Don’t let your digital message get lost in translation
In a digital-first workplace, there are nuances to communication. Emails, chats, and texts may be convenient, but without facial expressions or tone of voice, even the best message can fall flat (or worse, be misunderstood).
Here are a few quick ways to level up your digital communications:
- Pick the right channel: Messaging and emails might be preferred in business today, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every type of message. A virtual or in-person town hall meeting would be most appropriate regarding company leadership or structure changes, while a messaging app is great for building connections among colleagues.
- Craft clear messages: Regardless of the channel, clear and succinct messages are vital for understanding. Review all messages before they are sent to ensure they are error-free and easily scanned to retrieve the main points. Sarcasm and some humor may be difficult to convey digitally.
- Mind your tone: Without physical cues, such as verbal inflection, facial expression, or body language, distributors must take special care with digital communications or risk the recipient misunderstanding the message. The tone for digital communication should align with your company brand and the goals of the communication.
- Learn to receive digital communication: It’s also beneficial for team members to understand how to be recipients of digital communication. Assuming positive intent in a sender’s message and learning how to ask for clarification are important for digital communication.
- Create a digital communication style guide: It’s worthwhile developing a style guide to bring consistency to your company’s digital communications. Define the tone, etiquette, and privacy considerations your company expects for email, social media, texting, and other forms of digital communication.
“Although email is very important, it’s not necessarily how everyone receives messages, especially when we have seven locations across South Texas," says Amy?Twardowski, vice president of finance at Johnstone Supply of South Texas. "As a leadership team, we encourage our team to use the form of communication that’s most effective for the message. Sometimes that requires getting face-to-face with one another.”
We’re dealing with “communication inflation,” excessive messages trying to make up for ineffective communication, according to Grammarly’s report, "The Productivity Shift." Communication inflation significantly impacts productivity: 60% of professionals struggle to focus on tasks due to notifications.
Read the report here: https://go.grammarly.com/the-productivity-shift-2025-report
This "Tip of the Week" is provided by the Talent Development Council | Texas A&M University.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The May/June issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about GHX Industrial. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
