I haven't posted here for a while, but I have been thinking of getting back at sharing again on communication bits that we come across on a daily basis...
Here are 2 recent "Communication Bits" that I came across during one week...
1)
I sent an email to an associate suggesting a possible co-op on a business event to take place on a certain date.
The person wrote back saying it was a great idea, but then said that he didn't know if he would be in town on that date.
That was his answer. So I followed-up with another suggested date for the following week.
I did not hear back from him.
2)
I sent an email inviting a business friend and his wife over for dinner, giving them the options for either Friday or Saturday of that same week. He replied that he had other commitments for both days... and ended the email with "Thanks though".
So as a communication "stickler" (I don't like to call myself an "expert") here is my advice:
For the 1st email:
1. The receiver of the email should have given an alternative date right away on that first response.
Obviously by not doing that, he has to know and realize that the originator of the email will have to follow-up with another question for an alternative date.
And, of course on top of that, the other element of this e-conversation is that the receiver did not even answer the follow-up email at all. That's just plain sloppy email etiquette.
For the 2nd email:
Again, the response from the receiver of the email left the e-conversation incomplete. He should have said, "I cannot come on either days, but I could make it next week (or whenever)".
Because, again, the original email writer would have wanted to offer another day, if the conversation had taken place in-person.
In both cases the key is to complete a conversation in one session... otherwise, the conversation will have to be re-initiated again, and always answer personal and business emails.
The Points to take in here:
1. Answer your emails.
2. Answer all your emails completely.
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