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Vitriol -
General
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Friday, 18 September 2009 00:00 |
"I assume someone's told you already yeah?"
This is one of the worst ways you can ever start a conversation with me. Actually, it really chaps my arse when someone does come through to talk with me and this is their opening line. There are at least three assumptions being made within a single innocuous comment, and while the questioner is asking in all honesty, it's massively unhelpful.
We're assuming that:
- Someone has been to see me, or communicated with me
- I'm aware of the situation that is being obliquely referred to
- I've been furnished with an answer on the subject
Why not reconstruct the question in a structure that provides a brief summary, key detail and still demands an answer from me so that you don't need to spend more time than is necessary in the subject with me. Perhaps ...
"Have you been given an update in the last hour on the Squirrel Infestation issue by anyone?"
... as your opening line. This tells me what the issue is, that there's been progress on the issue, and hopefully that someone should have come to see me regarding said infestation. If they haven't, consider my curiosity piqued that we have a squirrel problem in the first place. |
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Vitriol -
General
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Wednesday, 08 July 2009 00:00 |
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When attempting to use the cc function available in emails as a tool to highlight your awesomeness to other people and the tardiness or improper behaviour of the receipient, please ensure that you're aware they are able to use this button too. It's a heinous tactic in business, and seems to be a snide attempt to put the boot in with a view to personal gain or blamethrowing. More importantly, ensure you are firmly in the right or the rebuttal mail will be a deeply unpleasant experience for you when your own flaws or shortcomings within a given project are brought to the attention of senior management. The idea that others will be too gracious to stoop down to this level is most definitely incorrect, and if someone feels the need to chide me for an error (genuine or no) and copy in as many high-level staff within both their firm and mine as possible, under what circumstance could they see this going well for them? Flawed judgement and appalling communication methods such as this do not bode well for a solid working relationship going forward. Ensure you have crossed the bridge and don't need to go back before attempting to burn it. |
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