So the next time you re asked about why you bother holding meetings, think of all the time and money-wasting activities that could be minimized or eliminated with a meeting. Voice mail has made this a familiar game for most of us. We all know how frustrating it is to call someone, leave a message, move away from your desk momentarily, and return to find a message from that person.
Phone tag can last for several rounds, leaving both players immensely frustrated.
If you re trying to reach someone, it can save time and headaches to simply schedule a quick in-person or audio meeting at a time appropriate for both of you. Love it or hate it, we ve all come to rely on e-mail for the majority of our communications. Obviously, e-mail is invaluable when you re communicating over long distances, or if you need to send information to more than one person, or if you need a request in writing. That way you can clarify any murky points, receive instant feedback, and engage all relevant parties at once. Generally, e-mails will summarize issues rather than discuss them in depth.