Info Avalanche: Email is Taking Over
I spend almost 10% of my workday dealing with email in some way, and I don’t own a Blackberry. If I’m not reading my email, answering my email or referring back to an email I got a few days ago then I’m sending out an email as my primary method of communication.
Don’t get me wrong, I love email and couldn’t live without it. Email is quick, convenient, easily archived, addressed to a number of recipients, is inexpensive and allows file transfers. Email etiquette encourages an informal style that is quick to write, and it often takes less than a minute to deliver to any geographic location. Email reduces interruptions. Messages can be read, and responded to, at any Internet enabled location, at any time. Messages sent and received can be saved and indexed for future reference. Communication can be easily sent to any number of recipients at once. The cost is much lower than postage or long distance charges associated with post mail, telephone and fax. Email goes beyond facilitating messages because it allows the transfer of other mediums such as documents, presentations, graphics, or other electronic files that can be sent to any number of recipients.
There is, however, a darker side to email. On a daily basis employees have to deal with issues such as information overload, misinterpretation, privacy and security, viruses and hoaxes. Email stress is adding to an already increasing workload caused by layoffs and cutbacks.
I personally have two pet peeves when it comes to email. The shear volume of information combined with the copious chain letters, virus alerts that turn out to be hoaxes, and funny jokes.
The informal and convenient nature of email may lead to users receiving more communication messages than they are prepared to deal with (also known as, information overload). This can lead to frustration and added stress as employees are forced to sift through the information and seek out only what is relevant.
Hoaxes are chain letters asking users to spread the message to everyone they know. Some warn users of viruses or the dangers of using a particular product, some will ask to sign a petition and others offer a free product or get rich scam. Forwarding such messages clogs email systems and reflects poorly on the sender.
Email Overloaded, a blog by Itzy Sabo on Email Productivity has a great article on email overload called Spherical Cows Don’t Suffer From Email Overload. It’s well worth the read.
Comment by Brad
Posted on August 21, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Hey, nice article. I get tons of emails all day and most of it is spam. What is up with these stupid stock promoters? If you are dumb enough to invest money on a stock because you saw it written in a spam email then you deserve to lose your money