Anne Stuart

Hands On: (No) Casual Mail

When Richard Foos, former CEO of Rhino Records, launched Retropolis Entertainment, he imported a best practice from his job: a ban on E-mail between staffers.

 

Hands On

When Richard Foos, former CEO of Rhino Records, launched Retropolis Entertainment, last June, he imported a golden-oldie best practice from his previous gig: a ban on E-mail between staffers. At Rhino, Foos told his 175 staffers to E-mail one another only announcements and other messages not requiring replies. For everything else -- questions, brainstorming, requests -- he encouraged people to talk in person instead. The benefits: fewer misunderstandings, faster decision making, and a friendlier, less isolated workforce. With just six staffers, Retropolis hasn't yet reaped the benefits of an in-house E-mail ban, but Foos predicts the transplanted policy will achieve similar results as his new company grows.

The Whole New Business Catalog

IncQuery: My Business Is at a Crossroads
Design: Not Just a Pretty Typeface
Hands On: Picture This
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Search: December 2002
Strategies: The Don't-Take-It-to-Market Alternative
Hands On: (No) Casual Mail

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