I had an interesting conversation with a client the other day about etiquette and the art of conversation. Like me he is a baby boomer, fully immersed in current technology yet aware of its shortcomings. We both still write real letters, phone our friends to chat and talk to people minus a blackberry when we are face to face. We use technology and take leadership in driving change but also reflect a generation that is desperate not to lose the personal touch of the past as we march forward into a tech driven world

It is no secret that internet communication and the continuing evolution of tools and platforms that facilitate conversation have changed the way we communicate. In many ways, the changes have been exciting. The ability to communicate with ease across global time zones exposes us to a wider diversity of cultures and traditions. This has also eased the ability for businesses of all sizes to expand internationally.

The internet has expanded everyone’s appetite for information. Not everyone was excited about reading the encyclopedia or spending hours in a library but the world it seems is fully ready to Google anything from anywhere.

All of this should mean that we are more literate than in the past and far savvier at the art of conversation. It should but does it?

Join me this week as I explore the issue, and please share your thoughts in the comments. What do you think of our communication skills? Any personal victories or horror stories to share?

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