Comments on: So, E-mail is Dead, Eh?

By: Wendy Hanson

Wendy Hanson — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 11:37:59 +0000

Hi Lena-
Love your perspective re email. I find it such a delight to remember to tell someone something and no matter what time of day–I can get it out into the Universe.It’s a must for biz but a great way to stay connected with friends and not have to sit on the phone. I think we’re too fast paced! I line up my phone calls for times when I have drive time.
-

By: Louis

Louis — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:59:19 +0000

cocooning

You have got to be kidding!

By: Lena West

Lena West — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:58:00 +0000

@Sharon:

I agree. There is definitely a need for balance when it comes to email. Too much at the wrong time can be…not good.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

By: Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:30:56 +0000

I think most people have a love/hate relationship with email. It is a wonderful technology for all the obvious reasons of course, however if over-used as the only medium for communicating it would be detrimental to person-to-person social contact. Even if business we need to be aware and receptive of the “personal touch” for more effective business relationships. Over use of email may interfere with this.

By: Lena West

Lena West — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:58:11 +0000

@Tom:

I’m a little lost.

How does putting limits on email – or charging for email – stop my receipt of spam?

Keeping in mind that most spammers – if they’re any good – don’t use traditional Internet access points and networks – they usually have some illegal, unauthorized or “self-owned” connections to the Internet. They rarely use an ISP and if they do, they can cover their tracks like crazy.

So, if my hosting company or ISP charges me for email, why does that stop a spammer from sending email? Or am I missing something?

Thanks for reading and commenting!

By: Tom Huskerson

Tom Huskerson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:43:56 +0000

I think there is a coming event in which email becomes a revenue engine for ISPs. Packages will appear where the subscriber will get a limited number of emails and then are charged for each email over that limit. Think cell minutes. What is the real benefit to the consumer? The end of spam! Some people may think this is a crazy idea but any idea that generates revenue is rarely crazy. Google, Yahoo, and all the other email service providers will soon unveil very attractive packages for the consumer and business. For business it will eliminate lost productivity by employees using email for personal use and sending those annoying jokes and images. For the consumer the end of spam alone is a blessing. Think this is crazy right? Yeah, well who in the hell would pay to listen to the radio?

By: Lena West

Lena West — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:05:22 +0000

No, email isn’t going anywhere. It’s up to us, as business professionals, to determine what’s going to work in terms of managing our email communication load.

Once we get a handle on that, we’ll be much better off. So much of email angst comes from not having a strategy that leverages your natural work style.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

By: Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:20:43 +0000

Hi Lena – I agree that email is a fabulous medium. I love it and hate it. I love it for the reasons you mentioned. It’s an amazing connector, a quick info swapper, and a great time saver when used appropriately.

And as you know, my friend, I also love talking on the phone! There’s a place and a time for all the fabulous kinds of technology we now have at our disposal. If email was dead, I’d really mourn! Glad it’s not!

Thank you for your insights. Cheryl

By: Lena West

Lena West — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:37:36 +0000

“Phone days” are such a good idea. I have worked my way up to having conversations with potential clients on Fridays, but I could do better with this going into 2009. Thanks for the idea and for commenting!

By: Diane K. Danielson

Diane K. Danielson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:40:30 +0000

You are so right on phone calls feeling like an intrusion. Except for a few friends who can call me anytime (and Lena -you count as one of those), it throws me off my game.

However, as much as I’m an email person, I do find that the stream of consciousness that phone calls can encourage can be beneficial. But, I wonder how much time I waste emailing about scheduling phonecalls?

What I try to do is have “phone days.” I do back to back phone conferences, and even call companies like comcast and others who I dread. But, most of the time it’s email for me. Another reason is that I do a lot of late night responding to emails because I’m out of the office most days making telephone calls difficult.

I also find myself forgetting to check voicemail, but constantly checking my email.

Just a few random thoughts on the phone v. email question.