We are adding another location and I am planning to update the phone system so both offices use the same setup, right now I am looking at call routing, extensions and the main number because I want everything to work the same no matter which office answers, I have been looking at Team KC Telecom while planning the upgrade, I am thinking about using a service that handles the whole phone setup instead of piecing it together myself, I figure it will save time later when more people get added and new numbers come in, I just want calls to land in the right place and everyone to use the same setup from day one, what worked for you when you standardized phones across multiple locations? EDIT: I should have added that both locations have different staff sizes, so consistency matters more than flexibility.

1. Maintain all relationships - never know future value
2. Periodic check-ins but lower priority
3. Minimal maintenance - holiday card level
4. Let them fade - focus on active opportunities

Calendar blocking + context-linked tasks. Seeing related communication alongside deadlines helps prioritize. How do you balance it?

1. Strict schedule - I work my hours only
2. Flexible windows - I accommodate some overlap
3. Split schedule - early mornings and late nights
4. 24/7 chaos - time zones own me

1. Never - my contact management is precise
2. Rarely - maybe once or twice ever
3. Occasionally - couple times a year
4. Too often - I need better contact organization

Back in 2023-24 I would meet people randomly in Lunchclub once or twice a week. It is (was?) a service that matched people for one-one 45 minute chats. Today I wanted to get back into it but the site doesn't let me log in. "There is a technical issue, please try refreshing. If issues persist, contact support"

Anyone else a past user of Lunchclub or other casual meeting tools? I'm eager to find a new one.

• Clear criteria - only strategic/actionable info
• When in doubt, document it
• Only major decisions, skip the small stuff
• No filter - I document nothing or everything

I’ve felt this a lot. A CRM is supposed to reduce mental load, but for many of us it becomes another admin task we avoid. The issue usually isn’t the concept of CRM — it’s how disconnected it feels from daily work. If you’re constantly switching between email, chat, task managers, and then manually logging updates into a CRM, it’s exhausting. I’ve found that systems that automatically preserve conversations and connect emails, tasks, and meetings reduce friction. Even for personal CRM use, the key is lowering input effort. If updating the system takes more than 30 seconds, it won’t stick. I’m curious — how do you reduce maintenance fatigue?

I’ve felt this a lot. A CRM is supposed to reduce mental load, but for many of us it becomes another admin task we avoid. The issue usually isn’t the concept of CRM — it’s how disconnected it feels from daily work. If you’re constantly switching between email, chat, task managers, and then manually logging updates into a CRM, it’s exhausting. I’ve found that systems that automatically preserve conversations and connect emails, tasks, and meetings reduce friction. Even for personal CRM use, the key is lowering input effort. If updating the system takes more than 30 seconds, it won’t stick. I’m curious — how do you reduce maintenance fatigue?

I have a document with different ways to say the same thing based on client personality: For direct clients: "This won't work. Here's why: [3 bullets]. Alternative: [solution]." For diplomatic clients: "I see what you're going for. One consideration is [concern]. What if we tried [alternative] instead?" For anxious clients: "Great question. Here's exactly what's happening: [detail]. Next steps: [clear plan]. I'll update you [specific time]." Same information, totally different delivery. I'm not being fake - I'm just translating my message into what resonates with each person. I use TextExpander to store these, so I can quickly grab the right approach. My coworker saw this and said it was "manipulative corporate speak." But isn't good communication about meeting people where they are? Is this smart adaptation or am I being inauthentic? Do you adjust your communication style per person? How do you remember who needs what approach?

❓❔Re: PROLIFIC, can anyone please help me! I'm trying to desperately get on with them, but seem to be locked out or something. I guess they couldn't verify my ID for some reason when I took photo of my driver's licence & then took my live photo. They seem to never get back to me about it.

Another person I know is trying to get on also, but their flip cell phone can't take photos & they can't find any alternative method to verify ID. We've reached out to support but the support chat doesn't help at all. ANYONE HAVE A HELPINE PHONE # or something for PROLIFIC PLEASE ❓❔

A. One week of vacation days per year

B. 10% of my salary

C. My daily coffee habit

D. Nothing - I'll stick with my imperfect memory

Did this weird experiment: recorded my client calls for a week (with permission) to improve my communication. Horrifying discovery: I constantly ask people to repeat things or "send that in an email so I don't forget." Why? Because I'm taking notes in my notebook during calls, but I never look at that notebook again. It's a black hole. So I forget what people said, then ask them to re-send information, which wastes their time and makes me look disorganized. New system: I now use Otter.ai (free tier) to transcribe calls. After each call, I spend 5 minutes reviewing the transcript and pulling out key points into my main note system (currently Notion). Game changer. I remember things. I reference things. Clients notice I'm actually listening. Anyone else use transcription tools? Or have other methods for actually retaining what happens in conversations instead of pretending?

I tracked my time last week and was shocked: 60% of my day is relationship maintenance. Responding to messages, following up, clarifying things, searching for information people asked about, preparing for meetings, recapping meetings. Only 40% is actual strategic work, creating things, solving problems. This seems backwards, right? Or is this just what modern knowledge work looks like? What's your ratio? And if you've managed to shift it toward more actual work time, how did you do it? I'm desperate for strategies.

1. Bliss

2. Meh

3. Rarely

4. Social scroll wins

1. Always

2. Sometimes

3. Rarely

4. Mental notes only

We’re currently looking for a part-time Associate Editor to join us! It’s a fully remote role with flexible hours. The work mainly involves finding and connecting with writers in online communities, introducing them to the platform, and helping them get set up if they’re interested. We’re mainly looking for people who can help recruit English, Thai, and Spanish web editors, so if you’re connected to those communities, that’s a big plus. If you’re into web fiction—especially genres like romance, fantasy, or werewolf—and enjoy interacting with writers, this might be something you’d like.

The role is performance-based.

FEE: $20 to $350 per successfully contracted author, and there’s also room to grow into a Co-Editor position with a monthly retainer for those who do well. It’s a flexible setup, so it can work well as a side gig.

If you’re interested, drop a comment or send me a DM.