Just about every day in our businesses we hear or see this phrase. Customers, colleagues, vendors, consultants all implore us to “contact me” about some important and not so important issue. Usually, this does not present a problem. As the person requesting the contact will readily accept our call, answer an email or text. However, what do we do when our response is not acknowledged especially by a customer. What then? Here are a few suggestions.
First, lets make sure we respond to this request in the manner the sender desires. If the “contact me” request was on Voice Mail then the reply should be made via phone unless other instructions were given. Received an email? Then send an email. Second, if this method was unsuccessful then move on to others. Didn’t receive a return call to your 5 voice mails? Email or better yet Text him/her. Text is hard to ignore. If it is a local customer perhaps a personal visit does the trick. Third, try reaching out to the another person in the organization asking to be put in touch with the person because they left a message and you are trying to reach them. Finally, when all else fails leave one last message ” I have left several messages and emails for you but have not received a response. If I don’t hear from you by _____ , I will close our file.” If the original request “contact me” had potential you will receive a call back. If not you just saved yourself some time and can move on to more productive activities.
