Take a mobile call? Think about your goals - DBR 001

Episode 1 of the Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast podcast, hosted by Larry Tribble, Ph.D., titled "Take a mobile call? Think about your goals - DBR 001" was published on October 20, 2023 and runs 19 minutes.

October 20, 2023 ·19m · Do Busy Right - The Task and Attention Management Podcast

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Episode Description

Just because your phone is mobile doesn't mean your calls should be. The challenges of mobile calls:

Distinguish between using a cell phone and having a mobile call.
The specific challenge of using a mobile phone.

We are tempted to try to gather information when we're not prepared to do so
Back in the day, at my house we had a pad and pencil (it was something my granddad made)
Notice what this means - we expected to get information and knew we needed to record it, so we were prepared

The purpose of a business phone call is to exchange important information, so you need to capture that information.

By answering the call, you are committing to receive information. Are you really prepared to do that?
My client is a realtor - complex information
Be sure you're ready, because the worst is to have to call back and say "Tell me the information again"

well the actual worst is to have to guess and get it wrong
either way, it means you weren't listening to your customer the first time.

So, what happens if you don't answer?

Most likely your caller will leave voice mail, or call you again later
Both are good results, so make this easy for them

work on your voicemail system
do reassure them that they've reached you (say your name)
don't have a long prompt
don't make them press any buttons
try to get rid of the 'mechanical voice' - I hate having to wait to start leaving my message

And make it easy for you

Try to get a transcript of the recording delivered to you, normally via email
Make it a habit to wait to check voicemail when you're ready to capture the information

People will not call me back

Yeah, they will - if its important to them
And, if they don't? Then their purpose for getting your attention was quite weak.
Do you really want to spend a bunch of time talking to someone who doesn't have an important purpose for calling you?