Email Oh Email

It’s a culture in SKALI to use email as one way of communication. You can expect lots of email in your inbox folder almost everyday, including weekends. I have been in this culture for almost 5 years, and now (since last December) I am going through all this all over again.

Its nothing new and it doesn’t actually bother me, except that I have to deal with different type of people. My e-mail’s recipients are now differing from previous. Most of them are my bosses, my team members, clients as well as partners. Not to forget, friends.

I guess, all of us tend to forget that there is some etiquette been drawn out for us to follow when writing email. Its not a rule, but more into a guideline. Still, people are likely to ignore. That’s including me. I admit. Sometimes, when I read through some emails sent by me, its sounds immature, impropriate and maybe in times not professional.

I “googled” the net to find some simple email etiquette that I think can be followed as our guideline. However, they are more into western’s culture. So, being a Malaysian which always claimed that we are more polite and humble then the “mat saleh”, I guess we can do more than the list below.

What are the etiquette rules?

There are many etiquette guides and many different etiquette rules. Some rules will differ according to the nature of your business and the corporate culture. Below we list what we consider as the 32 most important email etiquette rules that apply to nearly all companies.

32 most important email etiquette tips:

1. Be concise and to the point
2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation
4. Make it personal
5. Use templates for frequently used responses
6. Answer swiftly
7. Do not attach unnecessary files
8. Use proper structure & layout
9. Do not overuse the high priority option
10. Do not write in CAPITALS
11. Don't leave out the message thread
12. Add disclaimers to your emails
13. Read the email before you send it
14. Do not overuse Reply to All
15. Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge
16. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons
17. Be careful with formatting
18. Take care with rich text and HTML messages
19. Do not forward chain letters
20. Do not request delivery and read receipts
21. Do not ask to recall a message.
22. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission
23. Do not use email to discuss confidential information
24. Use a meaningful subject
25. Use active instead of passive
26. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT
27. Avoid long sentences
28. Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
29. Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters
30. Keep your language gender neutral
31. Don't reply to spam
32. Use cc: field sparingly

Full content; http://www.emailreplies.com/

Mari mengundi

"Mari lah mari, pergi mengundi,
kita tunaikan kewajipan, pada negara"

Hmm.. thats a must-hear-song during voting period in Malaysia. I can still remember the chorus. And I dare to say it is a “trademark” song for Malaysian, as fine as Sudirman’s merdeka song.

Malaysia is going to have her 12th General Election on this Saturday, March 8 2008. And it will be my third time to execute my responsible as a true Malaysian. I started to vote since I am eligible to do so. I registered myself in 1998, and in 1999 I drew down my first “X”.

I was actually getting excited and boosted up to vote just because of the situation at that period of time. You should know whats happened then. J People were talking about politics like no other business. And coincidently that’s the year I started to have internet access from home. It gave me more access to various resources of whats happening in the country. Then, my adrenaline went up and I was so thrilled to be in the crowd, and feel the heat of the situation.

That’s in 1999.

Gradually, I began to understand the meaning of my vote. Its actually not only for me. Its for my wife and definitely for my children. My vote will contribute to the society, as my vote will determine who my leader is. These leaders will “define” the society’s, or, even the country’s framework. They are the people who represent the public’s concerns and bring it up to relevant parties.

Whatever the result is, I might able to move on. But looking at my hands, I am holding my beautiful kids which by God willing, they are going to live for the next 40 or 60 years. By that time, I might not be around and definitely, I have to give my trust to the leaders to “help” my son and daughters.

That’s how I see my role in this general election.

So, I will definitely go to the polling center. Tomorrow, my vote will help to name the leader of my community. Wish him a very best of luck.

Jom mengundi!

Happy Birthday, Nur Hanim

Nur Hanim bt Sharulnizam.

That’s my daughter. Last Saturday, she celebrates her third birthday.She was born on March 1, 2005 at Pusat Perubatan Ibukota, Sentul. I still remember on that day I went to accompany my wife for her check-up. It’s a routine, as she was required to have a weekly check-up towards end of her pregnancy period. While waiting, I SMS”ed” to Kak Sha, that I might be late to the office. Yeah, I still a SKALIAN on that day. :)

Kamilah, my wife, went upstairs for CTG reading. It took quite sometimes, longer than usual, and I start to feel that today might be the day. 30 minutes later, a nurse came down and said;

“Encik Sharul ye? Isteri encik bersalin hari ni kot, bukaan dah 4 cm dah”

Hah! Its expected, but actually hard to believe. My wife didn’t show much symptoms or signals as she did when she gave birth on our first child. Immediately, I went upstairs to my dearest wife. She was on a bed, wired all over her tummy but still able to give her adorable smile.

So then, whats happened two years earlier was happening again that day. I was with my wife since her being warded until she safely delivered Nur Hanim.

Nur Hanim, was born with 3.9 kg in weight and the deliverance was normal. I can see hows my wife struggled and having all the painful, while I couldn’t do much except encouraging her to be strong. And as usual, once we see the baby, we couldn’t stop the tears from dropping down. Alhamdulillah.

Well, gentlemen. I would recommend you to be in the labor room with your wife (if you have the chance) and go through the miracle moments. Then, you will be more grateful to your wife and you will find how strong the women are.

Lastly, for my beloved daughter, happy birthday. Abah sayang Hanim!