E-mail hitting the skids?

Is this the end of e-mail? A survey of chief information officers by Robert Half Technology (RH) suggests that real-time workplace communication tools like instant messaging and Microsoft’s Sharepoint will surpass traditional e-mail -- which has been a staple of business communication for almost two decades -- in popularity.

Fifty-four percent of the 1,400 CIOs believe that real-time workplace communication tools -- including instant messaging, Sharepoint and Yammer -- will be more popular than e-mail in the next five years.

RH says that moving to real-time tools can result in several workplace benefits: speed, convenience, and the ability to promote employee collaboration, teamwork and camaraderie. But instant messaging also requires instant attention, which can actually be a hindrance to employee productivity it such communications continually interrupt normal thinking patterns and workflow.

Today, voice mail still allows users to receive messages at the time of their choosing. E-mail does the same, but it also allows users to consider questions and research answers, thus promoting more detailed discussions. So there is something to be said for the “older” modes of business communication as opposed to IM.

---