Telephone Ringing Again? No, You Don't Have to Answer It!

History 1877 - The very first permanent outdoor telephone wire was completed. It stretched a distance of just three miles.

I first wrote about tyrant telephone callers four years ago, and recent unpleasantness has made me revisit this subject. What is it about the telephone that makes people think its imperious summons always has to be answered, right this minute?! Consider the following, please.

It's potentially deadly for non-professionals to answer a phone when they're driving a vehicle. However, unless it's your job to answer the phone immediately at work, for example, you don't have to race to answer the phone anywhere. The truth is, there are calls that don't have to be answered at all. Where, then, does society get the nerve to put pressure on people to drop whatever they're doing, to speak with someone else at an inconvenient time?

History 1955 - Saw the beginning of the laying of transatlantic telephone cables.

The very sounds that landlines and cell phones now make can be reason enough to snatch them up, I suppose, just to save your sanity. But why not just turn them off? The irritating rings, tones, and music can be as bad as the sound from a frustrated child; he's banging over and over on piano keys he doesn't want to play in the first place. Or the phones irritate as much as the two weeks of beeping from a low battery, before the Facilities crew gets around to replacing it.

Why do we bother to have answering machines at home and voice mail at the office, if we aren't going to use either one? There's not much that's more annoying than a spouse with a head cold, bellowing at you to answer the phone, when Caller ID clearly indicates either "unknown caller," or yet another toll-free call coming in. (Privacy Manager, from the phone company, is a dubious solution. It can sink you, if you're job hunting, so disable it or cancel it. Don't make it hard for would-be employers to reach you. )

History 1946 - Worlds first commercial mobile phone service put into operation. It could link moving vehicles to a telephone network via radio waves.

What many of us didn't realize until recently is that many invasive phone calls are now dialed by a machine. When we answer such a call, there's a silence, while we inanely say, Hello?…Hello?... Hello? During that pause, the machine is connecting us to a live telemarketer. So, if no one answers rightaway, we need to hang up immediately! They even have the nerve to call four times in 40 minutes, if you do ignore them.

History 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, beating Elisha Gray by a matter of hours.

Outside of irritating a sick person in the house, intrusive callers don't know or care that you might be in the middle of downloading bug fixes and enhancements (otherwise known as SR1 and SP3) from Microsoft. Even with DSL, such upgrades can take a couple of uninterrupted hours, after you've reinstalled Office. The reason such callers don't care is that they regard themselves as the most important people in the world, and anything you're doing can be set aside.

History 1874 - Principal of the telephone was uncovered.

What's worse, perhaps, is that it isn't just telemarketers, solicitors and pollsters, who can be rude. People from your own volunteer activities (church, community, or profession) think it's perfectly OK to call very early or very late in the day. After all, it's for a good cause, right? And heaven help you, if your employer makes you carry a pager or a company cell phone. It never occurs to Type A pushers that the rest of us function much better, when we unwind in the evenings, and get a healthy amount of rest and sleep.

And mothers, are you guilty of this, too? That is, do you expect your grown-up kids to drop everything, so you can nag one more time? Or do you call to be supportive and reassuring, which is what they need from you the most in today's hectic world?

History 1888 - Common battery system developed by Hammond V. Hayes, allows one central battery to power all telephones on an exchange, rather than relying on each units own battery.

The bottom line is that the phone doesn't have to be answered on the first ring, unless you are expecting an important call and/or don't want to alert everyone else in the house. Even then, extensions make it easy for others to listen in.

History 1900 - First coin operated telephone installed in Hartford, Connecticut.

If you're the caller, you might try being a little more considerate. And if you're the one who's paying the phone bill, turn off the ringer and let the answering machine pick up the calls. You'll save more than your sanity.

Shirley Ann Parker is a full-time technical writer. She is also the author of Discoveries: A Journey Through Life, a delightful collection of short stories about the joys and frustrations of family life and friendships. Discoveries is available from http://www.bbotw.com and other online bookstores. Read more about Discoveries at http://www.shirleyannparker.com, and see more of Shirley's creative work at http://www.cafeshops.com/topazcoveplus

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VoIP and Local Telephone Companies

History 1888 � Common battery system developed by Hammond V. Hayes, allows one central battery to power all telephones on an exchange, rather than relying on each units own battery.

With VoIP technology entering the mainstream, it brings the possibilities or huge profits for the companies that provide the service. The current promise of cost savings is driving more and more residential and business users to investigate this technology. But the local telephone companies are not going to give up customers without a fight.

There is a current mandate by the US federal government that all VoIP providers offer E911 service. The initial blocking of this information was with the public switched telephone network maintained by the major telephone companies.

History 1876 � Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, beating Elisha Gray by a matter of hours.

