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Sending Out the Right Message

Technology plays a pivotal role in contemporary day-to-day activities of business leaders and entrepreneurs. Almost everyone suffers from textpectation (except the bosses, because, you know, they kinda don’t need your approval) - obsessed with getting a speedy response from our co-workers, employees, and consultants. However we choose to communicate; the business world today is so fast-paced - we have no choice but to resort to text messaging in any of its forms.
Commonplace now, text messaging has evolved from a personal reminder to a chat group. It became a necessity to have at least one chat group that is dedicated to work. Be it on Whatsapp or Telegram, most likely everyone is in an office chat group.

However, do people really know how to text professionally?

In small and medium-sized businesses, we can all agree that the environment is quite personable. This leads to the creation of an office chat group - which in time can be filled with worthless conversation or small talks. When the barrier between work space and personal space has been breached, it can get annoying pretty fast for anyone being held hostage in a nonversation.
We all have that one person in the chat group who typerventilates (it might be you) and enjoys the company of co-workers over the phone. Indeed, our phones have become an extension of our personalities. The problem with texting, however, is that it can lose context. Read the following article by Jacqueline Whitmore below which we found to be interesting. You may want to consider the following her etiquette advice.

5 Rules for Texting Anyone You Do Business With

By Jacqueline Whitmore – 17 February 2014

Walk into any boardroom two minutes before a meeting and you’ll find the same scenario: a table full of executives checking their phones with their heads bowed in the “smartphone prayer.”

Text messaging is the fastest way to communicate in business. Quicker than email and more convenient than a phone call, it’s become commonplace. But it’s not always the best choice.

Choose to text message for simple notifications or reminders like “I’m running five minutes late,” or “Remember to bring the report.” As a general rule, consider texting only appropriate for a maximum of two messages -- one message and one reply.

Here are five rules to avoid a text message business blunder.

1. Keep it positive.

Like email, the tone of a text message can be misinterpreted by the recipient. Quick messages can make you come off as flippant or harsh. Instead of staccato phrases, write complete sentences. Add polite touches like “please” and “thank you.” Re-read every message before pressing send to double-check your tone (bonus: no embarrassing typos).

2. Avoid serious topics.

You wouldn’t break up with your girlfriend over a text message -- to be clear, you should not -- and the same goes for business. Never give negative feedback or fire someone via a text message. Any serious conversation should take place face-to-face. It allows for subtle interaction through facial expressions and will ensure clear communication.

3. Don’t abbreviate every other word.

Abbreviations are common in casual texts, but you should be careful how often you use them. Common abbreviations like “LOL” (laugh out loud) and “np” (no problem) are safe choices. However, if you’re communicating with a new customer or acquaintance, take 30 extra seconds and type out each word.

Avoid informal shortcuts like “u” (you) and less common abbreviations like “SMH” (shaking my head) or “MFW” (my face when). Don’t leave your clients and colleagues confused; your texts should convey messages quickly and clearly.

4. Don’t text a last-minute cancellation.

There are a thousand reasons someone may miss a text message. Don’t depend on a quick note to cancel a meeting or change a lunch venue. For an important or time-sensitive message, pick up the phone.

5. Double-check the autocorrect.

Smart phones can occasionally be a little too smart. Autocorrect and voice-to-text features have a sneaky way of changing your intended message into something entirely different and often embarrassing. When using voice-to-text, ensure you’re in a quiet location. It picks up on background noise and may type a nearby conversation instead of what you’re saying.

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