Virtual Communication: Rules for Virtual Communication Teams

Instant Messaging

This is used with people who are fluent with English as it is a conversation using words. Where e-mail responses may take some time, instant messaging expects responses usually in less than a minute. For second language team members, response time will take longer than those fluent in the language being used. The same considerations of e-mail should also be used here however care needs to be taken in using word modifications such as LOL. It can be somewhat embarrassing and confusing if one person misuses or misunderstands the word modification.

For example, one man used to sign all of his e-mails to his wife LOLLaugh Out Loud thinking it stood for "Lots of Love" instead of "Laugh Out Loud".

Reflect and Practice

Write down 10 instant message abbreviations you use. Compare with an international team member.

If you want to make a game of it, each person gets a point for correctly identifying a team member's abbreviation and one point for an abbreviation of your own that your team member is not able to identify.