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Paul Franson, Clinical IT Development Manager, Medtronic
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Jay Primack, Managing Partner, Moriarty & Primack P.C.
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Janet Warren, President, MarCom Capital
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Dr. Alan G. Robinson, Isenberg School of Management, Author - "Ideas Are Free"
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“On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann did a tremendous job in identifying the cost drivers, producibility issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization, all of which were impeding the success of our project.”
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The Boeing Company
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Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
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S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS Systems Corporation
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W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, VCI (Video Communications, Inc.)
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“’Wow’ sums it up nicely. The way Ann works is impressive: she has a great handle on people, makes everyone want to work together, ensures meetings are focused and valuable, and simplifies the challenges and options so all can reach shared conclusions.”
John Heaps, President, Florence Savings Bank
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Bob Fazzi, President & CEO, Fazzi Associates
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Michael Niedenfuehr, Financial Planner, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
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Jane Lansing, VP Marketing, Emerson Process Management
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Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Public Affairs, Smith College
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Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation
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Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School
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Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
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Aimee Griffin Munnings, Esq., Director, Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship
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Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY - Public Television for Western New England
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Joan Schuman, Executive Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
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Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies
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Every organization would benefit from the material found in Ann’s audio seminar, “Meeting Mastery.”
Chuck Hatch, General Manager, Packaging Corporation of America
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Email: The Beautiful and the Beastly
Email is amazing, essential and wonderful. Unfortunately, it can waste as much time as it saves. These simple tips will save you tremendous time as well as that of others.
Do not send email when:
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You are upset
Don't even write it while upset. You'll just waste a lot of time. I recommend a walk or other form of exercise instead. If you do write email while upset, wait 24 hours and then read it carefully before sending.
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The message will be long, complicated, or filled with options
A long, complicated, option-packed email will likely just cause confusion. A phone call first to provide explanation, determine interest and understanding, and narrow the focus will likely save you significant time in writing the original message, not to mention the many subsequent go-arounds you would likely trigger.
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Time is of the essence
Email can be incredibly fast but can leave you in a pickle if the other person isn’t sitting at their desk ready to respond. Not only are you stuck waiting, but sometimes the non-response forces you to change plans entirely, often with awkward ramifications when the response finally comes way too late. If you need a quick response, call first.
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The subject matter is delicate and personal
Email can be easily misunderstood, re-read far too many times, and forwarded to others. Face-to-face, or even phone conversations, are less likely to cause misunderstandings, can not be replayed, and don't leave the room perfectly preserved.
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You need something from the recipient but aren't exactly sure what
If you have a specific need and can communicate that need clearly, email may be the best choice. But if you are not sure what you need, call first to sort out the possibilities. This will save both of you a lot of time and effort.
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The recipient prefers phone calls
When dealing with customers in particular, respect their preferred mode of communication. If they email readily, by all means use email (unless one of the above applies). But if they seem to prefer the phone, use the phone.
Assuming the above do not apply, send email when:
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You believe communication can be completed in one round trip
In other words, you expect to send one message and receive one response. As a matter of fact, if you write your messages with this in mind, you will write a better message.
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The message includes exacting or critical detail
When precision is important, email allows you to be lay out the detail or pick and choose your words carefully. It allows two parties to see and discuss the exact same thing. Subsequent discussions, however, are probably most effective by phone or in person.
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You need to keep others informed or provide written copy of something
There is no simpler or faster way to keep people informed than by email. The danger lies in overkill. It is safe and easy to copy everyone "just in case" but the wasted effort compounds just as easily and can leave too many people reading, sorting, filing and replying with no clear purpose.
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You have something you know another person needs, perhaps right away or in electronic format
Ah, this is the perfect use for amazing and wonderful email!
© 2008 Ann Latham. All Rights Reserved.