special promotions. Purchasing departments use
e-mail to order supplies.
The technical aspect of e-mail involves
learning how to open, address, and send an
e-mail message. Once you learn these technical
skills, using e-mail is like writing a letter or a
memo. The same requirements should be fol-
lowed for e-mail as for any other written busi-
ness communication.
When e-mail was first used, there was a
tendency to be very informal. Today, when
e-mail is used for personal communication, it is
still very informal. In personal communications,
people use abbreviations, signs, and symbols to
express themselves. Personal e-mail and instant
messaging have developed a language of their
own. A popular part of this language is the
emoticon. An emoticon is a graphic symbol that
conveys meaning, for example, the smiley face :).
Abbreviations and emoticons should not be
used in business communications. Every busi-
ness e-mail should clearly indicate whom the
message is for, whom it is from (name, position,
and company), and the date and time that the
message is sent. The subject line should always
be filled in with an appropriate description of
the topic of the e-mail. Standard English should
always be used, 23-11.
Chapter 23 Skills for Success
531
Photos courtesy of JTECH Communications, Inc.
23-10 Wireless communication devices are often used in restaurant operations.
Wireless Communication in a Restaurant Operation
Kitchen Server
When the order is ready, the chef pages the server. When the server’s pager rings, the server knows to go
There is a button for each server on duty. to the kitchen to pick up the order.