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Essential Phone Procedures Guide

The document outlines phone procedures for answering calls, taking messages, and checking voicemail for a department of chemistry. Key points include: 1) Answering calls within 3 rings using an appropriate greeting and asking callers to hold if multiple lines are ringing. 2) Screening calls for the chairperson and transferring uncertain calls to their secretary. 3) Recording any class cancellations or office hour cancellations from faculty in a message book and on a form to post. 4) Taking detailed messages including name, company, date, time, and purpose and placing the copy in the corresponding mailbox. 5) Checking voicemail upon arrival and throughout the day for any new messages.
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
140 views1 page

Essential Phone Procedures Guide

The document outlines phone procedures for answering calls, taking messages, and checking voicemail for a department of chemistry. Key points include: 1) Answering calls within 3 rings using an appropriate greeting and asking callers to hold if multiple lines are ringing. 2) Screening calls for the chairperson and transferring uncertain calls to their secretary. 3) Recording any class cancellations or office hour cancellations from faculty in a message book and on a form to post. 4) Taking detailed messages including name, company, date, time, and purpose and placing the copy in the corresponding mailbox. 5) Checking voicemail upon arrival and throughout the day for any new messages.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Phone Procedures

1. Answer the phone within 3 rings.


2. Answer every call with the appropriate greeting such as “Good
morning/afternoon, Department of Chemistry. May I help you?”
3. Ask caller to hold when multiple lines are ringing.
4. Do not leave a caller on hold for longer than 1 minute with out updating the call
on the status of their call. For example, “Thank you for holding. The line is still
busy. Would you like to continue holding or may I take a message.”
5. Screen calls for the Chairperson by asking the caller the nature of their call. Most
of the time they will need to speak to one of the advisors. If you are unsure
about the call, transfer the call to the Chairperson’s secretary.
6. Calls from a faculty member/professor with the needs to cancel a class or cancel
office hours:
a. Record a message in the Telephone Message Book
b. Complete a “Class Cancellation Form” Located in Front Office Folder on
Chem Admin
c. Make a copy of the “Class Cancellation Form”
d. Post the form to the classroom or office door.

Taking Phone Messages

1. Record all messages in the Telephone Message Book.


2. Write neatly and clearly on each message.
3. Always record date (including year) and time (am or pm).
4. Always initial the message.
5. Be sure to get the FULL NAME, proper spelling, and company/department of the
caller. A brief description of the caller’s purpose should be included if possible.
6. Remove the top copy & place in the corresponding mailbox.

Checking Voicemail
Check (x32701) voicemail box every morning upon arrival and through out the day as
messages are received. The message waiting light will be lit to indicate messages are
waiting.

\\chem_admin\Chem_Admi\DESK MANUALS\Front Desk Procedures\Front Desk Manual\CS_Phone [Link]

Common questions

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Having a Telephone Message Book to record all messages is necessary for creating a centralized and consistent location for storing important communication records, ensuring that messages can be referenced and verified if needed. This practice benefits record-keeping by providing a clear audit trail of communications which can be critical for resolving disputes or following up on previous interactions. It enhances accountability by making sure that all messages are documented and initialed, thus indicating which staff member handled the call, thereby facilitating accountability.

Answering calls with specific greetings ensures a consistent and professional interaction from the outset, which is crucial in establishing a positive public image. This policy is justified on the basis that it creates a reliable and friendly initial impression, sets the tone for the communication that follows, and reflects the department’s commitment to service excellence. By standardizing greetings, the department maintains a professional demeanor and shows respect for the caller, enhancing its reputation and signaling a well-organized and customer-focused environment.

Transferring an incoming call to the Chairperson’s secretary might be necessary when the call's nature is beyond the caller's knowledge or requires special attention. This delegation signifies the chain of command in office hierarchy, where certain responsibilities and decision-making powers are distributed to protect the time and productivity of higher-level administrators like the Chairperson. It also illustrates workflow efficiency, ensuring that tasks are directed to individuals who can best handle them without overburdening senior staff unnecessarily.

Posting a class cancellation form on the classroom door contributes to transparency by openly communicating changes directly to those affected (students), ensuring that they are informed promptly and not left to discover these changes accidentally. This practice enhances student awareness by providing clear, accessible information right at the physical point of impact, which minimizes the chance for missed communications and confusion. For the department, it streamlines communication, providing a direct, immediate method of informing students without relying solely on digital communications that might go unread.

Failing to obtain a full name and the correct spelling when taking a message can lead to communication errors such as misdirected messages or confusion about the identity of the caller. This can negatively impact the department's professionalism by making the staff appear inattentive or careless, potentially leading to a loss of trust or reputation damage. Properly addressing someone by their correct name is a basic element of respectful and professional communication.

When a faculty member cancels a class or office hours, the procedure involves multiple steps: recording a message in the Telephone Message Book, completing a Class Cancellation Form, making a copy of this form, and posting it on the classroom or office door. Each step ensures thorough documentation and communication: recording the message provides a written trail traceable in case of disputes; completing the form ensures standardized information collection; copying and posting it ensures broader visibility and accessibility of the cancellation information to all affected parties. These steps prevent miscommunication and ensure that both administrative and student concerns are addressed promptly.

Updating a caller who has been on hold for more than a minute is important because it shows respect for the caller's time and maintains their engagement in the call. It prevents frustration and ensures that the caller feels acknowledged and valued. This practice reflects good customer service by demonstrating that the organization is attentive and considerate of the caller's needs, aligning with the general principles of transparency and responsiveness essential in customer relations.

Understanding the nature of a caller’s request when screening calls for the Chairperson is crucial because it helps redirect the caller to the appropriate person, such as an advisor, which prevents unnecessary interruptions for the Chairperson. Mishandling this task, such as transferring inappropriate calls, might lead to inefficiencies and wasted time for both the Chairperson and the caller, potentially resulting in frustration and impaired communication flow within the department.

Not checking the voicemail regularly could lead to delayed responses to important messages, thereby reducing operational efficiency and client satisfaction. It could also result in missed opportunities or disciplinary issues, should time-sensitive matters not be addressed promptly. Regular checking of voicemails upholds organizational values such as reliability, responsibility, and attentiveness, demonstrating a commitment to effective and timely communication.

Recording messages neatly and clearly enhances communication within the department by ensuring that all relevant information is easily understandable and accessible, reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation. This instruction demands skills such as attention to detail, legibility in writing, accurate information capture, and perhaps a basic level of organizational skills to ensure information is correctly filed and retrievable. These skills contribute to efficient message relay and uphold the department's professionalism.

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