Carlton’s Corner: Making the Phone Ring  by Doug Carlton

Recently, I was listening to a talk radio station in my local area and heard the host become silent in the middle of his show. As you are aware, dead air on radio is uncommon. You could hear the excitement in his voice when, after the pause, he said they were breaking in with a live call from Donald Trump.

See, Trump had been trying to purchase a failed real estate venture from a local businessman in our area. The radio host started the conversation by asking why Trump was calling the show. Trump’s response was nothing short of brilliant. He simply said his phone had stopped ringing, and he had not heard from the potential seller of the property.

What Trump said next impressed me even more. He went on to mention how the good people in our area would benefit from a name like his entering our market. From the coffee house to the lumberyard, the restaurants to the landscapers, everyone within 50 miles of this development would benefit from this venture. The reason he knew this was because he had witnessed this ripple effect from dozens of other developments in the past. Trump had heard nothing from the seller, so he was making his phone ring using outside influence. Before the close of that business day, the city’s mayor was beating the drum for continued talks. Very smart.

It all starts with a call. I don’t care how talented or artistic or expensive or cheap you are, all new business starts with a call. New work is the lifeblood of your business. If your company is busy now, please save this article, because I assure you, there will be a time when your phone activity will slow. If your business phone is quiet right now, then grab your highlighter pen, because we will be running through ways to increase your phone bill.