dont During A Meeting

What would we do without our cell phones? Wow, there's a scary question. It's hard to imagine a world without them. But cell phones, connected as they may keep us, seem to have an amazing power to disturb and trump face to face interaction. For example, why is it that during a meal or a meeting, people insist on taking every call? Even worse, just let the phone ring? They forget all about the person across the table as if they were invisible!

This violates the golden rule of interpersonal communication, which is to make the other person feel like the most important person in the world.

The following is a list of cell phone do's and don'ts that will help you avoid embarrassing yourself while still honoring the person across the table. (This information is NOT found in the 147 page Sprint PCS handbook.) Whether you're at lunch or in a one-on-one meeting, use these etiquette tips to combat even the most enticing barriers that stand in your way of being an effective communicator.

DO... Be Subtle Yet Accessible
The three possible locations to keep your phone are: bag, belt or pocket. Many people chose to keep cell phones in their bags because of pocket-less wardrobes. If this is the case for you, be sure to choose a vibrating or single beep ring that is audible, yet minimal so it doesn't ring seven times while you search through your bag.

Pockets and belt clips are the most efficient places to keep your phone because you are able to answer the ringer right away. Also you can silence the ringer right away. Remember, the last thing your friend or colleague wants to hear during the meeting is an annoying MIDI version of Beethoven's 9th piercing his ears.

DO NOT... Lay Your Phone on the Table
The moment you sit down to lunch with someone, what's the first thing you do? Check out the menu? Take a sip of water? Unfold your napkin? If you're like me, you succumb to the power of the almighty carbohydrate and go to town on the rolls.

But imagine this: you sit down to eat only to watch the person across the table reach into her pocket, grab her cell phone, and smack it right down next to the salt shaker. Ouch.

Does that mean she has an emergency call coming in? Probably not. It sounds more like, as Jerry Seinfeld says, "I have 62 other people on speed dial that I could call if I wanted to; so you better be interesting." That is not the way to make someone feel important.

DO... Take Emergencies
If you know ahead of time that an incoming call is a business or personal emergency, answer it. This is what cell phones are for. But other than an emergency message or a call that directly affects all people the conversation at hand, there's nobody calling you that can't wait an hour for you to call him back. In the history of cell phones, nobody has ever said, "You were in a meeting?! And THEN you called me back?! How rude!"

DO NOT... Wear Phone Accessories During the Meeting
If you sit through an entire meeting wearing an earpiece, headset or any other hands-free-time-saving-quick-answer-annoying-accessory, you should be ashamed of yourself. That's like taking your spouse to a singles bar!

Nonverbal communication speaks before you do. It accounts for 93% of your communication. So, along with eye contact, smiling and open body language – involvement shields like cell phone headsets can nonverbally send the wrong message, for example: "Please anticipate our meeting being interrupted by somebody more important than you."

DO NOT... Let Your Phone Ring Twelve Times
Especially if your cell phone ring is audible from Jupiter, always silence the ringer after three beeps - or in some cases, symphonies. Odds are you're annoying the heck out of someone else in the room, namely, the person sitting two feet across the table. Most cell phones have buttons on the outside that double as ring silencers. Use 'em. Consult your manual and learn how to quickly silence your phone while it's still in your pocket. If you happen to sport the Clint Eastwood Quick Draw Cell Phone Holster, great! Silencing should be even easier. No excuses.

DO... Turn It Off
A fool-proof solution to cell phone interruption is best personified by the words of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid II. He said, "The best way to block a punch is to not be there." In other words, just turn your phone off. This is a great way to avoid incoming calls or the temptation to make outgoing calls.

DO NOT... Insult the Absent
Some people answer their phones during a meeting or meal and try to compensate for their rudeness by insulting the person on the other line – as if this makes up for it. They roll their eyes. They give you the "just a minute" index finger. They impatiently bob their head back and forth to the rhythm of their boring conversation while forming their non-phone hand into the "Quack Quack" gesture which symbolizes someone on the other line who won't shut up. Meanwhile you're sitting there like an idiot, feeling bad for the person on the other end of the phone, deciding whether or not you should have another roll.

DO... Wait for the Right Time
The best time to check missed calls that you politely silenced is when you or your colleague is away from the table. This will give you enough time to see what you missed, and if need be – return an emergency call. And if you must return the call immediately, don't do it at the table. Politely say, "Please excuse me for a minute, but I have to take this call."

Some sneaky people – my last date for example - pretend to use the bathroom for the sole purpose of making a phone call. This is an effective technique, but be careful. If you've had a few glasses of water, ten minutes later when you really do have to go, you'll turn into "The Boy Who Cried Hello."

