Life Of E's

Dave Crenshaw, author of The Myth of Multitasking and a recent guest on a teleseminar (feel free to access the recording and handouts by clicking here to sign up - and there’s no cost, whatsoever), has a twice-monthly e-newsletter called “The Quench.”   A couple of weeks ago he included the following Q & A (which I’m including here with Dave’s permission):

Question: 

I really liked your last article about email etiquette! We’re going to makes some changes around here! Here’s my question: when should you email, when should you phone and when should you text? Is there a difference?  -Office Manager

Answer: 

I try to follow these rules of thumb:

Use text for relaying a one-way piece of information, such as a telephone number or telling someone “I’m on my way!” Do not try to converse via text, which is a switchtasking, productivity-killing disaster.

Use email when the conversation is brief (two to three exchanges), when the information isn’t charged with emotion, or when keeping a searchable, written record is important. Avoid email for time-sensitive requests, since you cannot predict accurately when someone will check their email.

Use the phone or meet in person for conversations that might carry emotion, may require a detailed exchange, or is fairly urgent. As The Myth of Multitasking recommends, establish a recurring meeting schedule either in person or via phone for those co-workers who need regular attention.

-Dave Crenshaw

Be sure to check out Dave’s website for lots of tools & tips.

• 

Tags: communication, Dave Crenshaw, email etiquette, information exchange