-
Learning the art of lean emails
In Martial Arts, we learn that a strike should be short and to the point. It must use a minimum of energy for a maximum of effect. The principle is applicable to email writing, the shorter it is the more impact it generates. A good email thread is pleasant to read because the ideas are clear in a very short amount of words. A good way to reach that goal is to review your…
-
The Martial Art of Emailing: 2 = 1+1
2 = 1+1 : One point per email – do’s and don’ts A principle that you must apply in your email habits is to address one topic per email. It will help you and your recipient better organize what needs to be done and what is done. If the email needs to refer to several…
-
10 Best practices for better business communication
It is Friday evening, everyone is already enjoying the week-end. In the middle of an empty parking lot, B. sits in his car, sending a last email with his blackberry like he did not reach his weekly quota. But, the multiplicity of emails is not a sufficient condition to good communication inside a project. Most…
-
The Martial Art of emailing – Breathe in before shooting
Oh no ! These words echo in your head as you let go the arrow and did not aim enough at the target. Now, nothing except the wind can influence its path and you see eventually go into the woods behind your target. What happened ? once again, you released the string too soon and…
-
The Martial Art of emailing – Nothing is needed (nanni mo iranu)
Kyudo is an old Japanese martial art which is still actively practiced around the world. It is called by its practitioners “the way of the bow” Awa, a Kyudo master, said the following: “As for the stance, the positioning of the body, the positioning of the bow, the grip on the bow, the grip on…
-
The Martial Art of emailing: The spider that twists your mind
A young disciple went to his master – Master, I have difficulties meditating lately. – What kind of difficulties do you mean young man ? – Every time I start my meditation, a spider comes from the roof and hangs in front of my face. Then it goes away and comes back again, it disturbs…
-
The Martial Art of emailing: The Junkshitiro
Let’s observe for a moment a Tai chi master practicing his art. He focuses his mind solely on the movements of the form which help him reaching a state of mental calm and clarity. His moves are slow or fast but none of them are superfluous in the execution of the series of forms. All…
-
The Martial Art of emailing: “out of office” message
With the beginning of the holidays, many of you are going to leave the office for a deserved holiday. It’s time to review some principles concerning the “out of office” message. Note that those remarks may also be applied when you leave the office for a long business trip. Here is a check list of…
-
The Martial Art of emailing: Avoid flame wars
Have you ever experienced the taste of a flame war email? Those emails containing heated arguments between two individuals that keep exchanging personal attacks instead of debating the topic in a face to face meeting. Mastering the Martial Art of emailing should help you take control of those “flaming emails” without hurting anyone or hurting…
-
The Martial Art of emailing: Clean your pond.
Last year, I have reached a state of email bankruptcy which could be the origin of a certain anxiety for some. The number of emails and information I received was growing and will still grow this year, it was high time for me to reconsider the way I was handling them in order to get…