And just as sometimes you need a map, other times, you need to dial the phone.

Admittedly this happened on a project before my time, but it taught me a lesson that I continue to use: Never assume phone numbers are correct, even if you think you have them memorized after rounds and rounds of proofing. Numbers can get transposed in translation, particularly if the direction was handwritten on a fax or taken over the phone. Even if it’s copied and pasted from an electronic document, who’s to say it’s correct?

It’s the voice on the other end of the phone after you dialed the number that will tell you if it’s correct or not. It’s the difference between being the main number for a financial institution or the number for a sultry, “You’ve been a bad boy” voice.

I believe the error was caught before going to press, but imagine the repercussions if someone hadn’t simply picked up the phone.