Upgrading My Standard Messages
I thought it was about time to overhaul my standard voice mail greetings. I’ve been following the same procedure for several years.
I generally update my office phone message daily. I liked providing the current date to let callers know that I was checking my messages regularly. But that has proven to be more trouble than it’s worth.
So, I have now gone to this greeting:
Note that I am trying to redirect people to e-mail. This is much more efficient to me than playing the inevitable phone tag, going through the usual chit-chat when we finally connect, and then getting to the reason for the call. Granted, sometimes calls—or even face-to-face meetings—are necessary. But in my experience, 90% of calls or meetings could be better handled via e-mail.
My cell phone greeting is similar, except that you can’t bypass the message by pressing “1”:
A few days ago, I wrote about trying to break my e-mail addiction. It is working out remarkably well. However, I have now shortened by auto-responder message. I want to set people’s expectations, but I don’t think I need to go into the long rationale I was previously providing. Here is my current one:
I have received your e-mail message. However, I am not currently online.
Just so you know, I generally read and respond to e-mail twice a day—usually in the middle of the workday and then again before I leave the office. I do not check e-mail in the evenings or on weekends.
If you need faster response than this—and your request is truly urgent—call Vicki Parr, my assistant, at (555) 555-5555 or call my cell phone.
Kind regards,
Mike
Changing these messages is part of my continuing quest to be more productive and yet get people what they need.
Posted on June 25, 2007
In: Productivity
MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at 
BARRY HILL, JR. is a storyteller, blogger, speaker, barista, and is in his fifteenth year of full-time ministry to teens and their families. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their six children—“the circus.” You can usually find Barry where fresh coffee and good ideas are brewing. To join in the conversation, drop by his blog, 
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