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IM for Business? Why Not?

There are plenty of ways to instantly get in touch with someone. You can use the telephone to call someone. You can send an email. But are you using Instant Messaging as part of your normal business practice.

Instant Messaging or IM has been popular for years with the younger generation. At first it was through using the computer and then Texting on cellphones. But have you been using it? I have to admit I haven’t, even though I believe that I should be.

Some of us may think that IM is one of those gadgets that actually take away from our busy schedule. It may be with the opinion that the use of IM is opening us up for disruption from anyone that knows our name. Friends and family will be contacting us for anything at anytime. Do you really want to be disturbed by Cousin Ernie asking if you are ready for the weekend fishing trip?

But is that really any different than the telephone? Who wouldn’t want a telephone in the office? Friends and family have the same opportunity to contact you. They don’t because they understand that to contact when working it should be an emergency.

IM can be the same. After hours you can talk and chat with whomever about whatever you want. But let your friends and family know that during business hours it has to be an emergency. If they want to know what’s an emergency, just say if the message is not important enough to call on the telephone then it’s not important enough to IM.

You can select the hours you want for business IM’s. Some of us may only want the business time as 9 to 5, others may want it from 7 to 7. Only you know your business schedule.

Where do you find IM software?

It’s probably already on your computer. Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL each have their own version. There are others as well. Some of these are probably already preloaded on the computer. While at present they aren’t interchangeable with one another, in the future that may change.

AOL seems to have a bigger following in the younger generation and Yahoo to the older. It may not be true, but it is the way that I perceive it. I’ve use all three of those at times, but none of them for business and a couple of these not in awhile.

It’s not hard to use. All you need to do is create a screen name, log into their system and wait for someone to send you a message. You can create two screen names if you wish, one for business and one for after hours. Only give your after hours one to those friends you really don’t want to talk to during the work day.

You can use the same type of policies for your employees that you use for the telephone. That’ll help prevent abuse. You may be surprised anyway. Your employees may be using them without your knowledge. With policies in place you actually have control.

If you protect your IM screen name the same as you do your telephone number, why would you expect it to be any more disturbing than the telephone. If you want to know my screen name just get in touch and I’ll let you know it.

© 2006-2009 Steven G. Atkinson – All Rights Reserved

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