In current computer modernization where communication is one of the most important part, the email is expected to be obsoleted because social networking sites have increased in popularity. Multiple debates have ensued in regards to social networking surpassing email as the defacto method of communication.

Most people are aware that online networking has increased in usage. According to the most recent Nielsen’s global study, social networking is growing at twice the rate as email or web portals. It has also outpaced email, based on the time spent by online users. Facebook is the most popular online networking site. Facebook’s major growth comes from 35-49 year olds. It makes a lot of sense. This demographic grew up with technology, so they are very comfortable with new technology. They are also trying to reconnect with high school and college friends. Given the statistic that over 50% of married people get divorced, many of these social networkers are probably looking for relationships. They have created enough connections over their lifetime to seek their old friends and lovers.

What are businesses doing with social networking and how does that affect email?

Many large organizations do not allow instant messaging (IM) or internet access outside of their organization. Internally, enterprise companies have created their own social networking sites and instant messaging capabilities for their users to collaborate instantly. However, organizations are still using email heavily for general communication. IM is mainly used for informal chats. Just 10-20 years ago, workers used their phones to have an informal or quick conversation. That was the form of instant messaging in the old days. The downside was that you were constantly leaving people messages when they were not in the office. So, instant communication was hindered if they did not have a cell phone. Currently, workers are moving away from phone conversations to online chats. As more and more companies conduct their businesses globally, online capabilities and video conferencing provide instant communication to their partners, customers, and employees.

The public social networking sites are used by businesses for external communication and brand marketing. It is mainly used by B to C (business to consumer) companies or companies who market to the consumers to promote their products and extend their customer service. Social networking is another marketing avenue for B to C companies to extend their marketing reach. Twitter is the most used medium. Enterprise companies are using social networking to elicit instant feedback for new products or changes to current products. It can reduce their time to market from months to weeks. Social networking redefines the meaning of customer driven products.

In addition, companies are using chat as an extension to their customer service and offering it as an alternative to phone conversations. Email inquiry has been offered for years, but the delay in responses or sometimes no response at all has reduced customer service instead of enhancing it.

For formal communication that needs to be documented, email is still the best way to track agreements, conversations, legal contracts, etc. Communicating with the outside vendors, partners, and customers require formal writing. You can also archive email conversations and provide them as legal documents.

Email seems to be proliferating, and the email industry is growing at double digits. Most people want to communicate by email in business. The debate should not be about will social networking replace email; it should be about how social networking is replacing phone conversations. Unfortunately, human beings are losing the ability to talk to one another without having an electronic device that dehumanizes the interaction.

The days of having lengthy phone conversations are becoming obsolete. If you want to get an update from a friend, all you need to do is look at their Facebook page.