How can I sound more professional on the phone and at the workplace?
102909
Listen to others and talk less.
1007160
Business 2.0 magazine in an article entitled "Firing Up Your Cold Calls" http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2005/12/01/8364583/index.htm has some very interesting and practical tips on how to improve your cold calling strategies and getting through the gatekeepers:\n\n1. Call when the screeners (secretaries, assistants) are out - the ideal time to talk to the decision maker and busy executives would be just after daybreak or after dinnertime. They would still be at work, but their assistants and minders would have already left. Yes, the timing is unconventional, but if it could put you on the phone with the person you need, then that's the thing to do.\n\n2. Engage the gatekeeper. Because you can't always call before or after 9-to-5, chances are there will be times when the secretary or assistant will answer the phone. Charm them or disarm them with unexpected one liners. Make them think of you as a person not as a nuisance.\n\n3. Find something - anything - in common with the person you are cold calling. Sometimes it takes a little digging to get the response you want from the company you want to do business with. An example given in the article is about a vendor trying to get in touch with the head of an asset management company. Since his calls or emails are not returned, what he did was to find other executives in the company with his same last name, and sent that person an email. Pretending to be a long lost cousin may not always work, but it sure can get you the exec's attention.
420899
talk with an attitude.\ncreate a positive impact.\nhear before you speak !!
440590
The best way to improve is to practice.  I second the person who said to join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org).  I was in it for six years and it helped me immensely.  I miss it.\n\nWhen I was in grad school I put together a silly little site with some specific tips.  They are the same things I would tell you here, so you may want to take a look at it.  I promise it will not try to sell you anything, except for the normal Lycos ads.\n\nThe address is: http://stevefournier01.tripod.com/tips/tips-index.html\n\ngood luck.
1083580
Show up early everyday. Do not sit around a socialize most of the afternoon. Get you work completed in a timely manner and correctly. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification or for help if you do not know how to do something. If your work is done, ask your supervisor if there is any additional work you can do to help them or the company. And always dress professionally. Always be professional in your dress, speech, and written communications. Also let your boss know you want to excell in your career and see if they will put you on a plan, where you have goals and if you meet them, you get "x"
359
OK - I podcast, just wrapped my 160th show. I use a Plantronics Computer headset. Key is to position microphone 3 fingers away from your mouth, not under your nose. I think it was $14 from Fry's\n\nFor calls, I use a Radio Shack call recorder, plugs in between your phone and headset (phone must have headset jack). Was $24.\n\nProcessing your voice afterwards helps: normalize, use a little reverb, and compress. It makes a big difference, and you dont really need to use hardware to do it. \n\nThats the cheap method. You can spend a lot more and there are huge differences and situations. It depends on where you will be using it, who you will be talking to. Big difference between say a portable , interview show, and/or studio.
705849
In your application, don't talk about your responsibilities, talk about your accomplishments, especially in terms of how you either saved money, saved time, or earned money for the company. Use action verbs to accentuate your accomplishments.\n\nExample: \n\n"Improved productivity 5% by optimizing office workflow"\n\ninstead of "Managed office activities"
1141266
on the phone you might feel like you have less time to answer. online you feel more witty and confident.  Try working on being just as forward and confident in your statments on the phone as you would online by taking a second and think "what would I say if we were chating online"  Maybe pause for a second to think and then react.  I find my speech has improved my just taking 1 extra second to think about what im going to say.  It shows inteligence and patience.   practice makes progress
987463
speak into the microphone
965655
Dress up formally and wear a little makeup, if necessary, to feel confident.\nMake a timetable and stick to it.\nAllow yourself breaks and keep your home and office life separate.\nIt is now how long you can work everyday but how much you achieve in the hours you work.
156673
For the most part it is on the phone but there are things I do have problems putting into words easily or topics that ii really can't talk about, for that I do type it out.  In some ways because I don't have to 'speak' the words i can get them out in a way that is clear and understandable.
197679
PRACTICE.\n\nI recommend doing a mock presentation and making sure you have everything down exactly as you want it, including timing, eye contact, etc.\n\nAlso if you want a long term improvement, you should join ToastMasters, an organization that will help you in this department. Try: http://www.toastmasters.org/
92040
depending on the type of work you do...keep a stack of papers on your desk, and if someone happens by, start shuffling the papers, like you're looking for a particular sheet, or pretend to be reading one, maybe even use a highlighter, and mumble to yourself (but loud enough for someone walking by to hear) about how much work you have to do yet today....
188338
Topic A:\nGetting along with other people at work is important because your personality, social skills and edict is returned to you by human nature.  Your non-verbal communication can show others, without talking, how intersted you are in a conversation with them or the subject that is brought about.  Active listening and observation can help you learn about others in your environment, it will help reflect your communication during conversation with some people who may take things differently. Have self-cofidence in the way you carry yourself, it can reflect how other people may treat you.  Speak with proper speaking and/or phone edict; others will understand you better and it shows how educated you are.  The best way to keep your co-workers friendly is to keep all gossip to yourself and use it for your own discretion.  Keep all relationships on a professional level.  Feelings or paticular actions towards certain indiviuals can get others suspicious of harrassment and/or start rumors that you may regret later.  Remember, this is where one may spend about 8 hours per day for 5 days a week; keep a friendly, balanced work environment and you will enjoy going to work a whole lot more than if there was hostility.
643133
Sing the lyrics of your favourite songs!!!\nTry to imitate people's voice!!\n\nAnyway better to have a monotone quiet voice than a strident exasperating high voice!!\n\nGud Luck!
103864
Be genuinely interested in other people in order to build relationships. Don't think too much about "power" or "office politics." Just try to be helpful and friendly.\n\nAs a result, not only will you be respected as a professional, you will also contribute to creating a great workplace for everyone. :-)
182965
Look for a new job.  I've been in your shoes.  A boring day at work can seem like a week.  Ugh.\n\nWhen I need to get tedious things done I turn on some peppy music, it instantly gets me in a faster pace. (perfect for stuffing envelopes)