Communication in the workplace can make or break the greatest teams. You can have the most knowledgeable employees, but if they’re not able to communicate effectively, then that knowledge is ultimately lost. As the years have passed, communication channels have come and gone.

Why Not Email?

Email was the leader for many years, and for some organizations, it still is the primary source for communication. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the shortcomings of email to become apparent. One of the most common complaints that we’ve encountered is the lack of accessibility. When you send an email, its possible that the recipient may see it immediately after it arrives or it could be lost in a sea of spam and promotional offers for fitness memberships. This is where the benefits of email quickly begins to decline.

What are the other options?

Asynchronous Communication

One of our preferred communication methods is using asynchronous communication via Slack. Slack is a modern equivalent of a chat application, where you can have various rooms for different projects and topics, while also messaging individuals directly. In addition to being able to message a single user directly, you can also include a targeted group of participants. Another important aspect with asynchronous communication, is that you don’t have to worry about accidentally interrupting someone with a question or concern that is not pressing. By opening the communication link, your receipient(s) can respond when they’re ready.

Virtual Meetings

Virtual meetings have been vaulted into the spotlight due to the recent restrictions resulting from COVID-19. What was once a secret among large companies, has now become a tool that even school children are using. One of the primary benefits of virtual meetings is the ability to provide a virtual face-to-face experience when unable to meet in person.