Message : Read Loud and Clear

Message : read, loud and clear 

What is it?

It goes without saying that email is by far the most common written communication tool in our work today.

As a relatively young medium, email culture has needed time to evolve and today many of us can identify with a number of unwritten codes of practice.

Email exchange across cultures adds a whole new dimension to this means of communication and email ettiquette is not necessarily perceived the same way, from one culture to another. Depending on your corporate culture, your geographical culture and of course your personality type, the way we use email can radically differ from one individual to another.

Have you ever asked yourself:

Who do I address it to ?

Who do I copy in ?

What form of address is best ?

What should be included in the content ?

How formal should my message be ?

How direct or indirect should I be ?

When should I expect a reply ?

Can I impose a deadline ?

Did I really understand that ? etc….

Time is rarely on any of our sides today, yet with a little understanding of the culture of your correspondent(s) and some prior reflection, you can preserve and enhance your virtual working relationships.

You can learn accurately how to project the right image of your organisation, avoid misunderstandings or mistakes and above all, ensure that messages both received and sent are clearly understood.