The new communication tools are powerful, but they can damage your business

While a variety of forms of communication remain in use throughout companies today, the main concern is efficiency. Therefore, quick, written, new communication tools such as email and chat tend to be the preferred method by many busy individuals. Phone calls and in-person meetings seem to be going by the wayside and are more and more thought of as seldom-used annoyances that are ways of the past.

On the surface, this may not seem like a big deal at all. However, it’s important to remember that there are times when we need to communicate in person or over the phone, and if we forget how to do it, it could cost our companies money, good will, and time.

Picture the quintessential young professional today: very often, they use every social media app that exists, ignore calls from unknown numbers, and send texts or emails to communicate whenever possible. They get very little verbal, or non-verbal feedback from those with whom they communicate. Therefore, when they are finally in a situation where they have to meet in person, they may have difficulty picking up on social cues, changes in tone, and other essential elements of the spoken word. If the client, colleague, or superior they are meeting with doesn’t appreciate this young professional’s communication style, they may not trust them to uphold the company’s standards.