15: Seb Lime
Anna: (answering the phone) Yes? Denise: Stop! That's all wrong. I'm going to call you again. This time… Narrator: Hello. Here we are in the middle of a telephone training session with Denise and Anna. What fun! Denise: …this time, you don't say 'yes' when you answer, it's rude. Call me and I'll show you how it's done. (sound of 4-digit dialling, then phone rings) Hello? Tip Top Trading. Anna: Wow, that's good. Denise: And, you can say your name. Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking. Try it. (dialling, then ring) Anna: Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise speaking. Denise: No! Anna: What? Denise: Say: "Anna speaking!" Anna: Oh, sorry, I'm so stressed by all this. Hello Anna speaking. Denise: You sound like you're sitting on a pineapple. Listen to my voice: Hello? Denise speaking. Anna: Hello? Anna speaking. Denise: Good. Now, when the person has introduced themself – this is Mrs Smith or whatever, say: Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Or, if you know them already, you might say: Hello Mrs Smith, how are you? Anna: Okay, what if Mrs Smith wants to speak to Tom but he's not there? Denise: You say: "I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message? " Or: "I'm afraid he's busy, shall I ask him to call you back?" Anna: Okay. Denise: And, to end a conversation, you can say: "Thank you for calling, goodbye. " Let's do another practice! (phone rings) Anna: Hello? Tip Top Trading. Denise: Hello, this is Mrs Smith. Anna: Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Denise: I'd like to speak to Tom please. Anna: I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message? Denise: That's okay, I'll try again later. Anna: Okay. Thank you for calling, goodbye. Denise: Excellent! (phone rings) Oh! Anna: How did you call me without dialling? Denise: I didn't, that's a real call! Anna: Oh no, I'm all nervous now. Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking. Mr Lime: Hello Anna, this is Seb Lime. Anna: Sublime? Mr Lime: Mr Lime from Citrus Ventures. But I think we should be on first name terms now, so call me Seb. Anna: Okay, er, Seb. How can I help you? Mr Lime: I just wanted to say again that your Imperial Lemon is fantastic... and I was wondering if you'd like to do lunch with me sometime? Anna: Lunch? Er... Narrator: I knew it! Mr Lime is interested in more than just your lemons! Anna: Would you like to discuss the Imperial Lemon? Mr Lime: Forget the lemons Anna! The reason I want to see you is more of a personal nature. Anna: Personnel? Er... Can I call you back? I'm afraid I'm a bit busy at the moment... Mr Lime: …bbbut… Denise: Well Anna! Mr Lime eh? Anna: Oh dear Denise, I think I need a bit more help from you. He wants to talk about personnel…people, staffing… Denise: Are you sure? I think he means a personal nature, not personnel! That Mr Lime! Anna: Oh! Narrator: Mr Lime indeed. Anyway, Anna had an excellent phone manner. Let's hear those phrases again: Hello? Tip Top Trading. This is Anna speaking. Hello? Anna speaking. Hello Mrs Smith, how can I help you? Hello Mrs Smith, how are you? I'm really sorry, he's not available at the moment. Can I take a message? I'm afraid he's busy – shall I ask him to call you back? Thank you for calling, goodbye. But how is Anna going to handle Mr Lime's request? I can't wait till next time! Bye!