I remember having this same conversation in regards to phone numbers and email addresses. I think it was at a BBCON session many years ago. But the conversation revolved around data coding, and the purpose of having a large number of phone types (and email types). One of the presenters made a point that if a donor is giving you their contact information, that is their preferred method of contact, and that it does not matter whether it’s a home, business, or cell phone, and that whatever that phone type is should be the main method of contacting them. As things have changed, I’m seemingly inclined to agree. Nowadays, many people get (and read and respond to) work emails wherever they are, and phone numbers are so portable that people are moving home numbers to cell phones and vice versa.
It used to be if you called a “home” phone, you can assume the person was at home, or that the “work” phone was being answered in the office. That’s not the case anymore. And as long as we are able to get in contact with the person, I’m not sure that it matters much anymore.
In regards to the text messaging option, wouldn’t you want donors to opt-in for something like that. In that case, I’d have the constituent re-verify the number.
Dariel Dixon | Business Analyst
Rex Healthcare Foundation
2500 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 325
Dariel.Dixon@unchealth.unc.edu<mailto:
Dariel.Dixon@unchealth.unc.edu> | (919) 784-7689
From: Ron Eisenstein <
ron@THESOLASGROUP.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: Phone number data
It’s an interesting question. I could see several additional benefits to such a service. In general, fundraisers and other relationship managers find it helpful in knowing when a phone number is a cell versus a landline, especially when multiple phone numbers are on file. The method of outreach these folks employ is based on multiple factors including the time of day, relationship to the individual(s), and relationship to the institution. Home and cell phone numbers are often supplied interchangeably. But even when that’s the case, more information about the numbers is always helpful from the fundraiser’s perspective. Another benefit could be for institutions using text messaging as part of their telefund program and outreach efforts.
Best,
Ron
Ron Eisenstein
Partner
The Solas Group
[temp]<https://www.thesolasgroup.com/>
thesolasgroup.com<https://www.thesolasgroup.com/> |
ron@thesolasgroup.com<mailto:
ron@thesolasgroup.com> | (773) 315-6014
From: Advancement Services Discussion List <
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>> On Behalf Of Hejnal, Alan
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 3:40 PM
To:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>
Subject: Re: [FUNDSVCS] Phone number data
Once upon a time with landlines, an area code that didn’t match an address was probably a bad address. Obviously, that’s not true anymore with cell phones.
That raises a question if you have a “home” phone number and the person moves. Is the number likely to remain valid, or otherwise? (A related potential complication is that some advancement systems once closely linked a phone number to an address and automatically inactivated the phone number if the address became inactive.)
I guess I can see value in identifying phone numbers that are mobile phone numbers but aren’t coded as such and unlinking them from associated addresses.
My US$0.02 worth; the usual disclaimers apply.
Good luck!
Alan
Alan S. Hejnal
Data Quality Manager
Smithsonian Institution - Office of Advancement
600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 600E
P.O. Box 37012, MRC 527
Washington, DC 20013-7012
•: 202-633-8754 | •:
HejnalA@si.edu<mailto:
HejnalA@si.edu>
[SNAGHTML5cbfa34]<https://www.si.edu/> [AASP_FundSvcs_LOGO-01(040pct)(mark)]
From: Advancement Services Discussion List <
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>> On Behalf Of John Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 2:13 PM
To:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>
Subject: Re: [FUNDSVCS] Phone number data
I had a couple of inquiries along these lines and first asked why it mattered? I am simply curious about what difference it makes. One thing I suggested that if it was more curiosity than anything else, before spending any money at all they should first compare the known phone number to the zip code and if they don't match, then the phone number is very likely a cell and they might consider excluding it from the dataload to save some money.
John
John H. Taylor
Principal, John H. Taylor Consulting
2604 Sevier St.
Durham, NC 27705
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com<mailto:
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com>
919.816.5903 (cell/text)
Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987
On Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 2:04 PM David Rudnick <
rudnicds@whitman.edu<mailto:
rudnicds@whitman.edu>> wrote:
All,
Has anyone used a system for bulk uploads of phone numbers to verify if they are land lines or cell phones?
Cheers,
David Rudnick | Asst. Director of Development Applications & Analytics | Whitman College
(509) 527-5169 |
rudnicds@whitman.edu<mailto:
rudnicds@whitman.edu>
----- Confidentiality Notice -----
The information contained in (or attached to) this electronic message may be legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message.