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• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk September 4, 2012 at 10:36pm

  I think you only need to look at some of the replies to posts on here to see that text written replies are very often misunderstood. It just one of those things !!!! People mostly judge peoples tones buy their facial expressions and tone of voice, which obviously cant be done via a written response. Writing in txt slang is never a good idea when dealing with something / someone in a professional environment.
• PRO

  Ayegardening Ltd September 4, 2012 at 10:42pm

  Yeh you are so right about the posts on here Brian!

  The texts was relating to my friends only not customers.Sometimes I have my work brain on when I text my mates and I end up upsetting them as I sound to distant lol

  I am a very expressionate person- I use my hands a lot when I talk and I smile a lot too- can't send smilies to customers in emails lol

  ^ using too many lol's now! - can't use them in a professional environment too :)
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  Claire Brown September 4, 2012 at 11:12pm

  I also write work emails in a working way, - i.e I just get on and get down the points and facts that I need to. - i've found that to prevent them looking abrupt, when i've finished getting in all the facts and figures, I then go back to the beginning and add in a personal sentence, - e.g hope you've had a good holiday/ enjoyed the olympics / managed to sit out in the sun in your garden.

  This has really helped me, and i've had a lot a lot less misunderstandings over email / text, since i've made myself do it, - The words for the business are exactly the same, but the softener works to create a friendly as well as professional tone.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening September 5, 2012 at 7:07am

  Emails are functional things, not fun events, so I don't bother with niceties either, and wouldn't mind in the least if people thought they are emotionally detached!
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  Paul McNulty September 5, 2012 at 8:20am

  I always prefer to use email to keep in touch with clients. Even a short-ish call can take ten minutes once you add in a bit of polite chatter, and if you've got 4 or 5 calls to make in an evening it's an hour you could be spending with the family. I can usually do any emails I need to in minutes, and you've got a written record as well.

  It's so much easier to email "I recommend seeding that patch of lawn, rather than turfing, for the best result", rather than having a phone call where they expect you to give them long explanations for your advice.
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  Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt September 5, 2012 at 10:50am

  My friendly personality always prefers chatting and this is often the way to resolve problematic situations. However, if the subject is to with a contract issue or amendments to an agreement, etc. then it will always go as an email (or even text message if necessary). This prevents disputes arising.
  I also use emails more in day to day correspondence to save time because I know I will end up yapping the hind legs of a donkey, and before you know it 10mins have passed.
• PRO

  Ayegardening Ltd September 6, 2012 at 10:11am

  Yes i think that is me too! - being a chatty person I find it easier to talk in person.

  I hate it when customers send me text messages- I always feel really unprofessional replying to a text message- I just reply by email most times.

  
  
  Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt said:

  My friendly personality always prefers chatting and this is often the way to resolve problematic situations. However, if the subject is to with a contract issue or amendments to an agreement, etc. then it will always go as an email (or even text message if necessary). This prevents disputes arising.
  I also use emails more in day to day correspondence to save time because I know I will end up yapping the hind legs of a donkey, and before you know it 10mins have passed.
• PRO

  Ayegardening Ltd September 6, 2012 at 10:35am

  Lots of people can get upset over a perceived tone of an email. Some good points there- I have tried to do that before too- a balance is required- being friendly and professional.
  
  Claire Brown said:

  I also write work emails in a working way, - i.e I just get on and get down the points and facts that I need to. - i've found that to prevent them looking abrupt, when i've finished getting in all the facts and figures, I then go back to the beginning and add in a personal sentence, - e.g hope you've had a good holiday/ enjoyed the olympics / managed to sit out in the sun in your garden.

  This has really helped me, and i've had a lot a lot less misunderstandings over email / text, since i've made myself do it, - The words for the business are exactly the same, but the softener works to create a friendly as well as professional tone.