All of the time that it takes to schedule things end up being a significant amount of the time that you end up doing things. Here are my new “freestyle scheduling” rules:
- Calling 1: No scheduling of one-to-one calls. Feel free to call me.
- Calling 2: Schedule calls of more than two people only if necessary, and the initiator sends at least three time options when making a request.
- Meeting 1: My business meetings cluster around lunchtime, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you want to meet for serious advice, offer a three alternative days to do lunch on University in Palo Alto (my favorite spot is Lavanda). If it is less serious, we can grab a quick coffee at Couppa Cafe on Ramona off University in Palo Alto.
- Meeting 2: My social meetings center around collective dinners or drinks, normally starting around 7 PM. If you would like to come, you can ask “to join in the next evening event.” These rarely get planned longer than a couple days in advance, and NO BUSINESS is discussed.
- General 1: When a time is proposed to be scheduled, send out at least three alternatives in an easy to read format.
- General 2: Any time that anything is scheduled, the initiator sends out an iCal compliant meeting reminder so that no data entry is needed by other participants.
The theory is to simplify things. If you want to speak with me, call my number. If you want to meet with me, come to one of my events or known locations.
Wow. Sounds kinda prickish.
Not prickish at all. This is great. I am adopting these too. Otherwise your business bleeds into your social and vice versa, you get nothing done and you have no fun. Adeo’s suggestions work well if you want to both remain healthy and still maintain regular quality contact with more than 100 people per week.
Brilliant! If someone wants to reach you they PICK UP THE PHONE. The crazy idea that twitter, facebook or email is somehow better than the phone is misguided. Your time is valuable; if someone is not willing to make the effort to reach you, then it’s probably not that important.
BTW, when it comes to your time, you should be “prickish” …To quote Fight Club, “This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time.”
Love this concept — very business retro. The phone call has only become more valuable as most people have stopped making them in favor of email.
What do you do when no one picks up? I recently defended voicemail.