Communication Conundrum

​Google lists the 7 Cs of effective communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous. These days good communication also includes selecting the right platform to communicate.

What platform(s) do we use to communicate? Which is most appropriate or effective? The many choices today include phone, email, text, social media or “snail mail.” Having so many ways to communicate often hampers effective and courteous communication. Selecting the appropriate platform for each individual is the conundrum. Everyone has various preferences, so how do we choose?

The safest solution is to ask, “What is the best way to contact you?” Alternatively, we can manage our own communication by informing our clients and colleagues our preferred form of communicating. Recently, I told someone that I did not babysit my email, so if they needed me to follow up quickly, it was best to text me. That worked well for our communications. Perhaps it is time we begin to consistently ask “What is the preferred way for me to contact you?” 

The reality is we cannot effectively communicate the 7 Cs if we are not using someone's preferred platform. Please share with me how you decide which platform to use with your customers, colleagues and friends. 

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