Importance of Communication Skills to Technology
In the technological age, people are increasingly communicating with one another via electronic devices rather than face-to-face interaction. With email, text messaging and social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, the responsibility for communication has shifted from our mouths to our thumbs. In a world where teenagers text each other across the dinner table, technology users should review the importance of communication skills.
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Cell Phones (Business Calls)
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Before the invention of the cell phone, business meetings and professional encounters occurred at the workplace or at pre-determined meetings. Now, cell phones have made it possible for employers and colleagues to conduct business anywhere, anytime. It is increasingly important for employees to learn spontaneous business communication skills. A mother may be called to discuss reports and figures while cooking dinner or washing dishes; a father may be called to discuss advertising projections while attending his son's soccer game. With technology mingling workplace and home, consistent professional communication skills are of the utmost importance.
Cell Phones (Personal Calls)
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On personal calls, cell phone users can practice their communications skills by respecting the rules of conventional communication. Do not hold loud conversations of a personal nature in public places. Speak to one person at a time. When dealing with cashiers, waiters and other service personnel, hang up the phone and concentrate on face-to-face communication.
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Voice Mail
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Although voice messaging is becoming increasingly obsolete because of text messaging and caller I.D., returning a voice mail is a critical communication skill. If someone takes the time to leave a message, return the consideration by taking the time to check the message and return the call in a timely manner.
Email
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Emails are widely used for personal as well as professional purposes. It's important to have the written communication skills to reply to or compose an email for either social or professional reasons. In emails drafted for friends or family, it's fine to flout the conventional rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling, but that is not appropriate for work-related emails. Work-related emails should be professional, concise, grammatically correct, edited and thoroughly proofread before they are sent.
Text Messages
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It is a valuable communication skill to understand the appropriate uses for certain technological devices and applications. Because of the brief and impersonal nature of text messaging, it should not be used for long or emotionally charged conversations. As with cell phones, do not use text messaging during face-to-face interactions with other people.
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References
- Photo Credit cell phone image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
