The September issue of the Harvard Business Review carries an article by Paul Hemp entitled Death by Information Overload.  As the editor notes, it’s an entertaining read in which Hemp articulates the problem and its consequences before identifying some possible solutions.

The thing that struck me was the apparent lack of control the author feels any of us actually has over the problem. We are all unwitting victims of the communication monster we’ve created and simply have to live with the consequences. Yes, new technology can help us cope better but essentially, it’s all about coping. 

To a large extent, current communication practice means this is true. Many of us do feel as if we have very little control (as we do about many other aspects of corporate life) and that it is really someone else’s problem. But what if we suddenly started to take back some control and use tools already widely available and culturally aligned? What if we used instant messaging for those brief exchanges that don’t require a lengthy and apparently endless email trail? What if project or topic related communication was confined to discussion threads, open to all and providing a lasting record of past discussion? And what if people were required to subscribe to the content they want rather than simply having it pushed at them?

Technology no longer presents the barrier to a more manageable communication environment. The new barrier is our willingness as employees to step up, kick the email habit and make better use of the alternatives. It’s certainly more effort in the short term but the long term prize is definitely worth fighting for.