IF I CONDUCTED MY BUSINESS THAT WAY...
I recently rang an international media agency's office in Sydney to find out who looked after the Audi Australia account. The charming receptionist informed me that she didn't know who worked on which account and therefore couldn't put me through to anyone. She then asked if I knew the name of the person I wanted to speak with, to which I replied, "No I don't, that's why I ask you".
The receptionist then suggested I send an email. Cool, that'll do for now. She then proceeded to give me her own email address. This prompted me to ask, "You have just told me you don't know anyone in the office, so why would I send an email to you"?
Of course this isn't a fault of the receptionist, it's the insane "No Name Policy" companies are adopting globally. Companies will explain that the reason for the policy is to ensure they only do business with companies/people they know. I wonder how their Business Development Team feel about this?
Think about it for a moment......
If you have a "No Name Policy" why do you need a receptionist answering the telephone? Why have a switchboard number published; that is if you actually publish your telephone number. Most websites now ask you to email and don't list a number on the "Contact" page. Don't let me go there.
Media agencies are notorious for high staff turn over, so what happens if the person I was dealing with leaves and I don't know the name of the replacement. What happens if I start a new job and my predecessor hasn't left me with a contact name. Worse still, what if this business was recommended to me and I wanted to be a client?
What's going to happen to LinkedIn when the "No Name Policy" is truly embraced? Think of all the printing companies that specialise in business cards. How dull are networking events going to be? Imagine the chaos on election day or the football trade period or being a teacher and trying to do the morning role call. In ten years time Genealogy will be impossible.
Rather than get annoyed, have some fun. The next time you contact a company that has a "No Name Policy" and the receptionist asks, "Do you have a name"?, say yes and give your name. Then wait a few minutes while they check, ask you for the correct spelling and then tell you no of that name works there. It's even funnier if someone with the same name is employed there.
Alternatively, ask if you can leave a message and when you're asked for your name simply state that your business has a "No Name Policy" and enjoy the confused silence at the other end of the telephone.