Technology has the ability to foster better communication skills, not hinder them.
Welcome to njanam. We will talk about technologies in a series of blog posts to understand them.
Technology to Improve Communication
Communication at work is different than it was just ten years ago.
The days of faxes, telephone calls and memos are over, and in their place is a technologically connected office space. This allows for almost constant feedback and availability. Office communication technology has been both applauded and tolerated, but when used correctly, it can be an integral part of improving communication in the workplace.
Communication Technology & Today’s Workplace
In fact, modern-day workers demand connectivity and #technology. More than one-in-three members of the American workforce are millennials, making them the largest generation in our labor force currently. This age group grew up adapting to new technology and welcomes it in the workplace. They’re also adept at using new forms of technology to improve communication.
Companies have responded to millennials expertise and comfort with technology. Even email seems to have become outdated with the rise of instant messaging and video conferencing. Printers grow dusty as most of our work is saved in the cloud instead of in a stack on desks. Furthermore, flexibility is spawned by this connectivity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 23% of American workers did at least some work from their home in 2017, a percentage that would have been impossible to fathom at the turn of the century.
Communication in the Workplace Through Technology
While technology used incorrectly can impede communication, it can facilitate highly efficient and clear communication at its best
When it comes to workplace communication, the sender needs to convey a clear message through the best delivery method possible. The receiver then must interpret that message clearly. The most effective communication is facilitated when the sender is clear, specific and personal. The receiver must listen carefully, read the context appropriately and ask for clarification when needed. Finally, all of this must happen through the best delivery method possible.
With technology, the delivery method itself, such as instant message or email, can either enhance or interfere with both the context of the message and the clarity of the content. Before simply taking advantage of the ease of workplace technology, you should consider the mode by which your message will be clearest and most likely to be interpreted correctly.
Employees from Around the World
Because increasingly more people are working remotely at least part of the time and because many companies have multiple offices, technology like Skype, Slack and other popular platforms help keep teams connected. Being able to hop on a video conference call and talk things out with a coworker across the globe is not only incredible but decreases the chances of miscommunication that could become costly in terms of money and time. If a team is large and spread out, leaders must provide the right technology to allow their employees to connect at the right times.
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