It works if you work it.

[Amy Magan]

Remember Jill* from my office? The one who is both clueless and brilliant at the same time?

Well, yesterday morning, Jill was looking for me. I was at an offsite meeting from 8am to noon. I had the meeting scheduled on my electronic calendar, which is accessible by everyone in the office. Because of the nature of the meeting (we were running a focus group), I had my cell phone (the dumb one) turned off.

When I got back in the car, I had four messages.

The first was from Jill:

"Amy, did you have a chance to review that CFL report? I need your feedback." That was about 9am.

The next message, recorded at 9:30am was from Annie:

"Mom, a lady from your office called looking for you. I told her you were at work, but she said you aren't there. She said she would try to track you down. Can you call her?"

Then at 10:15am, another message from Annie:

"Mom, where are you? Why aren't you at work? Can you call me? I'm getting worried."

Then at 11am, a tearfully panicked message from Annie:
"Mommy! Where arrrrrre you?! I'm scared you got in an accident or got kidnapped. Why aren't you at work? Why aren't you answering me? Pllleeeeeeaaaaaasssssse call me, Mommy! (sob...sob...sob...)"

So of course, I called Annie right away and assured her that I was indeed alive and well. Then I called Jill and explained to her if she had only clicked the little "calendar" tab in the e-mail system, she would have know right away where I was and wouldn't have traumatized my 12 year old daughter.

Technology: It works if you work it.

*Name has been changed to protect the clueless.

[Linda J Ranger]

I am surprised that no one in your office reminded her of the electronic calendar tab. Doesn't she interact with her co-workers? That is scary what your daughter went through worrying about you. For this type of person it would have been better to send a direct email reminder.