TOBY SHAPSHAK: Do’s and don’ts for e-mail usage
These rules for what is the default means of business communication will make it better for everyone
How often have you found yourself frustrated by how hard it is to track down a particular e-mail? Part of the problem is that most people are unaware of how useful the subject field is — when you search for an e-mail, the result is always the subject line. Too many people send me e-mails titled “Stuff magazine”, which is fairly useless when you’re searching for something specific. The careful labelling of e-mail subjects should be taught in schools. I remember being taught in high school how to write a formal letter back when letter-writing was still a big deal — and was taught the difference between “yours sincerely” (if you knew the recipient’s name) and “yours faithfully ” (if you didn’t). E-mail etiquette is certainly not as formal but there are useful conventions to bear in mind. I’m sure readers of this magazine already know these things, but in case you know someone who doesn’t, these are the rules. I am still amazed at how many people don’t know ALL CAPITALS signifies SHOUTI...
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