The next stumbling block is ‘naked DSL' or DSL access without local phone service. This service is rare, but without it a residence would not be able to use VoIP as their primary phone service mechanism. You see, DSL is running over your existing phone line provided by your local telephone company. Drop your local phone service and you'll probably drop your broadband DSL access as well. (Cable broadband access is a viable solution here and the increased cost in cable access should be offset by the reduction on your monthly phone bill)

History 1955 � Saw the beginning of the laying of transatlantic telephone cables.

These are just two fronts in the battle over VoIP. Should companies be compensated for the infrastructures they build? Should E911 service be ‘free' and offered as a public service? What about the existing phone service run into our homes? Who pays for those lines to be laid and hooked into the public switched telephone network?

There really are no easy answers to the questions above. The phone companies are not about to give up customers without a fight. They have years and billions of dollars spent in building one of the most reliable communications networks ‘currently' known to us.

Is VoIP the next step in the evolving communications industry? How will this play out with phone companies offering internet and TV services and cable providers offering phone and internet service? The line is being blurred and yet the technology pushes forward.

History 1911 � American Telephone and Telegraph (AT & T) acquire the Western Union Telegraph Company in a hostile takeover. They purchased stocks in the company covertly and the two eventually merged.

I don't have the answers, only questions. I know how I'd like to see it all play out, but alas, there is no Nirvana and no, it would seem we all cannot get along. Not when there's literally billions of dollars at stake. There will be winners and losers as this war rages on, but it is my hope that we, the end users, will, in the end, be better for it. After all, we've been down this path many times before and it's turned out ok.

Remember the advent of the PC and where we've gone since then? Remember the first bulky cellular phones vs. what's available today? Yes, TV's, radios, computers, phones the list goes on. Technology advances will continue to push us into new directions. I'm sure that in the end, VoIP will be as commonplace as the home computer.

History 1946 � Worlds first commercial mobile phone service put into operation. It could link moving vehicles to a telephone network via radio waves.

We can leverage this technology today in a cost effective manner. Like any technology how you implement VoIP will make the difference. Whether you're a residential or business user, there can be an immediate benefit. Check with your communications broker to find out if your existing phone needs can be met cost effectively with VoIP.

History 1900 � First coin operated telephone installed in Hartford, Connecticut.

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The Full service broadband provider is a service offered by Try Right Technology, Inc. This service provides unbiased informative information on broadband technology as well as local/long distance and cellular service. Copyright 2005

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Five Principles of Effective Communication

The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred. George Bernard Shaw

I'm sure this has happened to you: a colleague has just done the exact opposite of what you wanted him to do. How can that be, you ask yourself. I told him exactly what I wanted. Yes, maybe you told him but did you check that he was listening, that he understood, that he agreed and that he would carry out the required action? Obviously not. The first principle of effective communication is to get appropriate feedback.

Tip! Sidestep absolutes - right/wrong, bad/good. Statements like 'you always' or 'you never' are absolutes that hinder communication.

The second principle of effective communications is to really connect with your audience. It is a fallacy that the mere sending out of information is a communicative act. It isn't, especially in the current climate where everybody is drowning in information that overwhelms on us all fronts.

To connect with your audience you need to address their different needs as partners because communication is a two-way process. You have to decide what you want the outcome of your communication to be: are you trying to inform, persuade, shock, praise, criticize, shame, please, inspire?

Whatever your aim you need to plan your message, and the medium for the message, to trigger the emotional and cognitive responses that will ensure you engage your audience. And how do you know you've done that? By getting the appropriate feedback of course.

I learnt this the hard way. As part of the induction for new staff, I used to produce a manual containing all the operational information they needed. As time was always short, I would go through the headings with them and tell them to study it at their leisure.

But nobody ever did. I was constantly bombarded with simple questions that were addressed in the manual. But it was my own fault. I should have set up a properly interactive session and followed that up with subsequent opportunities to study and discuss the information.

Tip! Punishment should fit the crime. A sure way to discourage and even shut down communication is for a child to feel fearful that in their communication something will surface that may result in harsh punishment.

The third principle of effective communications is to listen and understand first. Don't send out a message until you know what your audience needs. If you are concerned about the quality of somebody's work, for example, don't jump in and issue an official warning.

First find out what the employee's perception is. Use active listening skills to really probe the situation. Reformulate the employee's words, for example, echo the last words of their sentences, invite them to say a little more if they are hesitant. That way, if you discover the family has a seriously sick child or a big financial problem, you will start to understand what is behind the poor performance. You can then decide on the appropriate action.

Tip! Workplace communication is necessary for getting along with each other at work, create synergy with co-workers, give and receive instructions, and to overcome differences, tensions, and conflicts.

