We have all heard plenty about the potential physical dangers, to yourself and others, when driving and talking on your cell phone simultaneously.  But how about also considering how you may be affecting business relationships?

Because you are multitasking when driving and talking on the phone, you are not fully present in either situation.  In a conversation, this can lead to unexpected pauses, distracted comments, or overlooked points.  The person at the other end of the call, unable to see your facial expressions and gestures, only has your tone of voice to gauge reactions. 

 He or she does not see that car cutting in front of you, pulling away your attention.  He or she does not see you searching for a street sign as you drive through an unfamiliar area.   With only your voice, an inappropriate pause or a lack of comment can lead to misunderstanding.

Before you grab the phone to deal with a client or business associate, think about what kind of impression you want to make.  Remember those initial seven seconds that create a lasting impression?  If you only have audio, you want to be completely focused on that person.  Driving while conversing does not allow you to do this.

This topic was recently addressed by Professor Paul Rosenblatt of the University of Minnesota with an article in the Family Science Review.   While there are obvious logistical difficulties in providing statistics showing how this can harm business development, he uses his own experiences as well as those of his students for proof of the theory.  These would be support by current research on the problems with multitasking and use of time management techniques.