Commmunication Articles

1). Email Grammar Guide By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Just because email messages are sent quickly doesn’t mean they can be composed in a hurry. Sorry! You were hoping I’d say little pesky things like grammar aren’t important. But, they are. Here are a few grammar pointers to get you started on the right track for sending proper email messages. This isn’t an exhaustive list. Entire text books are devoted to grammar.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

2). Email Miscommunication is Too Easy! By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
We misinterpret, filter, or change 70% to 90% of what we hear. Communicating messages clearly, and in a format that the receiver will understand, is difficult. It’s easy to miscommunicate. By watching which words you choose, your message will be more clearly communicated. Cause Why does all this confusion occur? One of the many reasons is that people suffer from information overload.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

3). Email Punctuation Matters By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
It’s important to convey a professional impression when you send email messages. This includes using proper punctuation. With email, there’s a temptation to just dash off a message without regard to any of the rules of proper language. But, remember – you may have never met the person you’re emailing. In that case, the recipient of your message is forming judgments about you based solely on your email.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

4). The Cost of Miscommunication By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Using jargon, technical terms, abbreviations, and specialized vocabulary in email messages is filled with peril. This language can lead to miscommunication. And, this misinterpretation of terminology can be expensive in many ways. 1. It can affect your professional relationships. 2. It can make you, or your company, liable. Relationships Miscommunication can jeopardize business relationships.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

5). Fun Email Quiz By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Are you creating a positive, professional impression when you email your co-workers and customers? Or, is Miss Manners shrieking in horror every time you hit the send button? Are you being efficient and effective when you send messages, or are you wasting time? To find out, take this fun quiz. 1. The tone of a professional email message should be: a.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

6). Remember to Sign Your Email By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
When you finish typing an email message, don’t forget to sign it. In email language, that doesn’t mean simply typing your name. The “signature block” contains a great deal more information. An email is a blank screen. It contains none of the contact information found on traditional company letterhead or stationery. So, you need to provide this information in the form of a signature block.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

7). Email Punctuation Pointers By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
When sending email messages, it’s easy to get in a hurry. But, remember there’s a huge difference between dashing off a note to a friend and sending a message to a customer or colleague. When sending email in a professional environment, the message should be professional. And, that includes using proper punctuation. (Phooey! You were hoping I’d say you could break all the rules, weren’t you?) There is one area of email that gets a little foggy.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

8). Miscommunication & Trust By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
The customer’s first impression of your company may be determined by you – or your email message. The way you communicate will reflect how others perceive you. Keep and maintain a trusting relationship with your customers by being aware of the type of jargon and technical language you use when communicating. Your may have internal customers, external customers, or both.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

9). Email Spelling Tips & Proofreading By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
As a professional business person, how do you want to be perceived? Even something as seemingly insignificant as spelling can determine whether others believe you’re competent or sloppy. Take a moment, and think about that. Ask yourself, “Are my customers likely to want my services if I can’t be bothered with the details of spelling a word correctly?” The answer is no.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

10). Email Grammar Tips By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
You may think there is no connection or relevance between constructing email messages with grammatically correct sentences and conducting the functions of a competent businessperson. However, your clients may disagree. In order for customers to buy your products or use your services, they must have confidence in your abilities. Using proper grammar is important to make a positive impression.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

11). Email Spelling Quiz By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
How good are your spelling skills? Please don’t say, “It doesn’t matter. I have spell checker!” Remember, the spell check function will only catch misspelled words. It won’t verify you’ve used the correct word. If you haven’t experienced an embarrassing situation where spell checker missed a mistake, I’m sure you have a friend who has. Spell checker is a great tool.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

12). Did My Email Message Get There? By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Email systems are notorious for sending messages to “la la land,” never to be heard from again. And, email viruses are continually running rampant and wreaking havoc. So, if you’re worried that your message didn’t arrive, you have a valid concern. How can you verify that someone received your message without using the return receipt function and running.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

13). Email Grammar Quiz By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
How good is your grammar? When writing email messages, proper grammar is important. By being aware of common mistakes, you can avoid them. In other words, you don’t need to know all the rules. (What a relief!) But, . . . (You knew that was coming, didn’t you?) you need to know what you don’t know. If you are unsure if something is correct, look it up.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

14). Don't Leave Your Email Naked By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
No matter how high tech the world becomes, there are still many old-fashioned problems regarding communication. With email, you face the same challenge as you do with regular mail -- convincing the recipient to open the message (or envelope). Many email recipients delete messages without ever opening them. How do you avoid ending up in the electronic equivalent of “File Thirteen”? The answer is: by using a good subject line.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

15). Achieve the Appropriate Tone in Email By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Are your email messages too casual? Or, are they too formal? Are you using the appropriate tone? Email messages are different from typed letters. You can’t be “too” formal in a letter. In an email, too formal looks silly. What’s the appropriate tone for an email? -- slightly more casual than a letter. Yet, there’s a fine line between being too relaxed and too stiff.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

16). Jargon Awareness in Email Messages By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
You may not realize it, but you use a specialized vocabulary every day. In the professional setting of the work place, this specialized vocabulary is referred to as “jargon.” Jargon is the language you use to discuss issues within your corporation (e.g., XYZ Widget Company), within your industry (e.g., insurance), or within your type of position (e.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

17). Punctuate Your Point! By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Does punctuation matter in an email message? Yes! Why is following the rules of punctuation so important? To answer that question, ask yourself another question – are your customers or colleagues going to be comfortable with your work when you can’t even punctuate a sentence properly? By using proper punctuation, you can demonstrate that you are professional and competent.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

18). Subject Lines: What You Shouldn't Do By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
The biggest challenge with email is getting people to actually open the message! Many people delete messages without ever opening them. So, how do you avoid ending up in the electronic equivalent of “File Thirteen”? The answer is: by using a good choice of wording in the subject line. The subject line is the field that appears on your screen somewhere below the “To” field when you are creating a new message.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service

19). Challenges to Email Subject Line Use By : Kelly J. Watkins, MBA
Creativity, style, formatting and length of subject lines are all important points to take into consideration before you send an email. Be Creative Using a subject line that’s specific is most appropriate when corresponding with people who know you or with people who are expecting your message. How do you get the attention of someone who doesn’t know you or who isn’t expecting anything from you? The answer is – be creative.
Article Related to: email, commmunication, business, marketing, customer service