Management Tip of the Day: 3 Ways to Battle E-mail Overload

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JANUARY 17, 2013 3 Ways to Battle E-mail Overload Has your inbox reached its size limit? Have you lost track of who's waiting for a response? Most people struggle to stay on top of e-mail. Here are three tactics that might help: Reply by phone. Quick calls can often eliminate dozens of e-mails. A five-minute chat may be more efficient than crafting a message that adequately explains the situation. Do not copy. If a message you're sending requires a recipient's attention, include that person in the "to" field; if not, leave them off entirely. Tell colleagues to do the same. Put down the smartphone. When you have a few minutes between meetings, don't respond to e-mail on your mobile's tiny keyboard. Wait until you're back at your desk or with your laptop or tablet, when you can craft a better response in less time. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done. Buy the book and learn more about prioritizing your workload » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT IT for Management: A Self-Paced Learning Program Online Tools IT for Management self-paced learning program provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding the role of information technology in business. This online tutorial outlines the four components of the IT framework: infrastructure, data, applications, and IT organization. You'll explore how companies: determine IT needs, design systems to support business models, and use IT infrastructure to automate and enhance business processes. Special emphasis is given to understanding the vocabulary of technology management and operations. IT for Management covers fundamental concepts for understanding hardware and software and more complex topics on network infrastructure, service-oriented architecture, and cloud computing. Narrated animation, videos, and self-correcting quizzes will help you learn difficult concepts quickly. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Stand Out in Your Interview Strengthen Your Network with Shared Activities Ask for Feedback Before Taking That Job Stop Regretting Your Career Decisions Keep a Work Diary 3 Ways to Get People to Change What You Really Want from an Informational Interview Forget Self-Esteem. You Need Self-Compassion. Create Dramatic Tension to Persuade Your Audience Put Mundane Decisions on Autopilot All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)