I have an insight I'd like to share with other consultants: your phone greeting can really help or hurt your reputation. I just revamped mine and have gotten positive comments from a lot of clients and colleagues.

Glad to hear you are in a continuous improvement mode. Every part of your business persona can reinforce or detract from your brand - whether it is your website, how you dress, your presentation template, your client interview process, and your voicemail greeting. Most of us record a functional "Not here. Leave a message" functional greeting when we get a new phone and never look back. For many, this may be the first, or only, impression they get of you. Shouldn't you make this as good as you can?

A couple of thoughts. First, your message should reinforce your brand. It should send a message, not just ask for the caller to leave theirs. Also, your office and mobile greetings should be consistent but don't have to be the same. Second, consider what you want the caller to think and feel after listening to your greeting. You should give them information or an impression they might not already have and a reason to want to do business with you. Third, change your message regularly. It could be a (short, repeat, short) mention of a new book, new service, or new area of interest.

Tip: Ask your colleagues to do you a favor and tell you what they learned, feel, are surprised by or understand about your brand from your greeting. Is your greeting distinctive or could it be on any consultant's phone? Finally, what other parts of your comprehensive brand are you overlooking.

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