I have often observed how an email request sent to ten people simultaneously will generate few responses but that separate emails sent to ten people individually will result in many more replies.
Pete Abilla's shmula blog had a terrific post over the weekend explaining this phenomenon: "Reply All" and the Bystander Problem. The post provides several startling examples of the bystander effect and provides good advice on how to overcome it:
- Address only the relevant people in an email – and not too many people
- Address, by name, the person to whom you are requesting advice, help, or approval
- Be clear, concise, and make your request explicit — do not leave the recipient guessing
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Tapani
Irena