These days there is a multitude of different ways to communicate, the trick is to find the right one. When it comes to communicating with your Virtual Assistant or remote worker it is import that the methods you choose lead to clearer communication.
Ease of communication is important, but clarity is the key. Here are some of the pros and cons of several of the most popular communication methods with their pros and cons:
Pros
- Have a written record of what was discussed
- Can be read & responded to when convenient
- You can take the time to compose the message for clearer conversation
Cons
- Might delay processes when responses are slow
- Can get missed in an overcrowded inbox
- Misunderstandings are easier as tone is not clear
Face to Face
Pros
- Best way to build relationships
- Easy to demonstrate processes or desired results
- Clearest communication method as non-verbal signals can be seen
Cons
- At least one party will have to travel to a meeting
- Takes a larger chunk of time than any other method
- Takes a lot of time and effort to do regularly
Project Board
Asana, Trello etc.
Pros
- It’s easy to see where everybody is at with a project
- Easy to assign tasks and update a group
- Can make templates of frequent to-do lists
Cons
- Becomes another app, or website you need to log into
- Requires everyone to participate fully
- Needs clear guidelines around what is recorded and how
SMS
Pros
- Quick
- Easy to do, and phone is always at hand
- Less intrusive than a call
Cons
- Can still be intrusive
- Only suitable for shorter messages
- Easy to forget about if not dealt with immediately
Social Media
Facebook Messenger, Twitter or Instagram DM etc.
Pros
- Quick
- Easy to do
- Great for quick conversations, or to see if someone is available to chat
Cons
- Can quickly lead to overwhelm
- Can accidentally send messages publicly rather than privately
- Difficult to maintain boundaries with clients
Telephone
Pros
- Can get a quick answer
- Often the best option when a bit of back & forth will be required
- Easier to build rapport than by using only written communication
Cons
- Disruptive
- Frustrating when you can’t get onto the person you need to talk to
- Can make it hard to get other work done when phone rings constantly
Video Chat
Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
Pros
- Great for building relationships
- Good option when back & forth conversation needed
- Can share screens to demonstrate
Cons
- Generally requires a bit of organisation
- Confusing for people who aren’t good with technology
- Can be very frustrating if one party has a bad internet connection
Each these methods will work from time to time depending on the situation at the time. However it’s vitally important to use the right communication method for the right time to be sure that your message gets through clearly. Keep in mind, that communicating with your Virtual Assistant or remote worker shouldn’t be too difficult. If it is – maybe there’s a bad fit somewhere.
