From Laura's Desk
Productivity

From Laura’s Desk – 12 October 2016

Quote of the Week

Texting
“Let’s express our friendship by texting instead of talking…”

Musings

I caught myself doing it again. I sent an email and engaged in a 10 email back and forth that could have been resolved in 30 seconds had I picked up the phone. It was a simple question of what the plans were for a weekend morning, as I tried to figure out the teenager taxi service.

It happens with text, too. All I needed to know is what the plans for carpooling for the Girl Scout trip…and that turned into a 18 message text conversation. Again, it could have been resolved in 30 seconds if I had actually dialed the phone in my hand.

I see it happen at work, too. My client had a back and forth with a woman who hadn’t addressed any of his questions in five emails, and he knew it was time to pick up the phone. (Luckily, I don’t have a phone at the client site, so I am spared having to talk to people)

I think it’s indicative of a larger problem that has become more prevalent since the advent of the mobile phone. It seems easier to send a text or an email than to actually engage. Plus if the other person doesn’t respond, it isn’t our problem, right? I don’t have to take time out of my schedule to take care of something that is in another person’s court.

It’s not the most efficient or effective means of communicating, though.

So here are my five rules for when I need to pick up the phone instead of sending an email or text (or another one, as the case may be):

  1. The subject in question has a short time limit. If I need to know an answer right away, phone is the best method. The recipient might not see the email or text until too late.
  2. The question being asked is more than a single simple answer. “Is the client number 692846 correct for the report you want for next week?” is a good yes or no. “Give me your choices for the banquet dinner.” will inevitably lead to other questions.
  3. Other issues might arise. In the case of the Girl Scout trip, not only did we have to establish when we were leaving but whose vehicle we were taking.
  4. You aren’t sure of your terminology or subject. If I don’t have a strong idea of the frame of reference for the person I am contacting, I am better off calling. Questions such as “I need the widget number for the dohickey will inevitably spawn a back and forth if the item is called a thingamajig.
  5. You are sending email or text simply for the record. I like to have a record of all client instruction in my email. If I feel a need to get something down in writing, I can call, iron out the details, and then send a summary email later asking for confirmation. That way I get it ironed out faster, and still have the record.

All in all, I am beginning to believe that phone is my best communication choice. The temptation is there, though, to take the quick and easy way out.


That’s about it for this week’s edition. We’ll see what next week brings. Until then, be productive, be peaceful, and keep your balance.

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