Texting works for me. It's the way of the times. If you want to talk to him text the message to ''call me now or your fired''.

I text with all my customers, they communicate with me 24/7 without the annoying phone calls. I responed at my convnenience, and I have records of what was said.

 

I text quite a bit nowadays too, with customers. I no longer have employees. If I did, I think I would still want a voice call. Just seems like common courteousy to me.

 

Only if it's 5:15 in the morning. 
Texting can be quicker at times. And get out everything you need to say. But for something like calling out, I would expect a call. It's too easy to text, "I'm sick."

 

i hate texting, it takes me way too long, and my kids/wife can burn a keypad up typing to me, its easier to say it in english as to go back and forth, if my customer texted to me like crazy i would drop them as a customer, email is one thing texting is a different deal

this is when the world went to crap, the day we got rid of the rotary dial phone:clap::clap::clap:

 

I thought it was when the Beatles arrived in the US.
All the chicks wanted them, and all my neighbors bought Beatles wigs. It was a nightmare!!:sad:

 

Short daily spurts of information, I text my core guys, and vise versa.

Something like a plan discrepancy or jobsite issue needs a phone call. If they know I'm in a meeting I might get a text saying " call me 311", which is important, non emergency. If it's an emergency I'll get nothing more than "911", in which case I need to excuse myself and step out for a moment.

Being sick? eh, I think it depends on your trust in the employee. As Jay mentioned, it's real easy to just text "I'm sick". I'd believe most of my guys if I got that text, but aside from my personal feelings, in a general business sense a phone call should be required.

If I found out they were lying I'd respond with "btw, YOUR FIRED! ROTFLMAO!!! seriously, get out. TTYL!"

 

My guys are motiovated and I am easy to work for but some days they are just not feeling it. I have days like that myself.

If thats the case, I dont want them there. I dont question their integrity. Texting is fine. No call or text and no show is not fine but no one ever does it.

Occassionally I make a bad hire and it shows in the first month and their gone.

The longer they are with me the more flexible I get but they want to work so its never a problem for the established group.

New guys are the only problems and they are doing me a favor acting stupid because I can cut them loose.

 

At least they are communicating with you, as long as they are doing that i wouldnt mind. I had some guys last summer, you could never get ahold of. Sometimes I would work thru out the night on a project and tell the guys to be in by 8 and I would be in later. Sure enough I would get a call from the HO by 830. Where is everyone? Call them....no answer

That would burn my ass so bad. I would get a call about 4 PM, we arent coming in today. HA! Make sure you do not come in tomorrow either.

 

I only text if i have to, fat thumbs on little buttons just does not work. I also prefer to hear the person, hard to tell if anyone really is sick or down and out by a text. Granted anyone can fake this too but i still want to hear it. Texting has made it too easy for people to avoid confrontation and it takes the personality right out of the conversation.

 

I just got a text from my customer after I sent them a reminder to pay bill that I emailed by quick books. They like to get up late and at their convenience,read their e mail and respond without noise in the room where they like to have conversation with each other while having breakfast.
They let me know they did forget to send the payment, and also that a circulator pump was making a noise.
So yes text is a good tool for certain people at certain times
Using both hands to text while you in a car seems to have damaging effects.
People seem to think they need to answer someone no matter what!

 

I feel the same woodchuck about the confrontation thing. If it is someone you can trust that has hardly ever missed then fine, but a new guy on the job, I would expect a phone call.

But I am gonna call myself out on this one ( could be a mistake here lol) but when I was 18 and working for a contractor 30-40 hours a week all the while juggling 15 hours of class a week, I would occasionally go out and live the college lifestyle during the work week and resort to texting the next morning when I was "sick" to avoid the whole conversation thing. Young and dumb I know but maybe thats why I am iffie to the whole texting in sick thing.

 

How you gonna hear the fake cough and sickness in his voice if he texts you? :laughing:

I have texting turned off on my phone. If it's not important enough to have a conversation by phone call, it's not important enough to text.

 

Ditto...and I'm not paying for those computer generated texts either

 

Hey Mud Master
Do you know where the thread called (how do you like these numbers) went? I thought you had responded on it,so that is why I am asking. I was wanting to review it, but I looked for it and I get a message that says I am not allowed to view this topic?

 

Looks like it was shut down.

Probably too close to a direct pricing question, which aren't allowed on this site.

 

..

texting,,,,ahhhhhhhhhhh-

that's how I would send mine if I did!





B,:shifty:

 

test text: (shakey) I uh. am... tho thick, got headache, puke. sniff coff coff. won't be in today, maybe not tomorrow either ahco!

A couple of years back I had a blackberry and a buddy of mine did too. We could link them, so that he/I could see where each other was on a map pretty much all day long.

