I hope you are well

[0000]

Cotty said:

I have Skype but don't use it, is it a useful tool?

I just find that if someone wants to ask me a question other than using a phone they can email me. Am I missing something?

It can be. Everyone in a company I work with is on it, mostly working from home.

[Cotty]

0000 said:

It can be. Everyone in a company I work with is on it, mostly working from home.

I have remote offices, Mumbai, New York, Germany, London, etc. What is the benefit over email?

[tribbles]

Cotty said:

I have Skype but don't use it, is it a useful tool?

I just find that if someone wants to ask me a question other than using a phone they can email me. Am I missing something?

We've got Skype for Business (used to be called "Lync"). Because we're multi-national, it's quite handy to ask questions which may not need an immediate reply (if you want an immediate reply, you'd call), or if it's short (if it's a long topic, you'd email).

For example, "Can I call you?" would be something you'd quite often do with Skype, as would "Can you remember if ...?", or "Have you got time for a quick question?"

I do have one rule though - I always for their second line before making a reply, unless they don't know the rule - in which case I'll make them wait a few seconds. The first line is usually "Hi, Tribbles", and the second line is normally what they're after.

Unless it's "How are you doing?", in which case I know I'm there for the long-haul...

[0000]

Cotty said:

0000 said:

It can be. Everyone in a company I work with is on it, mostly working from home.

I have remote offices, Mumbai, New York, Germany, London, etc. What is the benefit over email?

It's different, we still use email. Mostly use it for video calls and instant messaging - being able to just leave it open and send a quick one liner every now and again is quite useful (can you send me that spreadsheet, what time are you leaving today), or drag and drop files. Actually, just the status (online, offline, away, busy) is great for letting you know when someone's there and so you can call them on Skype there and then or if they're offline drop them an email they can pick up later.

[0000]

When you don't see someone very often video calls work quite well to maintain that relationship. It's a bit odd when you meet people for the first time despite having made video calls to them daily though.

[Trabi601]

Always sounds like something you'd see in a Nigerian scam email to me.

[Cotty]

tribbles said:

For example, "Can I call you?" would be something you'd quite often do with Skype, as would "Can you remember if ...?", or "Have you got time for a quick question?"

Using your example of "Can I call you?" you could send the same message via email or why not just call them?

If you are already using email why introduce another tool that in my eyes does the same thing? Sorry if I am being obtuse.

[mudster]

A phone call is an instant demand on someone's time. Can use Skype just to ask informally for a call back when free. It's much less formal than an email (which tends to be used when you need a written record for ass covering).

One of the best uses of Skype I find, is the ability to share you screen with someone when running through something. Can describe and show people what you mean. Picture paints a 1000 words etc.

[Trabi601]

mudster said:

A phone call is an instant demand on someone's time. Can use Skype just to ask informally for a call back when free. It's much less formal than an email (which tends to be used when you need a written record for ass covering).

One of the best uses of Skype I find, is the ability to share you screen with someone when running through something. Can describe and show people what you mean. Picture paints a 1000 words etc.

We use Lync extensively at work - it was a real revelation to me when I started this job. After 8 years in home / field based roles, trying to do everything using traditional telephony and email, the ability to 'ping' someone to ask a quick question, or ask for a call when free - and the screen sharing stuff - has made life much easier and less isolated.

[bayleaf]

Cotty said:

tribbles said:

For example, "Can I call you?" would be something you'd quite often do with Skype, as would "Can you remember if ...?", or "Have you got time for a quick question?"

Using your example of "Can I call you?" you could send the same message via email or why not just call them?

If you are already using email why introduce another tool that in my eyes does the same thing? Sorry if I am being obtuse.

Maybe other people's jobs are different to yours.

[simoid]

EnthusiastOwned said:

My colleague says:

"I hope this e-mail finds you well"

What a non greeting. WTF!

I had that regularly from someone. I actually googled it to check they weren't loopy. Turns out it's fairly standard!

Sometimes I comment about the weather. I assume I'm going to hell.

[dfen5]

I've started getting a few "I hope this email finds you well and in good spirits". I almost relax before continuing to read the email. As suggested previously, it just sets the tone.

The emails that just start with your forename tend to get my back up before I've even read them. These tend to be piss-poor attempts at being 'snotty'. Common courtesy and good manners costs nothing.

[Jasandjules]

I have always been tempted to reply with

"Not good, the wife has run away with the milkman. I'll miss him".....

As above, it is the same as the "how are you" opener that some people go with - 99% of the time they really couldn't give a s**t what your answer is though...

[Cotty]

mudster said:

One of the best uses of Skype I find, is the ability to share you screen with someone when running through something. Can describe and show people what you mean. Picture paints a 1000 words etc.

Screen sharing, that sounds interesting will have to look into that.

[tribbles]

Cotty said:

tribbles said:

For example, "Can I call you?" would be something you'd quite often do with Skype, as would "Can you remember if ...?", or "Have you got time for a quick question?"

Using your example of "Can I call you?" you could send the same message via email or why not just call them?

If you are already using email why introduce another tool that in my eyes does the same thing? Sorry if I am being obtuse.

You're right in that email can do the same thing - but Skype is more immediate while not being that intrusive. If you can't call, then you can always reply by asking if you can help via Skype (which would be the same window as you're currently using).

But where email can be from anyone, Skype tends to be only from your contacts, so you get an immediate filter (you could probably have folders in your email for colleagues, and monitor them).

And, as has been mentioned before, you also get to know if the person is at their desk or not (you can set your status so you are busy). If you're on a call, or in a meeting, then Skype for business will also show that to your colleagues.

[C.A.R.]

Mine usually start with "apologies for the late reply"

Because I think I've already replied then later realise that I had only imagined what I was going to email back with and hadn't actually sent anything.

I'm good like that.

Some of the wimmin in the office send those smiley faces at the end of emails. Again, no harm done, it's exactly like if you phone them and they call you -
Petal
Flower
Chick
etc.

Just friendly, innit.

[Impasse]

C.A.R. said:

Just friendly, innit.

It is, yes. x

[jdw100]

How about signing off emails with;

I'll remember your kind words.

Any thoughts?

[Oakey]

Lmao, I must have had this thread subconsciously in my mind because I just rang a client and the convo went;

Me "Hi so and so, it's oakey"

Him "oh hi Oakey, how are you?"

Me "Have you received the invoice?"

I actually feel a bit of a tbh.

Kind Regards

Oakey

[Triumph Man]

If I haven't spoken to or corresponded with somebody I know in a while I will put "I hope you are well" in an email. I also put Hi/Dear (their name), Cheers/Kind regards (My name). A little bit of friendliness doesn't go amiss.