I realize how busy we can all get – and I am certainly a proponent of using technology in my practice. Always have been and always will be. I am (even as we speak) evaluating new technology tools that will make us more productive and improve our overall communication options. But – there is a time and place when having a (real) conversation voice-to-voice is both appropriate and required. I mean c'mon people!
Last month, I had a high level executive I was working with on a VP search who sent me an e-mail that they were ready to make an offer to one of my candidates. Great news – right? Well, it would have been terrific news if we could have talked about it. Instead we went for 2-3 days back and forth discussing the offer via TEXT MESSAGING! You heard me…WHAT? That was my question too!!! Unreal! This was a senior level position certainly worthy of a "live" discussion to understand the components of the offer. Instead, I was left to interpret the why, when and other details, by a few cryptic key strokes sent cell phone to cell phone, over the course of 72 hours. Not ideal by any stretch. Nope. Not at all.
We were able to get the offer accepted, and I finally did have a chance to speak to the hiring manager post acceptance. I guess the communication worked (hey – it had to) in that we did respond to one another fairly quickly. I guess I look at things a bit differently. I prefer a real "live" audible conversation when it comes to discussing an offer or any critical information about clients or candidates we are working with. Just tell it like it is…
Voice to voice conversations are too important, and with PDA to PDA messaging, (way) too much can get lost in translation:-) I'm just saying…
Tim,
To me it sounds like you used whatever tools were available and best suited for the situation at hand to close the deal. I view your posting as a success story of how we can perform our jobs, even at the highest levels, with whatever technologies are available.
I do prefer the one on one conversation either in person or over the phone, however, over my career I have negotiated offers with hiring managers, via email, IM, voice mails and believe it or not handwritten notes left on desks. To me it is a sign that we are flexible, customer oriented and still able to drive the process to a successful conclusion.
Congrats on landing the candidate and wait for the day you negotiate the offer with the candidate via text message – it’s not that far off.
Mark
I find it a little troubling that you state it was “certainly worthy of a ‘live’ discussion,” as if text messaging is somehow a less serious medium than live discussion.
Certainly, less information can be conveyed as quickly, but does that really make it a less serious communications medium?
Do you think some sort information was lost by conversing via SMS that would not have have been lost in-person or on the phone? If not, then there isn’t any reason to put so little faith in the technology.
So I agree with Mark – you simply used a new tool to help communicate with others, and it was successful. If your only option had been to use video-chat over poorly synced webcams, you probably would’ve done that instead and been just as successful. What’s so wrong about that?
I’m actually impressed that someone over the age of 30 uses text messaging to communicate in the business environment. Interesting & cool evolution of technology.
Great feedback! I use multiple forms of technology in my practice. I’m a gadget freak and have spent most of my career in the SW and services business! I LOVE technology!!!
Having said that – I still need some voice to voice feedback when it comes to something as important as a job offer. It’s dealing with someone’s career and it’s important. The technology (text messaging) gave me the metrics/details of the offer – which was great. However, I always want to finalize any offer with a conversation with the hiring manager on matters that are this important. Thanks to all that posted.
I’m surprised to see some of the comments – I mean, seriously, what fully engaged Exec would leave making an offer to text messaging. Think about it. Would you? Would Steve Jobs? Would Tom Watson? Let’s stop making the old “that’s the new world” excuses because it’s not the new world; it’s the lazy world. It’s the world of ‘hiding behind technology.’
If you want to shoot a quick travel update to a team member, or perhaps order a 1-topping pizza, go ahead and text message. But if it’s a highly critical activity, get off your rear and pick up the phone.
There may be more to this story, such as whether the text messaging was being used as a medium to limit ‘negotiating’ the package . . . however this is extremely unusual. My guess is that there is more involved – if you have a relationship, you’ll get the call.
If you have time to sleep and eat, you have time to pick up the phone and hammer out final details on what may be a make-you-or-break-you hire.
People deserve wealthy life time and credit loans or college loan will make it much better. Because freedom is grounded on money state.