Just like a picture is worth a thousand words, an emoji (or emoticon) is worth a thousand characters. Emojis have entered the modern vocabulary with such ease that we simply cannot resist using them in our digital conversations. From informal chats with colleagues to texting friends, emojis help us express ourselves more freely than ever. But, is the email-heavy, spreadsheet-filled corporate world ready to welcome these colorful bunch of emojis in business conversations? Let's dive deep into it!😊
Benefits of Using Emojis
They Help Us Convey the Tone
Emojis have moved beyond being mere additions to a text to make it more 'appealing' or 'decorative'. Today, they are important indicators of our tone, implied meanings, or even hidden messages. For example, here’s a sentence conveyed in two different forms:
'All employees are requested to mark their attendance in the Employee Attendance Tracker.'
'All employees are requested to mark their attendance in the employee attendance tracker.😇'
While both sentences convey the same meaning, the latter feels more connected, empathetic, and considerate in its tone than the former. It's also more likely to encourage employees to take that certain action. The former sentence, on the other hand, feels more like a plain announcement.
Emojis Add a Personal Touch
The key to a thriving business is connecting with the consumer as much as one can. The more personal the communication feels, the more connected the consumer becomes. Emojis create a sense of community by making a brand appear more approachable and relatable. This 'human touch' can foster a stronger connection with consumers, who may feel that they are interacting with real people rather than a faceless corporation.
If you take a look back at the example mentioned in the previous paragraph, the latter sentence feels more 'human'. The emoji seems to be communicating with you. In short, a single emoji can take your brand game to the next level!
Emojis Enhance Your Brand Personality and Work Culture
Standing out in your business market is crucial to a brand's success. Today, every brand is eager to step outside the box by setting its own brand personality. The more personality your brand has, the more attractive it will become for its audience and potential clients, and thus lend you an edge over your competitors. It’ll also improve work culture and drive employee engagement.
According to our recent poll on emojis and the workplace environment, 50% of respondents said that using emojis indicates that the workplace is open and modern, while a close 43% believe that the workplace is attempting to stay trendy. Only 7% of the respondents believed that using emojis in a workplace is a sign of unprofessional behavior. This indicates that emojis are being readily accepted inside the workplace!
Where Do Emojis Work Best?
Business communication can be a bit of a tightrope walk, especially for HR professionals. They need to keep things professional while also making sure they connect with employees on a personal level. This is where a bit of emoji magic can come in handy.
A new-age HRMS, like greytHR, comes with communication tools that allow the use of emojis. Thanks to this, HRs can craft more expressive and engaging messages that hit the right tone. That's not all, this software comes with tons of features, including one where you can comment on posts with emojis. This enables the other employees to be just as expressive and join in on the fun.
We did a poll about where emojis fit in our professional lives. Should they make team chats more expressive, level up our customer communications, or spice up our internal emails? Do emojis work in none of them? It's time to break down the results and find out.
Team Chats
Based on the poll results, a whopping 65% were of the opinion that emojis work best in team chats. They serve a greater purpose than just maintaining a fun environment. It helps in communicating the sender's tone, enables more effective communication, saves time, and of course, serves as fodder for some witty banter.
Team chats are meant to be a place for work-related informal conversations, so using emojis shouldn't be an issue. In fact, they add emotional context, make texts more readable, and foster a sense of belonging.
Customer Communication
13% of the respondents were of the opinion that emojis fit best in customer communication. As mentioned previously, connecting with your customers is one of the best ways to maintain a strong brand identity. Many brands use emojis to craft their brand identity. This tweet from Swiggy is a good example of the same.
Emojis can not only make customer interactions feel more personal but also elevate your brand's identity up a notch. So, choose your emojis wisely.
Internal Emails
Emojis can be used in internal emails to appreciate employees, enhance a team announcement, and foster positive communication, blending professionalism with a friendly tone. However, not many employees prefer using them in internal emails. It's mainly because internal emails are usually brief, and sometimes, they are sent on an urgent basis without much formality. This is why only 4% believe that emojis suit internal emails.
