You're drowning in back-and-forth emails delaying decisions. How can you break the cycle effectively?

When feasible, make use of technologies for collaboration or project management. Systems such as Slack, Teams, or Asana can help to reduce the amount of emails sent and improve collaboration.

Email can take up your entire day leaving you with a longer action items list than you started the day with. I try to use filters, rules, and folders to stay organized. For quick communications I use a chat platform (Slack, Teams), call, or walk over to their office/desk. Most important rule, unless urgent, I answer emails 3-4 times a day in 30 min blocks.

One thing I found helpful too was creating labels to help identify emails , based on urgency and importance. Also using filter, to separate emails into different folders

1. Each email thread should begin with a specific goal in mind. Clearly state your objectives and make sure everyone receiving the email is aware of them. This minimizes pointless responses and maintains everyone's attention. 2. When an email chain gets too long, it's usually time for a meeting. 3. Utilize Project Management Software: Tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can significantly reduce email clutter. 4. Train Your Team: Provide training on effective communication and the use of collaborative tools. Ensure everyone understands the importance of concise, purposeful emails and the benefits of alternative communication methods. Remember, breaking the cycle of back-and-forth emails is essential for efficient decision-making.

To break the cycle of back-and-forth emails, this is my process: -Prioritize: Triage emails by urgency -Clarify: Ensure each email has a clear purpose. -Streamline: Limit participants to key stakeholders. -Set Deadlines: Establish firm response timelines -Use Alternatives: Consider tools better suited for decisions -Follow-Up: Summarize decisions and next steps. Implementing these tactics streamline communications and speed up decision-making

Overwhelmed by endless email threads? Break the cycle by scheduling quick meetings for faster decisions, setting clear response expectations, and using collaboration tools like Slack or Teams for real-time communication. Streamline your workflow and boost productivity!

Cut the email chain: Implement a shared decision log, use collaborative tools like Slack or MS Teams, and set regular check-ins. Streamline your workflow and boost productivity now!

Consider follow calls to let them know you have shared the mail, what is required of them, what are the timelines and how they should be done. Make your email, precise, clear and on point Give them an option to call you for further clarification.

Uma coisa que achei útil, é sugerir ao fornecedor ou cliente, uma reunião via teams ou uma ligação afim de tomarmos a melhor decisão.

I arrive to work early and check my emails. I respond, file, or delete as needed. The clutter is removed so once my day begins, I can focus on the now. It is essential to remove distractions to focus on the current needs.

Clearly state the objective and required decision in the subject line or opening paragraph when initiating an email conversation to set expectations, guide the conversation, and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth.

By setting expectations upfront, you streamline the conversation, save time, and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. A well-structured email with a clear purpose encourages focused responses and prevents misunderstandings.

I believe that setting the objective of the email, the results you expect - like clearly defining if you need an answer or decision and from whom is it expected by naming the person with “@“ - and also setting a deadline if needed can reduce the number of emails exchanged on the same subject.

It is important to clearly define the purpose of the email and the decision that needs to be reached. This helps everyone stay focused.

One thing I have found helpful is clearly stating objectives of an email because not makes it easy for the recipient to understand.

Importante dejar clara la intención del correo, e intentar no extenderse más de lo necesario. Un texto demasiado largo puede provocar desinterés en el receptor. Por eso es importante: - Ser directo con el objetivo de la comunicación. - Saber condensar la información en un formato escueto en el que se entienda todo lo que se quiere transmitir.

When initiating email conversations, be clear about the objectives. If a decision is required, state it explicitly in the subject line or opening paragraph. This sets the expectation for a resolution and helps guide the conversation toward a productive outcome.

This will help reduce the amount of back and forth emails. If you are clear with what your expectations are from your initial email, it should be easier to receive a response. Try not to include multiple things in one email if they are not related. This way you can mark it off of your list as you receive responses.

Creo que también es necesario cuidar la extensión del correo electrónico. Muchas veces podemos encontrarnos escribiendo más de lo que se necesita y, debido a las gestiones que cada persona realiza en sus funciones, es importante cuidar este aspecto para no agotarnos al explicar.

Including just decision makers in the first rounds of communication makes the process more efficient overall. Once there's agreement on a path forward all parties can be brought into a broader communication. If possible, avoid email altogether and opt for a TEAMS, Zoom, or in person meeting instead!

Identifying where the decision-making authority lies and directing matters to the appropriate individuals helps streamline response times and eliminates unnecessary inquiries.

Less hands in the cookie jar is better sometimes, especially when decisions need to be made efficiently. Educate yourself on who needs to be involved for what decisions, especially if they are decisions that need to be made regularly. This will ensure that you’re able to come to decisions faster and that you’re not getting unnecessary hands involved.

Limit email thread participants to those directly involved in decision-making or who need to be informed of the outcome, reducing confusion, conflicting responses, and streamlining communication.

