Has Technology Left Us Speechless?: Restoring the Human Connection in Our Digital Age

In the past few decades, technology has significantly changed the way we work and live. The lightning-fast Internet has profoundly improved the way people gather information, and telecommunications now allows us to do business expediently, almost anywhere in the world. But the truth is that the digital dialogue of email, text messaging, and social sites is no replacement for verbal, in-person communication in building relationships, whether in business or at home. In fact, while families have the benefit of communicating with each other frequently because of cell phones and text messaging, some are actually spending more time with their electronic gadgets than their spouse or children. As a sales and communication expert, Tod Novak's research reveals that some people are so connected to their tablets, smartphones, and computers that a culture is being produced that is, in actuality, disconnected from the human factor in communication. This leads us to ask ourselves:

• Has our relationship with technology replaced our interpersonal relationships?

• Has social isolation become the norm in our culture?

• Have people become more comfortable with electronic relationships that are impersonal, detached, inaccessible, and void of face-to-face human interaction?

• Aren't human relationships the basis for success in every area of our lives?

Novak believes the answer to all of these questions is yes, and he offers concrete solutions to restore balance to our communication practices. Beginning with the history of technology and how we arrived where we are today, Has Technology Left Us Speechless? guides the reader through methods to communicate effectively with, without, or in addition to technology-both at work and at home, as well as between generations. Using real-life examples that demonstrate simple, specific ways to reclaim effective communication and etiquette in a world where in-person and oral dialogue is on a critical downward spiral, Novak deftly shows us how we can bring people back together-face to face-and build quality relationships to strengthen our business, our families, and our world by making the human connection.