DO NOT... Debate the Caller ID
Nothing is more frustrating than to be on the other end of the "Caller ID Debate." If you're not familiar with this atrocity, here are the four steps. (1) They give you the "just a minute" index finger, (2) They check their caller ID, (3) They tilt their head and stare at the phone for 2-5 seconds, and (4) They make a decision to answer the call or return to your conversation. This is terribly uncomfortable. You actually watch your friend (?) decide whether or not there's someone else she'd rather talk to. Ouch.

The Bottom Line
Cell phones have become a primary form of communication. In fact, manufacturers will ship 585 million phones in 2004, according to a study from market watcher Strategy Analytics. But with every phone shipped comes a coefficient of frustration caused by improper etiquette. Show consideration for the person joining you and be mindful of ringers, accessories and incoming calls. And if you use your cell phone at the right time for the right reason, you will honor your company as an effective communicator.

Remember: don't incur the opportunity cost of cell phone convenience at the expense of someone sitting right across the table. You're sitting down with him. Talk to HIM!

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

If You Want Business - Throw a Seminar!
Why is throwing a seminar good for business?If you want to clean your house, you should throw a garage sale, and if you want to increase business, throw a seminar. A seminar is a way for you to contact many people all at once.

Extreme Crisis Communications Seminar at Lakeland Community College (Kirtland, Ohio)
Are you prepared to communicate with the public during an intense public-safety emergency? In extraordinary crisis situations where life, limb and lifestyles are threatened, people get scared fast and can make a serious situation worse. This seminar will give fire, law enforcement, health, school, government leaders, community leaders and first responders the tools to navigate the harsh realities of speaking to the public, media, partners and stakeholders during an intense public-safety emergency (e.g. mass casualty, pandemic flu, terrorism and other extreme situations involving threats to life and limb).

Andrew Hazen, CEO and Founder of Prime Visibility, Will Hold Search Engine Optimization Seminar
Andrew Hazen, Founder and CEO of Prime Visibility, leading Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing firm, is presenting a seminar on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 8:00am to 11:00am at the Huntington Hilton, on Route 110 in Melville, New York. There will also be an optional Live Site Clinic from 11:00am - 12:30pm where participants can choose to have a live analysis of their website done for free, which has an actual value of $1,200.00.

Lorman Education Services Presents a 'Confidentiality Of Medical Records' Seminar on October 27, 2005
This "Confidentiality Of Medical Records" seminar will cover the overview of administrative simplification.

Search of Phone Numbers with Reverse Cell Phone Lookup
Have you heard of reverse cell phone lookup? This service can help you trace unknown calls that you receive from time to time. Almost everyone has experienced receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers. In some cases, pranksters end up ruining their night making repeated phone calls.

Tips For Buying A Cell Phone
There are so many sleek and impressive looking cell phones on the market these days that it's hard to resist the temptation to buy one. There is perhaps very little in the world of modern technology that now rivals the prevalence of the cell phone. Just imagine -- it can help you communicate with practically anyone at practically any time. Plus, you look good doing it, too.

Cell Phone Batteries ? A Review
Cell phone is considered to be the best invention of recent times. With the cell phone, one can communicate and stay in touch with anyone, anywhere, at anytime. The latest cell phone models also facilitate internet browsing through WAP, video and photo cameras, MP3 players and radio. Some even permit word processing and other features of a PC. All these functions use a lot of power, and are possible because of the great cell phone batteries used in the cell phones.

Using A Two Way Radio Vs. A Cell Phone - Which To Choose
Naturally, you?re not going to be making phone calls on a two way radio. If you have the gift of gab and you think this article might suggest that a two way radio is the best way to gossip with your BFF, you seriously need to get out more.

Are You Observing These Cell Phone Etiquettes?
`Etiquettes maketh a man`, goes the famous saying Indeed, it is very essential to be courteous to the people around us

Avoiding Monthly Bills And Excessive Charges Thru Using Prepaid Phone Cards
Most people avoid making international calls because they're afraid to expect to receive high charges that get billed at the end of the month or billing period.

Verizon Wireless Fall Phone Fashion Event
With the holiday shopping season soon underway, Verizon Wireless hosted its first ever Verizon Wireless Fall Phone Fashion Show. Ten phones were in the Verizon fashion show line-up, including the debut of the LG Venus, LG Voyager, Samsung Juke and Blackberry Pearl 8130 smartphone.

modu Taps Lunar Design to Create Distinctive and Fashionable Designs For Paradigm Shifting Mobile Phone Design
Lunar Design announces its collaboration with the latest innovator in the mobile phone industry, modu. modu partnered with Lunar to lead the design of the world's first modular mobile phone.

PowerPhone's Technology Delivers Cell Phone Photos to 9-1-1 Operators
PowerPhone, a leader in 9-1-1 training and technology, has a new system for delivering cell phone photos from 9-1-1 callers to public safety call handlers.

Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Top Tips on Knocking Thousands Off Your Phone Bill
With many experts predicting a downturn in the economy, businesses will be looking for ways to cut cost and their phone bill could be the easiest to reduce their overhead.