The Current Business Practice of the No Response -> Response?

It's been happening for quite a few years now in business. I find it bizarre. I actually think back to my syndication days and tremble with what would happen if I couldn't get a response from a General Manager or was dealing with the no-response response from a Broadcast Group Owner or TV Station. People just don't communicate like they used to. They hide behind texts, emails, instead of making a phone call that can make communicating clear and concise. You don't have to read into it. You don't have to decipher tonality. I started to wonder if in business, is ghosting a thing? I don't want to date you, I just want to merge business goals, meet interesting people, exchange and embrace a whole host of ways to have fun and make money. Even help others or make a difference. Is that rare?

What prompted this 'opine' is multiple discussions across many businesses. From game publishers to developers, casinos to event holders, advertisers, sponsors, marketing, independent producers, even my friend who owns a yoga studio business--all who comment on the no response--response. So I guess it is a thing.

So what is a good business practice when it comes to returning an email or a phone call? What is a reasonable amount of time to wait? And what if you really don't want to engage for whatever reason, then what?

Good business practice always dictates returning an email, even if a brief response such as "Sorry, we're not interested at the time" or "I'll get back to you next week" or "Feel free to contact (blank)." One line, one message, done. As far as what constitutes a 'reasonable' amount of time--that's a matter of debate. Consensus tells us one week. Or so I'm told.

A very good business associate of mine related this to me by saying "Here's how it goes in business today: You reach out the first time and you don't get a response. Its because they are just too busy and missed it. The 2nd time, you feel that they are not interested. You wait 1-2 even 3 weeks, and when you reach out and with no response, you truly think they are upset with you over something. Months go by. When you reach out a 4th time, you think they are mad at you. On the 5th time, a lot of time has passed and they certainly hate you. And if you dare to reach out again, you're clearly a stalker. Oh, and when you run into them a year later at an event or conference, they tell you they must have missed your email or call and tell you how busy they've been." It's crazy making.

But here's the main dilemma. And we all face this. You get contacted by people with whom you really do not care to engage. So, you ignore them. Most people stop and go away defeated. But the percentage of people that don't...that's the rub. Personally, I hate the clutter in my Inbox. And it's been in the 1000's at times, so saying you get too many emails as an excuse is off the table. I choose to respond 95% of the time. No other reason besides the clutter one. Although I'm a firm believer in you never know where someone is going to end up--and you could be disregarding someone who may be important to you later on.

Not responding actually gets you more emails and more phone messages. That's annoying in and of itself. The flip side of this dilemma is when it happens to you. And how do you handle it? Do you just quit after a few emails and a few calls? I personally rarely have it happen but when it does, I always feel the best way to engage is an actual phone call. And then there is always calling and not leaving a message in hopes of actually reaching someone. And that is probably the best method. Keep trying till you reach them. When you give up is your decision. You just don't want to feel like a fool for trying.

I just wanted to put it out there for a real discussion. The No Response~Response is actually a thing. Unfortunately, the no response usually means, "I don't want to speak to you-- plain and simple." It also suggest that you are not worthy of one's time. But this really echos back to treating people professionally and kindly. There's enough hatred, criticisms, jealousy, backbiting, people lashing out at people, confusing statements, rumor mongering.... I might get some flack for this but I don't find this common with females here on LinkedIn or even otherwise. I've made it a point to answer women in business. Maybe we just care more. Its just our nature. And by that I mean, 'Its a thing."