Voicemail, we hardly knew ye
Are you old enough to remember telephone answering machines? You know, the actual *physical* machines?
Back in the 70s and 80s, it was cool to come up with a creative outgoing message. And there was a bit of a thrill when you got home and saw that little red light flashing. Four new messages! They like me, they really like me!
It seems strange to imagine that we were ever excited about voice messages. Especially because today, voicemail has become a real annoyance.
There are so many ways to communicate that are easier and more efficient than calling in to your voicemail system and following the prompts, only to hear "Hi, it's your father. Call me back."
SIGH.
Recently in Canada, TD Bank eliminated voicemail for many of its employees. This follows similar moves in the U.S by JPMorganChase and Coca-Cola.
Have we reached the point where more and more businesses (and, presumably, people) will be getting rid of voicemail?
Michael Schrage sure thinks so: "I don't think it's so much as gotten rid of, but unused. It'll be the book you never read, the sweater you never wear. It's kind of nice to have, but you don't need it in any way, shape or form."
It's no surprise to him what companies find when they do an analysis of the way their employees communicate.
"More often than not, voicemail was not only irrelevant, but when it was involved it actually got in the way of efficiency and effectiveness," he says.
"So something that used to facilitate and expedite, has now become a barrier and a source of friction."