Effective contact-communication systems and methods

A computing apparatus comprising a processor and a memory having stored therein instructions that when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to perform a method for promoting effective communication, the method comprising:

• selecting, from among a plurality of contact records stored in a contacts database, a contact record corresponding to an individual who communicates from time to time with a user of the computing apparatus;
• obtaining a plurality of questions that solicit information related to said individual's personality and/or behavior style;
• posing, via output hardware associated with the computing apparatus, said plurality of questions to said user of the computing apparatus in regard to said selected contact record;
• obtaining, via input hardware associated with the computing apparatus, user-input indicating a plurality of answers that correspond respectively to said plurality of questions;
• categorizing, based at least in part on said plurality of answers, said individual into a determined one of a plurality of predetermined personality and/or behavior style categories;
• obtaining, based at least in part on said determined personality and/or behavior style category, a plurality of communication hints for effectively communicating with individuals of said determined personality and/or behavior style category;
• and
• modifying said selected contact record in said contacts database to include said plurality of communication hints, such that when the computing apparatus subsequently detects that a real-time, interactive communication session between said user and said individual is pending or in progress, the computing apparatus will automatically obtain said plurality of communication hints from said contacts database and present said plurality of communication hints to said user via said output hardware to promote effective communication between said user and said individual.

A non-transient computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that when executed by a processor, configure the processor to perform a method for promoting effective communication, the method comprising:

• selecting, from among a plurality of contact records stored in a contacts database, a contact record corresponding to an individual who communicates from time to time with a user of the processor;
• obtaining a plurality of questions that solicit information related to said individual's personality and/or behavior style;
• posing, via output hardware associated with the processor, said plurality of questions to said user of the processor in regard to said selected contact record;
• obtaining, via input hardware associated with the processor, user-input indicating a plurality of answers that correspond respectively to said plurality of questions;
• categorizing, based at least in part on said plurality of answers, said individual into a determined one of a plurality of predetermined personality and/or behavior style categories;
• obtaining, based at least in part on said determined personality and/or behavior style category, a plurality of communication hints for effectively communicating with individuals of said determined personality and/or behavior style category;
• and
• modifying said selected contact record in said contacts database to include said plurality of communication hints, such that when the processor subsequently detects that a real-time, interactive communication session between said user and said individual is pending or in progress, the processor will automatically obtain said plurality of communication hints from said contacts database and present said plurality of communication hints to said user via said output hardware to promote effective communication between said user and said individual.