Uncategorized | Words on the Page

Lists – Yours and Theirs

Posted on September 12, 2012 by lwidmer

We’re flying home tomorrow. I’ll bore you with stories, I’m sure. But I’m about to re-enter the workload. And as I’m writing this, prior to our trip, I’m certain I’ll forget something. I tried to get it all done before we left, but plans got in the way. Not mine, mind you. Theirs. Everyone who…

Do Good Tuesday

Posted on September 11, 2012 by lwidmer

This day never passes without some reflection and intense sadness. Only last month did I first visit the 9/11 Memorial, and I wish it had been alone and not with our visitors. While I loved taking them there, it was just too solemn a place to “visit.” I’ll go again by myself. So maybe instead…

Learn ’em Up Monday

Posted on September 10, 2012 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Wild Palms by William Faulkner By now the wedding festivities are over and we’re on our own for a few days of reconnecting and enjoying our time together. I hope I’m not worrying work issues. Work will always be there — no sense wasting time consumed by it. Time to go…

Numbness on the Edge of Friday

Posted on September 7, 2012 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Wild Palms by William Faulkner Still in Santa Cruz, and about to attend a beach bonfire and rehearsal dinner. I may be connected, but hopefully not too much. I did tell clients I’d be around some yesterday and today. After that, our plans are very loose. Since it’s Friday on the…

Backfires

Posted on September 6, 2012 by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: the sound of laughter and family I’m in Santa Cruz and sharing time with my in-laws, who are just great people and great fun. I’m probably trying to get a little work done between 6 am and noon, but that’s because I didn’t plan the trip and he assumed I could…

Value

Posted on September 5, 2012 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Wild Palms by William Faulkner I’m leaving on a jet plane…. I’m heading out today and won’t be back for eight days. Wedding with family, and then some time off to ourselves, something we haven’t had much of since May. I hate leaving work behind, but it’s for a good cause…

Hustle Here and a Bustle There

Posted on September 4, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Lonely Boy by The Black Keys Rain. Lots and lots of rain. And then some more. That was our weekend. And it was good. Having had an unusually dry July and a somewhat wetter August near the end, the heavy rain that washed over this long weekend was a welcome sight….

Monthly Assessment: August 2012

Posted on August 31, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Smoke and Mirrors by Gotye Slowly, I’m checking things off my list. See, I’m about to head out of town for eight days, and I want to have everything sorted before I go. Some projects must be done by then, so today is completing that process as we’re about to head…

The Importance of Confirmation

Posted on August 30, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Love the Way You Lie by Rihanna and Eminem Great day yesterday – I put the finishing touches on the web project, got an interview done, and put out my query for the article interviews. Also, I edited a client project that I was happy to have time for. Life is…

Giving Good Phone

Posted on August 29, 2012 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Incomplete and Insecure by The Avett Brothers I’m a little behind in what I’m trying to get done this week. The website revisions are turning into more of a rewrite than I’d wanted, but I won’t keep copy that doesn’t sing, so they’re getting a bonus, like it or not. I…

Cathy Miller

August 29, 2012

I have participated in many, many phone conferences. The ones that are the most frustrating are those where the participants are late or don't show up at all.

For the ones where they don't show up, I send an email about 10 minutes into the call with a "Are we still on for today's call?" in the subject line. Almost always gets a response-either reschedule…grrr…or will call in at such and such a time.

For those that are late, the clear end time you describe, Lori, still applies.

I agree it's essential to have talking points. If my client doesn't send them to me, I bullet point the talking points prior to the meeting.

Something I find very helpful is one client (whom I love!) records the calls and shoots me a copy after the call. There's something about being recorded that tends to keep people on track.

If there's someone dominating the conversation, I come up with questions that I direct to another participant.

Devon Ellington

August 29, 2012

Like I said yesterday, I don't do business by phone, except in unusual circumstances, as with my ghostwriting client, and an agent who gave me a quote for an article. We'd booked a 20 minute phone date, and we were both so organized we knocked off all the topics in 3 minutes and made plans to get together when I'm in CT next month!

Other than that, 99.9% of phone conferences are a waste of time.

Paula

August 29, 2012

While they aren't meetings with agendas, I do tons of phone interviews. Most go really well, but occasionally you get folks who veer off topic. (Every now and then they might say something that leads to a spin-off idea, but that's very rare.) Usually you can interrupt, but every so often there's a talked who cannot be talked over. Argh. That's what fast-forward is for.

I've noticed call lengths vary greatly by industry. Some people feel the need to go into minute detail and explain everything about how their entire industry works. Others just assume you know the basics and get to the point. They're my favorites!

I have about a dozen interviews to do this week and early next week for two very different articles. I already know which will be productive 15-minute calls and which I'll need to work hard to keep on schedule. I have one of each scheduled for today.

Lori

August 29, 2012

Cathy, great tips. Only one time did my asking the non-talker questions backfire. Every time I tried, the squawker talked right over him. I got maybe a sentence out of the poor guy before his colleague dominated. There comes a point when the interviewee has to grow a set too, I think!

Devon, I agree. There's such a small percentage of actually useful phone calls that I can't see the reason for many of them.

Lori

August 29, 2012

Paula, my worst interview used to be the guy who shouted louder every time I tried to tell him we were off topic (and we were off topic instantly). However, there was a guy Devon actually rescued me from a few years back. He would NOT shut up. I warned him three times I had to get off the phone, but he never heard. Devon called and I used her beeps as excuses to get my "other client call." The next time I called him, I told him I had just 15 minutes. Should have heard his voice – all dejected. "That won't be enough time." We were done in 10 minutes and it was more than enough time. It was a freaking resume job! LOL

Kimberly Ben

August 29, 2012

A thousand times thank you for that derailment tip!

Lori

August 29, 2012

Kim, that's not to say it will work every time, but there are times you just HAVE to interrupt!

Anne Wayman

August 29, 2012

Thanks Lori, and so quick too.

More than people who are late, the folks that bother me the most during phone meetings are those who ramble… I think actually using a timer can help. Give everyone 3 or 5 minutes… and go from there.

Of course even worse are the late ones who ask for a summary of what happened before they got there and the folks who are willing to give it to them.

I do know how to interrupt. 😉