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As we all try to adjust to working remotely, one tool offered is the Cisco Jabber chat platform. Read more about the tool and get started below!

Thanks to IRT, the entire University has access to a FREE chat platform! The Division of Student Affairs is onboard! Are you? Become an even stronger Ally in Success by using this tool to improve communication across departments, get to know your colleagues, eliminate unnecessary emails and meetings, and be more productive. Are you ready to give it a try? Submit your email address below and click "Download Jabber Now" to get started!

The Benefits of Workplace Instant Messaging

 
It's not email. Email is an essential workplace communication tool, but sometimes it can be cumbersome to use. Instant messaging can be used, along side email, to help facilitate internal communication and collaboration. While email is great for documenting projects and trading long messages, here are a few scenarios in which instant messaging might be a better option:

• Quick questions: Jabber is better than email for quick questions that need a fast answer. With the status feature, you can quickly see whether or not a colleague is online and available to answer you.
  
  
• Group brainstorms: Instead of a long thread of back and forth emails, create a group chat! No one will be accidentally dropped from the messaging list, so everyone is guaranteed to see the full discussion.
  
  
• Student Affairs chat room: Nothing is worse than a reply-all avalanche. If you have something to share with the whole Division, send a message in the Student affairs chat room.

It's not a meeting. Meetings are crucial to the organization and are a function of our workplace, but sometimes our schedules get overloaded with back-to-back meetings that don't seem to produce any results. Group instant messaging is an option for those who work off-site, or just need to gather input for a project. Here are a few scenarios in which a virtual Jabber meeting might make more sense:

• Different locations: You want to have a quick discussion about an upcoming event, but your committee members are located in eight different buildings around campus. Why not facilitate a group chat? You'll save everyone 15-20 minutes travel time, plus possibly avoid the inconvenience of lousy weather.
  
  
• Convenient collaboration: Gathering feedback or ideas can lead to meetings that run overtime, with no real resolutions. Create a Jabber group, pose the question and provide a deadline for feedback. That way, colleagues can submit input and comment on others' ideas on their own schedule.

It breaks down barriers. Who has felt the satisfaction of finally connecting a name with a face after months, or even years, of emailing? Jabber puts colleagues from across the Division right in front of you!

• Everyone upfront: Browse through your list of contacts to find the exact person you need to reach or get to know new people. Get familiar with your colleagues by viewing their profile, dropping a quick 'hello,' checking their status, or noting their office location (Hey! I didn't know that we work in the same building!).
  
  
• Friendly, informal chat: Research shows that colleagues who have open lines of communication are more likely to be engaged. Chat promotes friendlier, more informal communication, which can result in more productivity and creativity.

Ready to give it a try? Submit your email address below and click "Download Jabber Now" to get started!