Business e-mail etiquette?

Question

This is kind of a rant and a question. Whenever I send a business e-mail or document that HAS to get through to the recipient, I always expect a quick reply as simple as, "received, thank you". I hardly ever get a reply even though I usually put "Please confirm receipt of this e-mail" at the bottom or something like that.

I've worked in a very busy office before with a very hard job that required a lot of multitasking and have never left anyone hanging like that.

Does anyone know if it is general practice today to just assume your e-mail went through?

It seems absurd to just assume anything, since we all know technolology often fails us.

I also had similar problems with sending and receiving faxes.

Another quick note: I also found that communication problems cost my company a LOT of money in one way or another. I was thinking that a quick half-hour course on business communication etiquette would be a really good idea for any/every company.

END OF RANT LOL!

Answer 1

I am just the opposite. I hate when people send useless replies like "thanks". They just clutter my in box.

I rely on the fact that our mail system will send me a notice is my email is not deliverable. If I send one to a person who does not bother to open it and I need a reply, I resend it with SECOND NOTICE on the top and cc his boss.

I am too busy to play games.


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Answer 2

While I agree agree with the sentments outlined in your "question" , a strict adherence to business etiquette does not require the recipent to send a thank you or acknowledgment .

IT professionals, particulary those involved with large systems, discourage thank yous as this increases the load on the system particularly as most people do not delete the original message and only add their thank you. This can put a lot of strain on an already overloaded system and in the long run costs money.

I agree with you that if you specifically ask for an acknowledgment then one should be provided but this should only be reserved for important Emails. If this is a major issue in your company then discussion should be held with IT to see if a "Read Receipt" could be added to your system . This sends you a notice on your email when a recipent opens your Email.

Faxes are a little different as you should get a receipt when you send the message.

Answer 3

provide the guy a minimum of a week to reply, then stick to up and act as notwithstanding they received't have received your previous e-mail and that you're keen to artwork round their schedule.