communication

Communication is one of the pillars of a successful organization.  If an organization can’t communicate well within itself or with its clients, then that organization will die; it’s that simple.  When you think about modern day communication and all the ways that we can get ahold of each other; it’s actually quite overwhelming.   Nowadays you can:

  • email someone
  • call them
  • text message them
  • send them a message via a social network
  • tweet them
  • video chat with them
  • chat with them when they sign into an email platform (such as gmail)
  • send a letter
  • set up a physical meeting
  • skype them
  • and more

It’s actually interesting to think of how many communication methods have evolved over the years.  100 years ago we had just a handful of ways to communicate with one another: telephone, in person, or letter.

The question is whether or not more means of communication provides for more EFFECTIVE means of communication.  If you can be contacted via 10 different ways does that make communication more efficient or less efficient?

How could it make you less effecient?

Managing 10 communication tools and platforms is not easy.  If there’s only one way for someone to get ahold of you then you only need to manage one tool.  The more communication tools you have available the more time and effort you need to spend managing those tools; essentially you become your own administrative assistant instead and believe it or not your communication efficiency will not increase but decrease.

So what are some things that you can do to help make sure your staying efficient with your communication?

  • stick to a core set of communication tools such as your phone and email
  • aggregate communication channels; for example when someone sends me a direct message on twitter that message goes to my email, I can then check that email on my phone.
  • eliminate the communications channels that take the most time and that provide the least amount of value
  • focus on the communication channels that your clients/company is using

What are some of your communication tips to deal with the ever increase amount of communication channels?

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