Give you crew blackberry's! then you can track them to the bar/casino!

or just fire their a%$$s. Sometimes old school works fine without the intrigue.

Most guys who've been in business for a while can detect BS when they hear it.

 

A couple of months ago I called my partner to let him know I wouldnt be coming in (food poisoning) and mid sentence started to vomit. Needless to say he has a weak stomach and started to go himself... maybe he would have appreciated a text only :laughing:

 

you can hide behind a text...if you have to phone in it makes it harder, probably reduces sickness levels

 

If it's in my sleeping hours range, I would actually appreciate a text. I like to know if someones sick, asap. but don't call me at 3am, a follow up call at 6 or so, and you're a golden boy.

 

I get it that many of you old farts are stuck in your ways, but refusing to accept technology will only leave you in the dust. Think of the guys who are 15-20 years older than you. They are mostly all retired now. But how many of these people refused to learn how to use a computer or more specifically, the internet? Over the years, they finally gave in and are years behind the curve in understanding how to use and understand the internet.

Refusing to accept new technology just makes you look like a dinosaur and can/will cost you business.



If you really believe that a phone call can be more time effective and efficient than texting at all times then you are just stubborn and ignorant. I agree that sometimes a call is easier than constantly texting back and forth but there are SO MANY other times that texting is much more efficient that making a call.



Concerning the OP, a call should always be placed if you will be missing work for any reason.

 

If you really believe that a phone call can be more time effective and efficient than texting at all times then you are just stubborn and ignorant. I agree that sometimes a call is easier than constantly texting back and forth but there are SO MANY other times that texting is much more efficient that making a call..

Give me an example. One that doesn't fall into the category of unnecessary communication that would be resolved through normal communications such as voice.

Also I would love to know how you would deal with having lets say 15 customers all in different states of the process. Some in the estimating stage, some in material procurement stage, some waiting for starts, some in the process of construction, some in final.. all texting you over and over with mundane texts that you have to address because texting creates informality and wastes other peoples time with communication that normally wouldn't be made or would be saved up and done all at once instead of as it comes to mind.

 

Customer wants to know if his custom XYZ is still on track to ship on the 15th of the month because he really needs it installed by the 18th before his in-laws come to town on the 19th.

Voice option:
They call you but you are in a meeting so they leave a voicemail. You've got a few minutes after the meetings over so you call, listen to & scribble down 8 other V-mails that came in during the meeting. The vendor acknowledgment is on file back at the office so you make a note to call him back later. Finally...Back at the office, you make the call:

"Hey Bill, it's Mike, returning your call about the XYZ"

"Hi Mike, thanks for getting back to me, can you hang on a second, I'm on the other line"

"Sure, no problem"

(3 minutes later)

"Sorry about that...That was my boss so I had to finish the call. You were saying?"

"No problem. I was just calling you back to confirm that everything is on track. The XYZ is due to us on the 15th, I've even got a tracking number"

"Excellent news! My wife has really been on my ass about this whole deal. She is super worried that you won't be done in time for her parents arrival on the 19th"

"I can assure you that we will 100% be done with the install by the 18th"

"OK, it's just that you know how women are....She's always on my ass about something. Hey, you're married aren't you Mike? You probably know how they can be sometimes, huh"

"(Nervous chuckle) Occasionally, but you tell the missus that it's no problem. There's a good chance that my guys will have it done by the 17th so even if things don't go perfect, we've got an extra day just in case"

"I really appreciate that Mike. How many guys are you sending out anyway"

"It'll be my lead guy Ted and 2 helpers"

"Is Ted your best lead? I really want you to send the best you've got"

"All 3 of my lead guys are top notch...Same goes for the helpers"

"Ok, I'll take your word for it. Well, Sharon's word for it actually. She couldn't say enough good things about your company when she referred me to you. You remember her right? She has that green craftsman over on Wilson Street"

"Indeed, and I'm glad to hear she gave us such a great recommendation. Listen, Bill, I just heard my guys pull into the shop so I've got to get going. I'll call you the minute the freight company drops XYZ on the 15th just to let you know we have it and then my guys will be there between 8-9 the next day"

"Sounds good Mike.......Oh hey wait, one more thing! You still there?

"Yeah"

"I heard they're expecting rain toward the late part of next week...What then?"

"It won't be a problem. It's 90% inside work and we have an ez-up to set up the saws under"

"Ok, Mike. Sorry to be a pest man. I just really need this to go perfect or I'll be sleeping on the couch for a week"

"We'll get it done for you, we always do"

"Thanks again Mike, Bye"

"Bye"

Elapsed time.....10+ minutes.

