10 Top Tips to Get a Response

On a recent ‘Making the Best Use of Your Time’ workshop, a key time waster identified was people not responding. There is nothing more frustrating than when you need an answer or information from someone  and they don’t reply. Persistence is important if you are going to get through the many hurdles of matching their priorities to yours.

Preparation

First things first; get yourself in the right frame of mind.  Be confident, empathic and conversational, but assertive. Don’t make that call if you are already frustrated or in a rut! Take a break first.

If you have in your mind that they won’t respond; then it is likely to become a self fulfilling prophesy. This may come out in your tone of voice or words spoken. Trust is a powerful tool. Few people like to break it. Most human beings fear rejection and like to be appreciated. You can use this to influence people.

You will need to research carefully the compelling message that the person is going to respond to. Remember they will help you get to where you need to be, if they can see validity of your claim on their time, their business and more importantly the benefit it will bring them by helping you.

Consider what are their needs? What/who are your competitors for their time?  What motivates them? What could the consequences be for them if they don’t? Remember it is their job to protect their priorities, diaries and job-to-do lists, therefore they have to be sure that it is worth the effort to help you!

Ten Top Tips for Getting a Response

1. Be assumptive – say “thank you” – “Please” is a question which can be refused.
2. Give information clearly – set expectations  – use the word ‘because’ and give reasons why you need the information by a certain time – confirm in writing if necessary.
3. Answer questions asked – be helpful – empathise with their issues!
4. Believe that you will get a response – Self fulfilling prophecy. You have the right to request it. Don’t discount your power.
5. Transmit seniority/authority – Focus on pace, tone, pitch, pauses and emphasis. General rule – speak more S-L-O-W-L-Y and assertively.
6. Create a good impression and get known – people usually try to please people they like.
7. Use downward inflection in your voice – create a statement not a question!
8. Use the person’s first name.
9. Pre-plan your approach, learn from your experiences and take action! Make it habit through practice!
10. Persist – Be pro-active – Act quickly after the first failure to respond. Let them know you are disappointed if they don’t meet the deadline.

Most importantly, don’t forget to genuinely appreciate them when they do respond.

Reference: Influence: science and practice – Robert Cialdini