Email vs. Voice Mail
Like many of you, when my “to do” list is long I rely on email to do the communication work for me. It’s so much easier to email my co-workers than to talk to them in person. Even voice mail takes longer than typing a quick message. But I run the risk of losing that human contact.
I’ve learned that making a request in person or over the phone seems to be more powerful and productive (even though it takes more time). I found this simple comparison chart that pits email against voice mail. Deanne Gradous, a Twin Cities consultant, compares and contrasts the virtues of each on www.managementhelp.org. Here’s an excerpt:
Email:
- Requests attention
- May be read as the receiver desires
- Provides a correspondence record
- Preferred by visual learners
Voice Mail:
- Demands attention
- Must be heard at the delivered speed
- Provides record of original message only
- Preferred by auditory learners
The communication vehicle you choose should be determined by the purpose of your message, not by the length of your task list.
Tags: business communication advice, Business email, Business voice mail
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