Don't Reply All: 18 Email Tactics That Help You Write Better Emails and Improve Communication with Your Team
E**.
Short & Sweet
This book was very easy to read, and offered a number of highly practical and easily implemented suggestions for making emails punchier, more likely to be read, and more effective overall. I have implemented a few of the tactics this week and do feel that my communication has improved.The author specifically stated that he reads all reviews so he can improve the book going forward, so I will offer my own suggestion (kind of a pet peeve, but here I'm phrasing it positively): when writing an email that refers the reader to an external shared file such as a G-sheet, *PROVIDE THE LINK* to the shared file right there in your email, no matter how many times you have provided the same link before. As a busy manager, it drives me nuts when folks ask me to update a spreadsheet that is "somewhere out there" and expects me to go find it. Even if I know the exact spreadsheet they are referring to, it is still fewer clicks for me if they provide a link rather than making me navigate to the file myself.Thanks again to the author for a great little book, and I have just purchased the companion volume on managing virtual teams because I'm eager to get his insights on this aspect of my work.
M**E
Right to the point
This was a great read. The author got down to business right from the start and gave great advice until the end. The tips in this book have changed my approach to my use of email.
M**Z
Finally a person who agrees with 3 Ws!!!
Any one who uses email SHOULD read this book. It will make you a better communicator, give you the skills to write a concise well constructed email and your recipients will appreciate it. Even if they don’t realize you have “upped your email game”.Thank you Mr. Osman! This is a fabulous book! As you stated some of these tips are in my tool box and some are new! I plan on using MANY. My favorites: 3 Ws, Bullets and Delayed Delivery.Additionally, the free PDF files are a fabulous offer. I don’t need create a presentation, I can use yours. I will be sure to credit you, often!Thank You,A “Don’t Reply All” Fan
T**E
Functional Email Technique
This book is eye-opening in how to approach emails when in the working world when you never got the memo of how to do 'corporate'. It is especially helpful in understanding how to approach editing your emails, as opposed to telling you what to write, like most other texts do.The bonus material provided is also a welcomed upgrade tool that I hope my colleagues and I can use it to increase the potential for better productivity.
C**C
Quick and easy read
I hate reading, so I tend to buy a book with the intention of reading and then never read it. This book was a very easy read. The formatting was perfect. The author provided the information in a relatable manner and made it feel more like a friend giving you helpful tips. I utilize most topics, however this book gave me guidance of how to improve my methods. Also, I like how the author explains the "why" of doing it that way.I enjoyed it so much that I am about to purchase his other book. Btw, I am an actual customer. I have no reason to write anything other than an honest review (I always wonder when I read reviews).
A**R
Three Stars
Good reminders
F**U
Like stated at the beginning
Like stated at the beginning, most of those tips are common sense. That is true, if you have at least of couple of years of experience working in a corporate environment where the communication heavily rely on emails you may have noticed that some of those tips are becoming part of the culture.However, having a definite guide including all those tactics in one book just make it easier to identify problems and to implement solutions.The book is short and goes to the point. In this day and age, this is a definite quality.
R**A
A book with no-nonsense tactics that will help you improve your email communication skills
Despite the huge advances in communications and the little improvement in email systems, email is here to stay. And it makes sense, because email remains one of the most effective and frictionless form of communications. Reading, writing, and answering emails consumes a significant amount of everybody's time.According to a 2012 McKinsey study cited by Osman, the average US worker spends 28% of his/her workweek reading and responding to email. Most people recognize that they should do something about how they deal with mail, the actual number of people taking some real action is small. This book is not about managing your inbox --no "inbox zero" pretentions here--, but about down-to-earth tactics to help you and your team become better and more effective communicators. The value of the book is not in its novelty --"There’s nothing earth-shattering about the contents of this book. In fact, many of my tips are common sense that you’ve probably read somewhere before"-- but in that it offers proven best practices that you can adopt immediately, and that you can share with your team.The tactics can be divided in two groups, tactics 1 to 5 being the most important and effective ones. "If you take away a handful of lessons from this entire book, they should be those five tactics. They are your 80/ 20—the 20% of actions that will produce 80% of your results." These 5 tactics are about how to write meaninful subject lines, keeping the content of your emails short and to the point, and assigning tasks using the "3W"s: – The Who. Use the name of a single person of the name of the persons, don't adress people using "all", "team", etc. – The What. Don't be ambiguous and avoid making assumptions.– The When. The exact time and date a task needs to be completed by. Always use a deadline, even if it's fake.The remaining 13 tactics in the book cover other no-nonsense advice like why you should steer away from asking open-ended questions in mails, how to use delayed delivery for sending emails when they are most likely to be read, and the maybe the most important one: do not hit reply-all when only the original sender needs to read your message.Hassan Osman has vast experience managing projects with large, geographically distributed teams. His previous book, Influencing Virtual Teams, offered no-nonsense tactics to help you managing your team. I think his new book Don't Reply All will benefit anybody whose work involves using email for communicating with coworkers and clients.(Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
J**R
A Must Read
Full of useful information to help reduce and improve your email etiquette. A must have reference guide for any office desk.
A**T
A good book about email communication
This book provides some important points that will help in improving the overall email communications in an organisation. The free download option of the PPT and one-pager is a perfect handy bonus.
K**N
Practical and useful. Good book
I like this book because it is a quick and easy read with practical tips and not a lot of "fluff". I recommend getting the kindle version so you can easily highlight passages you like and want to share with your teams. The author also has a downloadable PowerPoint presentation that is great for team discussions
S**N
Good read great tips
Several great tips on how to cut down on email clutter,but more importantly very handy guide on how to communicate in a clear and effective manner with less time taken
A**I
Quite a descent read
It was recommended by my manager. I liked that it's well-organized and to the point. Worth the time to read :-)
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