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I had an important conference call with a director today

 
Rev Dr August Abbott's Avatar
  • Answered by:Rev Dr August Abbott
  • Adult Etiquette Pro
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  • Accepted Answers: 421
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Customer Question

Hi Sheila,

I had an important conference call with a director today and he didn't turn up, my team and I waited for him about 15 mins and his mobile was off- i think he forgot about it. How can tell him gently that he missed our important conference call and ask him to reschedule it and give me some updates if he has any. Many thanks

Submitted: 313 days and 1 hours ago.
Category: Etiquette
Value: £12
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  Rev Dr August Abbott replied 312 days and 16 hours ago.

-- Since you don't want to encourage (or enable) this fellow to repeat his faux pas, gentle is nice, but you also want to let him know there are consequences for his actions, or lack of them.

Inform him in the same way you notified him of this meeting that "...due to your absence at the pre-arranged time, your team was forced to disband for the day. Since we all understand that mistakes happen or events occur that we don't expect, we are rescheduling for you"
*****
You see, this wording makes it all about him and gives him something to live up to.
*****

Be sure to add, " Someone will be sure to call to remind you the day before this meeting and a second friendly reminder an hour prior. We truly look forward to working together and having your input " (or whatever it is he is integral in)

----

The botXXXXX XXXXXne is that anyone who is late without at least a phone call to let others know they're running late is rude. Anyone who simply doesn't show up to a pre arranged event of any kind is rude plus some. And in both cases they are disrespectful of others and arrogant in themselves.

I commend you for conducting yourself with great control and grace. You are truly a person of class and stature.


Customer replied 311 days and 6 hours ago.

Many thanks for your help.

So how can i start the email? shall i say" dear x, we had a conference call on wednesday and you didn't turn up?"

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  Rev Dr August Abbott replied 310 days and 21 hours ago.

-- Dear Mr (or Ms) Smith: We missed you on Wednesday's conference call. We understand that the unexpected can foil the best laid plans or that sometimes we just forget. Hopefully we can make this connection again on (such and such a date). Or at a time and day that is more convenient for you. We'll send out reminders to everyone the day before and if you'd like, one of us will give you a call that morning to be sure we'll have the honor of your presence. Again, we are sincere in saying that you were missed. Respectfully, ......"

---
Respecting your superiors and elders in all areas of life is always important, but a person is a person; the king goes back in the same box as the pawn, right? Poor behavior should never be encouraged and we can be encouraging it by not mentioning it or allowing it over and over. That's "enabling". Always remember that you and your coworkers are worth being respected too.

Good luck!


Expert TypeAdult Etiquette Pro
Category: Etiquette
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 421
Answered: 6/8/2012

Experience: Formal event coordinator/officiate, announcement author

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