Let me start off by saying, I’m not talking about the sales follow-up. Following up on potential sales leads is essential and probably the only way to close a deal.

I’m rather talking about following up on work or just a simple query.

This is something that has bothered me for a long time and continues to do so.

When I send someone an email for a task to be completed or simply asking a question, most of the time I will not get a response and the task won’t be done either.

Most of the time, and I mean almost 90% of the time, I will need to follow up. This is frustrating and time consuming.

It really baffles me how people live their lives without a to-do list or a plan.

I knew one guy who would mark all his email “read” at the end of the day. When I asked him whether he actioned every email, he simply told me that if something was urgent, they will follow up. I was seriously flabbergasted.

I realize that sometimes we get busy and not everything can be done in a day. But, at least I send out a holding response letting the other person know that I will deal with it.

If it so happens that I completely forget, I apologize but more often than not, I will not have to be reminded more than once.

Yet, there are people I have to remind at least 3 or 4 times before something gets done and they’re not even concerned that I’m following up.

Sometimes it’s even worse. You send someone an email and then when you call them, they promptly respond that they never saw your email.

I used to wonder why people would always send an email and then call me to say, I’ve sent you an email. Now, I get it. I guess, they’ve already mastered the art!

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