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I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. First, let's agree that we almost all do this. As soon as we have a bit of power, we allow ourselves to forg

I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. First, let's agree that we almost all do this. As soon as we have a bit of power, we allow ourselves to forget replying. You really need this plumber right now? The plumber suddenly ignores you. They know they can let you work for it, you are the one in need. A new bug report comes in and you are the only one that can fix it? They better get going sending those follow up emails already. When I was a wee programmer in search of a job, I would beg to be considered and would reply to any email in mere minutes. Now that the tables have turned, I can just wait for recruiters to follow up few times until I grace them with an answer. The ones that do not follow up? No need to reply. At work I got some high ranked title? The juniors better be honing theirs ping skills. My point is, as soon as we have a bit of power, it is easy to drop the ball. Because you can simply ignore the issue as you don't need the resolution as much as the person asking. Anytime you want or need something, you must be ready to spend time asking over and over again. What a colossal waste of time for all humans. And so I wonder, is this what a secretary solves by being paid to be conscientious for you?

908B64B197 4y ago
> I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. Yes, also because any secretary worth his/her salt has a hidden unique power: forwarding emails to the correct people who can handle them.
Ensorceled 4y ago
> I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. Every CEO I worked with that had a PA did a much better job of handling email, reviewing documents and meetings. Not that they were necessarily better CEOs ... but at least they didn't miss/ignore important emails and came to meetings prepared.
SyneRyder 4y ago
> You really need this plumber right now? The plumber suddenly ignores you. They know they can let you work for it, you are the one in need. Plumbers have an even better way of dealing with this. If you really, absolutely need them right now, they provide an emergency service - but you have to pay $250 extra. Turns out that $250 cost filters out most people who decide their dripping tap doesn't actually need following up after all. Plumbers often have a secretary / screener handle their incoming calls. Maybe instead of repeated "follow up" emails, actually hiring someone and paying the consulting fee for their time is more likely to get through. Time is valuable, and most of these "follow up" emails are from people who do not respect or value your time. It's even part of default spam scripts: "Following Up On My Email From Last Week" is the subject line of a Chinese quadcopter spam email that went direct to my spam folder today.

908B64B197 4y ago

> I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. Yes, also because any secretary worth his/her salt has a hidden unique power: forwarding emails to the correct people who can handle them.

Ensorceled 4y ago

> I wonder if a secretary would reduce the friction. Every CEO I worked with that had a PA did a much better job of handling email, reviewing documents and meetings. Not that they were necessarily better CEOs ... but at least they didn't miss/ignore important emails and came to meetings prepared.

SyneRyder 4y ago

> You really need this plumber right now? The plumber suddenly ignores you. They know they can let you work for it, you are the one in need. Plumbers have an even better way of dealing with this. If you really, absolutely need them right now, they provide an emergency service - but you have to pay $250 extra. Turns out that $250 cost filters out most people who decide their dripping tap doesn't actually need following up after all. Plumbers often have a secretary / screener handle their incoming calls. Maybe instead of repeated "follow up" emails, actually hiring someone and paying the consulting fee for their time is more likely to get through. Time is valuable, and most of these "follow up" emails are from people who do not respect or value your time. It's even part of default spam scripts: "Following Up On My Email From Last Week" is the subject line of a Chinese quadcopter spam email that went direct to my spam folder today.