This story appears in the
May 2000 issue of
Entrepreneur.
Subscribe »
1. "It's been so crazy/busy around here."
Often used as an excuse for a delay or mistake, it may leave your
customers wondering whether you're too busy for them.
2. "You'll have to wait." When you're
experiencing delays, consider giving customers a choice: "I
can help you in five minutes or you can order from our Web
site."
3. "That's not my job." A better
alternative: "Let me find someone who can help you with
that."
4. "I can't make a meeting that day because I'm
going to (fill in a too-personal detail)." Rather than
letting clients know they're being back-burnered for your
son's Little League game, say that you have a conflict and
leave it at that.
5. "Can you call/come back later?" They
won't.