Ahhhh, technology. Text messaging is a conveniently sly mechanism for allowing us to connect with anyone at any time without obligation. Perhaps we use it when we are avoiding a confrontation, when it’s really ‘too late to call,’ or when we only have a minute, but really want to reach out to a friend. As texting is aligning itself with email in today’s business environment, here are a few things to consider when contacting coworkers or clients using this medium:
NO TXT JARGON: I'm guilty of this and am working hard to stop my use of txt jargon (oops). Try not use common text abbreviations—and there are thousands—from LOL to NVM, they set the tone for an unprofessional conversation. It is the equivalent of using harsh slang in English. If you think about it, it doesn’t take much more time to type the whole word.
Grammer City: Though there isn’t an auto spell check on most phones, it’s important to keep everything accurate. People judge people by their spelling- it’s just a true fact of life.
In a Bundle: When you send out a group text regarding business activities, such as a change in meeting time, etc, address the text as you would to the most formal recipient on the list.
Timing is Everything: People tend to text message much later into the night than they would phone someone. It’s important to realize that phones are attached at the hip, and that there is a chance of waking someone up. Try to text only normal working hours.
Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina
No comments:
Post a Comment