I regularly receive email responses, asking me questions to which the answers were clearly (or so I thought) evident in my original email.

I am conscious that email as a communication method isn’t always used to its best effect. It is often much quicker to pick up the phone and speak to someone. Perhaps we prefer to email because it puts the ball in someone else’s court? Or because it is much easier to deliver a difficult message without actually speaking to anyone?

However, the nature of my job means that I send emails to A LOT of people, with updates about training events, social events, and membership renewals. Consequently, I try to be clear and concise, reading and re-reading what I have written several times. I’ve actually started including the essential information twice, in bold red font, Calibri size 24. Of course, everyone’s style is different and perhaps mine just isn’t effective.

I don’t mean to rant, and surely I’m not the only one who this happens to… but it does make me wonder how much work we are all making for each other, and how much more efficient we could be. Experts also agree that your email behaviour has the potential to sabotage your reputation both personally and professionally. Here are some tips for perfecting your email etiquette:

http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/email-etiquette.html



So, to make my day: please please read and digest information before responding to an email to ask a question that has already been answered twice!