re: Thoughts About People in the Work/Business World Who Don't Return Calls?

I have strict policy with reagrds to return calls, emails, texts

#1. Don't respond to anything in less than 4 hrs. Preferably 24-48 hrs minimum though.

#2. Turn ON read receipts and show them that yes I read their text/email, and I am choosing not to respond. I don't want people to get the wrong idea, like I just haven't seen it. They need to know I'm ignoring them. It's a complete mind frick

Phone calls? I don't answer them. My response will come via text or email

People only call me at work if they want me to do something for them, so I screen all my calls. Don't answer probably around 85% of calls. My boss or executive mgmt is all I'll answer.

quote:

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Unless I have an active procurement issue ongoing, frick returning salesperson's phone calls.

That's THEIR job to get a hold of me. Show up, I'll usually see them.

When I need something from a salesperson, I contact them.

If it's a peer or industry-related, I always return calls/emails/texts in a timely manner.

The same is true of my employees, I always respond promptly to their messages.

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The subtle brag message here is "I'm important and I'm in charge of a lot of people and things".

I feel like we've had this thread before with salesmen bitching about people not returning their calls.

Common courtesy is kind of a relic of the past. I founded a brand of athletic apparel and my initial target market was HS football coaches in Georgia. I acted as my own sales rep and got in to sit with over 70 coaches over 2 months through a well crafted email solicitation. However, I was astounded to see how many would not even give the courtesy of a reply. I had many who replied with:

1. Thank you but we are currently under an apparel contract with (Nike, UA, Adidas) for 2 more years. Stay in touch.....etc
2. I appreciate you thinking of us and I am sure your brand is great but I have a long term relationship with so and so screen printer and we use them for everything. Feel free to mail me a catalog for future reference , etc..

That is just common courtesy and how anyone should handle an email solicitation that they have no current desire to accept for whatever reason. Phone calls are different to me because IMO it is common courtesy on behalf of the solicitor to allow the prospect to decline without interruption , objection, or high pressure sales tactics. I respect a coach who offers a professional and polite decline of my solicitation in an email. I think less of the ones who don't bother to respond at all and make mental notes about their character whether warranted or not. Just tells me a little bit about their character and their values.