Nothing in this super tech-savvy world is perfect, email communication is becoming a problem. What does this mean? Studies show that the average employee spends about 25% of each workday simply sorting through, responding to, and creating their email messages. And yet very few people actually know how to send good emails.
- People tend to enjoy informally greeting their key stakeholders. For example, “Hey” or “yo,”, is much too casual for the workplace. When in doubt, shoot for more formal than less, because the email recipient can always adjust the tone as he or she sees fit.
TIP: don’t use ‘Hey’, however, use Hi and Hello instead
- Have you ever received an ‘Inappropriate joke’? I know I have on numerous occasions. It’s too easy for humour to get lost in translation via email. Let’s be real, what you’re trying to say may not come across–and instead come off as unprofessional.
TIP: When in doubt, leave it out.
- Disrespect of other cultures, everyone has a different way of talking and typing. Be mindful of those cultural differences when replying.
GENERAL RULE: High-context cultures (Japanese, Arab, or Chinese, for instance) may want to get to know you better before doing business together.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes- bear in mind it takes about 30 extra seconds to do a quick scan over your email message before sending Your mistakes, no matter how small, will be noted by whomever is on the other end.
THE TRUTH: you may be judged for making them.
- Sending incomplete messages
There is nothing worse than sending an incomplete email, or to someone you didn’t intend to. So, the best solution is to simply strip away that option.
TIP:Add the recipient’s email address right at the end in order to ensure that you’ve had time to compose a stellar email before sending into the pixelated abyss.
PUBLISHED ON: FEB 26, 2016
The Leadership Guy
