Prepare One Clear Question Before Using a Speed-Dial Card
You open a familiar contact card because you need to call an office. The number is easy to find, but when someone answers, you realize you have not decided what to ask. A shortcut can remove a search step. It cannot prepare the conversation for you. Before using a speed-dial card, spend a moment choosing one clear question. This is not a script for persuading someone or a promise that the call will succeed. It is a way to avoid searching for information while the other person waits. Name the purpose before opening the card Ask yourself what you need from this particular call. “Speak to the office” is a destination, not a purpose. “Ask which document to bring to the appointment” gives you something specific to say. Keep the purpose narrow enough to express in a sentence. If you have several unrelated issues, choose the one that needs this person or service. A large list can make it difficult to remember the original reason for calling. You can write that sentence in a separate not...