The who are you? This e-mail may contain critical information, but is unidentifiable and therefore overlooked. This e-mail typically comes from someone in the organization whose name you do not recognize. If you only knew they were in the payroll department and they needed your signature on the forms accepting your option grant, you wouldn't have deleted the e-mail. Oops.
The recall. This is when you send an e-mail and you want to take it back, so you ask the system to retrieve it.
This one can only be described as pathetic. You cannot get it back once sent. It is a fiction. Everyone now knows that not only did you make a mistake, but that you are either impulsive or you don't have the backbone to stand behind your remarks. One thing I can guarantee 100%-if you attempt to recall a message every single recipient, no exceptions, will open that e-mail and read it.
The e-mail wars. No description needed. You know what this is! For it's etymology, see #3 above. There are those who live in perpetual fear of the outbreak of World War III, as it would have devastating effects because of the use of nuclear weapons. I personally can't picture it. On the other hand I have seen E-mail Wars and in my opinion they can have comparable effects on any organization. Not sure? Let me make the case.
Once begun it is difficult to stop.
Retaliation is inevitable. All participants reserve the first strike capability.
Combatants typically employ the military strategy of overwhelming force.
Finally, once begun, even if halted, the effects last for months, if not years.
When asked about the greatest risks facing their communication network, most business leaders will dutifully respond "network security" and "Spam." I beg to differ. Both of these are intrusions from the outside. The greatest risk we face in abusing and misusing our communication networks comes from within. In the words of the immortal Pogo, "We have met the enemy and he is us."
The stakes are high and the tools powerful. Let's stop for a moment to gain perspective. It may be a while before the next new tool comes around.
Mark Goldberg is president and CEO of Royal Alliance in New York City. This article was originally an internal communication to his executive management team.