Choosing the right channel for the right message

Fastening the frame

Create clear communication rules based on the urgency and complexity of your messages.

Use the Urgency - Complexity matrix to select the appropriate channel:

Favoring asynchronous technology 

Asynchronous: any communication that does not require a simultaneous connection between sender and receiver.

1. The advantages of asynchronous technology

To improve your use of asynchronous communication, capitalize on alternatives to e-mail:

• The shared document: for collaborative work or to list points for discussion at a future meeting
• The event description on Outlook: use it to share the agenda in advance
• The Teams message you can come back to later
• Voice memo or video recording
  

2. Coaching to anchor the rules

To bring these rules to life within your organization, question and reframe your employees on : 

• The channel: "Why don't you find a moment when we can talk about it in person?
• The need: "Do you need me or is this for info?"
• Urgency: "I don't see any urgency, we'll talk about that at our next item."
  

Improve your team's written communication

1. Transmitters: put yourself in the receiver's shoes

An e-mail must answer 3 questions from the receiver to be read: 

1. Why do I have to open it?
2. Should I do it now or later (5, 10 or 20 minutes)?
3. Do I have the essential elements (and only those) to decide what to do (reply, plan a reply, archive)? 

2. On written messages: coach without demotivating

Give a tip

• "You're more likely to be read if..."
• "If you want us to get back to you by a specific date, make it clear.

Don't punish

• "Your message is impossible to read"
• "You wrote me a paving stone"
• "Can you make it shorter?"
  

Creating quality synchronous moments

Our feedback after 250 workshops, 500 hours of remote training and 2,000 registrations for the Remote Academy:

Tops

• The moderator has a true leadership posture: introduces, involves, explains the reason for the meeting and concludes.
• Energy isn't just a matter of form: you have to redouble it to make it go the distance.
• We can be directive and engaging : distributing the floor works better than asking "any questions?"
• Creativity does not mean improvisation: the more you want to collaborate, the more you have to come prepared.

Flops

• Energy-free, almost subdued launch: "OK, let's go".
• No demands on preparation: "Haven't you read the doc? We'll go through it together".
• No consideration of participants and their desire to express themselves: microphones, non-verbal language... 
• Over-interpretation of silence: "no questions asked, okay what I meant..."
• Poorly prepared participatory sequence: "we've got 10 minutes left, any ideas on...?"
• Conclusion without energy or message

‍Finally, here are some inspiring blogs from FROG (Full Remote Organisations):

• Alan: https: //blog.alan.com/
• Buffer: https: //buffer.com/resources/open/