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
arty:
