Tax Strategies & Preparation Articles

(Part Three of a Three-Part Series)

Minding Your Cell Phone Manners

Last week we discussed the importance of answering your business phone properly. In this last article of this series on phone etiquette we will discuss proper etiquette when using your cell phone. Cell phones enable us to keep in touch despite location. They’ve become a great convenience and have advanced our ability to remain in contact with our businesses and all the contacts that make those businesses thrive. Unfortunately, cell phone users can take it a bit too far, making their business everyone’s business by talking about private issues in very public places, taking calls regardless of the company they’re in, and disregarding many cell-free zones like libraries and hospitals. If you have a cell phone it’s important that you mind your wireless manners, because when you don’t you endanger your professional image and irritate those around you.

Consider the following 7 rules of cell phone etiquette:

1. Respect cell-free zones.
Libraries, museums, theaters, hospitals, dentist offices, churches, and all other cell-free zones should be respected. Otherwise you appear unprofessional and disrespectful which may be discouraging to potential clients.

2. Don’t take personal calls when doing business.
Unless an emergency, it is rude to take personal calls when meeting with other professionals. In fact, it’s a good idea to turn your cell phone off before you enter meetings, presentations, or lunch appointments with associates.

3. Maintain a safe parameter when carrying on a conversation in public.
While at the library a few weeks ago a man began carrying on a very private conversation with his mother where he talked about his drug addiction, the halfway house where he was currently residing, and the twelve-step program he was having trouble following. Not only was it a cell-free zone, but he was surrounded by about 5 people in a very quiet area; at the end of his call we all knew more about him than we wanted to know. Whether a personal or business call, no one wants a conversation thrust upon them, especially when it is one of which they did not agree to participate.

4. Wear an earpiece to better hear your caller and gauge your voice level.
If you know you’ll be in a noisy area it’s good to wear an earpiece which helps you better engage with your caller.

5. Demand that employees follow your rules of proper cell phone etiquette.
If you have employees it is important that you enforce your own version of cell etiquette when they are in your office. One unprofessional misstep could send the wrong message to your clients.

6. Inform callers that you are speaking on a cell phone.
It is good to let listeners know when you are on a mobile because they will be better prepared for the common interferences associated with cell usage.

7. Avoid loud and annoying ring tones.
While it may be fun to find unusual and distinct ring tones, they can sound annoying to listeners. And because you use your cell phone for business, everything about your wireless conversations should be professional, including your ring tones and its volume level.

With every great technological advance come some disadvantages. While accessing business associates may be more convenient with your cell phone, you must recognize that sometimes that comes with a price. If you don’t want to disturb those around you and come across as rude and inconsiderate then you must follow simple rules of cell phone etiquette. The seven listed above will help you get started.