Jerry Gitchel, president of Make Technology Work, explains the right tools for the right jobs for staying in touch with customers and associates.
* Instant Messaging from a computer or cell phone — best for a quick answer to a specific question.
* Telephone — best when used to brainstorm with others and for providing feedback on emotion and tone. It lacks the ability to archive or easily share info with a third party.
* Email — best for frequent non-urgent communications if you remember that they are not private. Easy to forward, lasts forever.
* The web — best when used to publish timeless information as desired for current or future customers or associates.
* Audioconference — best for real-time communication and collaboration, enhanced when used with web-based documents.
* Online conferences — best when you need to add video capability to a group event. Lacks continuity between separate events.
* Online collaboration — best when used to create a comprehensive project management solution requiring document management, web publishing and/or support data, including images and video.
* Instant Messaging from a computer or cell phone — best for a quick answer to a specific question.
* Telephone — best when used to brainstorm with others and for providing feedback on emotion and tone. It lacks the ability to archive or easily share info with a third party.
* Email — best for frequent non-urgent communications if you remember that they are not private. Easy to forward, lasts forever.
* The web — best when used to publish timeless information as desired for current or future customers or associates.
* Audioconference — best for real-time communication and collaboration, enhanced when used with web-based documents.
* Online conferences — best when you need to add video capability to a group event. Lacks continuity between separate events.
* Online collaboration — best when used to create a comprehensive project management solution requiring document management, web publishing and/or support data, including images and video.