Answering phones (for businesses)

aa6972 · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:37

At work, I have to say -
Thank you for calling <company name>, this is the <department name>, you are speaking to <my name>, How may I help you today?

ic1male · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:40

Generally you say the non-important bit first like Good Morning because the caller doesn't tune in for the first second or two. Then you say the company name so that that bit is received loud and clear.

peterattheboro · 8 Apr 2009 at 11:46

I say 'ello if it's a member of staff calling.

If it's from an external line then I find out the guys first name and say "Hi John, Peter speaking"

Nice and informal but polite

rG-tom · 8 Apr 2009 at 12:28

I answer the phone "Good morning/afternoon <company name> <branch name>, Tom speaking".

I'd hate to work at the bank at the end of this street, it'd be "Good afternoon Halifax, Halifax, Tom Speaking!"

BenjiSayers · 8 Apr 2009 at 13:13

I say "Good Morning/Afternoon *company name*, Ben Speaking how can I help?*

I get loads of people saying is this "X" just seconds after I have said the company name and I get loads of people ringing up with the wrong number. So I can't see any harm in it.

If it is an internal call the greeting depends on the person

Hxc · 8 Apr 2009 at 13:15

Good Morning/Afternoon, Storename Norwich, Jordan speaking, how can I help?

It's amazing how many people respond with "Oh?! as if they didn't expect me to answer the phone, or know who they are calling

Karl · 8 Apr 2009 at 13:18

Removing the company name creates ambiguity, so it's always worth saying first.

We always say Good morning / afternoon, <company>, Karl speaking.

Burnsy2023 · 8 Apr 2009 at 13:19

Trifid said:
If it is an external number:

Hello, <business name> IT Department <name> speaking, how may I help.

Internal name that I recognise:

Hello <their name>

Internal that I do not recognise:

Hello, IT department <name> speaking, how may I help?

It is usually followed by them hanging up though.

That's what I tend to do

Alexrose1uk · 8 Apr 2009 at 13:41

Good Morning/Afternoon <Company> Helpdesk, Alex speaking, how can I help?

If its internal, it's more like Hi there, <Name>!

We get a lot of people calling for Capital One/HSBC (similar number) so we have to turn away/transfer a lot of people.

Archy · 8 Apr 2009 at 14:05

Andy100 said:
I can guarantee that if you phoned a company and they answered by just saying hello the first question you would ask is "Hi, is that <company>?"

Very true.

Sin_Chase · 8 Apr 2009 at 14:10

Good Afternoon/Morning, Companyname..... wait for them to pose their query.