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E-mail Blunders Cost Approx. $450,000 a Year
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Joan Burge
Joan Burge writes books, lectures, and personally consults administrative professionals and the companies they support and is considered one of North America’s foremost administrative experts. She has worked in the administrative business arena for more than 30 years, with administrators in hundreds of companies such as AT&T, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, Boeing, Motorola, ConAgra Foods, Kraft, McDonald’s, Allstate, Mayo Clinics, Universities, U.S. Government intuitions, and more. She wrote the praised book Become an Inner Circle Assistant and is the creator and host of the Annual Forum for Administrative Professionals.
Joan recently released her latest book for admins, Underneath It All.
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October 20, 2009
Are you in shock? I certainly was when I read my Training magazine September issue. It says, “A company with 100 employees can expect to lose approximately $450,000 a year, or more, because of e-mail blunders, inefficiencies, and misunderstandings, according to The Top 10 E-mail Blunders That Cost Companies Money, a free special report from Creative Communications & Training." (Maybe you want to get a copy.)
I’m sure you can relate to many of the ones they sited. I have included several of these in my workshops for admins on e-mail etiquette and protocol.
• Inaccurate or vague subject line.
• No specific action step.
• Incomplete information.
• Too much information.
• Harsh or demanding tone.
• Breaking privacy guidelines and crossing ethical boundaries.
• Conveying sensitive or confidential information.
• Errors and inaccuracies.
• Excessive volume. (Meaning unnecessary FYIs and CCs, etc.)
Normally, these are not intentional. A big problem is that we are in too much of a hurry and we don’t take time to think before we type and send e-mails. We work in a fast-paced world but that doesn’t mean we have to contribute to this massive loss of income for our organizations.
The good news is that you and I can do something about this. I would like to challenge all of you to be cognizant of the e-mails you send the next few weeks. It really only takes 30 seconds of your time per e-mail and you can save a great deal of time in the long run (and sometimes embarrassment). We also save other people time and get more of our needs met.
What are some tips you have for the readers of this blog regarding e-mail habits?
JalynnU
about 1 month ago
2 comments
That was ridiculous and quite good that timely, I had stopped my high speed internet for I was currently, cutting off my expenditures on things that I may not really need. I was a god decision then because I want to put a little more money in my pocket and sooner get debt off my back. Even clipping coupons and saving money at grocery stores isn't a bad idea either, and switching to generic brands isn't a bad idea either. Saving a little extra money for debt relief will pay off on the long run.
jforbes
about 1 month ago
18 comments
$450,000 a year? Sweet jesus!