In celebration of World Emoji Day, July 17th, we invited our followers to 'express' themselves by sharing their thoughts on emojis in business communications, taking a closer look at the role of these expressive symbols in today's work environment.
According to Adobe's Future of Creativity: 2022 U.S. Emoji Trend Report, 71% of survey respondents use emojis in the workplace, and 68% like when their colleagues use emojis in work communication.
The Poll Question
We asked our 249K+ followers, "Are emojis acceptable in business communications?"
The response options included the following:
Yes, I love them!
Depends on the industry.
Only in certain contexts.
No, I prefer formal messages.
Poll Results
With a total of 673 votes, the results are as follows:
Only in certain contexts came in with the majority of the votes with 48%.
Yes, I love them was second with 19% of the votes.
No, I prefer formal messages was third with 17% of the votes.
Depends on the industry was last with 16% of the votes.
Analyzing the Results
The poll results show that most of our followers agree that emojis are acceptable in business communications in certain contexts. Below are some key takeaways:
Only in Certain Contexts
The use of emojis can be a benefit to business communications in certain contexts. According to Forbes, it's important to consider the context before sending an emoji. Does the emoji fit the nature of the conversation, and will the message recipient understand? Be mindful of the professional hierarchy within your organization and the nature of your relationship with the recipient, ensuring that your message is well-received and understood.
Yes, I Love Them!
Team members who love emojis understand and appreciate how these expressive little symbols foster camaraderie and community among coworkers. According to Forbes, this is especially true when used during virtual meetings, as emojis can help bridge that gap between the energy of an in-person meeting versus a virtual one, creating a shared emotional connection between team members.
No, I Prefer Formal Messages
We understand that emoji meanings can be confusing, especially between generations and cultures, which may lead to misunderstandings and unclear communication. According to Business.com, individuals often interpret emojis based on their personal experiences, so an emojji with streaming tears could indicate that you found something hilarious, or that you're upset, leading to confusion and a disconnect. In addition, younger generations and social media users continually adapt the meanings of emojis and how we use them (makeuseof.com), making messages even more difficult to interpret.
Emojis are a relatively new form of communication, gaining popularity worldwide in the 2010s when Unicode began encoding emojis into the Unicode Standard. Therefore, someone from an earlier generation may view the user as less competent simply because they were expecting a more traditional correspondence.
Depends on the Industry
As with all communication, certain standards are expected and accepted. In casual settings, such as social conversations and informal correspondence, it's common to use casual language and emojis. However, in industries like government, law, and healthcare, emojis are not recommended in business communications, as they can make the matter seem less serious.
Implications for Employees and Employers
In our ever-evolving workplace, always consider the following when using emojis in communications: Audience, Content, Context, and Culture. In the digital fast lane, emojis can help you get your point across quickly, conveying messages and feelings that people may not feel comfortable expressing in words. Communication isn’t just about words; it’s about connecting on an emotional level and building rapport. When you don’t know the right things to say, emojis gives us options (Divine). Emojis help us bridge the emotional gap and express our feelings in a simple way, bringing that human touch back to our increasingly digital world.
BGSF can help you 'express' yourself with a new career or new opportunity! Whether you are looking for a permanent or contract role or need assistance with your talent search, we are here to help. Search our jobs or contact us today!
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