This link has been bookmarked by 15 people . It was first bookmarked on 05 Mar 2007, by Shutterbug.
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23 Mar 09
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22 Jul 08
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Julian Ausserhofer"Here are ten situations when you should not use e-mail, even though you may be tempted to do so". Quite useful for projects.
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05 May 08
Hugh HughesWhen NOT To Use E-Mail
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A while ago I published a workplace communication and collaboration tool decision tree. At that time I outlined five reasons (habit, personality, office layout, ignorance and unavailability) that cause many people to use the wrong tool, and stressed that cost is no longer a factor -- most of these tools are available free.
It would seem that for most people this is not intuitive. I'm still getting people asking me how they can reduce the inappropriate use of e-mail in their organizations. So this time around I'm going to be more explicit. Here are ten situations when you should not use e-mail, even though you may be tempted to do so:
1. To communicate bad news, complaints or criticism: It is just too easy for the written word to be misconstrued to use it to convey bad news. Have the courage to deliver it face to face. If that's impossible or uneconomic, at least do it by phone. And I don't mean leaving a voice-mail.
2. When you are seeking information that is not simple and straight-forward: If you receive an e-mail request for information that's ambiguous or complex, you're going to be inclined to ignore it, and leave it to someone else to reply. Expect others to do the same with your request. If it's longer than one screen including dreaded attachments and links that need to be read, expect it to elicit a groan. A better approach is to discover which individual is most likely to have that information, and walk down the hall or pick up the phone and ask for it directly.
3. When you are seeking approval on something that is involved or controversial: You're asking for a long e-mail thread that will make everyone involved more annoyed the longer it gets. Same answer as #2: in person or by phone.
4. When you're sending a few people complicated instructions: They're going to have questions. E-mail is a cumbersome way to ask and answer them. Go visit them, or phone them, instead.
5. When you are asking for comments on a long document (probably attached to your proposed -
23 Aug 07
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20 Aug 07
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05 Mar 07
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When NOT To Use E-Mail
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25 Feb 07
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20 Feb 07
Wytze KoopalHere are ten situations when you should not use e-mail, even though you may be tempted to do so
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09 Feb 07
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08 Feb 07
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