We have been having an interesting conversation on one of the email list I am on. The conversation centers around the use of a cell phone as a main phone in a home office. In my home office, I use a cell phone as my main phone. While I do have a landline, that line is call forwarded to my cell phone 24/7. If I am unavailable, I have my voicemail answer the call. I also return calls with my cell phone. Even though I am available 24/7 by phone, this does not mean I have to answer the call.
But, in my humble opinion, one of the advantages and even disadvantages we have as home office workers is that we are available to our clients/customers almost 24/7. While I don’t think we should be or have to be, it is one advantage we can give are clients. The problem does not lie in the technology. The problem is that due to the technology, clients are expecting their service providers to be available 24/7. We have to educate our clients up front. Inform them just because we utilize todays best technology, cell phones, PDA’s, smart phones, email, laptops and wifi, we may not be available. “Leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.”
I have been considering doing away with my landline completely. I still have some time to decide if this is best. My contract with SBC still has some time on it.
Since I left open the opportunity for “crossfire” in the title to this post. Please post comments as to your position to the 21st century question, cell phone vs. landline.
Categories: Technology, VoIP, iPhone
4 Comments
I don’t think it matters as long as you are reachable. If you are just starting out, maybe you can’t afford to have another line installed. There is not a one size fits all solution.
I used to only run on a cell phone and it worked for me at the time. Now I prefer to have more than one phone line. VOIP makes that easier.
I feel that a landline is preferable for home office and cell phone (with calls forwarded from office phone) for when you are away from the office. It’s just more professional. In addition, with a business phone you get a free listing in the yellow pages. I wrote an article on all the communication tools that are now available for the 21st Century small business owner. Here is the link: http://ezinearticles.com/?Technology-and-21st-Century-Small-Business-Owners&id=778284
I’m stuck with a land line until a) they build a cell tower in my neighborhood; and b) cell phones or VOIP lines can take collect calls from jail.
I turned off my landline 6 months ago, and it has been a trial just using my cell phone for business. From dropped calls, dead air, echo chamber conversations…it’s not doing my stress level any good.
So for my purposes, having both is the better option. Yes, I also have Skype which is another topic all together;)