Comments on: Full Coverage Communication – Can you Hear Me Now?

By: Jim Duncan

Jim Duncan — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:03:47 +0000

@Larry – but what do you do about the small letters?

By: Jennifer in Louisville

Jennifer in Louisville — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:59:23 +0000

Everyone has their own comfort levels as far as how they like to communicate. Determining what your clients prefer in form & frequency will lead to happier clients (and more sales).

By: Larry Yatkowsky

Larry Yatkowsky — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:30:40 +0000

@Jay

the pre-boomer-blue-rinse crowd with hearing issues love txt messaging. .>)

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:56:38 +0000

You know, there are even a few {gasp!} “Boomers” out there that prefer these new-fangled means of communication….

By: Eric Blackwell

Eric Blackwell — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:32:08 +0000

@Jim – Positively awesome graphic

And as Matt just said…we need to meet them where THEY are. With so many possible communication methods out there, we need to be able to contact folks with what THEY find the most comfortable.

By: Matt Wilkins

Matt Wilkins — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:32:03 +0000

I agree with everyone so far and I think the key word here is flexiblity. We have to realize that different clients have different preferred ways of communicating.

Although I am a very tech-savvy broker, I do realize when a phone call or face to face is needed. Lengthy explanatnions and clarifying questions can many times be done much faster on the phone or in person than through emails or TXTs.

By: Bill Lublin

Bill Lublin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:29:09 +0000

Jim I really likeed this, but I saw the comparison of the other generations on a tweet you left, and the added impact of that comparison was awesome – What a wonderfully graphic way to show the realtionship of frequency of use and urgency of the communication -

I might add that I am very jealous of the talent you have of placing graphics with a short statement to generate an interesting dialogue-

By: Jim Duncan

Jim Duncan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:27:26 +0000

One thing that is important is to not assume a client’s or potential client’s preferred method of communication – many of those who I would expect to not be email-savvy are very much so – and GIS and mapping savvy, too.

One of my clients in the Gen-Y class preferred I call him, because he had to pay .10 for each text.

It’s incredible what asking and listening can reveal.

By: Paula Henry

Paula Henry — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:17:39 +0000

Jim – Excellent visual! I find many of my online clients feel the same way Lani does. They are looking for information first, then possibly a business relationship.

I have not been as quick to embrace SMS and text, but having children from 21-28 has quickly made me realize, the generation prefers txt. I get an immediate response to a txt from my children and their generation. A phone message – well, not so quick.

By: Danilo Bogdanovic

Danilo Bogdanovic — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:36:35 +0000

Short, sweet and to the point. Best visual explaining it I’ve ever seen!

Being on the Gen X/Gen Y cusp, I can attest to those needs and wants. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that the chart above is applicable to those born pre-Gen Y as well. Many Gen X’ers and others are embracing technology (and the same types of technologies) as much as Gen Y’ers.

By: Lani Anglin-Rosales

Lani Anglin-Rosales — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:36:06 +0000

I think everyone’s graph is a little different but I personally feel that when I’m on the OTHER end (non sales) of the transaction, this is actually accurate. I don’t want to meet a sales person until I’m committed, so other forms of informal communication (anything SMS or internet based) are my preference until I’ve committed and know I CAN buy.

Jim, this is a great wake up call because many people feel that their own preferences are what everyone else’s preferences are. It’s a good reminder than in this new era of people becoming more comfortable with the online medium, more and more people will gravitate toward this preference of communication!