Better email

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Better email
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Background

• Email is a problem but not a technology problem
• Opportunity for UVic to do it respectfully
• Better not Best
• Not policy, just suggestions
• Balance value with intrusion

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Writing email
Keep it absurdly brief
One email per topic
Simplify Specify
Include subject line
Include alternate contact info
Summarize threads
Stick to the facts
Put yourself in recipients shoes
Play nice
I would have written a shorter email but I
didnt have time
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Using email
Email is less urgent
Separate account for personal mail
Frugal, not Frivolous
Use distribution lists sparingly
Use email sparingly
Blind copies are sneaky
Dont auto respond
Eliminate the middleperson
I get 200 emails a day I respond to 20 emails
a day.
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Managing email
Schedule email times
Set expectations
Plan first Proceed later
Only respond if you must
Work sequentially
Make out-of-office useful
Insanely simple filing system
Delete, Do, Delegate, Defer, Document
If I dont send mail, I dont get mail
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Next steps

• Web site
• UVic.ca
• uSource
• Ring