15. Practice texting for business.

Exchange cell phone numbers with a partner, and assign roles of manager and employee.

The manager is at a meeting with a client that started at 9:00 a.m. It’s 9:05 a.m., and the employee hasn’t arrived yet with the design board (large display) that shows fabrics, paint colors, furnishings, and other elements of the conference space that your firm is proposing to redesign. The manager initiates the text conversation. What will each of you say? The employee can invent details (excuses!) for this scenario.

After a few exchanges, give each other feedback on the text messages. Were they clear and professional?