| Imagine this: you've worked for hours putting | | | | The phone, whichever type it is, comes with all |
| together the proposal that your prospective client | | | | sorts of features and options including voice mail, |
| requested and are finally ready to hit the send | | | | caller ID and calling waiting. An added bonus to cell |
| button. You envision the recipient checking e-mail | | | | phones is text messaging. There are people rarely |
| immediately and contacting you within a few | | | | speak directly to others. They just send or leave |
| hours to seal the deal. You have a mental picture | | | | messages. |
| of yourself signing the contract and depositing a | | | | There is the fax machine, which only a short time |
| nice check into your account | | | | ago was absolutely revolutionary. Many fax |
| What you don't know is that your prospect | | | | machines only gather dust these days as a result |
| doesn't check e-mail everyday. You failed to ask | | | | of e-mail, but for some people, fax is more |
| what form of communication this person prefers. | | | | convenient for transmitting certain information. For |
| Sadly for you, your competitor was on the ball | | | | a few souls, snail or old-fashioned postal mail |
| and asked, "How would you like to receive this | | | | continues to serve a useful purpose. They like |
| information?" By the time your e-mail proposal is | | | | originals. |
| opened and read, the deal is done, but not with | | | | We all have our preferred means of |
| you. | | | | communication. If you want to be successful, |
| Maybe you called the prospect, who was not in, | | | | grow your business and develop good client |
| so you left the information on voice mail and | | | | relationships, find out how your clients want to |
| waited all day for a response. As it turns out, this | | | | communicate. Just because you think that e-mail |
| person only checks voice mail at the end of the | | | | is the most efficient tool doesn't mean that your |
| day. Once again, your competitor knew this. | | | | clients and prospects like to sit in front of a |
| We are absolutely overwhelmed with ways to | | | | computer all day. Some may prefer to use the |
| transmit information. Current studies indicate that | | | | phone so that they can discuss issues and gauge |
| e-mail is the business communication tool of | | | | reactions - something that is hard to do with |
| choice. However, many people still prefer the | | | | e-mail. Others may be more comfortable getting |
| telephone which has been an office staple since | | | | your proposal in person. |
| Alexander Graham Bell spoke to Mr. Watson from | | | | Respecting your client's communication |
| another room. That device is no longer fixed to | | | | preferences is not just a courtesy, it's good |
| the wall nor does it reside only on the desk. We | | | | business. It's not about you; it's about your client. |
| can have our cell phones with us wherever we go | | | | (c) 2007, Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved. |
| and use them whenever we feel like it. Some | | | | Reprint rights granted so long as article and by-line |
| people live by their cell phones so you can forget | | | | are published intact and with all links made live. |
| the office line. | | | | |