Working remotely for over five years has given me a unique perspective on communication in the digital workplace. I've observed many ineffective patterns in company chats that can be easily improved. Here, I’ll share some tips to make our asynchronous communication more efficient.

1. Avoid "Hello" Messages Without Context

Starting a conversation with just a "hello" can lead to unnecessary delays and interruptions. Instead, provide context and get straight to the point. For more details, you can check out No Hello.

Example:

• Instead of: "Hello, are you there?"
• Try: "Hi. Can you please check the settings for the database connection?"

2. Agenda in Calendar Invites

When setting up a meeting, always include a clear agenda in the calendar invite. This helps everyone prepare and understand the purpose of the meeting. Define the expected outcomes so that participants know what to focus on.

Example:

• Agenda: "Discuss API integration issues"
• Expected Outcome: "Identify main blockers and assign action items to team members"

3. Use the BLUF Communication Style

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) is a communication style that involves stating the most important information first. This approach is highly effective in asynchronous communication, especially in IT settings where clarity and brevity are crucial.

Example 1:

• Instead of: "We need to discuss the server issue because it's causing delays. I think we should also consider updating our security protocols."
• Try: "Server issue causing delays. Need to discuss solutions and consider updating security protocols."

Example 2:

• Instead of: "I'm writing to let you know that we've completed the testing phase of the new feature. It looks good, but we found some minor bugs that need fixing before we can proceed to deployment."
• Try: "Testing phase complete for new feature. Minor bugs found; need fixing before deployment."