Email and instant messaging are common ways to communicate informally in an organization. How could cultural differences influence the effectiveness of electronic channels? In what ways could management help employees avoid potential communication problems?

Email and instant messaging frequently uses an informal language and "tone" that would be similar to a conversation. Although the message is verbal, the nonverbal message is missing. The encoder may intend the message to be humorous, but the decoder may interpret it as sarcastic. This problem of interpretation is a possibility regardless of cultural differences. When factors of cultural are added to the communication picture, possibilities of misunderstandings increase with these electronic channels. Idioms, regional references, slang, and soon may be misinterpreted by those who are not from the same culture. An organization can help employees reduce cultural misunderstandings by training employees in the appropriate use of language for business email and instant messaging.