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  • 1.  Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-01-2020 07:00 PM
    Edited by Danielle Schroeder McCaskey 09-01-2020 07:16 PM
    Through perusing Instagram, I came across the following image titled "E-mail like a Boss" (Ref: DaniDonovan at https://www.instagram.com/p/BxyDCCbheLX/). Especially if you are working from home, email has become increasingly important as you can no longer stop by a co-worker's desk. 

    My favorite from the photo above is switching from "Just wanted to check in" to "When can I expect an update?" as this is more clear and direct of an email response. 

    What is your favorite from this list? Or what is your go-to email tip? 

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    Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE (She/her)
    Associate Engineer
    Pennoni Associates
    Philadelphia PA
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  • 2.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-04-2020 10:44 AM
    I've always been a fan of "thanks for your patience."

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    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Student
    Woodbury NJ
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  • 3.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-05-2020 08:36 AM
    "Let me know if you have any question" doesn't sound right to me. I'd prefer: "If you need me to clarify anything, please don't hesitate to ask".

    Another great tip to get necessary response is to give a deadline. For example: "Attached is the draft report I'm going to send to xxx by Wednesday COB, please let me know if you want me to add anything".

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    Tung Nguyen, PhD
    Water Resources Engineer
    Sacramento, CA
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  • 4.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-08-2020 12:00 PM
    I like the "I made a small error" box the best. 
    I've heard that people, maybe more so women, tend to apologize in professional settings when it wasn't necessary. Since reading that, I catch myself wanting to say things like "Sorry! The correct file is now attached" or "Apologies for the delay."

    Living in the gray area between the South and Midwest, it is common to throw in an "ope! sorry!" into verbal speech all the time, even when bumping into an inanimate object. It takes conscious effort for those patterns to not be reflected in written professional correspondence.

    It's a tough habit to break, but seeing these kinds of substitutions can help.

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    Heidi Wallace EI,P.E.,M.ASCE
    P.E.
    Tulsa OK
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  • 5.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-14-2020 02:35 PM
    You cannot really have enough Please and Thank Yous!  I like the chart, but I do disagree with prohibiting No Worries!  I have always thought of that phrase as intending to put the reader at ease... an improvement over No Problem.

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    Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
    Professional Engineer
    Greenville RI
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  • 6.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-15-2020 12:10 PM
    Fun chart! I agree with @Chad Morrison about "no worries" being acceptable. Especially if you work with anyone in the surf community or island culture - I serve on the Board of Directors for a surf industry non-profit and there are a lot of "no worries" in emails and texts - lol.
    ​

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    Jesse Kamm PhD, PMP, A.M.ASCE
    Senior Vice President of Construction Management
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 09-21-2020 06:42 PM
    I agree, I still use "No worries" in emails, especially when talking to our grad engineers as it does help ease the situation and remind them that we do expect them to make mistakes from time to time!

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    Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE (She/her)
    Associate Engineer
    Pennoni Associates
    Philadelphia PA
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Email Communication Tips?

    Posted 11-08-2020 05:44 PM
    • Q. After you send an e-mail regarding anything about work:
           a. How long do you (sender) wait to receive a "Got it!" from the intended receipient?
           b. As the receipent, how long do you wait to send a "Got it!" to the sender?

    And if I may,
    please consider the same two questions (a., b,) above when what you send is a fax.

    Stay Healthy!
    Cheers,
    Bill
    p.s. Fight the "Assume" virus!

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    William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
    Buffalo, N.Y.

    "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
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    Original Message


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