Instructions for a colleague
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
Tim,
We have a team meeting in Room 310 on Friday 26 November at 11 a.m. We are expecting 25 members of our international team there.
- Could you please book the room for us?
- Would you please prepare 25 pens and notepads for the meeting?
- Also, can you write an email to the team members to tell them the time and place of the meeting?
Thanks very much for your help. If you have any questions about this just let me know – I'll be in the office tomorrow morning.
Marketing Department
Tips
1. You can start a note with just the name of the person you are writing to or Hi ... . You don’t need to use Dear … .
2. Make sure dates are very clear. Include the day, date and time.
3. Explain the reason for the instructions.
4. Write clear and polite instructions. Use phrases like Can / Could / Would you please … ?
5. At the end offer the chance to ask questions and check the instructions.
6. Finish the note with Best, or Thanks, and then your name underneath.
I generally prefer to write them instruction. It is the only way where they can review afterwards without calling you. Whenever you instruct someone orally, you are just expecting them to forget a task and blame it on you.
I prefer to write an email because I'm too lazy to drive to my office.
In my opinion it's much eazy to create a new group on social networks and write there one email.
I prefer to write them a note so that if they forget, they can check it
I prefer writing. It's easier.
I prefer to speak to them directly, but if I need to give some easy instructions, I prefer to write them.
When I have to give someone instructions, I prefer speaking to them first. Then I write down the task with a comment and a dead-line, so I can check it later.
I would either leave a note or directly speak to them when I give some instructions basing on different situation. If the issue is hard to follow, I will give them an instruction through note or email, in case of they need to revise. If it's urgent, speaking face to face would be better.
I prefer to write a note or e-mail so it will be easy for them to follow the instruction as well I will offer them to speak with me. If there is anything they want to know more regarding the task.
It depends on the situations: for example, if the instructions are very numerous and complicated, I prefer to write a note by email for explaining everything accurately; but I prefer to speak if we are dealing with a simple situation and there's not much one can do about it.
This may depend on the situation. If the task needs to be done at once, I prefer to speak to them. However, for important task that do not need to be done immediately, I prefer both speaking and writing to them.