Today’s Challenge: Getting My Message Across
This morning, I spent almost an hour explaining to one remote team member how to link information. I guided her to the compose page, pointing out to her the ‘insert link’ icon and gave her a step-by-step instruction.
All these were done through chat. Our convo went:
ME: Under Source put Seraja and then insert the link – http://seraja.ics.uci.edu/experience.jsp?eventID=
example: Source: Seraja – The Event Web
now select the Source: Seraja – The Event Web
SHE: to insert a link i will use the icon that looks like a chain, right?
ME: yes
SHE: then Link URL
ME: yes put this link http://seraja.ics.uci.edu/experience.jsp?eventID= in the Link URL box
SHE: then, what’s next? i don’t need to delete anything?
ME: below the Link URL is the Anchor (leave it as is)
SHE: yes
ME: then Target (choose ‘Open in new window _blank’) – Title (leave it as is) – Class –Not set– (leave it as is)
SHE: ahhh..ok so in Target (‘Open in new window _blank’)
ME: yup – meaning, the link will open in a new tab or new window
SHE: ok i’ll try
Fast and easy. Or so I thought. But we spent the succeeding minutes trying it out over and over again, until she was able to do it successfully.
One of the challenges in managing a remote team is getting the message across. I was so tempted to call her up and explain to her everything.
Tell me, how does one get messages like this across?
How do I optimize the chat as a project management tool?