Monday, October 22, 2012

BUSINESS EMAIL NETIQUETTE - Part 2

Guest Author: Beverly Zibrak, President of the Word Doc, Brookline, MA

Continued from 9/13/12 post . . .

Just as there are guidelines for traditional communication, there are guidelines for business emails.

THE RULES AND LEGALITIES

- Add disclaimers to your business emails.
- Do not forward chain letters or jokes.
- Before forwarding an email you received, make sure it is not a virus hoax.
- Delete and ignore spam.  Do not reply.
- Do not forward or send any offensive emails.  This includes off color jokes or racist or sexist content.
- Never send or forward confidential information in an email.
- Only send relevant files as attachments.  Make sure the file size is not so large that it creates a roadblock.
- Do not forward a message or attachment without the permission of the original sender.
- Be sure when you Reply to All that you want all recipients to receive your message.
- Do not use URGENT or IMPORTANT unless the email is truly timely.

If you choose to use email as a marketing tool, choose the right email service provider.  Find a reliable vendor, such as Constant Contact (R).

And lastly, read the email a few times before you send it.


Beverly Zibrak is President of the Word Doc, a writing and editing services firm dedicated to helping small business with all their communication needs, including web content development, press releases and marketing communications, and blog posts.  You can reach Beverly at www.worddocusa.com or 617.584.9847.

Monday, October 1, 2012

DINING OUT DO'S AND DON'T'S

Here's how to avoid dietary derailments when you're looking at menu item descriptions --

For calorie and fat concerns, avoid: battered, buttery, scalloped, crispy, creamed/creamy, rich, cheese sauce, hollandaise, bearnaise, tempura, gravy, au gratin, Alfredo, breaded, croquettes, a la King, Newburg, (deep) fried, bisque, smothered, aioli, carbonara, and en croute.

For sodium concerns, avoid: smoked, broth, creole sauce, tomato base, fish sauce, barbecued, soy sauce, marinated, Parmesan, hoisin sauce, pickled, teriyaki, cocktail sauce, mustard sauce, and chili paste.

Look for: broiled, grilled, steamed, poached, baked, roasted, braised items that are flavored only with herbs and spices with no added sauces or butter.  To fill up before a meal, order a non-cream-based soup or a salad with dressing on the side, used sparingly.  Order meals where vegetables and fruit are a major component and ask for extra lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables.  For a healthier dessert, try fresh fruit, sherbet, sorbet, or angel food cake with fruit topping.  Bon appetit!
Source: IDEA Fitness



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