I just finished clearing out over 400 e-mail messages from my inbox. My e-mail inbox works much like an inbox on my desk. If there's a message in there it means I haven't dealt with it. So having 400 e-mails meant that I had 400 things to do. Yuck!

As I was going through my messages I kept thinking that I can't be alone in this e-mail inundation. That means that all of the people that I send e-mails to are just as overwhelmed as I am.

Generally e-mail is my prefered mode of communication because I can deal with it whenever I feel like it. Most often that's really early in the morning. Other times it's in the evening, or on days like today it's in the middle of a Sunday. It's great because nobody is going to get upset with me for having dealt with their issue on a Sunday like they would if I made a phone call.

Unfortunately we're all so bombarded by e-mail that much of it doesn't get the attention it deserves. Plus with all of the spam filters and Internet service providers out there you can never be sure that your e-mail even made it to it's final destination.'

The solution: Don't just rely on e-mail to communicate and follow-up. For those items that are really important, pick up the phone and make a call.

Keep using e-mail. It's a great tool, but don't forget that phone sitting on your desk. It's still one of the best business tools we have at our disposal.

Happy networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com