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HBR Guide to Better Business Writing, 2nd Edition
book

HBR Guide to Better Business Writing, 2nd Edition

by Harvard Business Review
August 2011
Beginner
25 pages
50m
English
Harvard Business Review Press
Content preview from HBR Guide to Better Business Writing, 2nd Edition

Is Your E-mail Concise—or Curt?

by David Silverman

A reader of my blog on HBR.org wrote with the following query:

I manage 15 staff who are scattered about. I e-mail them since it’s the easiest way for me to communicate with all of them at the same time. Often my e-mails are very short and to the point. It’s business. Two staff see that as my being harsh and have no problem letting me know that.

Here’s an example: “Would you please update these primary care providers in the database, including addresses and phone numbers?”

Six days later, I sent this follow-up to my initial request: “I would like this taken care of by Thursday this week. If you are having trouble getting this done, please let me know.”

In return, my employee sent me a four-paragraph ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781422183366