One hot topic among CSI members at CONSTRUCT 2018 focused on the best ways to communicate professionally. Specifically, members said they didn't like to use text, and one member even said a contractor had used Twitter to discuss work. What — and why — is your preferred method of communication?
Here are some of your responses. Read all the answers, and
add your voice to the conversation here.
_______________________________
“It depends on the content and who it is from. I don’t like receiving business-related texts from phone numbers that are not in my contacts list. I don’t like wasting time figuring out who sent the text so I know which project it is and how to respond.
I prefer e-mail for most items. The exception being if the e-mail will likely result in a lengthy e-mail discussion. In those cases, I prefer discussing it over the phone and sending a follow-up e-mail confirming the results of the discussion. I do like the documented record that e-mail provides and our ability to track it in our customer relations database.
For text communications, my opinion is they should be for very minor things. Things like: ‘We are moving the start time (or location) of a meeting.’ or ‘We are ready for the footing inspections.’ Any questions regarding details in the plans, or requests for changes to the design I prefer in e-mail form.”
Ross Mori PE, FCSI, SEDirector of EngineeringTrachte Building SystemsSun Prairie WI_______________________________
“Agreed that you need an achievable, traceable, permanent record that traces the history of discussions and decisions made, and this is from personal experience: I buried somebody with one of these email chains that traced the chain of events. The history that is going to most credible is that which can be documented.
If you are relying on people's memory of what was said by whom and you are going to get whacked when somebody has a hard copy documenting the same chain of events.
If the means of communication cannot result in a chain of documentation, forget it. When the chips are down, verbal communications, text messages, Snapchat and the like out to discoverable emails and letters.”
Theodore Smith RA NCARB CCSArchitect / Certified Construction SpecifierMoser Pilon Nelson ArchitectsWethersfield CTClick here to share your thoughts.