Limiting email participants is a strategic move towards efficient communication. By focusing on key stakeholders, you streamline the conversation, prevent information overload, and increase the chances of a timely resolution.

Incluir en las respuestas a aquellas personas a las que les pueda servir la información, contribuyendo así a no saturar los buzones de correo.

 communicate the issue of having an excess of people in leadership or management positions compared to those in execution roles, which can lead to problems like decision-making gridlock, diluted accountability, decreased worker morale, and resource misallocation aka the concept of an organizational structure that is top-heavy with leadership positions.

Base on my experience I will email directly the decision maker to get the final decision of it. And then just CC the participants so they'll know the updates of it. Just simple as that. Ditect approach.

Include only the essential people in email threads. More participants often lead to more opinions and delays. Keep the conversation focused and concise.

Define Expectations Clearly: Before sending an email, think about what you want from the recipient. Clear expectations can reduce misunderstandings and unnecessary back-and-forth.

Dependiendo del contexto será aplicable, en otros casos no podrás cercarlo. En los casos en los que sí, podrás hacer el seguimiento y los recordatorios remarcando ese límite.

Define the importance of delivering the output on time. Providing the deadlines of the project might give significant ideas to identify the constraints early without delay.

Prioritize and filter e-mails in order of importance and urgency. In your To-do list, put the important once at the top. Thereafter, follow with the urgent ones because sometimes another person's "urgent" may not be your "urgent".

Making a deadline clear, even more if it’s close, may shorten the mail exchange on the same topic. This always allied to a clear message and objective and the correct people on the loop.

I am responsible for sending emails to staff and management. Depending upon the message (urgency) I use the three W's: What, When, Why. Clean, concise communication is relatable and if questions ensue, a point of contact is designated.

Clearly define deadlines for responses and decisions. This creates a sense of urgency and helps move the conversation forward.

Adote uma política de "zero e-mails", onde todos os e-mails são tratados no final do dia. Isso pode envolver responder, delegar, agendar uma tarefa ou arquivar o e-mail, ajudando a manter a organização e a gerenciar os prazos de forma eficaz.

Sometimes just picking up a call can avoid all the never ending back and forth. Just get on a call, figure out the needs, and move things along. Nowadays email can become snail-mail as well, and although everyone says most meetings could have been an email... Often its the opposite, and instead of back and forth, set a deadline and a closing meeting to go over the tasks at hand.

I like to get on a Zoom chat. Often, when you see somebody face to face, it removes the doubts and things can move ahead faster.

Keep it simple. Schedule a quick call with all parties involved with the goal of coming to the decisions that need to be made and agree on next steps.

Cuando se trata de algo urgente, o si se quiere agilizar un proceso o una toma de decisión se pueden tomar otras cías para comunicarse, como la mensajería instantánea o la llamada telefónica. En muchas ocaciones es preferible para trabajar, ya que el tiempo de respuesta suele ser mucho mayor y evita pérdidas de tiempo. En mi opinión el correo debe limitarse a informaciones profesionales que no requieran una respuesta inmediata y donde se pueda aportar mayor información.

Es importante el uso de herramientas basadas en IA. Un buen ejemplo actual es Copilot. Se puede trabajar de manera colaborativa y automatizando aquellas tareas que son repetitivas, lo que ahorra tiempo.

I like this one the best and think it should have been much higher on the list. If there are more than 2 or 3 back and forth emails, it was my general rule that there was either not enough information or a communication issue that warranted a conversation via face to face or at least a phone call to clarify and avoid confusion. Email is great for providing data and presenting a problem solution if it is A. drafted correctly and B. If the issue has been developed enough for a decision; however, in my experience, if an issue has not been fully developed to a decision point or is presented poorly, it often leads to even more, unnecessary confusion.

Currently I’m always trying to replace emails for messages on Teams whenever possible. Keeping emails to more formal communications or to a broader audience.

Use collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or project management software for real-time communication and decision-making, reducing the need for lengthy email exchanges.

Se pueden utilizar herramientas nuevas para disminuir la cantidad de mensajes, aplicaciones como Slack o Microsoft Teams facilitan la comunicación rápida y directa. Puedes crear canales específicos para proyectos o temas, lo que evita la sobrecarga de correos electrónicos.

Effective follow-up is crucial for driving decisions. By gently nudging stalled email conversations, you can reignite momentum. This involves summarizing key points, and clarifying any outstanding questions. This focused approach helps refresh everyone's memory and brings the conversation back on track. A well-timed follow-up can often be the catalyst needed to break through decision paralysis and achieve desired outcomes.

Just text the person(s); creating specific people on the text thread if necessary! If it’s an emergency or needs imminent attention, a regular phone call may not be helpful if the other party has it set up to go into voicemail. Emergency Texting! You would have to make sure; however, that your text doesn’t get lost in the midst of spam/marketing texts.

Along with the polite reminder for resolution, I have seen it used where individuals involved in the decision-making are invited to correspond privately, within 2 business days, with the host if they need clarification on any pending items.