Emailing is a brilliant technological advancement for the modern day business, however, I personally believe that a sole reliance on emails can be detrimental to your business and to your ability to connect and develop relationships with your clients and customers.
Emails are quick and easy, but you must agree… they eliminate the human element or emotions from the communication process. Many times I have seen and heard of stories where emails have been taken out of context. The words used or the way they were written were completely misunderstood. The message that you wrote quickly, simply because you lacked time, was received and interrupted as rude or lacked understanding.
I believe that there is a time and place for emails and there is a time and place for you to ‘Just pick up the telephone’.
Emails are great for sending standard information, such as a confirmation to a telephone call, confirming that the property has been rented or a tenant has given notice for example. Emails are also a great way to communicate with clients and customers who are time poor and extremely busy and don’t have the time for trivial telephone calls. However, emails should not be used (where possible) if you have a dissatisfied or upset client or customer. They should also not be used solely when trying to win or secure new business.
I think that we can sometimes (unintentionally) hide behind our emails to avoid the personal contact. Ten emails back and forward could have been resolved quickly with one telephone call.
When receiving your day-to-day emails always be mindful that you can ‘Just pick up the telephone’.
Source Debbie Palmer
