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How do I go about teaching a grown man how to write an email?
I know this sounds like a ridiculous rant but my coworker and I have the same clients. Every time he writes a recap email to them, I cringe. He's an incredibly smart person but leaves run-on sentences and doesn't include a professional email structure. It looks like he doesn't really care.
I want to maintain a great relationship with these clients and my work partner but his unprofessional choice of words is not making it very easy. How do I approach this awkward, business email 101 situation?
Head Bookworm
Head Bookworm
52
03/27/19 at 3:03AM UTC
My first thought was maybe he actually as you said, doesn't really care? That he thinks his time is better spent doing something else? It sounds bad, but frankly, guys can get away with more without any repurcussions, so there is probably not much incentive for him to improve. I hate to say that if you do point it out, he may wonder why you are so uptight that all your emails need to be SO perfect and professional. If you are his manager, then by all means, pursue it, but otherwise, I don't know that it will be worth the awkward conversation.
But if you decide to proceed, Ladybird had some great advice...spot on.
Anonymous
06/26/18 at 3:20PM UTC
Depending on his personality (is he open to suggestions?), I would approach it from a mutual win-win perspective. Something like, "Hey, we're both working with the same clients and I'm worried that our emails are so different, they may see it as inconsistent. Can I show you the emails I usually send, and maybe we can work together on a templated response so our emails look both professional and organized?" Ultimately these are clients so if he is as smart as you say, he'll recognize the value of your suggestion. Hope this helps!
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