We all know that spam can drive us crazy but what about our everyday email messages from people we want to hear from? Are they also contributing to email overload?
Email has become an essential tool in many workplaces. Because of this, it is becoming easier to contribute to some negative habits.
Here are just a few communication tools that can wreak havoc on our lives:
Responding to all – Stop sending to ALL, if all do not have a need to know. You wanted to make sure you were covered so you’re sending everyone on the list your answer, whether they needed to know or not.
Solving complex issues via email – please pick up the phone for long messages or explanations to important issues. When messages start going back and forth at a dizzying speed with long winded explanations, the more confused we get.
Forwarded emails – These messages are loaded with carets (>>>>>) or pages and pages of email addresses that weren’t protected using the blind copy (Bcc) feature. Clean up the message, and then send it.
Subject lines that don’t match messages – Don’t simply hit reply to an old message and send a new message that has nothing to do with the previous one. At the very least, change the subject line so the recipient knows precisely what your email message is about.
Last minute cancellations – Cancelling a meeting at the last minute using email is not always the best way to let clients or staff know that there has been a change. They could have left hours ago to attend this meeting and never checked their emails. Please use the telephone and call.
Are you creating a positive, professional impression when you email your co-workers and customers? There are many emailing pet peeves.
What are some of yours?
by Carole Marinier, Blogger for Agilec
