April 2006
Top Three Communication
Pet Peeves
To be sought after as
a virtual professional, your communication style is of the utmost importance.
Every day I speak with VAs from across the US, either by telephone or e-mail.
Here are the three top mistakes I observe in my day to day experiences communicating
with emerging practitioners, colleagues and clients:
Turn off the television and the radio! While working alone in your office
may prompt you to turn on television or radio while you're working, turn it
off when you make a call or answer the phone. It is much more audible in the
background than you think, and delivers a very unprofessional message to your
clients.
Use a professional communication style when you are speaking on the phone.
This means avoiding slang such as "catch ya later" or " 'sup?"
With individuals that I speak with many times a day, I still begin a conversation
with, "Good afternoon, it's Nora. Do you have a moment to speak with
me?"
Use a professional communication style when you are posting e-mail messages
- even on discussion boards. Refrain from typing in all lower or all upper
case. Begin your message with a proper salutation, even if only to address
your recipient by name. Close your message with a proper salutation. Even
with e-mail's more relaxed communication style, communicating professionally
counts. Here's an example:
Bob, thank you for sending me the forecast documents. I'll forward them
to Mike immediately.
Please give me a call if you have any questions.
Thanks for your help.
Kind regards,
Nora Rubinoff
~*~
You never know when your next client could be a VA you are having a discussion
with on the board, or a new client who observed your style and conduct from
viewing discussion board messages.
As a virtual professional, communication is your primary tool for making a
best impression. Review your communication style often, to ensure you are
communicating a professional image about yourself and your practice.
Nora Rubinoff, At Your
Service, www.aysweb.com
