Comments on: TMN’s 9 Laws for Work Email

By: Patrick Sledz

Patrick Sledz — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:38:08 +0000

Hi Jamie,

I think you are so right in having personal contact with people you work with, but I disagree on what you say. Well, I partly disagree. If you really need a quick answer, phone might be a good communication to use. Just going to somebody and asking isn't always the best thing to do. Especially not to person who will receive the question.
Therefore, If you don't need an immediate answer, I would say that you send en email. Your colleague can treat and answer the email at an appropriate time (for her/him).
When you go to someone with your question, and this person is really busy doing her/his tasks you are just an interruption. You are disturbing a high productive worker.
If I get people at my desk, and I'm really into something, I just say: Is it ok that you come back in xx minutes. I am really busy now, and if we talk later I can assure you that you will get 100% of my attention. I really want to talk to you, but I have this thing I am working on right now and it is not easy to change context (mind).
I feels unusual the first times, but after a while you'll get used to it, and your colleagues too.

By: Marc DeBower

Marc DeBower — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:13:09 +0000

Another great website is 43folders, Merlin Mann talks about productivity and emailing as well.

http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/19/writing-sensible-email-messages

By: Marc DeBower

Marc DeBower — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:13:00 +0000

Another great website is 43folders, Merlin Mann talks about productivity and emailing as well.

http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/19/writing-sensible-email-messages

By: Jamie Ross

Jamie Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:56:11 +0000

And don’t use email when you could use the phone or go to see someone in person!! Not only do you lose tone of voice and non-verbal communications, you don’t get immediate feedback on what you are saying. I hope we don’t lose the art of talking face to face!

How many people have had an email just to them from the person down the hall??

By: Jamie Ross

Jamie Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:56:00 +0000

How many people have had an email just to them from the person down the hall??

By: Lisa K

Lisa K — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:19:33 +0000

Great post. If the subject of the message has changed significantly – change the subject line to reflect it.

By: Lisa K

Lisa K — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:19:00 +0000

Great post. If the subject of the message has changed significantly – change the subject line to reflect it.

By: NOLASmitty

NOLASmitty — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:16:28 +0000

1. Do not forward a string of 10 emails and simply put “see below” or “please advise”. Do not make me dig for the information you want me to see.

2. Do not use the subject line as the body. Writing a really long subject line and then having nothing in the body of the email is again a waste of my time. 1. Few thing in my line of work can truly be effectively communicated in 1 sentence. (however a book is not necessary either). 2. I still open the email only to find that there is nothing in there, grr!

3. ASAP. This means nothing in an email. If it is truly urgent you should call me.

By: NOLASmitty

NOLASmitty — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:16:00 +0000

1. Do not forward a string of 10 emails and simply put “see below” or “please advise”. Do not make me dig for the information you want me to see.

3. ASAP. This means nothing in an email. If it is truly urgent you should call me.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:13:57 +0000

I agree with all your rules. For me the killer are those loooong emails that one gets lost in the middle wondering what is being said. I would add one more rule:

Use TO and CC appropriately. If I need to respond to it – I want to have the e-mail directed to me – if it’s just for my information – then CC should be used.