Greetings from ST Training Solutions!

Another month has flown by very quickly, as usual. Time once again for another edition of my e-newsletter.

I'm excited this month because we have just launched the eighth book in the ST Training Solutions Success Skills series. You'll find out more in the 'In the News' section below about Think Smart, Work Smarter by Tremaine Du Preez.

This month I've been getting really mad with certain lazy e-mail habits. So much so that it prompted me to write an article about what I consider to be the top ten. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Have you visited our blog yet? I'm delighted to say I've been receiving some fantastic comments on the articles that we've been posting:

"Very interesting. Thank you for sharing."

"Yours is probably the best blog around."

"This was a really outstanding post!"

"I found your website perfect for my needs. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. It's amazing to think one site could contain so much information. You have something good going her. Keep it up!"

"Wonderful blog! I'll be back!"

Take a look at our blog now, and do subscribe to the RSS feed so you don't miss any of our posts.

Our exciting one-day conference ASSAP® 2011 is around the corner, so this month I'm also giving you the top five reasons why you should sponsor your staff to attend this motivating, inspiring event. Read on for more, and sign up soon!

Enjoy March, and I'll see you again soon!

Shirley

	Top Ten Lazy E-mail Habits
	by Shirley Taylor

We're all busy. We all have overflowing in boxes. But lazy e-mail habits could lead to misunderstanding, frustration, non-action, wasted effort, wasted time, damaged relationships and ruined reputations. Are you guilty of any of these lazy habits? If so, it's time to take action now, before it's too late. Here are five of my top ten lazy e-mail habits. Want to see the other five? Click on the link at the bottom!

1. Using a vague or out-dated subject line
   An e-mail with a subject line like 'Update' or 'Hi' or 'News' is not likely to inspire me to open it. Similarly an old subject line like 'Meeting on Tuesday' is useless when the meeting happened last week and today's e-mail is attaching a proposal. Help yourself and save your reader's time by making sure every subject line is clear and specific.
   
   
2. Not using a greeting or sign-off
   Internally I can understand if you sometimes drop the 'Hi John' at the beginning, but externally there's no excuse. Please remember the simple courtesies of an appropriate greeting and sign-off. And that doesn't mean "Thanks and regards"!
   
   
3. Not proofreading
   Have you ever sent an e-mail to the wrong person? Have you ever misspelled the reader's name? Have you ever mentioned the wrong date for a meeting? Imagine my embarrassment recently when I read back an e-mail sent from my i-Phone saying: "Hell get a $50 credit toasted or annual conference." (Hell instead of he'll, and toasted instead of towards). I'm much more careful now when I send messages using my phone. If you regularly make errors in e-mails, people will question your attention to detail and your ability to handle your work.
   
   
4. Using abbreviations or acronyms
   You may think these will save time, but they can lead to confusion for readers. While FYI is globally recognised as 'for your information', FYA could cause chaos because some people think it's 'for your action' while others think it's 'for your approval' – there's a big difference. Only use acronyms that the reader is sure to understand. By the way, a word of warning with FYI. So many people complain that they often spend time trying to figure out why they received an email with FYI, when one sentence from the sender would have answered that question.
   
   
5. Not answering email
   A major annoyance is not receiving a reply to a business email. This means senders have to keep sending "Did you receive this?" messages, plus it will surely damage your reputation because people will say things like, "She never answers her email." Take some time to make sure every e-mail receives an appropriate response, even if it's only "Sure. I'll do that." or "Thanks for this. I'll look into it."
   
   

The other five top ten lazy e-mail habits are just as important. To read them (and to see if you are guilty!) please click here.

To enhance your e-mail reputation, why not attend my upcoming workshops:
Powerful Business Writing Skills on 10-11 March
Energise your E-mail Writing Skills on 22 March

Five reasons why you should sponsor your staff to attend ASSAP® 2011

Congratulations to those of you who have already registered for the premier event for secretaries, PAs, office managers, administrators and all support staff. You can look forward to a fantastic conference on Tuesday 5 April.

You can check out the line-up of fantastic speakers and motivating topics here.

If your staff have been asking you to attend this event, and you haven't decided whether or not to approve it, perhaps you need to read some reasons why you should just go ahead and do it?

1. April is Admin Professionals' Month. Isn't that a great opportunity to show your appreciation to your valuable staff? Trust me, they don't want a lunch treat. Sign them up for ASSAP® 2011 instead.
   
   
2. With our theme this year 'Purpose, Passion and Possibilities', your staff will learn how to create purpose and passion in their jobs, and how to maximise the possibilities for their future.
   
   
3. They will enjoy a wonderful day of networking, sharing and learning. The speakers make this event inspiring, motivating and lots of fun. They are guaranteed a superb, unforgettable experience.
   
   
4. Your staff will stand a chance to win some great prizes in the lucky draw, plus they may be chosen to enter the exciting 'Super Secretary Game Show'.
   
   
5. You will be highly rewarded when they come back to work with new knowledge, not to mention great motivation. And believe me, they will be grateful to you for sponsoring them!
   
   

If this has not convinced you to sign up your staff, let some regular delegates of ASSAP® speak for themselves:

"Another exciting experience for me - my third attendance at ASSAP®. Speakers are motivational, creative and knowledgeable. Please continue to develop us professionally. As always, Shirley was an entertaining speaker, and a warm, friendly and most caring host." Eunice Koh, Sr. Exec, Corporate Secretariat Energy Market Co Pte Ltd

"What a surprise! It's an awesome event with something different every time." Cindy Chew, Personal Assistant, Ministry of Transport

NB: This promotional code expires on 11 March 2011.

Calling all Sponsors and Supporters! ASSAP® 2011 is a great opportunity to gain exposure. If you want to support ASSAP® 2011 by offering lucky draw prizes or door gifts (you know how we all enjoy presents!) or by taking a booth in our exhibition area, please e-mail assap@shirleytaylortraining.com. We would love to hear from you early please, so we can get your logo up on our website soon!

	Myth Buster
	from Think Smart, Work Smarter by Tremaine Du Preez

Closing words

I'm very proud to be Vice President of Asia Professional Speakers – Singapore (APSS), and on 24 February 2011 I was co-organiser and co-MC of Raise Your Game 2011. With 7 top-class presenters, it was a great day of learning, motivation and fun. Here I am with most of the presenters and the audience in the background. APSS is very proud to be giving away 10% of the proceeds from this event to the charity Operation Smile.

Keep Smiling!

Shirley

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