1. How to write an email message

2. How to write an email message
This is all Conor’s fault. This is advice that I gave him, and he suggested that I present it to everyone.

3. State the Problem

4. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered

5. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem

6. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions

7. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons

8. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best

9. DO NOT SEND THIS State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best

10. This is a good way to organize your thoughts
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best
This is a good way to organize your thoughts
and come to a conclusion. Now that you know
the best solution, do you need to ask your boss?

11. If you do need to get your boss’s approval,
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best
If you do need to get your boss’s approval,
Then rewrite the message underneath,
in reverse order.

12. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best

13. List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
State the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Pros and Cons
Suggest the Best
This is called the hourglass format.
Then, get rid of the top part…

14. Choose the Best Three Solutions
State the Problem
Suggest the Best
List the Pros and Cons
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
… and get rid of any steps
your boss doesn’t need to see.

15. Choose the Best Three Solutions
State the Problem
Suggest the Best
List the Pros and Cons
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List the Possible Solutions to the Problem
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
… and get rid of any steps
your boss doesn’t need to see.

16. Choose the Best Three Solutions
State the Problem
Suggest the Best
List the Pros and Cons
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered

17. Choose the Best Three Solutions
State the Problem
Suggest the Best
List the Pros and Cons
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
This is a tight, professional message that gets right to the point, but provides supporting material if the person wants more detail.

18. Choose the Best Three Solutions
State the Problem
Suggest the Best
List the Pros and Cons
Choose the Best Three Solutions
List All of the Issues that Need to be Considered
This is a tight, professional message that gets right to the point, but provides supporting material if the person wants more detail.
Extra Credit: Use this technique on the phone or in a meeting.