Make the (Phone) call

Emails are valuable, but Phone Calls are priceless

When faced with a difficult conversation, a phone call should always be the first method of contact
It’s hard to avoid email in today’s world. It easier to jot off a quick note via email or instant messenger than it is to pick up the phone and make a call. Email is immediate, and oftentimes a colleague or supervisor might have access to their email even if they can’t answer their phone.

Having said that, there are times when a phone call is just what is needed to solve a problem. Have you ever gone back and forth with someone through email, only to find that you are having trouble understanding exactly what is being asked? In making a phone call, often the misunderstanding can be resolved in one minute or less.

People appreciate being able to talk to a live person. Email can be impersonal, and open to interpretation. Represent your company well by making a call the next time a client sends you a question by email. Follow up with an email confirming your understanding of the situation, but make that first contact over the phone.

So, the next time find yourself going back and forth with a client or colleague by email, pick up the phone and make a call. And then, let us know if you see a different reaction from the person you said it to. We want to hear from you after you try this – e-mail Lisa at Lisa.Willard@FindYourEngineer.com.