Having spent nearly seven years as a technical staffing consultant for a large privately held staffing company, I developed quite a tickler file. Not only did I have an expansive file, but I had a routine of when to follow up with former, current and potential business partners. It was a routine that became habit. I knew who I was going to call what day of the month and what I was going to say when I got that person on the other end of the phone. I was much better at tickler calls, and enjoyed them immensely more, than cold calls. But I understood that both types of calls served a purpose.
Today, working in a new sector and in a different position, I still make tickler calls. However, I probably don't do them as religiously as I used to. Part of that reason is because it is easier to send an email or a text or an IM or a tweet or a facebook message or a link to convey your desire to stay connected with that individual. Although I greatly support and utilize all of the above technologies, sometimes they still are not as fast or effective as a phone call. By the time I get a decision completed via an email thread, I could have easily spoken to that person directly and came to a solution faster. The phone is still a synchronous form of communication which eliminates confusion about interpreting the tone of an email or having to translate a text.
Communication options for all of us are changing daily. In my opinion however, the best way to truly stay connected now and in the future with business partners, colleagues, friends and family is through phone technology.
