Professional or unprofessional??

[jodipodi]

Hi geeks, Have a debatable one for you...sitting with client today chatting when my mobile rings... I suddenly questioned wether I should answer or not-I ignored it. (bearing in mind Im just venturing into mobile with friends and family clients and still training) Im not sure if its unprofessional to answer a call even if its another client wanting to book? Can one of you professionals please give me some advice it may same trivial but I would hate a client to feel I was ignorant x

 

[s.mill]

Hi!

I don't answer my mobile when I am with a client, i have phone on silent. You could customise your voicemail message saying something like: "Thank you for calling ...... i am unable to take your call at present but please leave your name, number and a brief message and i will get back to you as soon as i can, Thank you" or something like that!

I hope it helps. x

 

[jodipodi]

Thanx for clearing that one up Sandra, sometimes I feel queries I have are daft ones but I think its the little things that make a big impression x

 

[Dinkydot]

Hi,

I don't answer my mobile or my house phone when I'm with a client, your client is paying you for your time so I believe its unprofessional to answer the phone to anybody, they can always leave a message for you to contact them when you free!!!

 

[ValencianNails]

I have important numbers (hubby/children/school) on a different ringtone. If they ring while I'm with a client I ask them if they mind me answering my phone and have never had anyone say no, yet!!! lol.

My daughter rang from school one day to ask me to pick her up as she was ill, if I'd have ignored the call or had my phone on silent she would have been sat there for ages, as it was I could ring my friend to go and get her.

I don't think it's unprofessional to answer it providing it doesn't happen constantly during their treatment.

 

[jodipodi]

Yeah its a little awkward when you have children as I also do, you can never know when those things can happen and like you say someone has to be available to contact in those circumstances. I think Ill probably try that idea out with the ringtones one-maybe get a seperate mobile for emergencys and give to school etc? x

 

[nicky's nails]

I agree with Sandi, I have school and kids mobiles set to diff ringtone, so if that rings i answer it, i have it on really quiet , so as not to be annoying, then if it means my daughter is having a fit in school i know, whereas if its just a client or a sales call (grrrr) i can ignore it , let it go to answerphone and retrieve it later on

i have a similar message ot the one suggested before, and it works well for me

nicky x

 

[jodipodi]

Thanx all, going to stick with that then everyones happy I suppose. Im sure if a client was in the same position theyd do the same x

 

[Bebeautiful]

Hi jodipodi,
I have two mobile phones, one is strictly for clients, and the other is for friends, family etc. My client mobile is on answer machine and is on silence too, so that when clients call and leave a message I make the time between appointsments to answer their calls. I find that this works well for me.

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Personally I always take the call. Think about it, you want your hair done ...in fact you want anything done ... and usually we want it NOW!!! So if you don't answer your phone they'll keep trying other numbers until someone does. After all the client in front of you probably phoned when you had another sat in front of you too.

At the end of the day the choice is down to you, there's no right and wrong just what we personally decide.

 

[jodipodi]

Its a debatable one alright! Hmm..I was liking the idea of having two seperate mobiles but then as Sassy says Im also one of those clients who wants everything NOW so I can appreciate that one!!
Saying that though, as long as theres only one business number then I suppose whoever calls will have to be patient and wait for a call back -or on the other hand,clients may have to appreciate that its a 'mobile' business. I obviously cant take a receptionist wherever I go......

 

[champagne]

1A business phone with a recorded message on it is a must....

I never answer my personal phone whilst with a client unless its my kids & they know only to ring me in an emergency...Oh & i have it on silent..

 

[1999judy]

I think if the client knows you well enough they will understand if you take a call for a minute or so whilst working, especially if you have kids.
It's the techs that seem to have a phone glued to their ear that bug clients from what I can gather.
Not only are they paying you for the work but they like your attention too I guess.

 

[jodipodi]

Definitely Judy, I think from a clients point of view the conversation and undivided attention is a must because its such a personal service and the whole point is to feel pampered. Think its best to have the two ringtones, one for everyone inc clients and another for school-mine are still little so wont be ringing me themselves! x Thanx everyone x