Business EnglishReturning a phone call
Today, it’s common to see a number of different professionals in a number of different fields of employment engaged and rather busy with their work. However, business experts have an especially minimal amount of free time available in the office, and as such, they often find themselves returning phone calls—or calling back fellow industry specialists who’ve contacted them regarding a matter of professional significance. Return phone calls are typically issued in response to business call messages, or short summaries left when a professional isn’t able to take a phone call, for the purpose of highlighting the reason that contact is being initiated.
In terms of tone, return business phone calls can capture a number of different moods and attitudes, which the caller can decide upon; some business calls are friendly, while others are naturally competitive. However, generally speaking, returned phone calls should be made as soon as possible and should concern the matter for which contact was initiated by the caller.
Consider the following example of a typical return business phone call, as continued from the previous example of a typical business phone call message.
Lotner: Hello, my name is Jared Lotner, and I’m returning a message I received from Jack Tempt.
Tempt: Hello, Jared. Thanks for returning my call. How’s everything going?
Lotner: Not too bad, thanks for asking. You mentioned that additional product information I asked about in your message, right?
Tempt: I did. I was able to secure files containing the data you wanted to see.
Lotner: That’s awesome! Would you like to disclose it to me now? I could also review the file itself if you email it.
Tempt: Whatever is most convenient for you sounds good to me.
Lotner: Could you email it over?
Tempt: Certainly! I’ll send it right now.
Lotner: Great, thanks. I’ll call you back after I take a look.
Tempt: Sounds good.
In this example, neither caller is pushy, rude, or unprofessional, but it’s apparent that they respect one another and understand that they’re both rather busy. Mutual respect is a hallmark of the business world—and especially the business world in terms of phone calls—as time is a valuable commodity. Lastly, this example shows how important business return phone calls are, as they can initiate the development of multimillion-dollar deals and agreements, as well as relationships that span across multiple decades.
Did you understand the text?
Please answer the following questions of understanding:
Question 1:
What is a return business phone call?
a A message left for another business professional
b A phone call made for leisure purposes
c A call back to a fellow industry specialist who left a message inquiring about a matter of professional significance
d None of the above
Question 2:
When should a return business phone call be made?
a Whenever is convenient
b Two to three hours after a message is received
c As soon as possible
d Never; the caller should be expected to leave another message.
Question 3:
What is the tone of an efficient return business phone call?
a Pushy and rude
b Slow and drawn-out
c Careless
d Respectful, attentive, and focused
Question 4:
Why are return business phone calls important?
a They can lead to large contracts and agreements
b They help professionals build confidence amongst fellow business specialists
c They help business experts to develop contacts
d All of the above
Question 5:
How can a large amount of information be relayed through a return business phone call?
a Through a long speech by one caller
b Through the mail, after one caller provides his or her address
c Through email, after one caller provides his or her email address
d Through text message
Please answer all questions about the text:
You have answered 0 of 5 questions.
You have answered 0 of 5 questions.
Restart this test