Choosing the Right Communication Tools

Name: Choosing the Right Communication Tools
Author: Brielle Plump

Learn to choose the best communications tools for your digital work environment

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 3 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

Businesses today are being forced to communicate in different ways. In these lessons, we will identify the different types of working relationships, the purpose of communicate, and some tips you can use to become a more effective communicator while implementing various digital tools. (air whooshes) When it comes to communicating in a virtual workforce, there are a multitude of options. When aiming to humanize your digital presence, you can determine what you will need from a communication tool or application by asking yourself three things: what type of relationships are involved, what is the engagement's purpose, and how much time and how often will you need to communicate? (air whooshes) It's helpful to think of anyone you're communicating and working with as a member of your team. You might play different positions, but your bottom line should be the same, to succeed. (air whooshes) But not every team needs to operate the same. So before you send that email, ask yourself, what type of relationship do I have with my teammates, and consider where that falls within the continuum of teamwork theory. You can use the continuum to determine your interdependence with your coworker and what method of communication you should use with them. (air whooshes) Do you and this person have modular interdependence, where your work can be done separately and at different paces? In this case, email could be used to efficiently connect. Since you don't rely on one another to perform your tasks, it won't matter if the other person infrequently checks their inbox. Or maybe you have sequential interdependence, and you can't perform your tasks until they've completed theirs. If so, set up more fluid communication channels, like instant messaging or a project management app. That way, you can stay up-to-date with immediate progress. Some working relationships have reciprocal interdependence, in which tasks are performed simultaneously. In that case, an interoffice communication tool would allow for the highest productivity. If possible, perform your tasks on a collaborative platform so you can each contribute in realtime. (air whooshes) Work done simultaneously in this sort of recurring process, with close coordination and knowledge sharing, needs a communication channel with frequent engagement and an easy interface for responding. That way, you're not sending panic texts all afternoon.

Beginner Provider : Brielle Plump 3 Lessons · 7m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

This module covers how to choose the best digital communications tools that you can use to communicate effectively with your virtual team. It covers types of working relationships, shows how to determine what communications channel best fits a particular situation, and gives tips for effective communication.

What You'll Learn

Learn about the continuum of teamwork
Distinguish between the three types of teamwork interdependence
Determine what types of work situations warrant what types of communication
Apply best communication practices for email and video conferencing
Choose the communication channel that best fits a particular situation

Key Takeaways

This module covers how to choose the best digital communication tools for communicating effectively with a virtual team.
It explains types of working relationships and the continuum of teamwork, including the three types of teamwork interdependence.
It shows how to determine which communication channel best fits a particular situation based on the purpose of the communication.
It provides tips for effective communication, including best practices for email and video conferencing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It covers how to choose the best digital communication tools for communicating effectively with a virtual team, including types of working relationships, how to determine which communication channel fits a particular situation, and tips for effective communication.

Who is this course for?

It is suited to people who communicate with a virtual team and want to choose the right communication tools and channels for different situations.

What lessons are included?

The lessons are Types of Working Relationships, Purpose of the Communication, and Tips for Effective Emails and Video Conferencing.

What skills will I gain?

You will learn about the continuum of teamwork, distinguish between the three types of teamwork interdependence, understand which work situations warrant which types of communication, and learn best communication practices for email and video.

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