I read an interesting and informative blog post that’s generated a lot of discussions at The Speech Improvement Company.  

“Asynchronous Communication: The Real Reason Remote Workers Are More Productive,” appears on the website of Doist, an up-and-coming maker of software-based productivity tools. 

The article delves into the productivity of remote workers and how different modes of communication affect it. It includes the following definitions: 

Asynchronous communication is when you send a message without expecting an immediate response. For example, you send an email. I open and respond to the email several hours later. 

In contrast, synchronous communication is when you send a message, and the recipient processes the information and responds immediately. In-person communication, like meetings, are examples of purely synchronous communication. You say something, I receive what you say as you say it, and I respond to the information right away. 

I encourage you to read “Asynchronous Communication: The Real Reason Remote Workers Are More Productive.” All of us who use instant messaging, email, telephone, video conferencing, face-to-face conversations, and group meetings can learn to be more effective communicators.