Study shows e-mail has become the most used method of communication in the workplace.
How do you communicate with your colleagues? According to a new study, few executives use the phone or meet in person in work. Not surprisingly, e-mail has become their most used method of communication.
The survey from staffing firm OfficeTeam is based on responses from 150 senior executives at the country’s 1,000 largest firms. Those leaders were asked what method of communication they use most often at work, and which method they used most often at work five years ago.
E-mail is the primary communication method for 71% of executives, up significantly from only 27% five years ago. Next comes in-person, face-to-face communication, as chosen by 14% of respondents. That’s down from 24% five years ago. The telephone is utilized most by 13%, also down 48% from five years ago. A remaining 2% weren’t sure what communication method they utilize most frequently.
E-mail is certainly speedy and efficient, but OfficeTeam notes that the message should match the medium. The company highlights the benefits of these types of business communication:
* E-mail: Good for one-way communication, for quick back-and-forth discussion, to have a written record of decisions and to forward information to a large or dispersed group of colleagues.
* Telephone: To explain a subject in greater detail or debate, to consult with or come to a decision among a group of dispersed workers, to share ideas and feedback with the benefit of vocal inflection, and to make a group announcement and provide a forum for questions.
* In-person meeting: Best for relaying sensitive or confidential information, to explain controversial or complicated issues, to reduce the potential for miscommunication on important issues, to share ideas and feedback with the benefit of vocal inflection, facial expressions and body language.
