Question

Ethan, a manager, says, “Email is a very efficient way of communicating, especially across time zones and to large numbers of people. Are there situations in which I shouldn’t use email?” You advise Ethan that he should not send an email in which of the following situations? Check all that apply.
✔ - To the coordinator of a conference when Ethan needs to cancel his appearance as the keynote speaker
- To all employees to announce upcoming development workshops
✔ - To another manager who has just commandeered the computer equipment Ethan needs to meet a critical deadline
- To suppliers in China to report weekly defects within acceptable limits

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

To another manager who has just commandeered the computer equipment Ethan needs to meet a critical deadline

To the coordinator of a conference when Ethan needs to cancel his appearance as the keynote speaker

Answer 2

Answer:

✔ To the coordinator of a conference when Ethan needs to cancel his appearance as the keynote speaker

✘ To all employees to announce upcoming development workshops

✔ To another manager who has just commandeered the computer equipment Ethan needs to meet a critical deadline

✘ To suppliers in China to report weekly defects within acceptable limits

Explanation:

Ethan should not email people when he is angry, so he should not shoot off an email to the other manager who just took the computers Ethan needs. It is also better to use a richer, more personal channel of communication when cancelling a commitment or apologizing for something. Thus, Ethan should call the conference coordinator rather than sending an email. Other times email is not optimal are when the sender is criticizing the receiver or when the receiver is likely to interpret the message as criticism.

A weekly report of defects that are within acceptable limits can be sent by email, as can a routine announcement of development opportunities available to all employees.