We can all do a better job of ignoring our cell phones on occasion

Cell phone etiqutte is one of those contemporary business principles most people consider important but tend to often eschew. After all, everyone seems okay with phrases like “I’m sorry, I need to take this.” (with the just-a-moment-finger in the air) or “Hello? I’m in a meeting, can I call you later?”

Yeah, too late.

As real estate agents, we’re pretty much fused to our mobile phones. They’re like a data-plan-enhanced appendage that comes with a built-in Soduku app and a GPS-powered map of every gluetn-free pizza place in the valley.

Truth is, no one actually loves being constantly “phone-to-ear,” but the whole cell phone thing just kind of happened before we ever realized we were ignoring the importance of face-to-face time and handshakes instead of chat invites. It’s probably too late to make an earnest plea for us to put them down when in front of clients or in our pockets and purses when at lunch meetings. Heck, for many of us, phones are a status symbol; we plant our phones on a desk or coffee shop ottoman to let everyone know we’re expecting some major business to go down any unlimited minute now. Admiteddly, it’s mainly for show. It’s probably a spouse calling with an update on a child’s runny nose.

Well, despite all this posturing about forgotton manners and business ettiquette, the hard truth remains that mobile phones have become a very valuable business tool. They are a required tool of the trade, like a business card or for sale sign. We need them to best serve our clients.

Yet, we can all do a better job of recognizing when it’s a person, not a status post, that demands our attention.

If you agree, share this post with 25 of your friends!

But just not while you’re with your friends.