The fourth principle is to understand that communication is more than the surface meaning of words. You need to be able to interpret other people's messages. This is just another form of feedback. Let's say you make an announcement and your group is discussing the information with you.

They may feel inhibited about disagreeing openly, but read the signs because you don't have to be openly aggressive to show disagreement: note the body language, the kinds of words they use, the tone of voice.

Somebody who is receptive will give you eye contact, will lean forward and will participate by asking questions, or offering to assist in some way. Those who are not in favour will look elsewhere, maybe fold their arms, use vague language instead of precise terms.

Tip! Knowing how to improve communication skills will come easier once you become aware of your own communication style.

The fifth principle is respect. I don't want to go over the top here because you may well ask who is she to question the behaviour of the world's leaders? But it seems to me that many of the international political problems we experience are the result of lack of respect for the other party.

Sure, it would be great if other nations didn't want to develop nuclear weapons, if they had democratic governments, if they weren't religious fanatics. But we don't produce good outcomes by taking the view that western leaders know best. To communicate with those we want to persuade, we need to respect them.

Just because they don't agree with us, doesn't make them inferior or wrong. They have cultural backgrounds and histories that have led them to a particular course of action. Only by respecting that hinterland can we expect to make progress towards cooperation.

To translate that to the workplace, you will only gain the cooperation of employees if they know you respect them. If you base your communications on lies, if you try to mislead people, if you ignore their needs and rights, they will see that you don't respect them and they will lose respect for you.

Tip! When your child is sharing something important to them shut up and listen. It is easy to turn off communication if you are always interrupting (even if you know where the story is going), or offering advice before he/she has completed their account of the details.

So where does all this lead us? Simply to the point that if you are having communications problems, you can now start analyzing where you are going wrong. What sort of feedback do you allow for? Do you understand how to appeal to people's emotions, their reasoning powers?

Do you understand what makes your audience tick? Have you tried to find out about their real lives and what is important to them? And are you showing lack of respect by trying to hoodwink them? By addressing these questions as fully as possible you will go a long way towards improving the outcomes of your communications.

Tip! Increased staff retention and workplace communication.

Brenda Townsend Hall is a writer and communications trainer and an associate member of the ITAP International Alliance (http://www.itapintl.com). She will shortly launching a website with a partner: http://www.euroconsulting.co.uk

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Influencing and Communication

Tip! There must be integration between internal and external communications There must be a fit between what you are telling your people and what you are telling your customers, shareholders and public. (By the same token, there must be a fit between what you are telling your people, and what the external media are telling them.

If you have an interest in moving up in the company, having your projects approved, or simply enjoying a more pleasant working environment, consider taking a few minutes to learn how communication techniques, such as projecting an air of friendliness at work, can work to your advantage.

The simple fact is that people like others who they perceive to be like them. This translates into an ability to persuade others. You may not always be able to have others buy into your ideas completely, but when you communicate well, you can certainly have an influence on others' willingness to listen to you in the first place.

While some industries tend to attract a certain type of person, most workplaces are comprised of many personalities from a variety of backgrounds. This means that developing friendly communications in the workplace may not come naturally, but it's worth your effort to learn how to exude an air of approachability. If you are viewed as one of the friendly ones who communicates well with everyone (not a select few), others will naturally attribute certain traits to you.

Tip! Good communicators are fully aware of the reciprocal nature of communication which is a process of giving and receiving a message. Good communication is a like a dance which entails leading and following.

How you communicate friendliness can occur in a variety of ways, from ensuring that you're well groomed to remembering names and helping others feel valued. Remember that much of our communication takes place non-verbally. Making the most of your appearance, for example, can go a long way toward improving others' perception of you. Studies show that attractive people are thought of as having more intelligence, friendliness, and are considered more trustworthy.

This is important, as trust is a big issue when it comes to asking others to support you in a new endeavor. When you combine simple methods of helping others feel important, they will trust you further. After all, people are the most comfortable with, and trust, those with whom they have something in common.

Tip! Improving communication and essential feedback mechanisms that allow employees to communicate with Managers.

You can increase your perceptions as being friendly by making others feel important. This includes talking with everyone, no matter what their position in the company, and using people's names. If you're not good at remembering names, use some of the many tips available for remembering names, such as using associations or simply listening better and repeating the name during that first conversation so that you're more likely to remember.

When possible, help others reach their goals and meet important deadlines. This, too, goes a long way toward earning trust, and everyone benefits. When the company does well, everyone does well. Additionally, when you help others, they will help you in return.

Tip! Workplace communication is necessary for getting along with each other at work, create synergy with co-workers, give and receive instructions, and to overcome differences, tensions, and conflicts.

