DESPITE the merits of calling someone on the
phone to resolve issues in real time, it’s often a good idea to avoid
work calls. Not only do they kill productivity, but it can be hard to
make good decisions in the moment if a request surprises you.
Here are three ways to minimise all but the most essential phone interactions:
Set aside blocks of time for calls: To minimise the disruption of phone calls, create back-to-back scheduling blocks so you can bundle your calls together. Online scheduling tools like TimeTrade let you identify your blocks and send them to colleagues so they can book slots directly.
Postpone and delay: Some people may respond poorly if you decline a call. But you can minimise the pain, and perhaps avoid the obligation, if you delay it. Instead of immediately agreeing to a call, make a case for emailing some details in advance. If you’re precise in your information request, you can accomplish almost all the objectives via email, and the call may never be necessary.
Channel requests to your preferred platform: Just because colleagues or clients want to call you doesn’t mean that you need to comply with them. Instead, you can reply to written requests for your phone number with the following message: "The fastest and best way to reach me is through email." The same goes for your voicemail inbox: In your recording state your preference for email and then give your address.
(Adapted from "Stop Wasting Your Time on Work Calls" at HBR.org.)
© 2016 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp
Here are three ways to minimise all but the most essential phone interactions:
Set aside blocks of time for calls: To minimise the disruption of phone calls, create back-to-back scheduling blocks so you can bundle your calls together. Online scheduling tools like TimeTrade let you identify your blocks and send them to colleagues so they can book slots directly.
Postpone and delay: Some people may respond poorly if you decline a call. But you can minimise the pain, and perhaps avoid the obligation, if you delay it. Instead of immediately agreeing to a call, make a case for emailing some details in advance. If you’re precise in your information request, you can accomplish almost all the objectives via email, and the call may never be necessary.
Channel requests to your preferred platform: Just because colleagues or clients want to call you doesn’t mean that you need to comply with them. Instead, you can reply to written requests for your phone number with the following message: "The fastest and best way to reach me is through email." The same goes for your voicemail inbox: In your recording state your preference for email and then give your address.
(Adapted from "Stop Wasting Your Time on Work Calls" at HBR.org.)
© 2016 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp
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