“Research has found that the average U.S. employee spends about a quarter of his or her time at work combing through the hundreds of emails each employee sends and receives each day” (Smith & Giang, 2014). As such a large part of the average professionals work life takes place over email, it is clearly a very important aspect of professional communication. As technology’s role in the workspace continues to expand, the importance of email as a professional communication tool can only increase. Emails, however, can often unintentionally or even unconsciously fall into the realm of casual communication for many business professionals. Rather than allow this important type of workplace interaction to go unconsidered, it is important give sufficient
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In general, some people may be more receptive to email communication than others. Members of certain cultures, generations, or organization may prefer face-to-face or phone communication. This is not to say emails to certain individuals should be ruled out entirely, it simply means it should be used sparingly with certain receivers or the messages will not receive the necessary attention. It is also important to consider organizational culture for internal email. Within some organizations it is appropriate for an employee to email a manager in order to request time off, in other organizations this requires a face-to-face conversation. Also, different receivers require different message formulation. “Miscommunication can easily occur because of cultural differences, especially in the writing form when we can 't see one another 's body language. Tailor your message depending on the receiver 's cultural background or how well you know them” (Smith & Giang, 2014). For example, it is important to note the different communication styles of high-context and low-context cultures and evaluate both prospective sent and receives messages accordingly. As the United States is a low-context culture, many American professionals value direct and efficient emails that get right to the point. “However, a high-context culture, instead of seeing email as a quick form of communication, values detail and respects the value of relationships when conducting business” (Sanchez & Bullock,
In general, some people may be more receptive to email communication than others. Members of certain cultures, generations, or organization may prefer face-to-face or phone communication. This is not to say emails to certain individuals should be ruled out entirely, it simply means it should be used sparingly with certain receivers or the messages will not receive the necessary attention. It is also important to consider organizational culture for internal email. Within some organizations it is appropriate for an employee to email a manager in order to request time off, in other organizations this requires a face-to-face conversation. Also, different receivers require different message formulation. “Miscommunication can easily occur because of cultural differences, especially in the writing form when we can 't see one another 's body language. Tailor your message depending on the receiver 's cultural background or how well you know them” (Smith & Giang, 2014). For example, it is important to note the different communication styles of high-context and low-context cultures and evaluate both prospective sent and receives messages accordingly. As the United States is a low-context culture, many American professionals value direct and efficient emails that get right to the point. “However, a high-context culture, instead of seeing email as a quick form of communication, values detail and respects the value of relationships when conducting business” (Sanchez & Bullock,