Use simple communication techniques to help others feel more at ease. One such technique is the mirroring method, in which you subtly imitate the other person's body language, voice, and pitch. This technique works because it gives a very subtle impression that you and the other person are alike. It should not be anything overtly obvious; think subtle. If you're not sure how well you're doing, practice with a friend or trusted co-worker first.

Tip! See if you can find a measure to show how successful your communication is in your business.

When giving important presentations or when facing an important meeting, consider videotaping yourself to see how you come across. You may have some nervous habits that you aren't aware of, which can make you appear insecure. Additionally, you may use body language that comes across as shy or aggressive, when that is not your intention at all. Most of our communication is through non-verbal cues, so being aware of these communication distracters is important to conveying the desired message.

Tip! Some control over the flow of the communication should be applied.

If you are the shy type, or not confident in your communication skills, keep practicing. Consider taking a workshop or working with a coach to develop your skills. Many business transactions are dependent on clear communication, and coming across as a friendly, trustworthy individual can go a long way toward your success and ability to influence others positive, mutually beneficial ways.

Communication Magic. The Amazing Formula for Communicating straight from the Heart in your relationships.

Top Briefings provides an easy way to access business know-how on the web. If you are short of time, want to be able to browse information at your convenience then visit this link for details: www.topbriefings.com

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Communication Skills: How Effective Are Yours?

Tip! Sidestep absolutes - right/wrong, bad/good. Statements like 'you always' or 'you never' are absolutes that hinder communication.

Your communication skills are one of the most important attributes that are on trial every time you apply for a job.

Whether it's written or verbal communication, you need to get your point across clearly, concisely and in a manner that is appropriate for the audience.

Let me highlight the biggest mistakes I've seen job searchers make with regards to their ability to communicate.

Written Communication Skills

A big turnoff is having to read written work - emails, cover letters, resumes for example - that are poorly written, generic and full of various errors. When I see that a person has subpar written communication skills, I immediately become worried about my chances of helping them with their job search because it is a skill that is very noticeable to hiring managers very quickly.

Tip! Interpersonal communication to know one another, to become friends, to discuss problems, to exchange thoughts (ideas), to make plans, to get and give help, to mutually help each other change attitudes and behavior.

It should go without saying that a resume and cover letter should have no spelling or grammatical errors whatsoever but what about email?

With emails dominating much of the written work that people do these days, it is important to understand how to effectively write emails. When it comes to emails that you send related to your job search, ensure you get your message across as briefly as possible while still maintaining a professional tone.

Tip! Increased staff retention and workplace communication.

Before you send an email always ensure there are no typos, run-on sentences and other grammatical errors that make your correspondence look unprofessional. Always use a subject line that indicates the specific purpose of the email. If you are applying for a job and have already included a cover letter and resume, you don't need to rewrite your cover letter again in the body of the email. Simply state the reason for the email and refer to the attached cover letter and resume.

Communication Magic. The Amazing Formula for Communicating straight from the Heart in your relationships.

Always treat your business emails as professional business correspondence that is just as important as your cover letter and resume.

Verbal Communication Skills

The most effective verbal communicators are those who can get their point across professionally, succinctly, and clearly. When I say "clearly" I am referring both to speaking clearly and getting your message across clearly.

When speaking verbally, some people speak quickly when nervous so try to pay attention to ensure you speak slowly to avoid being unintelligible. Also ensure you don't ramble on. Answer questions as briefly and succinctly as possible. Practice does make perfect.

Tip! Knowing how to improve communication skills will come easier once you become aware of your own communication style.

Also, always ensure you actually get your message across clearly. The best way to ensure this happens is to plan ahead. Don't try to "wing it" when doing interviews, presentations or other forms of public speaking. Careful preparation will help you ensure you know what you're talking about and will make you more likely to be able to speak comfortably without trying to memorize everything.

How Can You Improve Your Communication Skills?

Look for opportunities to communicate verbally and in written form that will help you improve your business communication skills.

Some people can improve their communication skills with practice. Certainly, I've found that I've gotten better at public speaking as I've gotten older and I quite like doing it now.

Tip! Use simple language: Stay away from big words and unnecessary jargon. Big words can complicate the message or intimidate your listener causing communication to break down.

In cases where practice isn't making perfect, consider looking for help. Toastmasters organizations can help you improve your public speaking and professional writing courses can really help to improve your ability to write effectively.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter. Carl has helped many job searchers find their dream career and would like to help clear up some of the job search myths that exist while helping job searchers avoid common job search mistakes that cost them jobs.

Tip! See if you can find a measure to show how successful your communication is in your business.

Visit Carl's website to find your dream career: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com

Ezine editors/Webmasters: Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website. Please don't change any of the content and please ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URL. If you would like me to address any specific career topics in future articles, please let me know.

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