I was looking forward to reading this book to get tips on improving the increasing quantity of digital communications, but it didn't meet my expectations. I felt it focussed too much on digital communication being harder and less effective than in person communication. I already knew that which is why I wanted to read the book, and instead of feeling encouraged I felt increasingly defeated about the opportunities for improvements.

I was tempted to give the book two stars as I did not find it an enjoyable read. However I've decided on three as I have got some ideas on improving my digital communications. For example, asking people to share a colour about how they feel about a discussion point so you know if you've communicated clearly or need to answer questions.

This Harvard Review Business Press release offers helpful strategies to boost the clarity and impact of communication across an array of virtual formats. 4 of 5 Stars.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine. Pub Date 30 Oct 2018. #CanYouHearMe #NetGalley

Anyone who has experienced the frustration of a bad connection on a conference call will relate to the issues Nick Morgan brings up in Can You Hear Me? An interesting read for business people, managers, and others concerned about the prominent reliance on technology instead of personal connection in in the corporate world and beyond.

. . . . .

The author looks at new media affecting our lives. He wildly overgeneralises, assuming everyone hs a life identical to his. "We've all been bored in a video conference" when I have never been in a video conference. "We all follow so many social media and getting a like just makes us want to get more likes," no again. This total lack of connection with a reader who has been using e-mail since 1996 is shortsighted. People each use tech in their own way and most of us use only that which we need to use.

The author tells us that problems with online chats and e-mails include poor communication and lack of empathy. As well as the above boredom. Next is a chapter on what neuroscientists say about our brains - we are less able to store memory, given that we can access answers quickly. The old way of gaining information, by going out to look, gave us a wide view point and a safe retreat. But working from our own heads we have neither. I like that analogy.

We're advised to cast an eye over our online presence by googling ourselves, and clearing off any thing that doesn't represent us now. Yes we do google others quite often, and they google us. The author adds to focus on the message rather than the person, and to put up new content that we would want others to know.
Then he's back to asking if we've ever put a conference call on hold while looking at facebook. I have never used either one.

A more interesting item is when the author talks about how emotions help us to make decisions, saying that aged seventeen he suffered a brain injury which stopped him feeling emotions for a few months and he went through difficulties with decision making. Sorry to hear that, hope all is well by now. Compressing sound over copper wires removes the lowest and highest tones of voice, making it harder for us to sense the emotions in the call.

A researcher found that those using 'social' words in their chat were less likely to be laid off. Such perceived words included football, making me wonder if men were less likely to be laid off than women.

Then the author settles in to tell us all about the principles and ettiquette of various forms such as e-mail. Maybe there are those who need a chapter on e-mails, but I think a set of bullet points would suffice, especially since this by now seems to be a business handbook. He compares various channels - some of which I have heard of and none of which I have used. Then he recommends using emojis. Apart from getting down with the kids, why? Is this business acceptable now? He proceeds to webinars, which is like a Ted talk on Youtube. I've given presentations all right. Only at college. That chapter will be useful for lots of people. He proceeds to sales, and what the future might have in store.

Anyway, this book will suit some readers better than others, but does not tell you much about security of communications or identity, so I recommend Violet Blue's The Smart Girl's Guide to Privacy: Practical Tips for Staying Safe Online.
Notes P261 - 268. I counted 24 names which I could be sure were female. I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

The author sees the need to add the emotional subtext back into virtual communications to avoid the personal and financial cost he believes is associated with miscommunication. I don’t have any problem with the premise that face-to-face communications are the most effective, that we are designed to connect to one another, that connection leads to increased engagement, that we have five senses and making use of all of them improves communication.

The book is broken down into sections, eg: the five big problems with virtual communications, the specific issues and fixes for the various digital channels, sales and then a look at the future. There is lots and lots of detail to read and many action lists.

There are many facts and figures to substantiate the author's arguments, it is very well researched and there is a lot of advice on what to do. But some of it is of a more general nature yet is written in a way that suggests its specific eg: on virtual feedback, “ If you perceive a work to be slapdash, say, so, and say how it falls short but don’t conclude that the creator is lazy.” This is the essence of effective communication, don't you think?

Different communication channels have always been strengths and weaknesses, eg: morse code, telex, memos, telephone calls etc. Is the world changing faster and so we need to adapt accordingly, I think so. It just the way its written makes It all just feel a little over the top.

With many thanks to the author, the publishers Harvard Review Business Press, and NetGalley for my free copy to review

Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World by Nick Morgan is an upcoming release from the Harvard Business Review (Thanks for the sneak peek NetGalley!) This was a dissection of different types of technology. First, there was an exploration of the potential hazards and issues of each type. Then, there were suggestions of what could be done to make each of these more engaging and more like a "real life" meeting. As someone who works remotely and leans on technology, this was a super interesting and helpful read on how to better leverage the ways I have to communicate. I really appreciated the advice on how to better integrate emotion into these technologies because so often that's what can be lost in these relationships. Honestly, if you're using technology to communicate, this is a must-read as there's some definite worthwhile nuggets for conference calls, webinars, video calls, etc.

A very good: well written, clear and helpful.
This book is a must read as everybody is involved in the digital world and everybody should know how to cope and what strategy use.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Harvard Business Review and Netgalley for this ARC

Virtual communication is now routine for everybody: telephone, email, teleconference, chat,... But (at least partially) the non verbal message is missing and misunderstanding happens very frequently.

The author describes the five basic problems (the lack of feedback, empathy, control, emotion, connection and commitment) and then provides specific and very helpful techniques and pratical fixes for each digital channel.

For example your can
- signal excitement (and stress) by speaking faster and raising our pitch
- increase the impact and memorability of your communications by explicitly informing the audience on what’s in it for them.

If you want to foster better understanding with another person, it is better to do it face to face rather than through virtual means like text, email, chats, or videoconferencing. The thing about communication is that not only we share ideas cognitively. As humans it is far more important for us to communicate emotionally; to share our emotions with our fellow human beings in a way that our present online tools have yet to do better.

This book presents compelling reasons as to why face to face conversations are much better in conveying our thoughts and emotions. Readers can certainly attest to this since from the beginning until the end of the book, that is what Nick Morgan wants us to remember.

The beauty of this book also lies on the fact that it is grounded in reality. The author knows that we are living in a digital world. This is the reason why he devoted several chapters on how we can improve our communication skills on several platforms such as email, webinars, chat, etc.

Anyone who is the business world today will benefit from reading this book. This is especially true for those online businesses that rely on online networks to operate in this world.

Thanks for Harvard Business Review Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

"Can You Hear Me?" by Nick Morgan in an easygoing style, plain language and with cogent examples gives focus to online communication in all its potential and misery. For either business or recreation the problems enumerated here we all can relate to. This book does not give all the answers, and to be sure the answer for what works will vary from need to need and person to person. What this book does is gives a clear and calm focus on what can be done and what can't in the world of online communication and specifically with social media. The summaries at the end of each chapter are very useful in summarizing the concepts and what you need to take away. I think this book is very well done. I expected a lot of popular psychology that lead nowhere but I was very surprised to find a clear, critical and useful approach delivered in a friendly and sympathetic manner. To those who feel the frustrations and problems of online communications this is the book for you.

I enjoyed this book. I found several helpful strategies to work with others. I plan on purchasing this and adding it to my professional bookshelf to share with others. Thank you for the opportunity to be an advance reader for this book.