Stories From The Street
I am in need for some legal assistance. No, Not bail money. A little “Final Will” tweaking.
Like many such services, the yellow pages and a simple Google Search doesn’t cut it. I was looking for a personal referral from a friend I could trust. I got it.
I called this referred” lawyer, who was very well respected, admired and highly respected. And then it happened.
“Lawyer’s Office.”
Lawyer’s Office? Now that made me feel both welcome and comfortable right from the giddy-up.
“Lawyer’s Office?” Give me a break.
I thought of two rebuttals: (1) Hey lady, you need some professional work when it comes to greeting your next pay check. (2) Is this an answering service? I chose option two, and was totally caught off guard when she said, “No, this is the lawyer’s actual office.” (Nuts. I knew I should have gone with option #1.)
Well, instead of having a field day with this person I politely asked that her boss give me a return phone call since I do have a need to legalize this document.
Today’s Message:
1. Train your people to answer the phone properly.
2. Make sure that you are doing it right.
3. Rememebr that the person answering the phone has total control of the call. Don’t screw it up like this lady tried to do without even knowing it. (She is busy, over-worked and I imagine under-paid.) Join the club.
A day does not pass when I am reminded of how good, honest, well-intentioned people just don’t get it. By what definition you might ask. By my definition. I can’t cite the quoter, but never a truer phrase has ever ben muttered; “Defend your weaknesses … and they are yours.”
Ladies and gentlemen, answer the phone with a little personality … like you are actually glad that somebody thought enough of you to take the time to call you.