E-mail Vs. Face-to-Face Communications
E-mail has evolved into a communication medium of choice, but is it always the best option? Sometimes its important to cut out the middleman (your computer) and have an old-fashioned, face-to-face conversation. Let’s look at the advantages, disadvantages, and right times to use e-mail.
The Advantages. E-mail is immediate and often generates a faster response than other means of communication. E-mail can be more informal and personal. It’s easy to share information with a large audience. And, it’s inexpensive.
The Disadvantages. Unfortunately, the intended tone of an e-mail message can get lost in cyberspace. We do not always convey our thoughts in writing clearly. Long, rambling e-mails that say nothing or terse, one-word responses that require extensive follow-up are commonplace. Likewise, e-mail cannot easily communicate our feelings, voice inflection, and body language.
The Best Option. If you have an important message to deliver, do so face-to-face. With face-to-face communications, issues can be discussed, responses clarified, and potential conflicts avoided. You should always deliver sensitive and confidential information face-to-face. And, never, under any circumstances, write anything in an e-mail that you would not say to someone face-to-face.
E-mail is ideal when distance is a controlling factor; time and speed are essential; and messages are short. But to forge a committed business relationship, only a direct conversation will suffice.
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