Write It Well

Tools for Success’ podcast interview with Natasha Terk is available now.  Listen to Natasha talk about e-mail and strategies to use it effectively in business communications.  Natasha covers the following topics in the 15-minute interview with Ken Inlow:

• How to craft clear and concise e-mail messages
• How to get your message across the clutter 
• How to get people to open your message
• How to present a consistent professional image
• How to avoid e-mail risks

Jargon and acronyms can really confuse your readers.  This article, on Hewlett Packard’s site, attempts to decode some of the more commonly used jargon and acronyms in the IT world.  I’m happy to have learned, for example, that a “Petalflop” is not a droopy flower and that a “Kernel” is not a piece of corn! 

Here’s our advice…if you think your reader might be confused by the words you choose, then just choose others!  Impress your readers by how clearly you can communicate, not by the buzz-words you use.

FedEx, the leading provider of overnight shipping, included Write It Well’s book, E-Mail: A Write It Well Guide, as part of it’s sales training program, SalesTrac.  More information about using the book as part of your sales training can be found on our site or by contacting us.

Support local businesses! 

U.S. Cellular has taken an interesting approach to solving the email challenge.

There is no doubt that e-mail has enhanced communication but it has also created barriers to effective communication.  U.S. Cellular decided to turn it off one day each week. Results were mixed but at least one person’s work-around resulted in truly enhanced communcation.  Read more and tell us what you think.

Last week, Geoff Nunberg was on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with a piece about texting.  He offers an optimistic view that the text messaging language will stay within the texting world.  Our view at Write It Well is not so optimistic. We’ve seen the erosion of the English language and are here to offer tools for those folks who might have strayed.

We are not the only company that is talking about the need to write better e-mail.  Check out, on Brian Kondradt’ site, Lousy Writer.  He has a terrific article about all the reasons that you should take the time make e-mail work for you. 

Our new shopping cart offers free shipping on all book purchases!

If SPAM refers to all the unwanted e-mail that you receive, your colleagues are likely sending more of it than anyone else.  And, since their e-mails can get through the servers, you’re seeing more of it in your inbox. Ask your colleagues to answer these questions before sending e-mail or “replying to all.”  This will reduce the amount of unnecessary e-mail they send you. 

1.  Do you have answers to quesitons they are asking?

2. Have you asked for the information?

3.  Do you need to know that they want to need something done?

4.  Will you make a decision or take action based on the information they are sending?

A client came to us with a story that we hear all the time now.  Their sales teams and consultants will be on the road more and e-mail HAS to work better.  In our E-Mail Effectiveness workshop tomorrow, we’ll focus on these things:

• Establish e-mail guidelines.  Make sure that everyone is on the same page about how to use e-mail to communicate.
• Focus on reducing volume so that the important messages get the attention they deserve.  Avoid “reply all” at all costs. 
• Don’t forget about the phone.  E-mail is not always the best tool for the job. 
• Maintain a professional image.  Write clear, concise, grammatically correct e-mails all the time.  You never know where your e-mail might end up.