Corporate communication is more than just words and sentences. It's the foundation of business success. It's how you exchange information with co-workers, customers, and clients.
There are two communication types in business: synchronous communication and asynchronous communication. Each one serves different purposes by allowing you to communicate with your audience in a specific way. But which type is right for your business?
Learn about synchronous vs asynchronous communication, and why you should invest in a video platform like Viostream to deliver internal and external messages.
What's the Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication?
Synchronous and asynchronous communications are two ways corporations exchange information.
Synchronous Communication
This communication type occurs when organizations deliver messages in real-time. The person sending the message and the person receiving it are both present, allowing for a steady flow of communication.
A phone call is an example of synchronous communication. The caller and the receiver exchange information with each other at the same time. Both are present. Communication happens in real-time. Other examples of synchronous communication include:
- Live chat
- Video conferencing
- Any live communications that happen in a physical space
Asynchronous Communication
This communication type doesn't require the person sending the message and the person receiving it to be present at the same time.
An email is an example of asynchronous communication. You might send a message to a colleague in your London office at 6 p.m. EST, and the recipient might not read your message until the next morning. Other examples include:
- SMS messages
- Letters
- Direct messages via social media platforms
Related Reading: 5 Virtual Event Platforms to Consider for Your Next Corporate Event
When is comes to asynchronous communication, nothing is more effective than on-demand video. With professional video hosting services like Viostream, employees can watch company updates, training videos, and more at a time that fits their schedule while still getting the benefit of face-to-face communication. Get started today with a free 14 day trial.
What Communication Type Should You Use In Your Business?
Both synchronous and asynchronous communication have pros and cons. To decide which is right for you depends on a number of factors related to your industry and company culture. The following list of pros and cons can help you decide.
Synchronous Communication
Pros
- Let you solve business or customer-orientated problems quicker. That's because you communicate in real-time and don't have to wait for the other person to read and respond to your message.
- Allows for deeper interpersonal relationships to develop.
Cons
- Requires the urgent attention of the recipient and requires them to respond immediately.
- Difficult when communicating with customers, colleagues, or clients in different time zones.
Asynchronous Communication
Pros
- Doesn't require the immediate attention of the recipient. The person receiving your message can read the communication at a time that suits them.
- Doesn't require the recipient to respond immediately. The person receiving your communication can think about the message's content before replying.
Cons
- Doesn't happen in real-time, so there's no small talk, casual conversation, or other dialogue that can help build relationships.
- Slower than synchronous communication. If you want to solve a business or customer-related problem quickly, asynchronous communication might not be the best choice.
Choosing between synchronous and asynchronous communication depends on the type of message you want to exchange and the person you are exchanging it with. If you have clients or customers overseas, asynchronous communication via email or online chat might make more sense. However, daily sales meetings via a video conferencing tool might benefit you if you need to exchange business-critical information in real-time.
Most businesses switch between synchronous and asynchronous communication depending on the scenario or context. For example, an organization might handle less urgent communications like customer service problems via email but solve critical issues like data breaches via phone.
Related Reading: Webinars vs Meetings. Which is Best for Your Business?
How Viostream Can Help With Synchronous vs Asynchronous Corporate Communications
Viostream is an enterprise-level video platform that improves both asynchronous and synchronous communication in your organization.
- Communicate with customers, colleagues, and co-workers synchronously via live video streams and live link URLs.
- Facilitate communication asynchronously with features like video sharing, embedded videos, and branded video galleries.
In addition to its dual-functionality communication options, Viostream is a top video platform for many businesses and governments because of its baked-in video analytics and integrations for business intelligence tools like Looker and Metabase, allowing you to generate deep data insights about video engagement, audience retention, viewership, and other essential metrics that influence corporate communications.
Other features include:
- Accessibility features like audio descriptions, translations, and closed captions.
- Security features like Single Sign-On (SSO).
- World-class customer service.
- Integrations with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and other corporate software.
Start your free trial now and see how Viostream improves your corporate communications with its range of synchronous and asynchronous technologies.
.svg){kind=icon}
Continue reading
