Email or telephone?

Do you pick up the telephone to call your clients, vendors, or co-workers? Is an email message easier or more effective? Often workplace employees will report that they typically prefer email over telephone use. Is there a generational or cultural difference in how we respond to these questions?

Many organizations are concerned about effective communication, and even more organizations report that they experience “miscommunication” too often. Should our dialog styles vary depending on the person, or only on the situation? In other words, many will say they use the telephone or face-to-face communication for more complex issues which seems to make sense; but should we consider other factors before writing that quick email or picking up the telephone?