In this era of email and instant messaging, phone calls are still an integral part of business, especially for those whose work or business involve coordinating with counterparts in other companies thru the phone. Lifespy has some tips in effective business phone communication.

Basically, Alex advises us that:

Business phone calls should be according to a set schedule. If you feel like you just want to pick up your phone and dial your business partner’s number without looking at your watch or your calendar, think again.

Being in Asia myself, my phone has sometimes rung in the middle of the night, and the phone calls were from prospective clients, advertisers, and sometimes even colleagues who weren’t aware I was at the other side of the globe. But in most cases, my correspondents and I would agree on a good time to call or chat, be it on the phone, thru instant messaging, or even on Skype or some other VoIP client.

In short: be prepared, and be polite.