Communication wisdoms.* Although e-mail is the communication method of choice for most people, phone calls--even voice mails--are far more effective in getting action. The voice, even a recorded voice, carries more immediacy im·me·di·a·cy n. pl. im·me·di·a·cies 1. The condition or quality of being immediate. 2. Lack of an intervening or mediating agency; directness: the immediacy of live television coverage. , while written messages are far easier to set aside. * Be aware that e-mail has become a boon Boon A general term that refers to a benefit or improvement for investors. This can include such things as increased dividends, a stock market rally and stock buybacks. Notes: to people who are a little shy about issuing commands, asking for favors or offering criticism. They'd rather type a memo or send an e-mail than deliver the message orally. If you want to have a meaningful follow-up dialogue with them after receiving their e-mail, it may be more productive to send an email response than to make a return phone call. * The most serious error made by people who leave voice-mail messages is speaking too quickly and not clearly enough. Be especially careful when providing a callback An authentication technique that calls the sender back. After connection is made, the receiving side breaks the connection and calls the sender to ensure that the logon was made from the authorized computer. Callback prevents a stolen ID and password from being used on a different machine. number or financial information. It's wise to repeat the numbers or information so recipients don't have to listen to the entire message again if they missed part of it. * Although it's a drag, consider updating your voice-mail message daily. It gives the caller confidence that you're available to get your messages--that you're not on a trip and unable to retrieve them in a timely way. STANLEY ZAROWIN, a former JofA senior editor, now is a contributing editor A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw. to the magazine. His e-mail address See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address is zarowin@mindspring.com. |
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