Technology to Facilitate Group Communication
Getting a group to communicate in a business setting can sometimes be a daunting task. Whether the complication is because of scheduling or simple shyness, a team leader may have a lot of work on their hands to create an environment for collaboration. "If your employees are not interacting effectively with clients, customers and each other, your business will suffer. Fostering effective communication among the members of your workforce is an important skill that all managers must master" (Conrad, 2011). Utilizing advances in technology is a great way for colleagues to stay connected and involved in terms of communication.
Message boards offer an ongoing conversation that employees can tap into and offer input on. "Message boards not only encourage communication, but they foster community and accessibility" (Santicola, 2007). The lack of immediacy in this technology is both an advantage and disadvantage in terms of communication. Messages can be browsed and posted to at leisure, and the discussion thread can easily be read and reread as necessary. However, since this tends to be a more passive form of communication, it may be easy for people to lose focus or to shy away from involvement.
Mobile technology is necessary in order to keep up with business happenings and communication even when you step out of the office and a cellular phone is a great tool to do so. Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) offers users a way to communicate with each other regardless of location. Messages can be sent mobile to mobile, or from the internet to a mobile phone. As technology has increased Smartphones have become the standard way to do business on the go. With functions like GPS and internet access readily available, they are virtually a computer in the palm of your hand.
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