Last week, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker had a very candid phone conversation with right-wing billionaire David Koch – or so he thought. The journalist responsible for the prank call shared a recording of the chat and pundits didn’t hesitate to scrutinize Walker’s every word.

Lucky for Walker’s press team, the Governor seemed to share the same opinions in private as he had in public regarding the state budget, unions and the legislature. But they are politicians – masters of public relations. But for everyone who has ever hired someone to answer the phone – how do you train your sales and support staff to stay ‘on message’?

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What’s the worst hold music you have ever listened to?
I found some that people really dislike.

• Hold On by Wilson Phillips
• Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
• This Old Man (Children’s Song)
• Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (Orchestral Version)
• Honky Tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins
• Blues Traveler on loop
• Memory from Cats
• Holiday Music

Some people theorize that companies use bad music to encourage customers to hang up before they have to talk to them.  I have a different theory.  I think companies use music that they think either fits the theme of “please hold” (Hold On, Jeopardy theme, Hold Me Now) or is “safe”.

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