Love them or hate them, the use of online diaries and appointment scheduling apps is on the increase. Designed to maximise productivity, these clever apps are running our lives. But how do you feel about appointment scheduling? Does it work? Is it rude? Has it changed your life?
At Focus Guru, I help business owners make the best use of their time, energy and resources. Speaking recently with different clients, I’ve noticed a big change in the way they want to book appointments with prospective customers, organise team meetings and plan their networking follow-up calls.
Using an appointment scheduler, my clients have time to work during the day as well as speaking with their customers, without the time spilling into home life, hobbies and holidays.
A shift towards online calendars
Instead of an old-fashioned paper-based diary, there is a distinct shift towards online calendars and appointment schedulers. Having an electronic diary means appointments and events can be scheduled and shared with colleagues or family members, as and when required.
Your time can be divided into segments, colour-coded and reserved, for example, for meetings, sport or family activities. The time segments can be a five minute slot for a quick check-in at home, or a capped half hour consultation with a prospective client.
Automatic reminders encourage attendance
There’s nothing worse than being ready for a call and the other person fails to show up. How many times has this happened to you? Do you give them a second chance? Or a third?
Appointment schedulers have a great feature where they can be configured to send a reminder about your upcoming meeting. The app can also remind the person you’re speaking with that they have a meeting with you.
This alone is responsible for ensuring both parties are aware of the upcoming meeting and encourages attendance.
Rude and impersonal or does it show you value your time?
When the first person asked you to use their appointment scheduler, how did you feel? Did it feel rude and impersonal? After all, you were just asking for a chat with them. You might have wanted to buy their product or service. Perhaps you met someone at a 4N Online meeting and wanted to carry on your 121 and they asked you to book a time slot.
However, is it any different booking a 3pm to 3.30pm phone call via an appointment scheduler than verbally arranging a time? Does it show you value your time? Is it more reliable than writing the meeting time and date on a scrap of paper?
Would an appointment scheduler work for you?
There are many good reasons to use an appointment scheduler. From your side, you can choose the times you want to be available and when you want to switch off the phone. It can be relaxing to know you have a quiet hour or two to spend with family, to shop, read, or catch up with friends.
You’ll also know in advance who’s calling and can prepare documents or check facts and figures before they call. Having the answers ready and information to hand automatically reduces stress and creates a positive impression.
In my Focus Guru Power Hours, one of the topics I cover is how to choose the right appointment scheduler for your business. There are several to choose from and cater for single users, families, teams and entire organisations.
I’ll make sure you know how to set up appointments, send out professional invitations and organise the times you wish to be available. This will give you the right tools to manage your appointments and increase your working productivity.
To book your Focus Guru Power Hour, please contact book a free discovery call into my calendar and let’s get started.
Rachael Chiverton, Focus Guru – Giving You Your Time, Your Way
www.getfocus.guru