Instant Messaging: The Pros and Cons

When I was in high school, instant messaging was the thing to do. It was just before everyone had their own cell phone, and my friends and I all lived relatively far away from each other (we were bussed in) so our parents didn’t want us calling long distance. We would spend all day with our friends at school, then go home, and spend hours talking to each other online.

These days instant messaging is becoming more popular within business. Thanks to mobile devices, you no longer need to be seated at your computer in order to send and receive instant messages.

Before a business decides to use instant messaging, there are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• Immediate communication and information sharing, resulting in quicker decision making
• Services are free if you sign up for an email account
• Multiple people can join a conversation
• Can have a real time conversation no matter where participants are located
•  “presence functionality” or “presence awareness” allows you to see who is available for conversation, instead of hunting for someone who is not currently able to reply

Cons:

• Security risks including spam, and viruses
• Could result in legal issues if misused by an employee
• Sometimes a distraction, used as a social tool which can decrease productivity
• Inability to contact people who do not have the same IM system

Considering the pros and cons, would you use instant messaging in your business?

References:

Alexander, P. (2005, November  13) Should your business use instant messaging? Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/81050-1

Gann, R. (2012, August 8) Instant messaging for business.  Retrieved from http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/roundup/instant-messaging-for-business-1075434

Guffey, M.E., Loewy, D., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P. (2010/2013) Business Communication Process and Product. United States of America. Nelson

O’Reilly, Q. (2014, January 13) 50 billion instant messages expected to be sent each day in 2014. Retrieved from http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/sms-messaging-falls-1262017-Jan2014/

What are the pros and cons of using instant messaging? (n.d.) My Mother Lode. Retrieved from http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/technology/ask/3280/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-using-instant-messaging.html

Advantages and disadvantages of instant messaging. (n.d.) Big Ant. Retrieved from http://www.bigantsoft.com/tutorial/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-an-Instant-Messenger.html