'Never mind your meeting, I've got mail' [BT broadband office]

'Never mind your meeting, I've got mail'

Posted 25 April 2007 at 8:56AM by Simon Dickson in Email and communications

Smartphones, laptops with wireless networking, Blackberries... there's no end to the number of ways your day can be interrupted by incoming email. It's becoming an increasingly common sight for people to pull handheld devices out of their pockets during business meetings, and tap out a quick reply or two.

More than a third of senior executives questioned by Robert Half Management Resources said they thought it was OK to write a quick email during a meeting, if it was a reply to an urgent matter; only a fifth said they would excuse themselves and step outside first. (Thanks to Tech Digest for the report.)

Email is one thing; but instant messaging is even worse. I used to work for a huge global software company, which gave all employees a laptop with wireless networking enabled. It was perfectly normal for people to take notes on their laptops during meetings, so some keyboard tap-tap-tapping was to be expected; but I gradually became aware that more and more people were engaging in live online chats. And sometimes, with people in the same meeting.

I remember one particular instance where we were bargaining with a supplier; two colleagues, sat around the same table, were discussing and rewriting their negotiating position in real time via MSN Messenger. I also heard a story, possibly apocryphal, of a UK-based colleague visiting the company's US headquarters, and being caught during a meeting, waving goodnight to his children via his laptop's built-in webcam.

Tags: blackberry, email, etiquette, instant messaging, msn

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Comments

1. At April 27, 2007 9:50 AM, Tetsou wrote:

My favourite restaurant in New York is Rothmanns, just off 5th Avenue. I was having dinner there recently with a good friend and colleague. Halfway through the meal we heard the familiar click-click-clicking of someone on a Blackberry. Some poor devil was frantically tapping away as if his life depended on it, with a large rump steak growing cold on his plate and his partner growing even cooler opposite him. It seems that we can't go too long without attending to our email even at the expense of good companionship and a large, bloody steak.

I'd like to be able to say that this was an uncommon experience, but with the rise of mobile messaging it would appear that everywhere I go some device is buzzing, tinkling or rapping to get someone's attention.

My best advice on email etiquette and mobile devices is knowing when to put them away!

2. At April 28, 2007 2:34 AM, Peggy Duncan wrote:

Remember that I've taken time away from my business to give you my undivided attention. I will not allow you to waste my time as you conduct yours. My cell phone is either off or in the car because if I'm with you, you're the most important person at that time.

3. At April 30, 2007 3:51 PM, David Wealleans wrote:

Meetings are efficient communication media, but only if well managed. I would even object if everybody was taking detailed hand-written notes during a meeting; I have tried to take minutes at meetings and find that it's hard to do so and also be a full participant. In the same way somebody tapping at the keyboard of any device is not giving their brain enough space to think about the subject of the meeting and contribute properly. One person should be allocated to take notes and everybody else should even leave their pens in their pockets, never mind their gadgetry. This aside from the nuisance and discourtesy to others.

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