I came across some quick tips for email this morning, which was well-timed given the number of messages in my inbox at the time. Here’s a selection:
Speeding things up
Use shortcuts on the subject line to remove the need to open and read the body of the message, e.g.
- NRN – no reply needed
- TY – thank you
- NRB 10/02 @ 1030 – need a response by 1030 on February 10th
Use the subject line for the whole message – e.g.
- Meet @ 10:00 on 10/02- OK?
Keep it short. If you can’t get your point across in less than 10 sentences, consider what you’re trying to say.
Using it right
Don’t deliver bad news in an email – pick up the phone and use the tone of your voice to indicate concern.If you find yourself sending an email because it’s something you don’t want to say face-to-face, STOP. Delete the email, and go and say it face-to-face or pick up the phone
If you can’t resolve a problem within two back-and-forth exchanges, pick up the phone.
Never, ever, use the BCC field – think of it as the online way of going behind someone’s back.
Keep high emotions out of it – if you’re about to hit the reply button to something that’s annoyed you, CLOSE THE MESSAGE AND WALK AWAY FROM IT. Never send a hasty, irritated response to an annoying email – jobs have been lost that way.
