SLACKS, DM’S & BEING EFFECTIVE

We currently use Slack & Asana for all internal communication and project planning, but any communication software has the same challenge, that being instant messaging.

DMs are awesome. It’s fast, it’s informal, and it’s a chance for you and your colleagues to throw a witty joke or a quick FYI without having to meet up by the coffee machine or send an email. But they do have their challenges. The thing with DMs is that they usually come with an expectation of a quick reply and on the other end, an obligation to reply quickly or do whatever is asked of you right away. And that’s why a certain etiquette is important.

First and foremost:

The classic “Hey” / “You there?” and then waiting for a response is something we should all try to avoid. It’s like sending an email with a subject but no body. Your colleague will then have to reply, “Yea, what’s up” and you can then start your message, all while your colleague is looking at “Teammate is typing...” while being curious about what comes next. Just get to the point.

Second:

Do your colleagues a huge favour. If it’s just a to-do, make a task in Asana. We have a saying when it comes to to-dos, if it’s not in Asana it doesn’t exist.

However, all teams are different, and you and your closest colleagues will find your own pace for DMs. Because, by god are GIFs sent through DMs important. Of paramount importance one could say. But just remember next time you DM somebody that it does come with a cost for your colleague and an unwritten expectation urgency.