In the Office

Cc: and BCc: Reply Expectations

I get asked about this all the time — 4 times this week so far. What is expected of you when your name is either in the Cc: field or you are BCc:’d on an e-mail? Here are some considerations: Cc: notes you are being FYI’d. And only Cc: those who need to be in the know. You only need to respond if you have something to add or... [Read more...]

Who Should You To: or Cc: ?

When do you use the To: field or the Cc: field?  There really are no hard and fast rules. One of the words I use most here on this site is discretion — and when to use the To: field vs. the Cc: field is all about discretion and the circumstances at hand. As a general guideline, use the To: field if you want to address several contacts for the... [Read more...]

Business E-mail Replies: Take Time to Cool Off

Misunderstandings abound in e-mail. Many times simply due to one side not taking the time to ensure that their message and intent is clear, while the other side reads into the e-mail things that may not be there. In my experience, when it comes to business, there will be those who assume they can whip off an e-mail in the midst of their frustration... [Read more...]

Is Your Business Worth a Little “BEE”?

What is the big deal about integrating Business E-mail Etiquette into daily e-mail activities? It takes very little effort and once one goes through my site and at the very least my Business E-mail Etiquette 101 they then know what to do and consider and it’s simple to apply. Practicing “BEE”, just as most things in life, is a choice.... [Read more...]

Don’t Jump to Conclusions in Your Business E-mail

E-mail makes it so much easier to boldly accuse or jump to incorrect conclusions. I receive several e-mails every day containing comments or claims that I know the very same folks would not say to my face or that stem from them making an assumption that is not based on anything I actually did or said. Being behind these screens makes it so much easier... [Read more...]

Business E-mail Stationery Files Save You Time

How many times have you wondered how you can save time with your business e-mail communication? Every day, right? We never seem to have enough time to accomplish everything we need to. With each passing day it seems more e-mails land in our inbox that require our time to review and then properly respond to. This is where e-mail stationery and template... [Read more...]

E for E-mail Etiquette and Efficiency

The fact is that integrating solid e-mail etiquette skills in your day to day business e-mail activities will help to make you a more efficient communicator. Those who you e-mail regularly will appreciate these efforts as you will help to make doing business with you easier and them more efficient as well. I thought about this today as I was answering... [Read more...]

Refusing E-mail Return Receipts (RR)

Return Receipt or RR, is an e-mail program functionality that let’s the Sender of an e-mail know that an e-mail they have sent has been received and/or opened by the other side. Notice I didn’t say read… There is no way to prove that the recipient read a single word. Opened does not mean read. When would you use an RR? RRs should... [Read more...]

Please Do Change the Subject in Your Business E-mails

We all have had e-mail discussions that go back and forth — sometimes for many e-mails. We all have also experienced those who will then, by simply hitting Reply, begin to discuss unrelated issues. Or you’ve been part of these conversations where, and it does happen, you get to the point where you realize that you have veered off the original... [Read more...]

Business E-mail Etiquette: The One Thing That Matters

Hope everyone is gearing up for a busy and prosperous New Year! Regardless of the economy and all the crazy stuff going on, remember, your future is in your control to control. I’m a “glass half full” kind of gal — so when the going get’s tough — I look at that as a challenge — which is what the year ahead... [Read more...]

10 Business E-mail Etiquette New Year’s Resolutions

[Updated for 2010] Happy New Year! New attitude? New habits? The last year brought many changes, unfortunately, when it comes to proper technology use, many still do not take their business e-mail habits and activities as seriously as they should. Everyone can improve on their skills — if they are willing. Remember, perception is the only reality... [Read more...]

Why Your Business Needs an E-mail Policy

Why is it imperative to have a company E-Mail Policy? It is simply good business, that’s why! In addition, having a clear and detailed e-mail policy in place, one that employees sign and date before they are allowed access through your business’s’ computers, is critical to you being able to enforce or react to situations that may... [Read more...]

Example Business E-mail Policy

This example policy can be tailored to meet your company’s specific needs and requirements. It is highly recommend that each employee review and sign a copy of this document that then is added to their HR/Personnel file. When a new employee comes on board, included this form in your employment package with the other required forms they need... [Read more...]

“Attract More Bees with Honey” with E-mail Courtesies

This saying applies to e-mail as well. By putting in the extra effort and thought into being a pleasure to communicate with will get better results. For example, this past week I started most e-mails with “Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends…” before I went into my request. Courtesy isn’t only about... [Read more...]

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