Final answer:
When the phone rings during a live customer conversation, the proper etiquette is to politely excuse yourself and answer the phone, demonstrating commitment to excellent customer service and respect for both parties involved.Option 3 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question deals with professionalism and customer service etiquette within a business context. When having a live conversation with a customer and the phone rings, the most appropriate course of action would be to excuse yourself from the live conversation and answer the phone. This approach aligns with maintaining a professional appearance and treating everyone with respect, which are staples of excellent customer service.
Specifically, the recommended option is to (3) Excuse yourself from the conversation and answer the phone. An example of this might be saying, "Excuse me for a moment, I need to attend to this call. I will be with you shortly." This not only shows that you acknowledge the presence and importance of the live customer but also allows you to manage the incoming call which could be of importance too. It demonstrates that you are committed to providing excellent customer service, have a positive attitude, and are enthusiastic about addressing all customer interactions properly and efficiently, which supports the company's overall goals.