Too often these days, instead of picking up the phone to call a co-worker or a customer, we will send an email. We think it saves time and it is a more effective method of communicating, but is it really. Sometimes it truly is more effective to communicate directly with someone via a phone call. Written text, be it an email or a text message, is open to misinterpretation. If you are a very direct person and send very short and direct emails, some people could take that as you are miffed at them. So, take a moment, pick up your phone, put away your texting fingers and pull out your dialing finger and make that call. I know what you’re thinking. This is a post from a company who lives and dies by phone conversations. Well it’s not just us who feel this way.
From Kat Boogaard for Inc Magazine:
“….The Trap of Email’s Perceived Efficiency
There’s no denying that email is an incredibly convenient way for us to communicate — trust me, I love it just as much as the next person. And, the fact that we’re able to answer what we want, when we want, and where we want makes it easy to think that it’s the most efficient communication method by default.
But, consider this: In that phone conversation with my client (that lasted less than four minutes) I was able to get my questions answered, gain a better understanding of the angle for the piece, jot down the contact information for my sources, and even receive my deadline.
How long would that same amount of progress have taken me if it had been done strictly over email?
Chances are, my client would’ve sent me an email sharing some details of the assignment. I’d write back to ask some questions. After a period of waiting, she’d get back to me with answers. At that point, I’d identify a few other areas I needed clarification on and write her another email. Do you see where this is going?
I’m willing to bet that I’d spend a lot more time reading her messages and crafting my own than I did on that three minute and 42 second phone call. Plus, our voice-to-voice conversation totally eliminated all of that pesky waiting time — meaning I was able to get moving on my article immediately.
Sometimes You Need to Pick Up the Phone
The point I’m aiming to make is this: We’ve all echoed the complaint that various meetings and phone conversations could’ve been (and, in many instances, should’ve been) emails. But, just because email is easy doesn’t mean it’s always the most efficient.
So, the next time you get discouraged by a short phone call that managed to wedge itself into your workday, take a deep breath and remind yourself that — even if it doesn’t feel like it — you might’ve actually saved yourself some time.”
Here at Central Communications, we hear it from our clients and their clients. Sometimes you just want to hear things from the people you are trying to work with. You want to engage in a conversation. The tone of voice, the direct understanding and the ability to quickly clear up any misunderstandings. Better yet the ability to speak and end up with NO misuderstandings.
Don’t be afraid to simply call and communicate with each other. It works. We are proof!!
Central Comm
At your service. Call us.