subject: Is Email the Best Communication Tool in a Corporate Environment? [print this page] Is Email the Best Communication Tool in a Corporate Environment?
Many arguments started from emails. There are no vocal, no facial and no visual, thus the recipient will receive different message signals. Why not you pick up the phone and call to talk about it or a face-to-face meeting to resolve the problem or whatever issues that may arise. Is it because of your status that a phone call cannot be made?
Many a times, people are using email as a form of documented proof to nail one down for commitment. With my limited knowledge, legally, it is harder to file a lawsuit if there is insufficient or proper documentation to support your argument. Thus many people will use email to transmit messaged even for a simple message. Communication in the email may not be as clear as providing an example.
The sender may write a very layman's, simple-to-understand message and, unfortunately, there are some recipients that may still not be able to understand the way the sender wants the message to be transmitted or relayed. Not to mention about the language proficiency one has.
It is always good to improve or enhance the message by giving examples (pictures, previews, FAQ, anecdotes, scenarios, live example etc). By showing a typical sample will also set the fundamental ground rules that this is what the sender is expecting the recipient to react or responds.
Communication is the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings between two or more entities. If sender is aggressively transmitting a particular message, wonder has the sender ensure that the recipient really receives the message? The communication cycle will be interrupted if there is no respond from the recipient.
In all communications, never assume that your recipient will understand all the things that you say. 80% of message will kept in the brain after receiving it. After a few days, the message would have already reduced to less than 50%; if not practiced what been received. Thus, do have a feedback from the recipient to check the message.
First to check: has the message been transmit to the other party? You may want to speak to the recipient to explain again so that he understands and receives the correct message. Ask the recipient to provide a sample response or feedback.
Never think that your message is clear. How clear is your message clarity? Only recipient will knows. Next, provide a concrete sample for the recipient to show what you really meant. Of course, not every message can encompass with a picture.
