Managing Business Email

Managing the email monster

MANAGING BUSINESS EMAIL

In business we start the day with the best of intentions – knock out those priorities! Then, an ever-present little voice reminds us to check the inbox; our attention turns from focusing on results to focusing on email.

The biggest problem with email these days is that it probably features other people’s priorities. Opening it can feel a little like opening a can of worms, or even worse, Pandora’s Box. Email has the potential to consume the day, unrelated to our intended goals.

Some studies estimate that ‘content switching’ or interruptions (which emails can be) could consume as much as six hours in a work day. Jonathan Spira, author of “Overload! How Too Much Information Is Hazardous To Your Organization,” estimates that interruptions and information overload eat up 28 billion wasted hours a year, at a loss of almost $1 trillion to the U.S. economy.

Simply put, email can consume your business life. Some studies have concluded that it may take up to 25 minutes to refocus on an intended task after being interrupted. Do the math on lost time. It’s scary.

MANAGE THE EMAIL MONSTER

Turn off the ding! That familiar ping that accompanies incoming mail says ‘pay attention to me.’ Since humans are curious, the temptation is to ‘click.’ Our little voice says: ‘It might be important.’ If it is really important, the person will call.
If email is automatically displayed on the side of your computer screen, turn that function off. You see it even when you should be focused on something else.
Return email in batches! Set times twice per day when you can crank out 10 replies at once. Pick times you have not assigned for focused work. Stick to it!
When you email a person too many times per day, they pay less attention. Be completely clear the first time, or pick up the phone and talk to them instead.
Don’t ask to be copied on everything unless it is potentially a legal matter, and don’t ask employees to keep you in the ‘loop’ on their daily stuff. Trust them to do their jobs without constant oversight. If they can’t, get new people.
Chain emails back and forth for clarification can be irritating. If messages are misunderstood the first time, pick up the phone and speak to the person.
Spell correctly. Use correct grammar. Not only does it look professional, you never know when emails will wind up in the newspaper or forwarded to someone you never intended.
Leave the iPhone or Blackberry behind sometimes. You don’t need to check mail at the gym or the sandwich shop. Live life. Remember to relax sometimes.
Remember, email is not your job. It is just a tool. If too much of your day is spent sending and responding to email, reevaluate priorities.
Focus on results, not the inbox.

River City Consulting is just that – a consulting resource. We help businesses succeed. Contact us!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

ADA Website Accessibility: What Businesses Need to Know in 2026

August 14, 2026

Website accessibility has been a conversation for years, but recent changes to federal accessibility requirements are putting an even bigger spotlight on how websites work for people with disabilities. And if your website hasn’t been reviewed for accessibility recently, now is a good time to take another look. At River City Advertising, we have the tools to add accessibility-focused features that are easier for everyone to use. What Changed With ADA Website Accessibility? In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act establishing a specific technical accessibility standard for websites and mobile apps provided by state and local governments. That standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA —a widely recognized set of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines designed to make digital content more accessible to people with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive and other disabilities. In 2026, the DOJ extended the deadlines for these public entities: April 26, 2027: State and local government entities with populations of 50,000 or more April 26, 2028: Smaller public entities and special district governments While these particular deadlines apply to state and local governments, the changes reinforce something that affects organizations of all kinds: website accessibility is becoming increasingly important. Businesses should also remember that accessibility obligations can vary depending on the type of organization, services provided and applicable federal, state and local laws. What Does an Accessible Website Actually Mean? Accessibility isn't simply adding a button to your website. An accessible website is designed so people with disabilities can navigate, understand and interact with its content—including visitors who use screen readers, keyboard navigation or other assistive technologies. Some of the elements that can affect accessibility include: Alternative text for meaningful images Appropriate color contrast between text and backgrounds Clear heading structures Keyboard-friendly navigation Properly labeled buttons, links and form fields Readable text and logical page layouts Accessible forms Captions or alternatives for multimedia content Correct website language settings Content that works effectively with screen readers Many of these features also happen to make a website easier to use for everyone , not only visitors with disabilities. How Our Platform Helps Us Build More Accessible Websites At River City Advertising accessibility isn't treated as an afterthought. Our platform includes built-in functionality that can help developers create more accessible websites, including support for alternative text, keyboard navigation and automatic website language definition. Our platform also integrates with accessibility solutions such as UserWay and AudioEye for businesses and organizations that want additional accessibility tools, monitoring and remediation capabilities. However, there is an important distinction: No website platform, plugin or accessibility widget can automatically guarantee that a website is 100% ADA compliant. Accessibility depends on the platform and how the website is designed, written, maintained and updated. For example, adding an accessibility tool doesn't fix a poorly structured page, unclear link text, an inaccessible third-party application or every issue created when new content is added. That is why accessibility should be viewed as an ongoing website-management practice rather than a one-time checkbox. Why Businesses Should Pay Attention Now Even if the newest Title II deadlines don't apply directly to your business, there are several reasons to make website accessibility a priority. Reach more people. An accessible website makes it easier for more potential customers to interact with your business online. Create a better user experience. Clear navigation, readable content, properly labeled forms and thoughtful page structure benefit everyone. Support your SEO efforts. Several accessibility best practices—such as descriptive image text, organized headings and well-structured content—can also help search engines better understand your website. Reduce unnecessary risk. Digital accessibility continues to be an important legal and regulatory issue. Proactively improving accessibility is much better than waiting until someone identifies a problem. Prepare your website for the future. Accessibility standards and expectations continue to evolve. Building accessibility into your website now makes it easier to adapt as requirements change. Accessibility Isn't "Set It and Forget It" This may be the most important takeaway. Your website can become less accessible over time as new pages, images, videos, forms, integrations and other content are added. That's why website accessibility should be part of ongoing website management. At River City Advertising, we can help businesses evaluate their current websites, identify accessibility concerns and determine what tools or updates may make sense. Is It Time for an Accessibility Check? If you're unsure how your current website measures up, we can help you take a closer look. Contact River City Advertising to talk about your website, accessibility options and how we can help make your online presence easier for more people to use. This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. ADA and digital accessibility requirements can vary depending on your organization and jurisdiction. Businesses with questions about their specific legal obligations should consult qualified legal counsel.