There are many reasons why IM makes sense for business uses, all of which go beyond hyperactive teen talk.

- First, workers have become more mobile and a lot harder to track down, particularly as secretarial support has disappeared and voice mail becomes the norm. IM automatically tells you who is available, and who is not, at any given hour of the day.

- Second, e-mail is no longer the productivity tool it once was, now that pipes are clogged with spam, viruses and phishing attacks. Getting a quick response via e-mail now seems so quaint, so last year, especially when you converse in real time with IM.

- Third, IM enables better collaboration and a tighter sense of community. With IM, you can educate an entire team, give them real-time feedback, develop relationships and cement the team together.

- Fourth, the next generation of IM is not just about text chats; it offers solid integration with voice-, web- and videoconferencing, making it easier for remote workers to feel a part of the action.