Are You a “Crackberry” Addict?

It seems with each day I am increasingly getting more e-mails from “Crackberry” addicts.  E-mails pour in all day from those I work with noting that little blurb: “Sent using BlackBerry”.  I don’t have a Blackberry so maybe that is why I don’t “get it.”  It’s probably because I am in front of this computer at least 10 hours every day that the last thing I want is to be “connected” when I finally hit the off button.

Why do I call these folks “Crackberry” addicts?  Let’s define addicted:

ad·dict·ed [uh-dik-tid]
–adjective
devoted or given up to a practice or habit or to something psychologically or physically habit-forming

They can’t wait to get back into the office to use their computer or cell phone. They have to be in touch every moment, every second, of the day. Look at me! “Sent using BlackBerry!”

It would be one thing if these communications were effective — but most are not. Professionalism, correct grammar and even basic e-mail etiquette (which I’ve been chastised by some doesn’t apply to Blackberrys — I beg to differ….read my article Instant Messaging Etiquette) goes out the window.

Terse onliners blurting out what I should do and one liners asking questions without any premise or information to know the context, leaves these business onliners appearing like teenage texters. I’ve yet to receive a “Crackberry” message that had to be sent at that moment in time because the message couldn’t wait or it was an emergency. They’re busy, they use the latest gizmo — Look at me! “Sent using BlackBerry!”

Part and parcel of using technology properly is knowing when and how to use it properly. If technology is anything, just because you can doesn’t mean you do! How you communicate at all times, on all devices, will reflect your level of professionalism, your communication skills and what it will be like to do business with you. And yes, your tech savvy.

Don’t assume that by using your “Crackberry” for business communications is cool or hip or that it is O.K. to communicate like a teenager. You do know what happens when you assume?