Conference Call Etiquette – How to Sound Professional in Your Pajamas
The following is a guest post from Amanda Mitchell a freelance writer who specializes in getting the most of technology for small businesses. You can reach Amanda at mitchell_amanda (at) ymail.com
You’ve started a small business and quit your day job. Good for you! But just because you’re working from home now doesn’t mean you won’t be interacting with others on a daily basis. If you run a service-based business, you need to communicate with your clients. While e-mail and instant messaging can be useful to convey quick messages, the time may come when you need to have a real conversation with your clients. If you’re in New York and they’re in California, meeting at the office is out of the question. This is where conference calls come in.
Be careful, though. Working from home can cause some people to get a little too comfortable. You might be sitting at a desk, working on a computer, but if your professional dress code entails flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, it can be very easy to forget you’re dealing with professionals who are expecting you to be professional too. A few simple tips will help you prepare for your conference calls, and keep your professional reputation intact.
Get dressed
There’s nothing wrong with working in pajamas, sweats, or even a muumuu, if that’s your thing. Part of the reason you wanted to work from home was that you knew you could be just as productive while you were comfortable as you were when you had to dress up in constrictive business attire. Maybe even more productive, right? But interacting with others via e-mail, instant message, or social media is very different from actually talking to them.
If it helps you maintain a professional demeanor during the conference call, get out of the pajamas and into some real clothes, even if it’s just jeans. It will remind you that it’s not an ordinary day where it’s just you, your computer, and your Twitter friends, and will help you stay focused.
Get the kids out of the room
A lot of people start businesses from home to spend more time with their kids, or simply to avoid paying nearly what they earn at a regular job on the daycare they’ll need while they’re at work. Setting up shop at home makes all the sense in the world, until you have to get on the phone with your clients and your kid is having a meltdown.
A crying child is not good background noise, and may cause your clients to wonder whether you’ll be able to get their project done while facing the demands of home. Your kids are important, but so is your business, and your clients deserve your full attention during a phone call. If your kids are school age, schedule the conference call during school hours. If they’re not, wait until nap time. If this doesn’t work for your client’s schedule, especially if they’re in a different time zone, ask a friend or family member to come over and keep the kids busy while you take the call.
Don’t eat
It may sound like common sense, but if you have to schedule a conference call during what would normally be your lunch time because it’s when your client is available, you may think there’s nothing wrong with having a sandwich while you talk. They can’t see you, right? No, but they can hear you, and the sound of chewing or lip smacking is not going to endear you to anyone. The last thing you want is a mouth full of tuna salad right when the client asks you to explain your project time line so they can approve your budget.
Sure, some meetings are held over meals, but this is a conference call. There are no visual cues or body language to enhance your communication, and it’s even worse if you’re the only one eating. All they have to go on is your voice, so don’t obscure it with food. This also goes for chewing gum, or hard candy. No, and no. Have a glass of water nearby, sure, but no eating. Period.
Turn off the TV
Some people need the ambient noise of the television, the radio, or their iTunes library to keep them on task. It may not distract you, but it will definitely distract whoever is on the other end of the line. They need to be able to clearly hear what you’re saying. Not to mention, hearing Oprah in the background may make them wonder whether you’re actually getting any work done.
Keep things quiet, behave professionally, and your clients don’t ever have to know you work in your pajamas.
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Don’t forget to keep your dogs quiet. Barking and yapping canines are distracting and almost always give away the fact that you’re working from home.
Hi Amanda,
I have been working from home for a few years now, putting on some dress clothes to remind you that it is not an ordinary day is a good idea.
One trick that I have done is to call a colleague and ask what I sound like on the phone. You can get some good info by doing that, like lawn mowers in the background.
Rob
Rob Wagner SBA Funding´s last blog ..Secured Business Loans Could Be Your Only Option
Great post as usual for this blog. Being in the conferencing industry for the past few years, and also working from home myself, I have pretty much heard it all by now.
Barking dogs are probably the biggest culprit of giving away the fact you are working from home. Second would be noisy kids. Those two are the tops because they are sounds that you shouldn’t hear in an office environment.
Outside noises like lawnmowers, or even music in the background are not as bad since an office with an open window or a desk with a radio on it can have those noises, as much as they should be silenced, sometimes that is understandable.
Eating is never forgivable in my opinion. Unless it is a 6-hour conference call or something, there really is no reason you cannot move your lunch break around.
As for dress, I promote video conferencing often so the shirt and tie goes on for me (but luckily the jogging pants or shorts are not seen). It really depends on the person as to whether dressing up for the call will make them sound more professional on the phone.
One point I like to make is that in today’s environment it is not always necessary to ‘hide’ the fact that you are a telecommuter or working from home. I promote that fact because I am selling a service that enables it. Depending on the relationship I have with the person/people on the other end of the line, I might even address that the family or dog is awaiting my conclusion of this call to address to something needed by them. This goes a long way to showing the benefits of my service to them and also how it can be used productively with the correct balance. It might not be fitting for everyone, but actually can assist me in my goals.
Keep up the great tips,
Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Infinity Conference Call
arusso@infinityconferencecall.com
Skype: anth.russo
Twitter: @AnthonyRusso
Anthony Russo´s last blog ..The Growth of Business through the years
Environment does make a difference. Prepping your work area (including getting dressed) sends the right vibe. You’ll feel more professional and that will carry through in your voice.
Cool post. Unique and wise. I love it.
George
George Angus´s last blog ..Read An E-Book Week
Hey Great article…
Would just add few more points to it.
1) You should remember that over a call you don’t have advantage of body language, so always remember to have a physical smile even though you are not visible, it can be felt.
2) You should be prepared with bullet point that you need to cover on your call. This would help you not to skip even a single point.
3) Take care of your tone. You should not sound tired or bored over the call, especially when the call is post lunch.
4) Try to sound human. At times, we get so involved to get the deal that we may start sounding robot. Try to give example of your work rather than simply making promise that i will do it.
Oh I can relate to this article. I work from home and often find I am slouching unshowered and still in my sleep wear at midday. My collegues will often phone and ask me to lunch and I must excuse myself as I am not dressed. I too am trying to establish a healthy routine for my working day at home.