April, 1998

By Lynne Cusack

If, after an endless meeting, you return to find your desk carpeted with phone messages, start returning those business calls ASAP. Says Neal Lenarsky, president of Strategic Transitions, a Los Angeles-based executive coaching company, " Otherwise, the caller will phone the next person on her list," which could be your company's competition, or your deeply ambitious associate. You don't have to act instantly on the person's request; the idea is simply to appear responsive. Here's who to call back first:

1. bosses
2. new business prospects
3. clients with big accounts
4. clients with big egos