Whoa! You did it! Some how some way through the miracles of higher than radio antenna powers, you made it to one of my favorite places to write…um…are you sure you’ve got the time to talk? I mean seriously, nothing kills me more than being accused of being the dude who crosses your busy path and can’t locate the guts to shut up.
We’ve all bumped into that person, “Blah, blah, dink, doink, dook, blah, blah.”
What just happened here? Being the kind, loving courteous person you are toward coworkers, family members and friends, that well sought after destination you put into play nearly an hour ago has instantly been sent back to “Go” without collecting $200.
What is the most professional, sensible, non egomaniac way to say, “Go away?”
Business guru and always nice to you expert Anne Marie Sabbath constantly gets wrapped up in other peoples junk talk without evolving into word dump blessed with so much trash your day is forced to hire a bulldozing crew.
Acknowledge what the person said then politely share, “I’ll be in my office from 3 to 5:30…let me set aside thirty minutes for you. I’ll get back to you inside an hour and see if we can firm up a time to meet.”
No jerks, no perks, no evil witches fingers pointed through you…an incredibly brilliant display of respect due 100% to creating a time block that says, “It’s going to be all about you.”
What happens if the original meeting isn’t at work? These days most conversations occur on cell phones—right in the middle of a deep thought or a stroll through memory lane slightly slow dancing with your favorite song on the radio your world comes crashing down at the sound of that single most hated ring tone. Same rules apply, set aside some time.
Oh oh…the voice on the phone doesn’t match the name that popped up on the tiny cell phone screen. Your comment was rough, out of tune and directed squarely in the eyes of you know who…the boss and it’s the boss using their phone. Now what are you going to do?
Anne Marie’s been in this situation and offers a calming, “Excuse me.”
Rule number one of cell phone and e-mail use…never, never assume to whom you are speaking to is what appears in the ID. Treat everyone you communicate with like a brand new client, no matter how much their voice grinds your last nerve…make everyone feel welcome inside your world.
Especially when you slip away from your normal places of being seen for a few hours—it’s time to update your return e-mails and cell phone messages with words like, “I’ve currently stepped away and will return shortly.” That allows a potential client or current business partner to feel confident that you aren’t a lazy bum who will one day find the importance of that call and eventually get around to getting back to them.
One of the tests I put radio interns through involves the cell phone—don’t write me a letter discussing how much you want to make the communications business your life and style, locate the people who know my personal cell number and make a vocal contact. If you don’t showcase hunger in the shape of a burning need to want to live this path…you lack the biggest tool in the box…desire.
Nathan Richie is either a man before his time or a grand slam homerun—his total focus is Social Networking and the power behind it. Physically branding yourself into the core of this new wave of communications opens doors but remember, how you act, react and ignore can and will determine the whereabouts of your future. Not knowing where your twitters and Facebook updates land can either soften the path or build firmer foundations lifting your ladder of success to heights an e-mailed resume and or conversation will never gain access to.
Digital conversations are no different than irritating hallway block shots at your busy day—when passerby’s want to steal your time and you’ve got none to give away…quickly get control and play the face to face game. Panera Bread is a brilliant off the beaten path safe place to generate talk that leads to better business deals. Fancy coffee joints aren’t interested in anyone but fast paced individuals who’ve unlinked themselves from a destination…they’re on the go to go and go and go…hence the small uncomfortable round tables. It pretty much says, “We love you now get out.”
Since the introduction of the World Wide Web we’ve become the Communications Generation with every rhyme, reason and purpose to want to talk and talk and expect others to be fully prepared to listen. If you’re in the market to win then dive into a spoon full of Anne Marie’s advise…create blocks of time to give the time stealer ample space to gab, gibby gab, blah, blah, gossip, gossip, talk shop, gotta go don’t care if I ruined your day.”
Face time is still the best way to say, “It’s my life too.”
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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