Have you ever received a call from someone asking you if you received their email yet? You frantically check your inbox thinking one must have passed you by ... only to realize they have sent it in the last 5 minutes?
One thing to ask yourself ... What are your communication protocols? Do the people you work the most with know what to expect? If they don't they might get crazy and think you should be (1) on email all day, and (2) prioritize their emails all the time.
Some questions to ask yourself:
> What should people expect from me in terms of response times? What is fair? Clients? Colleagues?
> What is the best way for people to reach me when something really is urgent? Do they know this?
> How does the way I process emails help me reach my daily, weekly, and longer term goals? Can I reengineer my process to make it more effective and efficient?
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2 comments:
Never had that issue happen. What happens all too frequently is no response to emails. People need to realize that email is or is soon to become primary business communication. It would seem to me a protocol of 24 hours response time should be generally accepted. Note I stated "response", not necessary resolution. A response stating acknowledgement of email, busy with other priorities, will get to back you by xxx is very valuable. It keeps the communication process going. No response is just unacceptable, and unfortunately, too many people think it is ok. Think about it - if someone came to you face-to-face, and asked a question, would you remain silent?
I like your point using the face-to-face example. Two related challenges:
1.) Email is difficult to filter entirely, so there will always be some people contacting you who might not otherwise have a chance to meet you "face to face." Maybe you are assuming those types are eliminated.
2.) 24 hours seems like a good response time but for some that may be too late (or too early). That is why it may be best to create expected protocals with the most important people you will be commnicating with via email. You cannot hold someone accountable for something that has not been defined.
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