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Firm bans e-mail at work
- Thread starter Kjonnnn
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sleipnir214
Programmer
The ban is only on strictly internal email. Employees can still send email to external addresses.
I can see where an increase in productivity is possible. I'm dubious of the "three hours per day" number.
Email is, by its nature, communications-bandwidth limiting. A face-to-face or voice-to-voice conversation will transmit a great deal more information than email can.
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
I can see where an increase in productivity is possible. I'm dubious of the "three hours per day" number.
Email is, by its nature, communications-bandwidth limiting. A face-to-face or voice-to-voice conversation will transmit a great deal more information than email can.
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
I heard about this yesterday on the UK business news. The general consensus was that is is fine when you only need to contact one person, but if you need to send the same information to multiple people, the policy starts falling down - as you need to make two or more phonecalls or visits etc.
John
John
sleipnir214
Programmer
Perhaps not. If you're all fairly close together, the phrase, "Bill, why don't you meet me at Bob's office?" might be useful.
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
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- #5
I think it also depends on the culture of the company also. If in the culture nobody likes face to face, i can see communication being better.
Back in the olden days, when the company i workd for got the mail feature thru MS Shell... many said email was useless and nobody would use it. The opposite happened. Nobody wanted to sit and talk in office anymore.
Back in the olden days, when the company i workd for got the mail feature thru MS Shell... many said email was useless and nobody would use it. The opposite happened. Nobody wanted to sit and talk in office anymore.
I suspect an element of marketing hype, he's just got himself a huge amount of free publicity, including a slot on BBC news - something he could never buy.
Phone sales in UK are very poor at the moment, PR stunt perhaps?
On the larger question of email vs productivity, it depends on the organization's culture. In a highly competitive (internally) company people may not want to be seen to be away from their desks being "unproductive", rather than gossip openly, maybe they do it via email. It would be interesting to analyse the facts.
I know email makes me more productive, I have a delete key
I also know the value of gossip/networking - you never get the really good stuff via email!
Phone sales in UK are very poor at the moment, PR stunt perhaps?
On the larger question of email vs productivity, it depends on the organization's culture. In a highly competitive (internally) company people may not want to be seen to be away from their desks being "unproductive", rather than gossip openly, maybe they do it via email. It would be interesting to analyse the facts.
I know email makes me more productive, I have a delete key
I also know the value of gossip/networking - you never get the really good stuff via email!
rosieb,
Do not think hype comes into this when you have sold a company for £400 million plus.
sleipnir214 has sussed out what the guy is trying to achieve.
Read a report in the papers yesterday and it is face-to-face meetings that are more efficient than e-mails.
Bit of a blast from the past, actually talking to work colleagues via telephone or meetings.
Whatever next?
Ted
"The difference between a misfortune and a calamity is this: If Gladstone fell into the Thames, it would be a misfortune. But if someone dragged him out again, that would be a calamity."
Benjamin Disraeli.
Do not think hype comes into this when you have sold a company for £400 million plus.
sleipnir214 has sussed out what the guy is trying to achieve.
Read a report in the papers yesterday and it is face-to-face meetings that are more efficient than e-mails.
Bit of a blast from the past, actually talking to work colleagues via telephone or meetings.
Whatever next?
Ted
"The difference between a misfortune and a calamity is this: If Gladstone fell into the Thames, it would be a misfortune. But if someone dragged him out again, that would be a calamity."
Benjamin Disraeli.
I think you folks, and this individual in the article included, are trying to make it too cut and dry.
As stated above, it definately has to do with company culture, and also content.
Yes, face to face meetings to handle large issues, come to a consensus, go back and forth are going to be much more productive. However, passing on a simple task or piece of information is often better through email. Then there's also the case of two people needing to have a discussion, and some higher ups needing to be kept in the loop, but not having the time in their schedule for a meeting.
Eh, personally I think if it were my business I'd be looking more towards policies in which internal email should stop being used... but banning it completely seems like overkill, and while it may increase productivity overall, I don't imagine it's the optimal solution.
-Rob
As stated above, it definately has to do with company culture, and also content.
Yes, face to face meetings to handle large issues, come to a consensus, go back and forth are going to be much more productive. However, passing on a simple task or piece of information is often better through email. Then there's also the case of two people needing to have a discussion, and some higher ups needing to be kept in the loop, but not having the time in their schedule for a meeting.
Eh, personally I think if it were my business I'd be looking more towards policies in which internal email should stop being used... but banning it completely seems like overkill, and while it may increase productivity overall, I don't imagine it's the optimal solution.
-Rob
greyted
OK maybe not hype, but still PR. He sold the mobile phone service business but still has the business selling the phones, a really tough market at the moment.
I don't argue with sleipnir214, I wouldnd't dare! Face to face is much better for making decisions, complex discussions and developing good working relations BUT for simple things like requests for info or Yes/No questions email is much more efficient. If I had to deal with every little query face to face as it came up,I'd never get anything done.
