Are You a TEXTING Professional?

Is this an oxymoron?  Can you use text as a form of communication in business and still be considered a professional?  Is it possible to use texting to communicate with your colleagues and customers and still maintain the same level of respect?

Your Thoughts?....................

We can’t deny that advancing technology is changing the way we do business.  Some technology professionals tout the use of texting in business because of its ability to reach the recipient much faster.  The president of Solution Oriented Systems, Inc., Griff Griffith, also states that it is effective in reaching the Millennials and Gen Xers.   I see the Gen Y and Millennial's using texting to communicate most in business because it is something they are used to using frequently throughout their day.  Even though texting is increasingly becoming more commonplace with the younger generations in the workforce, the question remains, can it have a negative impact on your business reputation? 

Roger Thaxton, with Roger Thaxton, CPA, C.P., only uses texts with family friends and NEVER in business. When asking Cecelia Jackovich, a sales professional with Yellow Book and  a Gen Y’r, how she feels about texting in business, she told me that she is NEVER the one to initiate texting in business.  Although she does feel texting can be appropriate when communicating urgent messages (i.e. change of meeting location), her preferred method of communicating professionally is through phone and email.  Losing respect for another business professional has been the outcome of some of her situations.  If she leaves a message for a colleague and they text back, she conveyed that she feels less important to them – this has had a negative impact on her view towards that working relationship.  When a male client used a text after their initial meeting, “You’re such a good sales person!”, the word she used to describe this was, CREEPY!  Texting in this form communicates that you are on a “friend/acquaintance” level.  If this situation didn’t shock you, I ask you this - would you call someone’s house phone to leave them this same message?  If not, I urge you to strongly consider how you are using text messages in business.  Sending a text is much more personal than it is business.  Unlike an office phone, your cell phone is with you everywhere – consider where they might be when receiving your “business-like” text.

A Contradiction?

Image Courtesy of Salvatore Vuono's Portfolio

Texting in business can bring a business relationship to a different and sometimes less professional level.  I will say that I DO use texting with my clients.  Not just to send inspirational messages, but I ask them their preferred method of contact when deciding on a session time.  If texting is their choice, this is what I will use.  Interestingly enough, I have found that texting has accelerated the trust with some of my clients.  Some of my clients who may have been more reserved with me before a text, seemed to open up and share more with me in email, during sessions, and in text.   

In a coaching relationship, texting has been a POSITIVE tool for me. 

Before sending a text in a business context consider these questions:

• In what ways do you use text in business?
• Have you thought about how it could impact your impression on them when using this form of communication?
• Do you use text because it is more convenient for YOU or for THEM?
• What positive and negative experiences have you had or heard about using text in business? 
• Does the positive impact outweigh the negative ones?