Post #1: Your views on business writing By DavidS

Good morning Team,
Management has noticed an unacceptable trend beginning to surface. The use of “text message” style writing is beginning to become a habbit throughout the office. The use of abbreviations in text messaging is not acceptable in the work place environment, especially when the message is sent to a customer or client. The use of such language can be perceived by our customers as lazy, childish, or uneducated.
Interoffice emails have been forwarded to customers containing such text. Below is an example of an email that was originally intended to be an interoffice email, however, the email contained information that was pertinent to the client and therefore forwarded on to them. The use of proper writing techniques needs to be adhered to at all times. The use of shorthand is not acceptable in a work place environment. Our customers vary in age, race, gender, and cultural background. It would be misfortunate if a customer misunderstood our shorthand and mistook it to mean something other than the intended purpose. Please be aware of what you are writing, and present it in a form understandable by anyone.
The company has purchased the iPhones so everyone is able to respond immediately to emails. Please, remember when responding on your phone that this is not a text message, and to take the extra couple of minute to spell out your words so the meaning is clear and concise. Text messaging is not just a new technology; it has also become a new language. We do not want our clients and customers to misinterpret our meaning.
EXAMPLE:
Ron,
When you get a chance can you call me to reschedule this appointment? I would like for you to meet the owner at the same time and she will not be available until the following week.
Sarah Pasture
Property Management
555 E. 2nd St. North
Wichita, KS 67555
Office: 316.555.0061 x108
866.555.0061 x108
Fax: 316.555.9489
Mobile: 316.555.4113

-----Original Message-----
From: Drake Cowbell
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 8:11 PM
To: Sarah Pasture
Subject: Security gate bid

Should have gate bid done 2moro afternoon. Ron from protection 1 will b contacting u on security info. He just did a job for 1 of our customers that's known him 4ever and he did a great job. Protection 1 is probably the best company around. I gave him your email add.
Should have serial #'s by Wed. am. Thnx

Sent from: Drake Cowbell iPhone

The perception of our company by our customers is to be one of professionalism, while maintaining a personal tone. Please, take the time needed to continue to show our professionalism in all that we do.

David Schoenhals
Property Management
Office: 316.555.0061 x108
866.555.0061 x108
Fax: 316.555.9489
Mobile: 316.555.8908