I'm with skiflyer it's a case of email policies and culture - in this case, the guy's company appears to have a very macho culture, there was a TV documentary last year about their tough management recruitment process and how only the "best" survive there (more PR).
I'll put money on it that if anyone checks back in 6 months, they're back using (some) internal email, but that's not a news story.
OK maybe not hype, but still PR. He sold the mobile phone service business but still has the business selling the phones, a really tough market at the moment.
I don't argue with sleipnir214, I wouldnd't dare! Face to face is much better for making decisions, complex discussions and developing good working relations BUT for simple things like requests for info or Yes/No questions email is much more efficient. If I had to deal with every little query face to face as it came up,I'd never get anything done.
I'm with skiflyer it's a case of email policies and culture - in this case, the guy's company appears to have a very macho culture, there was a TV documentary last year about their tough management recruitment process and how only the "best" survive there (more PR).
I'll put money on it that if anyone checks back in 6 months, they're back using (some) internal email, but that's not a news story.
lionelhill
Technical User
(1) Wow! Three hours a day?? This bloke needs to look at what his employees are getting up to!
(2) How often have you spent ten minutes reading over something you wrote in memo or e-mail format checking the words can't be misunderstood? Sometimes talking is better because you can listen: you can pick up on the misunderstanding if it happens, and deal with it, rather than wasting time trying to anticipate misunderstandings that might not occur.
(3) Anybody noticed the irony that he's selling communications equipment. Wonder if texting should be banned?
(4) Yes, this discussion is too black-and-white. Talking is fine, but if I need to send a large word document to someone for editing, or a set of numbers in a spreadsheet, it would be a pain to have to take it round on a floppy.
(5) Most of the e-mails I get at work are things I didn't need to know about being cc'd by someone with an overactive address book, or forwarded by someone else who didn't want to know about it. (Don't know what to do with this request? E-mail it to someone else instead....)
(2) How often have you spent ten minutes reading over something you wrote in memo or e-mail format checking the words can't be misunderstood? Sometimes talking is better because you can listen: you can pick up on the misunderstanding if it happens, and deal with it, rather than wasting time trying to anticipate misunderstandings that might not occur.
(3) Anybody noticed the irony that he's selling communications equipment. Wonder if texting should be banned?
(4) Yes, this discussion is too black-and-white. Talking is fine, but if I need to send a large word document to someone for editing, or a set of numbers in a spreadsheet, it would be a pain to have to take it round on a floppy.
(5) Most of the e-mails I get at work are things I didn't need to know about being cc'd by someone with an overactive address book, or forwarded by someone else who didn't want to know about it. (Don't know what to do with this request? E-mail it to someone else instead....)
CajunCenturion
Programmer
I think it's a good move. I have in other threads postulated that the computer, and more to the point, its communication capabilities and convenience, have de-personalized business. Forcing real human interaction back into the mix will, I believe, lead to increases in production. Human are by nature social creatures and need interaction. It's a more nautural way to communicate and I think it's more efficient, as most of us can ask a question, and get a verbal response faster that you can type it out, send it, read it, type the response, send it, and read it. Asked and answered face to face in considerably less time.
I see the potential for other benefits as well. Increase in morale because it's a more natural environment. You go into someone else's office and you see the picture of the husband or wife and the kids, and you realize they are a real person, with a real life, just like you (ok most of you). You see a paperweight on the desk, and you ask, "Are you a golfer?", Yes, well let's get together and tee it up some day. You see the diploma on the wall came from you biggest rivalry and when the next sports season comes around, you become best friends rooting against each other. And I'm sure we all have similar experiences that we can share - and none of which would happen without face to face interaction.
Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
I see the potential for other benefits as well. Increase in morale because it's a more natural environment. You go into someone else's office and you see the picture of the husband or wife and the kids, and you realize they are a real person, with a real life, just like you (ok most of you). You see a paperweight on the desk, and you ask, "Are you a golfer?", Yes, well let's get together and tee it up some day. You see the diploma on the wall came from you biggest rivalry and when the next sports season comes around, you become best friends rooting against each other. And I'm sure we all have similar experiences that we can share - and none of which would happen without face to face interaction.
Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein
OK, Why not a rule, max two sentences?
My INTERNAL emails are mostly:
a. Minutes attached...
b. Info as promised...
c. Any news on ....
d. Fyi .......
e. Useful link attached....
f. I'll pop up in 30/60/x mins (to TALK to someone)
g. Fancy a break / lunch?
Anything much more probably does need face to face communication. Organizations need to encourage talking, esp cross-functionally, but that's a whole new can of worms.
(I work in local government, too much talking, not enough action).
My point is, email's a tool and, like any other, can be used or abused. Other environments, other problems.
My INTERNAL emails are mostly:
a. Minutes attached...
b. Info as promised...
c. Any news on ....
d. Fyi .......
e. Useful link attached....
f. I'll pop up in 30/60/x mins (to TALK to someone)
g. Fancy a break / lunch?
