The Challenge of Punctuality
A Missed Appointment
You set an appointment with a vendor for a meeting via telephone call for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. At 9:24 a.m., they still haven’t called. You attempt to contact them. You have provided the number they are to call. You move on to your next to-do item. At 9:27 a.m., the phone rings: it is the vendor. Do you answer the phone?
Setting Standards
I’ve stopped answering the phone when the call is late. I especially won’t answer the call when it was the kick-off call for the vendor working for me. I understand that sometimes things happen and you can’t call when promised. That is what a text or a quick email is for: “Sorry, I can’t call you at 9. There has been an X. Is it okay if I call you as soon as I can, or can we reschedule for another time?”
Valuing Time and Productivity
Maximizing Efficiency
My time is valuable, and I usually have more daily tasks than I have time for. Keeping a tight schedule is essential to my productivity. I move on to the next task when a call doesn’t happen. I get more done when I am not bouncing from task to task. I get more done when I am not letting myself be interrupted or distracted by phone calls that aren’t on my schedule.
Personal Accountability
Lately, many prospective and existing vendors have missed scheduled meetings by phone and in person. I have to confess I’ve had a few schedule misses myself, but I took the time to email even when I was evacuating for a broken gas line. I quickly emailed the person I was scheduled to speak to at 2:30 by phone to say, ” Can’t make it, evacuating due to busted gas line… hope to be in touch…”
Consequences of Unreliability
A Vendor’s Failure
A long-time vendor did not show up for three days this past week. While I understand health and family issues (I have my own), it isn’t a lot to ask in the days of technology to send a message. I now have a new vendor handling that part of my business.
Expectations for Vendors
Key Requirements
So what are the make-or-breaks for your vendors? Here are some of mine:
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Keep your commitments: appointments, confidentiality, etc.
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Please notify me when … something comes up, you get sick, you can’t make it, etc.
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Communicate issues, changes, and needs.
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Tell me when you can’t deliver on time, as promised.
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Maintain the quality of service.
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Respect my time.
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Value my business.
