I so agree with everything you wrote on this topic. The telephone is the most powerful, useful tool we can use in our arsenal for customer/client satisfaction. Most people hide behind email when it is so vital to hear the voice on the other end. It could also mean a “pleasant surprise” for the customer to hear your voice. It shows that you care enough to pick up the darn phone and call and chat with them about their concern, or problem they are having. Everyone knows that email and social networking is out there, however if you actually cared enough to dial a phone number and speak to someone personally, that makes all the difference in the world…and possibly repeart business for you!

Great article!

Carolyn

I totally agree. Nothing can take the place of an actual live conversation (via phone or in person) with a client, friend, or family member.

As someone with 10+ years of working in the IT industry as a consultant before I jumped tracks and entered the financial services field, I know and understand the pros and cons of technology.

Although our various technology on-line tools today allow for people to provide instant responses, feelings and tone of what you write in an e-mail, instant message, tweet, etc. can sometimes be misinterpreted by the reader. Sometimes, it’s best just to pick up the phone to reply to a client’s inquiry, question or concern. For me, I’m quick to pick up the phone to call someone, especially when I’m following up with a client or colleague about something that I was expected to do for them or an item that they were tasked to do. Most of us have our cell phones tied to our hip or hand (lol) so it’s not like the phone is not accessible. In the end, clients, friend, and family members really take notice and appreciate the fact that you took the time and effort to stop what you are doing to give them a personal call.

Even as technology continues to allow us to communicate on-line with people across this country and around the globe, there’s something distinctly different when you can tie the voice to the picture posted on-line in someone’s profile on a social-networking site, to their bio on their website, or to the family photo of your cousin that you haven’t seen in a year (smile).

Great post to your blog! As you stated, the most basic and effective tool – the telephone – is a great asset to growing your business!