E-mail Priorities
Posted June 05, 2006 in miscAmit Asaravala writes on managing e-mail.
He proposes that high priority means today, low means that no answer is needed and normal means within a week. He also says to pick up the phone if something is more urgent than “today”.
Sounds good to me.
I also use different communication mechanisms depending on urgency and type of information needed:
- Instant Messaging for short questions or “heads-up” type communications
- E-mail for detailed stuff or if a more formal record is needed.
- Phone call if it’s really urgent or needs high-bandwith. Sometimes I
switch over from IM to phone for complicated discussions. - SMS if it’s urgent and can’t get through to the person. Makes sure he knows
my number (no “unknown caller” problem) and can read it even in a meeting.