The increasing types of communication technology—faxes, phones, e-mails, pagers, palm pilots—might, in theory, make people more accessible, but reaching some people can be just as difficult as ever. Then, after leaving numerous messages on voice mail or message bank, and engaging in numerous conversations with personal assistants and other gatekeepers, you finally get a response. But then you are unavailable. The game of ‘telephone tag’ has begun. Our eight-page e-Topic How to avoid playing ‘telephone tag’ tells you how to win at this frustrating game…

1. Know the rules of the game.
2. Accept the challenge.
3. Do your homework.
4. Be prepared for those message machines.
5. Demonstrate a positive self-image.
6. Avoid ‘cold calls’.
7. Try reversing the role.

After clarifying and elaborating upon these somewhat cryptic guidelines, the e-Topic concludes with a wealth of useful hints, advice, anecdotes and inspiration to help the reader better understand and implement the core material presented.

Do you want a brief fragment from the wealth of practical advice in this e-Topic?
“Telephone tag has a simple solution. When leaving a message, think of it as setting a tentative appointment. Ask what time the person called is expected to be available, and say you will call back at that time. When you leave a message for the person to call you, leave a specific day and time when you will be at your desk to receive the call. And make sure that the message you leave will motivate the person to return your call.”

Simple, step-by-step solutions to your management problems and issues – that’s the aim of our e-Topics series. For busy managers, it’s literally management2go!