Technology to improve business communication

Recently, I am reading the Beijing-MBA listed schoolbook "Excellence in Business Communication" by John V. Thill and Courtland L. Bovee. Both the two authors are distinguished about their background and efforts on business communication.

As a Chinese professional people to step in the inernational play, I think this book is very valuable and makes sense to thoroghly read and learn from.

Excluding introduction with case study to some acceptable level of communication skills, technology is a new helpful base to be used to assist and improve the business communication.

Technologies such as the following have the potneitonal to dramatically enhance business communication:
- Voice technologies;
- Virtual agents;
- Mobile communication;
- Networking adances, like Peer-to-Peer (P2P) computing, Wireless networking (Wi-Fi), Short messaging service (SMS);

Even though such impressive enhancements are available, anyone who has used a computer knows that the benefits of technology are not automatic. When poorly designed or imappropriately used, technology can hinder communication more than it helps. To communicate effectively, we need to:
- Keep technology in perspective;
- Using technological tools productively;
- Reconnecting with people frequently (to fill in and balance the disadvantage only by technology.)

Indeed, recent powerful technological tools are available to enrich the communication ways:

1). Redefing the office by communicating in the office:
- Flexible workstations;
- Wireless networks;
- Follow-me phone service;
- Electronic presentations;

2). Collaborating by communicating remotely:
- Wall displays;
- Web-based meetings;
- Shared workspace;
- Internet videophone;
- Shared workspace;
- Videoconferencing and telepresence;

3). Sharing the latest information by communicating about products and services:
- Warehouse RFID;
- Extranet;
- Wireless warehouse;
- Package tracking;
- Supply chain management;

4). Interacting by communicating with consumers:
- Over-the-shoulder support;
- Help lines;
- Corporate blogs;
- Retail RFID;
- In-store Kiosks;

But, keep in mind that no matter how much technology is involved, communications is still about people connecting with people, not technology itself who only can assist and support.