We Live in an Instant World
I wear many hats. I show dogs, ride horses, scrapbook, read, research genealogy and many many other pursuits.
Although I retired from State service in 2011(Thanks ACT 10) I ended up going back to work. When a nice, easy job falls into your lap that pays pretty decent, you tend to sit up and take notice. Besides, one of the many hats I wear is world traveler and it pays for my wanderlust!
But I digress,
Suffice to say that I am a supervisor for a local company that has a national interest.
Recently one of my employees had off and I covered the open shift. This particular shift includes answering incoming calls.
Technology is touted as being such a wonderful thing! Phones have progressed from land lines, to expensive bag phones, car phones (think Magnum PI) to very large cell phones to today's multiple choices. Land lines have progressed to using a single cord per phone to fiber optics handling many, many lines processed through a computer. We can call and talk using Skype or Facetime and see who we are talking to, around the world, at any time we choose.
Messaging systems have gone from a written note by a receptionist left in your 'box' to tape recorded message machines to voice mail.
Speed dial has replaced the need to punch in multiple numbers and replace the need to memorize more then just a name.
And all of this was to make the life of a receptionist easier, more efficient. I'm here to tell you it hasn't.
Why? you may ask. I'll tell you why. no one leaves voice mail. I should correct that to state that very few people will leave a voice mail. We want to speak with someone and we want to do it now. Return calls every few moments, all of which go through the reception desk, to see if the individual will pick up now.
Hummmmm, several attempts withing 15 minutes and STILL no answer- better call again and ask for someone else. And they cycle continues.
Or the ones that do call and leave a message, only to call back in about 10-20 minutes and say gee I called and left a message for so-and-so and they still haven't called back. DUH.
Another favorite- Can you page so-and-so? They haven't called me back yet......
You get the idea.
This need, this drive, for instance gratification, no matter what the issue is, truly is getting out of hand. How many of us, really do stop and admire the flowers? The lovely scent of roses or sweet williams wafting on the breeze in the day? Or appreciate the rainbow of colors as the sun rises or sets for that matter- a rainbow of colors painted by the hand of God?
It is time to stop and take stock of what life has in store. Slow down. Enjoy, no embrace the day!
Although I retired from State service in 2011(Thanks ACT 10) I ended up going back to work. When a nice, easy job falls into your lap that pays pretty decent, you tend to sit up and take notice. Besides, one of the many hats I wear is world traveler and it pays for my wanderlust!
But I digress,
Suffice to say that I am a supervisor for a local company that has a national interest.
Recently one of my employees had off and I covered the open shift. This particular shift includes answering incoming calls.
Technology is touted as being such a wonderful thing! Phones have progressed from land lines, to expensive bag phones, car phones (think Magnum PI) to very large cell phones to today's multiple choices. Land lines have progressed to using a single cord per phone to fiber optics handling many, many lines processed through a computer. We can call and talk using Skype or Facetime and see who we are talking to, around the world, at any time we choose.
Messaging systems have gone from a written note by a receptionist left in your 'box' to tape recorded message machines to voice mail.
Speed dial has replaced the need to punch in multiple numbers and replace the need to memorize more then just a name.
And all of this was to make the life of a receptionist easier, more efficient. I'm here to tell you it hasn't.
Why? you may ask. I'll tell you why. no one leaves voice mail. I should correct that to state that very few people will leave a voice mail. We want to speak with someone and we want to do it now. Return calls every few moments, all of which go through the reception desk, to see if the individual will pick up now.
Hummmmm, several attempts withing 15 minutes and STILL no answer- better call again and ask for someone else. And they cycle continues.
Or the ones that do call and leave a message, only to call back in about 10-20 minutes and say gee I called and left a message for so-and-so and they still haven't called back. DUH.
Another favorite- Can you page so-and-so? They haven't called me back yet......
You get the idea.
This need, this drive, for instance gratification, no matter what the issue is, truly is getting out of hand. How many of us, really do stop and admire the flowers? The lovely scent of roses or sweet williams wafting on the breeze in the day? Or appreciate the rainbow of colors as the sun rises or sets for that matter- a rainbow of colors painted by the hand of God?
It is time to stop and take stock of what life has in store. Slow down. Enjoy, no embrace the day!
Comments
Post a Comment