Strategies
Staying connected: BlackBerry etiquette
Birmingham Business Journal - by Jimmy DeButts Staff
Engrossed in a political strategy session, Philip Bryan’s fingers frantically tap the keys on his BlackBerry.
The communications director for the Alabama Republican Party is practically tied to his handheld device as he tries to stay ahead of breaking news stories. Texting messages is a must in the fast-paced political arena in which rapid responses can help shape public discourse, Bryan said.
Meetings aren’t immune from Bryan’s texts. When he’s engaged in a small, informal circle of strategists or party officials, he reads and responds to texts as a matter of habit. In larger gatherings where he might not know everyone on a first-name basis, Bryan said he often will inform the participants that if he receives an urgent message he will step away from the meeting or instantly respond.
BlackBerry etiquette – when to text and when not to text – is largely dictated by situation, self-described serial texters say.
It also depends on the immediacy of the profession and whether messages demand a quick response.
When it comes to setting distinct policies about their use, Smart Hire Solutions President Kimberly Pruitt said most companies follow the lead of their executives.
Whatever those executives say, however, she frowned on texting or e-mailing during a meeting.
“It’s still inappropriate and rude,” Pruitt said. “It’s a lack of respect to the person heading the meeting. You can’t be paying attention if you’re consumed by your BlackBerry.”
Bryan realizes the constant ticking on the device can be rude. However, he said he has to make sure he’s in front of certain stories – and his BlackBerry keeps him in the 24-hour media loop.
“Reading and responding are different,” Bryan said. “You can read and pull it off, but when you’re texting it can be noticeable to those around you in a larger setting and rude to the speaker.”
Regardless, being accessible all the time is “invaluable to the party and to the candidates,” he said.
Teresa Yow also has an extreme reason for texting at all times. As management information systems manager and disaster recovery manager for Synovus Mortgage Corp., unusual conditions often dictate the need for communication, such as during times of inclement weather. Texting is often the easier and quicker avenue for communicating with recovery team members, she said.
There are also times when cellular phone contact is unavailable but the team could communicate through texting.
When not in crisis mode, Yow said texting during meetings is discouraged. Tapping away to others outside of the meeting can often deter participation in the current meeting, she said.
However, there is no official policy banning the practice, and sometimes priority endeavors demand a quick and succinct text to push the project forward.
“When we’re in meetings, we prefer not to use texting,” Yow said. “There are occasions when I need to get a quick answer from one of my developers. I can text real quick and get that answer. If I send a text, they know it needs immediate attention.”
Texting is a common interoffice communication device, Yow said. Synovus’ employees can utilize texting technology for quick communication in times of crisis.
“When you have a disaster, being able to communicate with your team members is important,” Yow said. “Historically, texting goes through the network faster than calling.”
Responding to requests quickly and bypassing time-draining hurdles such as automated phone directories or voicemail simplifies Josh Vasa’s workday. Vasa, corporate support manager for Alabama Public Television, said he can fire off a text to update coworkers on his whereabouts and project progress.
Vasa said texting also allows him to contact his boss even if he is on the phone with someone else. Texting from Samsung t219s in meetings enables Vasa to multitask without sidestepping interoffice interactions.
“I can have two or three things accomplished while sitting in one meeting,” Vasa said. “I can focus fully on what I’m doing because it just takes a second to text yes or no for an answer.”
Devices, such as BlackBerries, Verizon’s Palm Treos or Macintosh iPhones that can handle texts or e-mails are often utilized based on employee’s need. If a quick note or question needs to be sent, Yow said cellular phone texting is a suitable medium.
For longer communiqués, Yow said her team turns to e-mails produced on their Treos.
“The more options you have for communications within a work environment the better,” Yow said. “You have to be able to respond quickly. It can give you an advantage over competition.”
jdebutts@bizjournals.com | (205) 443-5628
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