"By requiring employees to use appropriate, businesslike language in all electronic communications, employers can limit their liability risks and improve the overall effectiveness of the organization's e-mail and Internet copy in the process."
-Excerpt from “Writing Effective E-mail,” by Nancy Flynn and Tom Flynn

Ever get copied on an email that does not apply to you? Have trouble reading a message because there are so many recipients in the “To:” field? As a business professional, simple rules will help you avoid looking like an amateur in the world of e-business communication.

So why all the rules? For one, it’s important to remain professional in company communications, both to appear competent to your customers, and because you never know who may intercept your mail. Second, emails that are to the point and easy to read are more efficient. Lastly, employees that understand email etiquette are less likely to put the company at risk. With the bulk of company communications still moving through email, it is crucial to make the best impression when using this enterprise application.

Andrew Dunlop, vice president of Web Services for DynaSis Integrated Systems, provides the following top five rules for email etiquette.