Last month Google revamped Gmail so that incoming mail was diverted from the inbox to different folders before mailbox owners got to see their new email messages.
There was an outcry! Why? Surely this change is a good one if it sorts your emails before they get to you? Yes – most definitely.
But Google just did it without any warning. One day all the email went into the inbox; the next day it went into different folders – and that was the day Google told its Gmail users about the change.
Now your inbox only contains emails that have been sent directly to you. Messages sent to long list of people with your email address in there somewhere now go to one of three folders:
Social – for messages via LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter etc
Promotions – from companies wanting to sell you something
Forums – for messages from groups you belong to such as professional organisations
With these messages safely tucked into their own folders, your inbox is no longer cluttered with message you don’t need to look at frequently. You can check these messages when you have a spare moment rather than interrupting your day.
Initially some emails may be misfiled so it will pay to check these categorised emails and move them to an appropriate folder. But once you’ve done that Gmail will remember and not misfile again.
Google has more information for you here or you can watch the video here
So if this new way of organising emails is so helpful, why did people get so upset with Google? What did Google do wrong?
Google surprised people. That’s what!
All Google needed to do was give its Gmail users some warning about its plans – and explain the benefits.
So many organisations forget to tell its people about upcoming changes. Then the bosses wonder why staff are upset and productivity plunges – even if only temporarily – and it is so avoidable.
In my eWorkbook I explain that if you are going to change your filing system, you need to communicate your plans to everyone concerned from the beginning of the process. That way there will be no surprises and your productivity will improve when the new system is installed.
If you don’t use Gmail and want some help managing your email, go to my earlier blogs De-mystify your email inbox and Good habits around email.
We can help you to set up folders in other email packages so you can focus on the important emails in your inbox.
You can read about more hints and tips to improve your business in my free eBook; and even more if you download the eWorkbook that gives you a full set of instructions on how to set up a filing system for your business.
Judy Owen has been working with businesses of all sizes and complexities for more than 20 years to improve and streamline the access to their business information. She and her team can show you how to reduce risk, improve productivity and increase profits with good business systems and processes in your business.