Business 101: Communication

I decided to do things a little different this week and write this blog. Why? Because I felt that it needed to be done. I apologize if this appears to be a rant, but it should be standard Business 101: Communication, for most people. Let’s just say I noticed it with the Millennial Generation or as I like to call it, the “Me” Generation. And I hate to say, it is contagious, so you may want to see your doctor, if you exhibit signs. In today’s society we have multiple ways of communicating. We can call, send text messages, send e-Mails, send FB message, or Tweet if necessary. Webster defines communication as:

com·mu·ni·ca·tion

noun \kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shən\

: the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else

: a message that is given to someone : a letter, telephone call, etc.

communications: the ways of sending information to people by using technology

As you can see, there are multiple ways, in which a person or persons can stay in touch. However, I have come across several business people that cannot follow this simple rule, if someone calls you and you cannot pick up the phone, return his or her call when you can. This does not mean next week or a month later.

I received a text the other day, asking me if I had contacted a certain party. I replied yes, I did via e-Mail. The next text that came in, said that I had blown it and I will talk to you later. Well, this was clear as mud. I love when people communicate this way. I think for some people, it has become all about the drama. Instead of picking up the phone and discussing the issue like adults; they prefer the non-confrontational method and hide behind his or her phone.  The part that they neglected, ponder or left out was the part that the reason I had sent the e-Mail was, because, I had contacted them personally two weeks ago, the business owner a week ago, and left several messages asking to please contact me. Which, they could not bother themselves to do. This is part that bothers me, they are in business, I am a business partner, and when I make money, they make money. It is a symbiotic relationship and pretty simple concept. However some people cannot grasp it.

I don’t solely blame businesses, job recruiters are the same way. While looking for work in the IT world, I would make a point to call on my list of recruiters every Monday morning. Out of that list, two or three would actually pick up the phone and talk. After leaving 10 to 15 separate messages, two or three would return my calls. In one instance, after trying for three weeks, I had finally gotten a hold of the recruiter, only for him to tell me, sorry I didn’t call you back, I was out of town for a couple of days. I wanted to ask him, what happened to the other 18 to 19 days? Now, if my message was to inform him that he had won the lotto, I would have gotten a call back immediately. This just told me that he didn’t care enough to return someone’s phone call. For some strange reason, this has become acceptable or the norm if you will, in the business world.

A realtor I know, experiences this on a daily business. They tell me that they have a client interested in purchasing a house; they put an offer in, and will not hear back for a week or longer. Finally after making several attempts, they will make contact with the other agent, only to hear “sorry I was busy”. Now keep in mind that if that agent makes the sale, they make money. Is he or she too busy to make money; especially in this economy?

These are just a few stories and the list goes on and on. What is it these days that makes people feel so important that they cannot communicate or only when they feel like it? Who determines whether or not someone is worthy of getting his or her e-Mail returned? Is there a special process for establishing who will get a response, like the lottery or do they still draw straws? For those of us that have to deal with concept, this it’s frustrating and degrading. So next time, someone leaves a voices message, how about returning that call. I hope I have not bored you too much. It was something I needed to get off my chest. Thank you.