Plant Fantasies owner Teresa Carleo doesn’t use e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter. At first glance, her preference for traditional communication methods seems out of touch with twenty-first century trends. However, leaders at Plant Fantasies desire communication that works, and that means matching the right communication channel with the right business situations. Some tasks at Plant Fantasies involve installing and maintaining gardens; other situations require collaboration with landscape designers or speaking with clients. Not all communication channels are equally suited for each situation.

Discussion Questions 

1. Using the concept of information richness, explain why leaders at Plant Fantasies place a high value on face-to-face communication.

2. What impact might gender have on the communication styles of Teresa Carleo and Steve Martucci? 

3. Although leaders at Plant Fantasies prefer face-to-face interaction, they use digital communication technologies in some situations. Which situations at Plant Fantasies require digital communication technology and why?