Diana Brooks Logo Diana Brooks
In this Issue: vol. 10, no. 5
Are You Email Savvy? Ten Tips
What is Nano-Coaching?
New for 2014!
 
"Emotional Intelligence Tools for Leaders" workshop

* Connect with your team

*Use online tools and apps

*Manage performance

 
Click here to learn more.
      

Connect with Us
cc
              View our profile on LinkedIn        web icon blue
     

Why assessments?
* Hire the right people
* Coach for the next level of performance

* Develop your team

DISC 1

Click here  
 to find out about Profiles
 & Employee Surveys.    

TEDTalk Favorites

"A kinder, gentler philosophy of success"

(Click photo to view) 

 
Our Services

 

PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT &

TALENT MANAGEMENT:

 

Training
Coaching
Teambuilding 
Team & Organization  Development
Customer Service 
Surveys/Assessments
Strategic Planning 



 
Email sign-up5

for our newsletter
Tips, Tools & Tactics

Happy Spring--finally! In this issue we tackle the ongoing challenges of email and introduce the idea of "nano-coaching." What is that? Check it out in the second article below. Please let us know what other topics you'd like to hear about.  - Diana

Are You Email Savvy? Ten Tips
xxx
x

If you want to watch a businessperson practically foam at the mouth with fury, just ask them about the quality of the email they receive on a daily basis.

They'll likely tell you that a) most of what they get is unnecessary, b) an embarrassing amount of it is littered with distracting errors, and c) a surprising number of emails sound demanding, angry or just plain cold.

  

Since email has become the de facto business letter of today, it's important to get it right. Just because hitting the SEND button is quick and easy, doesn't mean we should hit it all that fast. Clearly, a second reading is in order in many cases, best done after stepping away from the message for a few minutes.


More Tips to Apply Before Hitting SEND
 

1. Double-check your subject line: Is it specific enough to help your reader decide whether to open it right now or look at it later? A busy reader with 68 new messages needs to prioritize messages for now, later and never. Vague, general subject lines like "Procedures" or "FYI" often get passed over for later viewing. And later can become never.  

 

2. Make sure you have the three essentials below. Just sending an attachment or forwarding a string of emails doesn't count as communication.
  • Greeting
  • Message of at least a few words
  • Signature with contact information

3. If you add an attachment:

  • Refer to the attachment in your message, noting anything in particular to notice
  • Remember to, um, attach it

 Click to read the rest of this article.

  

What the Heck is Nano-Coaching?

Imagine this: A new manager is about to have a performance feedback talk with one of her employees. She hasn't had this kind of chat with an employee before, and the moment is fraught with anxiety and pressures to get things right.

What if, right then, she could pick up the phone or have an online chat with a coach who would mentor her about exactly this experience? In 15 minutes, she's ready to perform brilliantly, and there's somebody who will hold all of the confidential information in trust.

If you'd like to learn more about how nano-coaching can work, just contact us for a free consultation. 
 
And finally...

Diana Brooks Associates helps people and organizations improve leadership, communication and talent management.

A speaker, trainer and coach, Diana provides free initial consultations. Contact her at 413.458.8263 or at www.dianabrooksassociates.com.

You can also check out Diana's recent blogposts at http://dianabrooksassociates.com/category/blog/