The Etiquette Edge

CHAPTER 15

Using the Telephone Productively

Conversations, Teleconferencing, and Voice Mail Messaging

Before the Internet, with its stunning power and flexibility, changed the way we work, the telephone was our fastest and most efficient method for overcoming both great distances and busy schedules.

Easy to use, reliable, and relatively inexpensive, it became the most pervasive communication tool in business—both an enabler and an intruder. And even though e-mail has taken its place in many cases, the telephone still frequently is the communication tool of choice. One reason is that the telephone is often the next best thing to conversing face to face because it provides a richer communication opportunity than written words.

Telephone Basics ...