How To Practice Good Phone and E-mail Etiquette At Work
- March 13, 2008
- 9,841 Views
Writer
BScott
Voice Over Artist
Marci Fine
Music
Edison Music Corp
How can we put this in a way you’ll understand? Sending LOLs to your BFFs on company time is not KEWL.
You Will Need
- A job
- An email account
- A phone with voice mail
- Some common sense
Step 1: Remember you're at work
First and foremost, remember you’re at work. Now is not the time to call or email your long lost frat brothers, ex-girlfriends, or bookie.
Step 2: Don't use speakerphone
Don’;t use your speakerphone unless it’s completely necessary. Otherwise, it’s just obnoxious.
Remember: background noise can be heard when you’re on a conference call from home—and that includes toast popping, kettles whistling, and toilets flushing.
Step 3: Keep voice mail short
When leaving a voice mail, keep it short—you are not auditioning for Hamlet. Just provide the essentials: your name, your number, and a BRIEF reason for calling.
Have your message ready before you call. Nothing is more annoying than listening to someone stammer while they try to formulate a coherent thought. And remember to enunciate so the person doesn’t have to replay your message 25 times.
Step 4: Include simple subject line
Always include a simple, straightforward description in your email subject line so its recipient can quickly assess if it’s important, and easily relocate it later.
Step 5: Be careful with email
Remember that an email doesn’t convey a context the way your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice would. What you write in a playful way may come across as harsh or insulting to your reader.
Always spell-check your email before hitting ‘send’; It’s easy, and may just save you a lot of embarrassment.
Step 6: Include explanation when forwarding
Forwarding an email to a co-worker? Always include a brief explanation so they’re not left to ponder what you may want from them. If you’re totally swamped, at least include “FYI”
Eighty-two percent of what you communicate on the phone is non-verbal—in other words, what you say is far less important than how you say it.
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Comments (4)
This is a great video. I use it in week one of my Business Communications classes. I just wish that phone and email could be broken up into two separate, expanded videos!
over 3 years ago by elmo9
very good. I'm Chinese. I like your American Style. my msn(skype): maanjoy@hotmail.com
over 3 years ago by maanjoy
Who the hell is Frank???!!!
over 3 years ago by jessiebarre
";I want your ass dumplings.";
Wow what a typo &;lt;.&;lt; I think it means I want your poo.
over 2 years ago by Concardne
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