Reach Out and Touch Someone

Guest Post by Anonymous

Once upon a time, people relied on this cool invention called a telephone to remotely communicate with others. Then, e-mail came onto the scene and people practically forgot about this nifty communication device. While e-mail can be a time-saving method for getting messages out, it can also be unreliable ― an aspect that can be a reputation killer in today’s fast-paced business world.

For example, a reporter recently sent me a request via e-mail, which I gladly would have replied to if I had received it. However, due to the mysteries of e-mail servers and fiber optic cables, the message never reached my inbox.  Instead, it ended up in that black hole known as “cyberspace.”

Now, you may think this seems harmless, but this reporter was extremely offended by my lack of response (mind you, I was completely unaware of his request). Rather than pick up the phone to determine if I received his message, he decided to email the head of my company and bash my PR skills. Thankfully, my boss knows I would never be so unprofessional so he did not take this to heart. However, if I did not build this rapport with him this email could have completely damaged my reputation. 

All that said, my advice to everyone is to remember that e-mail is not always reliable. So whether you are managing your reputation or others’, if  e-mail is not getting the job done, take AT&T’s advice: “Reach out and touch someone.” 

Comments

[Lunch Boy]

Read Receipts, while intrusive, work too.

Anyway, tough position to be in, Mr. Anonymous. If you can, approach the reporter with a scoop/advance to smooth things over.

(and, if you get no reply, write the editor to complain!)

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Lunch Boy. Great idea! I was actually able to straighten out his misconception of me and we are now on friendly terms. But, if he strikes again, I will have this tactic in my back pocket.