Anything much more probably does need face to face communication. Organizations need to encourage talking, esp cross-functionally, but that's a whole new can of worms.
(I work in local government, too much talking, not enough action).
My point is, email's a tool and, like any other, can be used or abused. Other environments, other problems.
Stevehewitt
IS-IT--Management
I agree that email is not the ultimate tool and we do need to talk face to face a lot more.
I just question points such as how a 200 page report from a branch in Manchester gets sent to 40 members of management in head office which is based in London.
(This is assuming that its all classed as internal mail. I can't see each branch/shop having its own email domain.) I believe that this would increase costs compared to sending it via email.
And of course the company will now have lost the ability to record messages. Unless they invest in an internal telephone recording system or fax everything. Again, increasing costs.
As much as I can see the need for face to face meetings I am tending to go with rosieb's theory about PR. Yes there are advantages in banning internal email, but there are also huge disadvantages (some of which mentioned above) which make me think that it won't be lasting more that 6 months.
Steve.
I just question points such as how a 200 page report from a branch in Manchester gets sent to 40 members of management in head office which is based in London.
(This is assuming that its all classed as internal mail. I can't see each branch/shop having its own email domain.) I believe that this would increase costs compared to sending it via email.
And of course the company will now have lost the ability to record messages. Unless they invest in an internal telephone recording system or fax everything. Again, increasing costs.
As much as I can see the need for face to face meetings I am tending to go with rosieb's theory about PR. Yes there are advantages in banning internal email, but there are also huge disadvantages (some of which mentioned above) which make me think that it won't be lasting more that 6 months.
Steve.
Where I work, people make sensible choices about whether to meet, phone or send an e-mail.
An e-mail is fine when you basically understand what the issues are. It's also a way of recording what's been agreed.
A phone call means that the recipient has to drop whatever they are doing. If you need an answer from them, they may keep you hanging while they look for it--much nicer to say 'e-mail me when you know'.
An e-mail is fine when you basically understand what the issues are. It's also a way of recording what's been agreed.
A phone call means that the recipient has to drop whatever they are doing. If you need an answer from them, they may keep you hanging while they look for it--much nicer to say 'e-mail me when you know'.
I think they are underestimating the value of email. How many times have people been advised in other threads to get requests in writing? The easiest way to do this is to have the person shoot off a quick email.
I have had some customers who I have steered away from phone conversations and now communicate via email to avoid any disputes about the contents of our discussions. Whether internal or external, it's a great way to create a paper trail.
I have had some customers who I have steered away from phone conversations and now communicate via email to avoid any disputes about the contents of our discussions. Whether internal or external, it's a great way to create a paper trail.
email has come to replace memos as a written record of what has been agreed to, decided, directed, etc. -- the electronic form of CYA.
talking face to face or on the phone usually cuts down on the possibility of misunderstanding.
How about a combination of both? Come to an agreement in person or on the phone, then send an email to all concerned about what was decided. Pre-email, this would be a written memo, which takes too long. And it helps eliminate what was agreed to. (How many times have you left a meeting thinking once course of action was approved and other think the exact opposite?)
The problem with email arises when you have folks who are sitting two cubes away exchanging emails about something that doesn't need CYA. If that's what the guy is trying to do, fine. But I think he's trying to kill a fly with a sledge hammer.
talking face to face or on the phone usually cuts down on the possibility of misunderstanding.
How about a combination of both? Come to an agreement in person or on the phone, then send an email to all concerned about what was decided. Pre-email, this would be a written memo, which takes too long. And it helps eliminate what was agreed to. (How many times have you left a meeting thinking once course of action was approved and other think the exact opposite?)
The problem with email arises when you have folks who are sitting two cubes away exchanging emails about something that doesn't need CYA. If that's what the guy is trying to do, fine. But I think he's trying to kill a fly with a sledge hammer.
sleipnir214
Programmer
I wonder, too, whether a company might adopt a similar measure for different reasons.
If you have no CYA documentation, you also have no records which can be subpoenaed in a lawsuit.
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
If you have no CYA documentation, you also have no records which can be subpoenaed in a lawsuit.
Want the best answers? Ask the best questions: TANSTAAFL!!
Well, I for one limit how much email I use. If the person is in my building, I go to their desk and talk with them. Email wastes entirely too much of my day and if I didn't limit what I do on email, I could probably spend all day doing nothing but answering and replying to email.
Another problem with email is that you email someone for information, they respond whenever they get around to it, if at all. When I go to their desk I can make them deal with me now and get me what I need so I can go on and get my job done.
I know people that get over 500 emails a day at work, and they're not spam, its all work stuff, most of which they shouldn't have even been CC'd on, but they end up having to read it to make sure there isn't anything in there that they need to know about or participate in.
It's almost ludicrous these days...
But that's just my opinion.
Cheers!
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