I really like the scene in the Lord of the Rings when Rohan signals Gondor by lighting a great bon fire and then the message was spread, kingdom-by-kingdom as the flames were scene from miles off and a new flame was lit to be seen yet mile more. And of course we have the wild west where smoke signals were an effective way of communication for the Indians. Fast forward to modern times and we have just about everything, except the reading of minds. Faxes are still used in many businesses to take a hard document and send it electronically, but with internet and wireless communication options are as plentiful as air:

• email
• web conference
• web cam
• mobile phone
• video phone
• text message/sms
• instant message (desktop/laptop/mobile phone)
• wiki
• conference call
• blog
• and much more

The question is when do you use what? I do not know about you, but I hate a text message with too darn much info. Or an email that has too little. Poor communication is a pet peeve of mine and especially in the business world. All of this technology is valuable and can increase the efficiency and clarity of communication, but only if used correctly. I have seen it used incorrectly and it is a killer of productivity and corporate morale.

Craig Childs of Lifehack wrote about a great flow chart David Pollard put together, that I think is very useful for a communication standard. At a minimum, it makes one think prior to using nukes to kill a fly or spitting in the ocean.

Do not think that we are far off from telepathy and brain implants for next gen communication. How horrible would that be, actually having your boss sending communications into your head? As they say, ‘A Brave New World’.

Michael Rowles

Communications Guru

(just do not ask my wife)