How would you handle?

[icallfouls]

Email, texting etc is great, but you can never guarantee that the addressee has seen or even read your reply.

You can increase your level of success, at least slightly, if you use "read receipts" in your emails. The addressee usually has to see some sort of announcement on the screen that states the sender is asking for some sort of confirmation.

The problem with email is that people use it like voice mail, to screen or hide from people. There are also people that get more than 100 pieces of email every day and don't have the time to view items that appear to be of minor consequence to THEM.

If you ask me, and you sort have done so, take the 5-10 minutes and place a call. Deal with this person on a more personal level, it might even take the edge off your competition with the guy.

It has been said, "keep your friends close, and your competition closer."