In the technology driven world we live, and work, in, it is easy to get swept up with the tide, and rely on modern technologies for interpersonal communication between colleagues. Email, social networking sites, instant messaging, and SMS (text) messages, now rule business communications, due to their efficiency and availability of use. You can now communicate with anyone, anywhere, as long as you have a strong phone or internet signal. Unfortunately, one of the downsides to this technological revolution, is the decrease in 1 to 1, personal communication.
Gone are the days of walking two offices down to ask about last week’s report. Now, businessmen and women are sending an instant message on their computers, or shooting off a quick email, and as a result, missing out of that 30 seconds of relationship building that occurs during a personal conversation.
Now don’t get me wrong, utilizing updated technologies to improve inter-office efficiency is a great tool for businesses, but the key is remembering that on the other end of that email or SMS message there is another person, who is communicating back to you. Here are some tips for optimizing technologies for communication, while not forgetting about building the personal relationships one needs in the business environment.
Use proper email etiquette. By using email (and other messaging technologies) properly, you can convey a professional image for both yourself and your company. Keep your emails concise and professional; avoid the usage of phrases like “lol” or “TTYL,” as well as though fun little emoticons… ?
Send emails or technological messages when you need to track responses or provide a data trail for future use, but use your legs when you can. One of the best (and worst) things about communicating via technology is the ability to track and store messages & responses. Use these new technologies when you think you need to keep a virtual paper trail, but if no trail is needed, pick up a phone or walk down the hallway to communicate.
Ask how your colleagues & business partners how they would like to be communicated with. I had an old manager who loved to be updated via text message, but wouldn’t read emails fro days at a time. Until I had a conversation with him on how he preferred to be communicated to, I was sending him emails that ended up lost in his inbox.
Hopefully these tips will help you manage the balance of technology and interpersonal communication for your business. Do you have other tips to share? I would love to hear them.
