OK, so I am in the learning and development business. When I hear a good story, I just have to share it. My brother in law has his own business. Let’s just say it is in finance. Sometimes it sounds like it is over my head (it usually is). I must stress my brother in law is actually quite a smart guy. He can hold his own and is very accommodating with those who are not so, uh…with it. Stand up guy, OK?
He mentions yesterday he is engaging a business and by following protocol, he must ask for a degree of information prior to any investing. He sends his email request. What happens next is the point of this blog.
Skippy (not his real name) leaves a voice mail which is at the very least surreal. He leaves it as if he is actually speaking with my brother. Point number one, what do your voice mails sound like? If you had to rank them what would the score be? Are you in the business of capturing clients? Is what you leave on a voice mail meaningful? Is it something someone would feel like “This guy has it all together” or is it more like ”What the…?”
This is simple enough, right? The message was left and my brother, however guided by the message, wanted to re-connect with Skippy. Again there exists an investment opportunity and protocol must be followed. So he calls Skippy and is informed (by Skippy) that he cannot speak now, “he is having dinner”. Now let’s be real, dinner is sacred time with family and should be honored. I get that. What I do not understand is the exchange.
Point number two, this is a client who wishes to invest in your organization, does what you say matter? Yes! I could say in this economy, you should be hyper-sensitive. I would say more than that. I would flatly say economy aside, a client is a client. Especially a potential client. This is not a voice mail. The client is right there. They are speaking with you in real time.
Perhaps what makes this an interesting story to share has to do with the reality of the situation and the communication within it. Simply put, “I am interested in investing in your business, what can I do to get this process moving?” Answer, “I am having dinner.” Counter thought, ”What the…?”
If I am in business and clients are the life-blood of that business, how important is your pork chop? I do not wish to diminish the importance of family time. Trust me; I mess up with that one. I am stressing the importance of the communication process. Especially with a potential client.
I suppose I could let this go, but I had to share my thoughts. The power of voice mails and phone conversation is becoming a lost art with emails, texting and virtual chatting. Are you losing your ability to verbally communicate? More on this to follow…