The 3 Cardinal Rules of Effective Email Communication
On Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will end support for Windows 7. Windows 7 was first launched on July 22, 2009, and despite being a decade old, this operating system is still a fond favorite. Netmarketshare found that Windows 7 is still used on 39 percent of all PCs, both at home and in business. Considering the many difficulties users faced with first installing Windows 10 — including an update from last year that resulted in missing files — it’s not surprising that many users chose to stick with the old and familiar. However, with the end-of-life date looming, it’s time to start planning that upgrade. Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on Jan. 13, 2015, when new features stopped being added and warranty claims were no longer valid. The last four years have been the extended support phase. During this phase, Microsoft still patched and updated the operating system, addressing security issues and bugs. When the end-of-life hits on Jan. 14, 2020, this security support ends as well, and PCs still running on Windows 7 will be at risk. While you will still be able to use Windows 7 after the end-of-life date, we advise against it. Microsoft will no longer be releasing new patches for viruses or security problems for Windows 7, which means PCs using the operating system will be vulnerable to new threats. The massive WannaCry ransomware attack that swept the globe in 2017 was a cryptoworm that took advantage of security flaws in Windows systems that were past their end-of-life date. Now is the time to start planning to upgrade to a new operating system. Some people might switch to a new kind of operating system altogether, but the simplest option for most people and businesses will be to upgrade to Windows 10. This will require purchasing a Windows 10 license and making sure your hardware can run the new operating system, so take some time to fit this into your budget. Note: Don’t try to save a few bucks by upgrading to Windows 8 instead. Windows 8 enters end-of-life on Jan. 10, 2023, which means you’ll find yourself in the same position sooner than you might like. The End (of Windows 7) Is Nigh! Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 7 in 2020
Don’t Be ‘That Guy’
The average businessperson reads and composes more than 120 emails every day, but there is an overwhelming amount of business emails that seem to be written with no apparent regard for the reader. A massive chunk of people’s workdays is wasted wading through irrelevant, unclear, or incomprehensible messages. To remedy this issue, it’s vital to understand the keys to effective online communication, both to stem the tide of annoying and unnecessary emails and to protect your reputation as a professional. Here are three rules for effective email communication. When your message is sitting in an inbox packed with dozens of others, it’s essential to respect your reader’s time. Make the contents of the message clear from a glance at the subject line. Your subject line is what will draw the attention of the recipient — or lead them to skip over it altogether — so be specific and relevant. In the body of the email, your reason for emailing, as well as all the important points, should be immediately clear. Keep it as concise and as transparent as possible. Many professionals assume that the need for brevity means they can get away with short, robotic missives. Managers are especially guilty of this, sending out single-sentence messages in all lowercase letters with nary an emotion. We get it; you’re busy. But it’s worth taking an extra moment of your time to craft an email that carries the human element as well. It’s important to take a professional tone and to keep communication brief, but you can still write, to some degree, like you talk. This will show recipients that you take communicating with them seriously. 1. Tighten it up. 2. Write like a human being.
3. For the love of all that is holy, reply to the emails you receive.
Again, you’re busy, and you’ve got to prioritize your work, but consistently ignoring emails is a clear sign of negligence and will make you unpopular among your coworkers. If you don’t have time to think of a clear answer, a simple confirmation that you received the message goes a long way. While you can safely ignore all those companywide filler emails you receive each week, you need to show your coworkers and contacts that you’re willing to put in a little effort and that you’re on top of your responsibilities.
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