IM - Anyone there?

I received an Instant Message (IM) the other night - an after mid-night, "you may not believe who this is" - IM.  Has the blind IM replaced the "drunk dial"? My curiosity died after a few days, but it did leave me thinking. IM is a tool we all use regularly, as much in business as in our personal lives. We IM clients, friends, peers who sit two feet away - it's the new whisper. Is that a good thing?

It gives immediate access; you know when someone is online, available. It is great for client interaction - we know when they are available and can schedule a meeting in under two minutes - in that way - it's incredibly efficient. With colleagues, we can gain immediate information - If I'm on the phone and need available times to schedule an interview - I instant message my recruiter for that information. Candidates too - they IM without the boss over hearing - my own boss IM's me all the time – “Hey JT, do you have....” It allows for smarter, more efficient work habits, and discretion where needed – Bottom-line: I love the time it saves.

So - we block our mystery friend who blind emails at midnight asking "anyone there?", and ignore (omg-ttyl!) the friend who asks you out for sushi every other day, and Mom – who just discovered IM and thinks it’s hilarious - well, you patiently explain what "brb" means.

Whether for business or personal use - IM works more than it doesn't. That's enough for me.

Comments

[Ray]

Yes, IM is a great tool but remember the new rules concerning e-discovery. Anything you type in an IM or email can be requested during discovery. That causes some interesting issues for law firms, brokerage houses, etc. The judge in one case punished Morgan Stanley $15 million for failing to turn over e- mails related to the 1998 Coleman deal.

You also have cultural issues when you are IMing to other non-english (ok, non-American) speaking countries. That can create some interesting issues.

Rule of thumb...just like email, never say or type anything you would not be willing to see appended to your name and picture on the front page of the Wall Street Journal tomorrow morning.

Ray

[Jennifer Tortorella]

Keeping in that thread - also remembering that AOL (as an example) states clearly in their fine print that "you waive your right to privacy" - which means that what you IM in AOL's AIM has the right to be read and published! Private conversations? No - something to keep in mind when discussing important mission critical business points as well as those "private" conversations with friends. Big Brother is documenting.