Rich and lean media

All media are not created equal.  Specific media are best used for specific purposes.  AND perceptions of which media should be used for which purpose can vary by person and culture.  Understanding the differences between rich and lean media is a good step toward choosing the best option. Here are the basics:

• Rich media are those that allow for multiple cues like tone, facial expression, gestures, and so on.  Face-to-face communication is the richest form of communication.  Web conferencing is a rich medium.  It’s not face-to-face communication, but it is rich in cues.  
• Lean media have fewer cues.  For example, email provides text and format, but that’s about it. 
• Neither rich nor lean media are better; the best choice depends on what you are doing with it.  For example, rich media are better for doing complex tasks or resolving personnel problems.  Lean media are better for communicating details.

The above basics are generally true, so use them to make the best media choices, but always consider how you should adapt to your team’s preferences because of their own differences in background.