IP Telephony and the art of communication

On the phone, we have little time before the other person focuses on something other than our conversation. Very often, we are on the phone at the office while also being on the computer, sometimes even with our cell phone in sight.

Improving your voice and speech can be beneficial when using IP telephony or any other means of communication that does not include non-verbal cues.

UBIK reveals its best tips for verbal communication.

Improving Verbal Communication

We have prepared a list of recommendations that will help you improve your speech over the phone.

1. Exercise your voice

Regular practice can help improve the quality of your voice. Doing deep breathing exercises to strengthen your vocal cords, as well as vocal exercises to expand your vocal range, is not only applicable to singers. At UBIK, we are not (yet) a music group, but we occasionally practice this type of vocal exercise.

In addition to being effective, imagine the office atmosphere if you start doing vocal warm-ups together 😉.

2. Speak slowly and clearly

The rate of speech plays an important role in the quality of your speech whether you use IP telephony or not.

When communicating by phone, it is important to speak slowly and clearly.

Speaking too quickly or mumbling can make your voice less understandable for your interlocutor and/or lead to the repetition of information you want to convey.

Taking the time to adapt to the situation, think about your words, will allow you to present strong arguments during your conversation and ensure that your message is clear.

3. Pay attention to your posture

Again, we're not talking about training for your next concert on the Plains of Abraham, but almost!

If you have ever taken singing lessons at school, you know that maintaining an upright posture and deep breathing will help you project your voice better and have a stronger presence during phone conversations.

4. Use pauses and variations in tone

Use regular pauses to allow your interlocutor to follow you and assimilate your words.

Accompany this with variations in tone to make your speech more engaging.

We have a range of low and high notes. Often, we tend to lower our voice at the end of sentences. In a professional setting, it is important to adapt to ensure that your arguments are well heard and understood from beginning to end.

5. Record and listen to yourself

This exercise is not everyone's favorite. How many of you have listened to a video where you appear, or a voice message, and didn't recognize or appreciate it? 🙋

And yet!

We guarantee that it is very beneficial. Record yourself during phone conversations or speeches and take the time to listen to yourself. This will allow you to identify any speech or voice modulation issues that you can improve.

6. Work on your diction

Practice pronouncing each word and syllable clearly.

Avoid stutters, hesitations, and tongue slips. Precise diction will facilitate the understanding of your message.

7. Use a quality microphone

If you use an external microphone, make sure to use a good quality model that captures your voice well. This will help transmit your voice more clearly and accurately.

To help you make a quality choice, refer to our blog article "The headset made for your job!".

8. Listen to others

When communicating via IP telephony, pay attention to what other participants are saying. Active listening will enable you to respond appropriately and adjust your own speech according to the needs of the conversation.

9. Practice your voice regularly

As with any other aspect of communication, regular practice is essential to improve your voice and speech. Commit to practicing regularly and put yourself in situations that allow you to communicate via IP telephony.

It's your turn to play!

You don't need extensive training to achieve this. The key is practice! Whether you're an employee in a call center or a representative making cold calls, by regularly applying these tips, you can improve your voice and performance during your calls.