PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION!

A sign at a harvest site is an opportunity to provide accountability and to put a human face on a logging site. Take full advantage of this opportunity.

Whether a forest products company's name is on the sign or the logger's-or both-will depend on many factors. If a company forester designed the management plan or the harvest, the company's name (and logo) should be on the sign, as should a phone number connecting to the woodlands office. Even better is to provide the forester's own name, so that the caller can ask for the forester specifically. Human accountability is one of the sign's most important messages.

If the logger bought the sale independently, the logger should post his own company name (and logo, if one exists) and business phone number. In some situations, both the company and the logger may be posted.

The experience of companies and loggers who have exposed themselves in this way is that the call volume is not large. The important thing is to post names and contact information to reassure observers about accountability.

However, it is important to have a system in place to receive and respond to calls. Receptionists must be oriented to refer calls appropriately. If an answering machine is used, make sure the greeting conveys an appropriate message. As in any aspect of business, a prompt, attentive, professional response to any inquiry is important.

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