Familiarity in email correspondence

 

Extended business correspondence or interaction might become

friendlier and less formal over time. These business friendships lend

themselves to bits of personal information being exchanged. Such relationships

and the knowledge they bring can be very useful in building

rapport, trust, and better business success. Netiquette certainly includes

asking and conveying niceties, some more specific than others. Emails

conveying a good balance are preferable and typically more effective.

There are inherent pitfalls in writing about personal topics. One of

the most obvious of these is depicting personal information not known

to other recipients, some of whom may be total strangers. Another

drawback is that any third party might be uncomfortable, or deem unprofessional,

having anything but business tone and content. Yet one

further drawback to conveyance of personal information is “too much

information,” where the personal content overshadows the business at

hand.

Care should be taken to minimize personal small talk when topics

are in an emergency or crisis mode as well, for such chitchat may be

viewed as deflecting or minimizing the real purpose of the communication.

The same holds true for topics such as financial negotiations,

and legal, medical, or job emails. Once more serious conditions are

removed or settled, it is far more appropriate to continue with a better-balanced

tone and content. Essentially, the more serious or complex

the central issue, the less time and attention should be given to personal

or peripheral information.

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Watch for the forthcoming book by Paul Babicki "NetiquetteIQ, A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". There will also be a product to test one's Netiquette "IQ". The website is at www.netiquetteiq.com. Register for coupons of the IQ test and the book.

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