In addition to telephones, fax and emails, new research shows instant messaging is a great way to manage workplace communications and streamline processes to getting your most important assignments done.

    新的調查研究顯示，除了電話，傳真，郵件以外，即時通訊也是管理職場通訊的一種簡便而使用的方法，利用即時通訊同樣可使你最重要的工作任務得到完成。

    However, as with all communication mediums, there are a couple of rules everyone should follow to be seen as a courteous coworker. By developing good habits with your IM, you can help bring new consideration to using this wonderful tool in the workplace.

    然而，和其他的通信媒介一樣，作為一個有禮貌的職員，有幾點規則你是必須清楚的。只要養成了好的發即時通訊的習慣，你就可以在職場上巧妙的使用這款神奇的通訊工具。

    Using IM for Business

    在商務上使用即時通訊

    1.Seek Permission to Enter. Just as you would over the telephone, always ask whether it is a good time to IM with the user on the receiving end. Try, "Michael, do you have a moment? I would like to ask a question about last month's finance report." Not only are you asking for availability, you also drop the subject of the query. If they are busy, ask them when a good time to follow-up would be.

    尋求進入許可。正如你打電話一樣，記得每次都要問別人此刻是否方便使用即時通訊工具。試試："麥克，你現在有時間嗎？我想請教一個關于上個月財務報告的事情。"你不僅僅是在詢問別人是否方便，你也是在拋出話題。如果他們很忙，就問下他們接下來什么時候比較合適。

    2.Mind Availability Settings. An extension of number one is to consider any "busy" or other availability settings before sending an IM to a contact. Even if you can see your coworker is clearly not "in a meeting," now may not be the best time. In return, always set your availability settings when necessary.

    注意狀態設置。在發即時通訊之前，要看看對方是否是"忙碌"狀態（多數通訊工具的設置狀態）,或者是其他的狀態。即使你知道你的同事明明不是在開會，那現在也可能不會最佳時機。反過來，也要在想要的時候設置自己通訊工具的狀態。

    3.Keep it Brief. The boss says you have his attention…now what? Whatever you do, practice brevity. It is called "instant" messaging-so get to it! Ask your questions and get on with business.

    簡單明了。上司說你引起他的注意了--什么注意呢？不管你在做什么，簡單的實踐下吧。它是即時通訊工具，所以就要即時使用它。問出你的問題，開始工作吧。

    4.Keep it in Proper English. When sending instant messages regarding work, keep slang and IM acronyms at bay and use proper English instead. Not only is it more professional, it helps avoid the distraction of a "What is IMO?" conversation with a less-than-net-savvy IM user. Don't forget the punctuation, either.

    使用恰當的英語。使用即時通訊工具發送有關工作的信息時，不要使用俚語以及IM上的縮寫，要用合適的英語。這樣做不僅僅是更專業，也可以減少不必要的解釋，因為那些很少使用IM的用戶會不明白"什么是IMO".也要注意不要忘記了標點符號。

    5.Avoid Long Conversations. If your IM session begins to drag into overtime, suggest a face-to-face meeting so you can maintain an efficient work environment.

    避免過長的對話。如果你在IM上聊天時間過長，建議你直接去找對方面對面談，這樣才可以保證職場的工作效率。

    IM at Work Best Practices

    即時通訊在職場的最佳使用方法

    6.Follow Office Policies. Most IT departments are leery

    of allowing associates free reign to download software to their computers. Find out your company policies and follow them. Use web-based and portable

    IMs when you cannot download them to your computer.

    遵守職場規則。很多IT部門都不愿意公司其他部門同事隨心所欲的在自己電腦上下載軟件。找出你們公司的規則，并要遵守這些規則。如果你不能下載的話，就是用網頁上的便攜式的即時通訊工具。

    7.Get an SN for Work. While your buddies might think your IM moniker is cute or funny, your work contacts might be offended or form a less-than-stellar image of you after seeing your screenname. Consider getting a work-only screenname. You can always give it out to friends and family later or use multiple screennames at once with a multi-protocol IM.

    取一個工作上的用戶名。雖然你的朋友可能覺得你的IM名字很可愛，但是你的同事或很少使用即時通訊工具的人在看到你的IM名字后可能覺得不舒服。考慮取一個只用于工作上的用戶名。在和朋友及家人聊天時你可以將用戶名更換過來，或者利用IM上的多功能設置，同時設置多個用戶名。

    8.Business-Friendly IMs. Remember, your communications to other associates, your boss or outside clients and vendors should always boast professionalism, even when instant messaging.

    職場IM朋友。記住，即使是使用即時通訊工具，你和其他同事，和上司、客戶或供應商之間應該永遠是從職業的角度去交流的。

    Therefore, put away the political IM icons, the bright orange text and the pop culture wallpapers in lieu of Arial or Times New Roman （10 to 12 pt. font）. You can always use a little splash of color for wallpaper, but nothing work inappropriate. Consider sprucing up your IM with a business-savvy profile, complete with company logo and contact information. Maybe even a mug of your pretty face for your IM icon? Now you're set for business.

    因此，不要將政治圖片作為IM的圖標，也不要使用亮黃色，流行的Arial 或Times New Roman字體。你永遠都可以使用一點鮮明的背景圖片，但是這些并不會起到合適的效果。可以將你的IM資料專業化，將公司的圖標以及聯系方式都補充上去。或許你也可以將你漂亮的杯子當作IM圖標。好了，現在你的一切設置都職場化了。