Technology & Communication

A study a couple of years ago found that 63% of executives were making fewer business trips because of technology.

Instead of a plane trip, face-to-face meetings and a plane trip back, they used email, videoconferencing, or online meetings, according to the Accountemps study.

If you're a manager who's spending less time with a suitcase and more with a mouse, you'll want to pay attention to the nature of the media we use, and especially when sending important messages.

A few years ago we heard a lot about etiquette in electronic messaging (netiquette) on the Internet, about needing to be conscious of how messages might be misconstrued by receivers. One of the ideas to come out of that effort was emoticons, little text symbols that aimed to make up for the loss of facial expressions and body language.

Emoticons and netiquette have pretty much disappeared, but the world of electronic communication still can be a dangerous place.

And especially dangerous if the stakes are high, as they're likely to be when managers communicate this way. So, let's further explore some issues that arise when we communicate electronically, rather than face-to-face.

In my limited experience with videoconferencing, for example, I found I had to work harder just catch the words, which reduced the amount facial expression information I took in. And, if the camera adjusted to take in more facial expressions, then some body language was lost.

Think, too, about the differences in messages sent by email versus those sent as conventional printed letters. Email certainly leads to faster responses and greater efficiency. However, when sending a printed letter we proofread it both on the screen and in print. And, the time between our initial thoughts and sending the letter is longer. That provides time for second thoughts, sober or otherwise, thoughts that might be wiser or better expressed.

Here's one more challenge: I recently looked at the idea of being an online seminars facilitator. Participants would take part through their computers. In addition to getting a voice feed, they would also watch the screen, which would be divided into three active sections. One portion would carry my notes, another would show reader questions, and a third would show something else.

As the presenter, I think I could handle the sending. But, how would receivers handle these flows of information? In person, it's easy to watch a speaker, see her slides on screen, and listen to her at the same time. But, is it the same taking in all this information when it comes through a computer screen and speakers?

Don't get me wrong. I like new technologies, not because they're replacing something else, but because they offer new options. Whether through access, price, or interactivity level, new technology opens doors to communicators.

But, we need to think about the implications for receivers when we communicate through new media. Come to think of it, didn't Marshall McLuhan write the book on this a generation ago?

In summary: With more managers communicating through new technologies, rather than travel and face-to-face meetings, we need to consider what can happen to important messages when they are transmitted through the new media.

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com

---

Squeezing the Blood Out of that Old Turnip

I suspect all of you out there have someone that... Read More

Five Problem-Solving Success Tips

The ability to solve complicated problems quickly is more important... Read More

Getting Information From Prospects

You're at a networking function and you've made that all-important... Read More

Which ITIL Process Should We Implement First?

The following question is usually debated a lot amongst IT... Read More

Develop Your People and Make More Money

What is the no. 1 asset in your business beside... Read More

The How-Tos of Firing Incompetent Employees

CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES: Most organizations have two categories of offenses... Read More

The Idol-Makers

The end of the television season in May included the... Read More

Managing Dickheads

"We are so different and individualistic that we can't work... Read More

Is Your Business Healthy?

Most business owners I work with want to grow their... Read More

Controlling Your Cash Flow

IntroductionAre you looking for a way to gain control of... Read More

Diversity in the Workplace

As you look around your office, is everyone just like... Read More

Innovation Management ? Innovation or Profit?

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

7 Steps To Hire The Best

You can use this step-by-step method to hire applicants who... Read More

Communication: Managements Responsibility

I've just watched, again, an episode in the Back to... Read More

How to Overcome Your Fear of Firing

OVERCOMING FEAR OF FIRING "It was obvious that this employee... Read More

How To Get What You Really Want

As a small business owner, entrepreneur or independent professional, it's... Read More

Seeking Help

Where does the time go? Billable time. As a consultant,... Read More

Organizational Capital in Politics, War, Sports and Business

Intangible Corporate Assets such as Organizational Capital, Blue Sky and... Read More

A Tricky Supervision Challenge

Many managers believe that treating their team members as responsible... Read More

The 70% Solution: Practical Testing and Version Control

"What do you mean you need to push back the... Read More

Making Change Work

Shaky FoundationsWhilst over 60% of businesses will be looking to... Read More

How Managers Can Turn Failures Into Successes

Although there are real, external reasons for managerial difficulty ?... Read More

Keeping Meetings On Track

We all have been in meetings with certain people who... Read More

The Cheapest, Forget It !

Wouldn't it be great if we got get the cheapest... Read More

Downsizing in Organisations - The Real Truth

I've met and worked with many people in all sectors... Read More

People - You Cant Make Them What Theyre Not

Many business people and managers are spending too much time... Read More

Quality Hiring: Are You Doing It Right?

Quality hiring is more than running ads, screening, interviewing and... Read More

Work Life a Balancing Act

Australians are loosing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue... Read More

Behavioral Extensions and Its Implications at Workplaces

The study of Behavioral extension involves investigating the source of... Read More

The Silent Assassin - What to Do When They Visit You?

IntroductionThere are a group of people in the community that... Read More

The 3rd Plan Missing from your Business

If you're like most people, you probably started with wonderful... Read More

Christmas Carol Coaching - Help to Get Ahead at Holiday Time!

I've always been fascinated by situations where art imitates real... Read More

Cross Cultural Solutions for International Business

Globalisation, the expansion of intercontinental trade, technological advances and the... Read More