At Centennial in Media Relations, my classmates and I learned about a database of communicators and journalists that’s used to help keep everyone connected. A very privileged contents, it contained phone numbers, e-mail addresses and just about anything else you would need to keep connected.
One thing that I initially thought was unnecessary was “preferred method of contact.” I thought this idea was strange. Why would I want to know exactly how each person wanted to be contacted and why would I want to look this up? That’s when my own personal revelation came.
I do this myself, everyday, with everyone I know. It’s not a database, but my own memory. Have you ever had to get in contact with someone you know and the first thing you think of is how you will do that? Do I e-mail or phone my grandmother? Do I text my friend on MSN or their cellphone? We all have a friend who never checks their e-mail but always has their phone on.
It turns out every person I know has a “preferred method of contact” and I seem to know exactly what that is by memory instantly, both for their sake and of course mine, the person trying to get out my message.
Photo by: SplaTT
I agree with you,Mike. This preference on how to be contacted exists in work situations too. It’s strange how quickly we learn about one’s preferred method on how to be communicated with.Some people like to be contacted by picking up the phone and being spoken to, some like to be talked with over the cubicle walls, some prefer the formal paper trail that an e- mail brings and some like to see the person and converse face to face. The behaviour of letting someone know what the preferred method is, is very subtle. No direct conversations or hints.Just a gentle push in the right direction. And how promptly our brain registers the association with the person. Good enough to never make the same mistake twice.