Final answer:
In business communication, responding to a client's email or web update quickly, ideally within 24 hours, is key to showing attentiveness and valuing the client relationship. Being persistent yet pleasant, and providing value are essential for maintaining positive engagement. Consideration of communication preferences is vital, as illustrated by the example of preferring phone calls over emails with an elderly relative.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of client communication and responsiveness, the best practice is to respond to any inbound email or web update from a client as quickly as possible. Prompt responses signal to the client that you value their business and are attentive to their needs. While the speed can vary depending on the nature of the business, a good rule of thumb is to reply within 24 hours. It’s important to balance persistency and courtesy; following up if you haven’t heard back can be effective, but it’s equally important to avoid becoming a source of annoyance. Offering value and being pleasant in your communication will help make your client receptive to continued interaction.
An example of this concept in action is the scenario with your eighty-three-year-old grandmother. She may not respond via email, likely due to her comfort level with calling instead, but the principle of prompt response is the same: communication should be timely and consider the preferences and capabilities of the recipient.