Emily Post, Where are You? 

Here's my small contribution:

Recognize that rarely are others waiting anxiously for you to communicate with them.  While our messages generally arrive in the inbox of the recipient within moments after we click the Send button it's rude to assume those we send to should stop the presses (or any other responsibilities they have), and answer our e-mails now! Not later, not in an hour, NOW!  Our expectations have become unrealistic. 

Before assuming someone is ignoring you or not responding as fast as you believe they should, I have shared some common issues you should consider.  Everyone is busy.  Let's face it, sometimes people really don't want to hear from you, even if they like or respect you.  What I'm trying to say is they may not want to hear from you on your time schedule.  On the flip side, if someone you communicate with regularly takes their time to send you an e-mail, make the effort to reply and let them know you received the e-mail and when you might be able to get back with them - this will help set realistic expectations for the future. 

Studies have shown that coworkers expect a response within an eight-hour time frame (business hours).  They'd like a response within four hours but recognize that's not always possible.  People contacting businesses electronically have similar expectations, unless it's when they can't find something or are having trouble on the business's website.  Then, they expect it to be instant.  It's a business after all!  

I propose something I learned a while back called the Rule of 48.  During business hours try to respond within 48-minutes.  The next threshold is 4-8 hours (get it?) and lastly respond within 48 hours.   Even if you don't have "the answer" within 48 hours, send a response telling the recipient you're working on getting them an answer and will respond as soon you have one.  Naming the "rule"' helps everyone remember it.

With some general guidelines, I know we could all be more considerate and communicate better.  And whenever possible, don't forget while you are at your desk or while you're out, you have that handy thing where voices communicate with each other.  The phone.  Hands down, it's still the most efficient communicator ever invented.  And Emily has already set forth good guidelines for that.   

Click here to join our blog discussion or simply shoot me an email when you get a chance.

El Dorado Furniture Corp. trades as El Dorado Furniture at 12 locations throughout Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties in FL.  The home furnishings stores occupy spaces of up to 100,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and specialty and strip centers.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout central and along the western coast of FL during the coming 18 months.  For more information, contact Pedro Capo, El Dorado Furniture Corp., 4200 Northwest 167th Street, Miami, FL 33054

Miller's Ale House operates 54 locations throughout FL, GA, IL, NV, NY and PA. The restaurants, offering steaks, salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood and desserts, occupy spaces of 10,000 sq.ft. to 12,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and endcaps of shopping centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout CT, DE, NJ, NY and PA during the coming 18 months, with representation by SRS Real Estate Partners. A land area of two acres is required for freestanding locations. The company will also consider second-generation spaces. For more information, contact David Hochberg or David H. Wirth, SRS Real Estate Partners, 366 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Butler Carpet Co. trades as Bob's Carpet Mart at 14 locations throughout FL.  The home furnishings stores occupy spaces of 5,000 sq.ft. to 10,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing market during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run five years with a five-year option.  Expansion is within a 50-to 60-mile radius of Clearwater, FL and the company is site-selective.  For more information, contact Bert Butler, Butler Carpet Co., 10815 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33764

Ace Hardware operates at 4,400 locations nationwide and internationally.  The hardware stores, offering hardware, tools, home improvement, houseware, plumbing and electrical items, as well as lawn and garden supplies, occupy spaces of 8,000 sq.ft. to 20,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, strip centers and urban/downtown areas.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Ulster and Sullivan counties in NY during the coming 18 months, with representation by Royal Properties, Inc. For more information regarding expansion in NY, contact Scott Meshil, Royal Properties, Inc., 850 Bronx River Road, Bronxville, NY 10708

Philly's Best, Inc. operates 28 locations throughout CA. The restaurants occupy spaces of 1,200 sq.ft. to 1,500 sq.ft. in power and strip centers. Plans call for 10 openings throughout southern CA during the coming 18 months, with representation by R.L. Pratt & Associates. Typical leases run five years with two, five-year options. A vanilla shell and tenant improvement allowance are required. For more information, contact Rob Pratt, R.L. Pratt & Associates, 123 Washington Boulevard, Penthouse Suite, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

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