Lightening Fast E-mail Replies?

Many believe that e-mail is instantaneous. Depending on the current network status many times e-mail is pretty darned quick. But there will be times, due to network traffic or geographic issues that will cause e-mail to take several hours or more to get to the other side.

Regardless of how speedy that e-mail is received by those you send to, that doesn't mean they are required to drop all their other responsibilities and immediately respond to your e-mail. They may not even be online or in front of the computer checking e-mail to know you've sent them a message!

Senders have to realize that to expect an immediate response, and then when you don't receive one, to send a follow-up e-mail 30 minutes later is overly demanding. Yes, everyone should do their very best to respond to their e-mails as promptly as possible. However, with the expectation of instant receipt, to have an expectation of an immediate response is unrealistic.

Sometimes folks are busy. They have other responsibilities and activities that require their full attention. They may be in a meeting, out of the office, trying to meet previous deadlines or commitments.

So, reflect some courtesy to those you send to and give them the time to respond. As a general rule of thumb you should not send a follow-up any earlier than 24 hours since you sent your first message. And if you can't wait 24 hours, then e-mail is not the appropriate venue for your requests. If a matter is that urgent, pick up the old fashioned telephone and give them a jingle.