None of the Above
About 19% of respondents say emojis are not only unfit for internal emails and customer communications but also don't suit well in team chats, where they are usually acceptable. This can be mainly attributed to the fact that workplaces have traditionally focused on precise text rather than colorful and distracting emojis. Looks like not everyone is ready to welcome emojis in workplace communication yet!
In another poll that asked whether emojis help clarify the tone of work-related messages, a staggering 52% believed that they do help convey emotions accurately. While 37% of the respondents said that emojis are misunderstood sometimes, 11% believed that they only add confusion.
When to Not Use Emojis?
We get that they're great at communicating complex emotions and saving time, but using emojis too frequently and casually may not be the best. Using emojis at the wrong time and wrong place might come off as unprofessional, cheeky, lazy, or even rude. It's best recommended to avoid using emojis in the following situations:
- External communication with potential clients: Avoid emojis as they might look unprofessional.
- Correspondence that addresses negative feedback or disciplinary actions: Using emojis in such emails can undermine the seriousness of the message.
- Technical or detailed instructions: Clarity and precision are paramount here, so using emojis might end up confusing readers. They are also likely to miss out on key technical details due to the use of emojis.
- Communication with senior executives: In corporate cultures, it is advisable to keep communications with senior management or executives professional, to the point, and emoji-free.
Quick Tips for Using Emojis Effectively
Using emojis in the right place and context might sound challenging, but we've got you covered. By following these tips, you'll master the art of using emojis in business without coming across as unprofessional.
Less Is More!
We understand that using emojis at the end of every sentence sounds fun, but the key to effective communication is keeping it simple. Avoid using emojis frequently. Try to avoid using the same emoji more than once or twice. Bombarding a text with emojis can make it look unprofessional and untidy. Don't forget that it might mess up the point of communication.
Understand the context
Sometimes, we use emojis without realizing that someone else might not interpret them the same way that we do.
For example, the thumbs-up 👍 is a common emoji used in business communication nowadays. While it conveys that you have acknowledged or approved a message, it might come across as sarcastic, disinterested, or downright rude. It may be fine if someone misinterprets the context in an informal chat or message, but it might lead to misunderstandings if used in formal business communication.
Know Your Audience
Surveys by Fast Company and SurveyMonkey show that not everyone may like receiving an email dotted with emojis. Older people or senior executives generally don't prefer emojis in formal communication or may misunderstand the meaning of a particular emoji. This is why we recommend analyzing your audience base. A younger audience, especially those in their 20s and 30s are more likely to appreciate emojis compared to senior executives.
Keep It Relevant
Relevance is key in keeping your emoji game effective. Analyze the tone of the message and then use an emoji that is the most relevant (and appropriate). Avoid using random emojis as they might lead to confusion and miscommunication.
Summing Up
Emojis can add a dose of fun to workplace communication by making your messages more engaging and expressive. They are perfect for internal chats, team bonding, and building rapport. However, when it comes to formal or external communications, it's best to keep them out of the room. Remember, context is key. So go ahead, sprinkle in those smileys 😃, raise those thumbs-ups 👍 where appropriate, and watch your workplace communication come to life!
FAQs
- What Are Some Professional Emojis?
🙏 Folded Hands: Conveys gratitude, thanks, or a respectful request.
🤝 Handshake: Represents collaboration, agreement, or a professional relationship.
❤️ Red Heart: Symbolizes love, support, or care.
👌 OK Hand: Signifies agreement, approval, or understanding.
These are some of the emojis that can be used in business communication and are acceptable, without coming across as unprofessional.
- Are Emojis Appropriate in Business Emails?
Emojis can be appropriate in business emails, especially in informal internal communication where they help convey tone and friendliness. However, they should be used sparingly in formal business correspondence, client communications, or any situation requiring a professional tone.
- Can Using Emojis in Workplace Communication Be Unprofessional?
Using emojis may be perceived as unprofessional. It's important to consider the context, audience, and company culture. Avoid using emojis in formal documents, legal communications, or when conveying serious messages to maintain professionalism.
