Email vs. Instant Messenger – Really a fair fight?
Need a quick test to see if instant messaging is faster than email?
- Email a friend or team mate a file.
- Open your instant messenger
- Send an instant message to the same person asking them if they’ve received the file.
- When they haven’t, send them the file through the file-sharing tool
Hands down this little test works 99% of the time. The fact is that email is good for somethings, but instant messaging is better for most.
When you need email
Email is great for three things:
- Corresponding with customers or team mates when an immediate response is not needed,
- Keeping a running documentary on conversations for record-keeping purposes,
- Sending several files all at once.
In these areas, instant messaging is not as effective as email. Although any instant messenger can still do all of these tasks.
When you need an instant messenger
Here’s where an instant messenger will excell:
- When you need a quick response
- When you want to instantly share files or information
- When you need help on the fly
The point that should be obvious is that email cannot keep up with instant messaging when you look at raw speed. With few exceptions, instant messaging gets the job done faster, which translates to greater efficiency and productivity.
I think we have a clear winner!
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Really interesting post with some excellent points.