We have all seen them, smartphones such as Blackberrys, instant messengers and many other personal communications devices. The question is, do they actually make communication between colleges easier?

According to 57 per cent of chief information officers (CIOs), that answer is yes, as they believe they are better connected to other employees with new technologies, said a study by Robert Hall Technology.

Not everyone had the same view, as 24 per cent of CIOs thought that the new technologies made no difference in their level of connectivity, and 18 per cent believed that they were less connected.

These new technologies are now responsible for many things, including: sending e-mails, which is the preferred means of communication of 49 per cent of CIOs; phone calls (six per cent); instant messaging (five per cent); and text messaging (one per cent).

What may be a surprise to some, is that in-person conversations came in second place among CIOs as the favourite means to communicate, at 34 per cent.

"E-mail is effective for quick exchanges and keeping written records of decisions," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "However, when conveying potentially sensitive information, nothing can replace the value of face-to-face communication."

In sensitive economic times, the choice of a communication medium is very important and can effect the outcome of very important decisions.

"Companies that make difficult decisions in response to a more challenging business climate must communicate proactively and diplomatically with staff," Lee said. "It's not just the content of the message, but the manner in which it's delivered that has an effect on employees and how they, in turn, communicate with each other."

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