Page 6 of Every Broken Piece
Chapter four
Tess
From: [email protected]
Subject: re: Introduction
I will be in New York on Monday. I will need reservations at 6pm for four people at Tony’s Off Broadway. When you call for the reservation, inform them it is for Gabriel Strong. You should have no issues securing a prime table.
Email me the specifics when you have them.
Attached is an NDA you are required to sign before I give you access to my inbox and calendar. Please sign and return immediately.
Once I receive the signed NDA, I will have Ms. Matthews in HR provide your access to my inbox. Management of my emails is of paramount importance. I’ve been without an assistant for a few days and there are hundreds of emails to sort through.
I’ll send you the document my last assistant created with a flow chart of the types of correspondence I wish to personally take care of. You can take care of the rest.
Gabriel Strong
CEO
Strong Sterling Enterprises
Iread Mr. Strong’s email three times before I allow myself some thoughts on it.
First, he’s to the point. No fuss. No pleasantries. No how are you or have a nice day. I can live with that even though I think it’s somewhat rude. It cost nothing to be pleasant.
Second, the NDA doesn’t concern me. I’ve had other clients require them. It’s smart business sense, in my opinion.
Third, he doesn’t seem to be asking a lot of me. Yes, hundreds of emails is quite a lot, but that’s probably an exaggeration. Tohim I’m sure it seems like hundreds. More than likely it's about fifty. No big deal.
Fourth, a “sincerely” would go a long way in closing out his email. Does he compose all of his emails in this fashion? If so, he could use some email etiquette lessons.
Oh. And fifth, he completely ignored my request for a video conference.
I like to touch base with my clients via video periodically because I think it’s nice to actually see each other. So much can be lost in written translation. Body language and voice inflection are important tools for communicating as well.
From: [email protected]
Subject: re: Introduction
Good morning, Mr. Strong!
Since Denver is two hours behind Cincinnati, I will always send my emails accordingly. Although I have a feeling you’re up and working fairly early most days.
Attached is my signed NDA. Please let Ms. Matthews know that I'm available at her convenience to go over the logins for your inbox and calendar.
I would like to schedule a video conference call with you in the next few days to discuss my other duties and so we can meet face-to-face, so to speak. Since I’ll be up in your inbox regularly, I feel it’s important that we get to know each other.
As I mentioned in my last email, there are many other tasks I can manage for you. Please don’t feel shy in assigning me other duties that will ease your workload.
As for your dinner reservations, I did some research into Tony’s Off Broadway and noticed the restaurant leans heavily toward seafood, more specifically shellfish. Does anyone in your party of four have a shellfish allergy?
Sincerely,