Text version:
"Mike, PLEASE tell me that we are still on track for 15th delivery and 16th start date? Wife is getting nervous that we are cutting it so close"

"Looking at the tracking number as I type. Ted will be there at 8:30 on the 16th and I'm 90% sure that it won't even take the full 3 days"

"Thanks Mike!"

Elapsed time (on your part)..... < 1 minute

I must live in a fantasy world, or my customers hate me, cause there's about as much likelyhood as that fantasy conversation happening, as me texting somebody.

The counter to that fantasy you posted is the same thing going on back and forth with texting.

So again -

Give me an example. One that doesn't fall into the category of unnecessary communication that would be resolved through normal communications such as voice.

Also I would love to know how you would deal with having lets say 15 customers all in different states of the process. Some in the estimating stage, some in material procurement stage, some waiting for starts, some in the process of construction, some in final.. all texting you over and over with mundane texts that you have to address because texting creates informality and wastes other peoples time with communication that normally wouldn't be made or would be saved up and done all at once instead of as it comes to mind.

 

I must live in a fantasy world, or my customers hate me, cause there's about as much likelyhood as that fantasy conversation happening, as me texting somebody.


The counter to that fantasy you posted is the same thing going on back and forth with texting.

So again -

Give me an example. One that doesn't fall into the category of unnecessary communication that would be resolved through normal communications such as voice.

Also I would love to know how you would deal with having lets say 15 customers all in different states of the process. Some in the estimating stage, some in material procurement stage, some waiting for starts, some in the process of construction, some in final.. all texting you over and over with mundane texts that you have to address because texting creates informality and wastes other peoples time with communication that normally wouldn't be made or would be saved up and done all at once instead of as it comes to mind.

Not really....The beauty of texting is that it's a two way street. Said customer is likely as busy as you if not busier. It can eliminate the mundane. Texting is no different than email when you get right down to it. By the very nature of this board, I highly doubt there is a person here who doesn't use email? Read that "fantasy" conversation again. The 'mundane' parts are much more likely to happen in an actual voice conversation than one that is typed.

Don't get me wrong, I can't stand people that hide behind texts and try to use them exclusively. Girlfriend, employee, customer, co-worker, etc.

There is a time and place for everything. My original point was that people who flat out refuse to text are no different than those who hide behind them.

As for how to balance 15 customers at various stages of the pipeline throughout the day? You are never going to know until you engage in the process. They are no more likely to all text you at once than they are to call or email.

The difference is....

With email, they likely build up throughout the day and you are compelled to answer them when you are **** tired at night. Chances are you are answering an email at 7pm that was sent at 10am and you are not going to get the response until that custy gets back to work tomorrow. That's basically a 24 hour cycle to cover a single issue.

Well, just pick up the damn phone & place a call you say? Sure, depending on the depth of the subject matter.. But if I'm on a ladder, with a client, in an attic, etc....I'm letting it go to V-mail anyway. Unless I know it's an emergency, chances are that I'm not going to listen to that V-mail and return the call the minute I get off the ladder. But I will answer a text ASAP if it's only going to cost me 30 seconds and I can throw my bags back on and get back to work.

As with anything else....If you train your customer/GF/employee correctly...They'll know when which is appropriate.

You seem to be saying that something is either important enough for a call or it's just plain unimportant. Business, like life, is rarely black or white....SMS can fill in many shades of gray while contributing to your productivity.

My .02

 

Your employee probably should have called. Texting has become a way of insulating yourself from facing the music and taking responsibility. I text all the time with customers but sometimes you have to pick up the phone and call. I actually got fired a few years ago, the boss sent a text telling me not to come in on Monday. WTF is that? Are you serious? He was..

 

WOW....7 posts and already.....hmm, well, yea....and in the end you agree with the "old farts" LOL

:jester::jester:

 

My post count has no bearing on the content of my message. If you only listen or agree with people who have greater than X number of posts then you will be missing out one some good info and opinions.

My point was that both texting and calling have their place. To flat out ignore one is both ignorant and stupid.

Notifying your employer of your absence is an example of when you need to make a call

 

And another thing I hated about the Beatles coming to the USA.
That whole Ed Sullivan rigmarole.
You know that new way of thinking that let out that new idea of Self expression (I want to be me junk) bunch of clowns:jester:
Oh for the good ol days when people all looked the same!
and no one had a calculator.

 

I would have never gotten away with "texting in" for any of the guys I worked for. I remember going in a little "sick" on a few occasions, just because I didn't want to make the call to the boss. :no:

I text both clients and subs in a regular basis. If I guy is not going to make it in to work as scheduled, I need a little more of an explanation that what you can convey through a text.

 

What's it say in your employee manual? Ours requires a phone call.

 

So does mine.

 

texting is lame....