Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
Sweat the Small Stuff
Mike Donoghue is a member of a multinational information technology corporation where he collaborates on the communications guidelines and customer relationship strategies affecting the interactions with internal and external clients. He has analyzed, defined, designed and overseen processes for various engagements including product usability and customer satisfaction, best practice enterprise standardization, relationship/branding structures, and distribution effectiveness and direction. He has also established corporate library solutions to provide frameworks for sales, marketing, training, and support divisions.
We’re constantly told, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”, or something like “Who’ll care in 20 years?” But when it comes to time lost, mismanaged priorities and emotional miscommunication, the small stuff quickly gets greater attention as we multiply five lost minutes times 500 employees.
Our world is a place of infinite details, precise coding and meticulous specification. So why do we forget to carry this discipline through to our communications? Are we rushed? Are we lazy? Do we think that everyone knows what we’re talking about? If we are sending messages for people to read, then at least we can respect those people enough to provide them with enough details to make intelligent decisions.
So how can you and your associates give and get back some lost time? Small stuff on your part is one of the answers.
E-mail Topic Needed!
When you send something, try putting a meaningful subject in your e-mail topic. If you don’t, no one can find it when needed--nor can anyone figure out where it belongs in the food chain. We all get lots of e-mails, so if you’re assuming that someone will respond to yours because it says “Read me now!” or “Per our discussion…” or any sort of homogenous combination of words that tell us nothing about what you want to discuss, then expect everyone to treat it …
When you send something, try putting a meaningful subject in your e-mail topic. If you don’t, no one can find it when needed--nor can anyone figure out where it belongs in the food chain. We all get lots of e-mails, so if you’re assuming that someone will respond to yours because it says “Read me now!” or “Per our discussion…” or any sort of homogenous combination of words that tell us nothing about what you want to discuss, then expect everyone to treat it …
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When I was born I was so surprised I couldn't talk for a year and a half. - Gracie Allen |