Exam Info

Getting From Here to There

99% of what I do is done at the client's home or office. Getting accurate, reliable directions is important.

Here's what I do. When an order is called in to me, and when I've set up the appointment, I tell the client I can meet at their home or office. Make sure you know whether the address they're giving you is at their home, office, or whatever.

Next, repeat the address. Don't assume the city name: you may be thinking of a similar street name, but be also thinking of the wrong city.

Ask them for directions. I'm a big fan of on-line directions (more about that in a minute) but your client will know about construction work, a short-cut, whatever.

If they are hopeless about giving directions, are not fluent in English, or whatever, ask to speak to someone else who can give directions.

Remember to ask for landmarks that will help you find the location: stores, prominent buildings and the like are good for getting you oriented.

Make sure you have as many contact phone numbers as are available. If you're speaking to them on their cell phone, ask if they have a home or office number, "just in case I can't get through." Build redundancy into your work.

Whenever possible, I check internet directions while I'm speaking to them. This isn't always possible, but when I can, I do. This allows me to check obvious questions I might have about getting there.

(A word of caution. I don't tell people I'm checking for internet directions. Most younger people (say 35 and below) will assume you're doing that. Some people will feel insulted, as though you are checking after them, which you are. Older people in turn will often have no clue what you are talking about if you tell them you're going to mapquest the directions, and you'll end up having to try to explain it).

I use Google for directions, because it has proven reliable in the past. Just go to Google and type in the full address.

For most addresses, Google will bring back 3 options: Google maps, Yahoo maps, and Mapquest. I usually use Mapquest. Click it on, and you'll get a map.

Go below the map, and see "get directions to above location." Type in your starting location (where you'll be when you're heading to the appointment). Read the directions. If it seems like you're talking about 2 different spots, clarify that.

For very new housing developments (very much an issue in North Carolina now) one of the 3 options may be unable to find the address. One of them usually can. If none of them can, that's usually an indication that either (1) the address is very new, or (2) -- and more likely -- you've got a wrong mis-spelling, a wrong city (very easy to do when a bunch of cities are close to each other.

Finally, print out the directions and staple them to the exam order. I don't usually print out the map, unless it's an unusual situation, or an area I'm not familiar with.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 1:23 PM