Acknowledging a Known Caller
The assistant recognizes the caller's voice or name and adjusts the greeting slightly to acknowledge their familiarity while maintaining professionalism.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
speaking
This word is used when introducing yourself on a phone call, like 'Lisa speaking,' to tell the caller who they are talking to. It's a polite and professional way to identify yourself.
available
Means someone is free and not busy, so they can talk or meet. In phone calls, you ask if a person is available to check if they can take the call right now.
prototype
A first model or version of a product made to test ideas before full production. It's common in business talks about new inventions or designs.
hold
In phone conversations, it means to wait on the line without hanging up. You say 'please hold' when asking someone to wait briefly.
connect
To link or transfer a phone call from one person to another. It's used when an assistant is transferring you to the right person in a company.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Good morning, Optics Solutions, Lisa speaking. How may I help you?
This is a standard professional greeting for answering a business phone. It includes a time greeting, company name, your name, and an offer to assist. Use it at the start of work calls to sound polite and helpful. 'How may I help you?' is more formal than 'How can I help you?'
It's John from Tech Innovations. Is Michael available?
This introduces the caller by name and company, then asks if the person is free. It's useful when calling someone you know in business. The structure 'It's [Name] from [Company]' helps identify yourself quickly.
Oh, John! Good to hear from you. Yes, Michael is in the office today.
This shows recognition of a familiar caller with warmth while staying professional. 'Good to hear from you' expresses pleasure in the call. Use it with known contacts to build rapport. 'In the office' means at work and present.
Please hold for just a moment while I connect you.
This politely asks the caller to wait while transferring the call. It's useful in office settings to manage calls smoothly. 'For just a moment' softens the wait time, and 'while I connect you' explains the action happening.