Face to face meeting
Phone call
Letter in the mail
Personal email
Blog entry
Email newsletter
Physical interactions are infinitely more valuable than digital ones. If we must communicate digitally, it should be the preamble to future physical, real human interaction.
What about video calls (eg Skype). These have been good for overseas people because of the “eyeball” factor.
Notice I didn’t suggest Chatroulette!
Peace.
Actually John, it was remiss of me. I’d add video calls as the second preference.
Steve.
Hi Steve,
thanks for the thought-provoking post. I think this may be an oversimplification though – the best medium depends on what you are trying to communicate and achieve.
How awkward is it receiving a bill or a cheque in person as opposed to a letter (or better yet, an email)? How many meetings have heaps of feel-good but no real action or outcomes?
Some more thoughts on this blog post from last year: Reinvent your meetings.
I agree with the general sentiment though, with all these digital tools it’s all too easy to shy away from the in-person interactions.
Cheers, Jussi
(This is a repost as my earlier comment got lost in the ether.)
Hi Steve,
thanks for the thought-provoking post. I think this may be an oversimplification though – the best medium depends on what you are trying to communicate and achieve.
How awkward is it receiving a bill or a cheque in person as opposed to a letter (or better yet, an email)? How many meetings have heaps of feel-good but no real action or outcomes?
Some more thoughts on this blog post from last year: http://www.volkside.com/2009/03/reinvent-your-meetings/
I agree with the general sentiment though, with all these digital tools it’s all too easy to shy away from the in-person interactions.
Cheers, Jussi
(This is a second repost as my comment got lost in the ether.)
Good examples Jussi… as usually I was extreme in my view to make the point. Gee, I’ve been doing that a lot lately.
Steve.