The widespread adoption of email back in the 1990s revolutionised much of the way we communicate in business. Since then other tools such as instant messaging, internet voice chat, web site text chat, and video conferencing have all added to the electronic options available to us. Whilst these tools can often be very convenient, it is often this very fact that can make them intrusive, annoying or overwhelming to some. These types of communication also suffer from a wide range of reactions depending on the familiarity (and age group) of the people they are aimed at.
Despite the challenges, the benefits of effectively adopting and leveraging digital communications can be profound. Organisations and professionals who can make the most of these tools are well positioned to leverage their own potential success. However, as the technology evolves so does the culture, etiquette and usage of these technologies. Despite this rapid evolution there are some fundamentals of the human digital experience that are consistent, and which can guide and inform us as we tackle the complexities.
