Also, when you conduct business within hearing distance of other people someone may overhear information not meant for their ears. One of the problems with e-mail is that it can cause an important message to seem informal and unimportant. If your e-mail is a reply, even though the subject line will provide a general reference, include enough information to ensure the recipient can quickly identify the reply. It is not always necessary to include the entire original message in your answer. Do not be upset if you do not receive an answer immediately.
People have other responsibilities besides reading e-mail.
If you require an immediate response, it may be best to simply pick up the telephone and call the person. A very big temptation when speaking to a machine or dashing out a message on your computer keyboard because you are not face to face with the other person. A knee-jerk message could cause a great offense. You may wish you had not left the angry words on someone's voice mail or so quickly sent that sarcastic e-mail message. Gregory P. Smith shows businesses how to build productive and profitable work environments that attract, keep and motivate their workforce.