Top Time Tip #73 How to get people to return your calls
29th March 2006
|
How often do you hear people say, ‘I've left so many messages (or sent so many emails) for ..... and he doesn't reply. He's so slack!'
Perhaps you're trying to get a response in a medium that doesn't work for that person.
Is the person you're trying to reach auditory (likes to hear), auditory digital (likes to have the written word in detail), visual (likes to see, especially in a picture, graph, diagram or face-to-face), or kinaesthetic (likes to do, touch, feel)?
For instance, many people prefer messages by email, but not everyone. If you don't get a response to an email, try the phone, fax, an informal note, a letter (now there's a unique thought!) Or maybe they respond better face-to-face.
And what generation are they? Younger ones are typically much faster in digital format: email, text, a quick crisp note. Older folk, especially if they've not had to use computers a lot, often greatly prefer a phone call.
Don't assume everyone responds in the same way as you - try alternatives. |
You've just read Tip 58 from my new book, 'About Time for Teaching - 120 time saving tips for teachers and those who support them' - the second in the 'About Time' series. (Many of the tips, like this one, are useful in any industry.) Many educationalists in three countries have contributed their best tips and ideas - if you work in a school or have family or friends who're teachers, I think you (or they) will find it very useful. Find more info about the book here http://www.gettingagrip.com/products/about2.html
From our readers - Next instalment on the funny banking story
If you missed the hilarious story last issue about the bank and the 96 year old woman, check this out. Thanks Maggee for the heads up.
'Regarding the story about the 96-year old woman, here is a link to a page at Snopes, a website that exposes urban legends and such. It has been around a while. Interesting history behind it... http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/takethat.asp
Just thought you would like to know...
Enjoy your newsletter! Maggee Smith, Virginia Beach, VA, USA.
(Even if the writer was a pissed-off Australian male journalist, not a 96 year old lady, everyone laughes with delight and empathy when they read it, including bank people!) Brilliant customer service by an online bookshop
Before we close the chapter on customer service I've got to tell you about a fantastic experience with a West Australian bookshop. www.bookworm.com.au
If you've read the last two ezines you know my son and his family have hopped the ditch and are now living in mid-Victoria on an army base. For the previous sixteen months I'd enjoyed the luxury of a quick 5 minute drive to hand-deliver birthday presents, so I've fallen out of the habit of advance shopping. Earlier this month, when a couple of family birthdays bounced on to my horizon I realised with horror that I was about to be late. (Bad look, grandma!)
Enter the fantastic service of Bob Hoffman and www.bookworm.com.au - book vouchers, a huge range of books, a personal note to a little girl on behalf of grandparents, swift delivery, excellent prices, and a hands-on personal approach to his customers - all good. (I'd first tried Dymocks online; frustration was the result. I'm now glad - it pushed me to find an alternative. Bob and his firm are a class act.)
Great time-saver (and face-saver), thanks Bob.
All the best 'til next time
© All Rights Reserved to Robyn Pearce, GettingAGrip.com.
Admin Office: PO Box 29 586, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand Ph. + 64 3 351 2140 http://www.gettingagrip.com/
|
