Free Online Marketing Ideas

Are you available 24 - 7?

The mobile phone has given us all the opportunity to be contactable 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And this is a good thing right? Wrong!

Whilst the convenience of the mobile phone cannot be denied it has created a sense of urgency that really is not there. Just because you can be available 24 – 7 does not mean you should be available 24 – 7! In fact there are good arguments for not being available.

Several years ago I was in a seminar by a prominent businessman when the phone of someone in the very front row began to ring. Not only did the person answer it but he then began a conversation. Needless to say the presenter was not the only person who was unimpressed!

And recently I heard of a job applicant who took three phone calls during a job interview! Needless to say he didn’t get the job!

Have some of us totally lost the plot?

Nothing could be so important that you need to show this kind of disrespect to the other person.

And what does this say about you when you are available 24 – 7?

• You don’t have a business?
• You have no respect for the person you are with?
• You would also do this to the person who is calling?
• Potential new business is more important than current customers?

As I often say at the start of a seminar, unless you have a partner in hospital expecting your baby OR you are waiting for a million dollar order to be phoned through, turn it off. Or at least turn it to silent!

One very smart businessman I know has set this up nicely. He has his phone on silent and will only answer a call from either his wife or children when he is with someone else. And even then he either excuses himself from the meeting or sometimes lets it go to message bank! Otherwise his message says he will return the call after 3 pm that day. And then he does!

So decide on a mobile phone policy and practice that shows respect for others… and stick to it!