It’s difficult to deal with conversational e-mail from outsiders, what I usually do is set it aside and deal with it during the two periods during the day when I return phone calls, then call the person. Extended conversational e-mail is less efficient than talking on the phone & I’ll just deal with it then.

Insider conversational e-mail is easier to deal with by agreeing on rules about communication within the team: conversational type e-mail doesn’t belong in e-mail, it belongs in the internal IM system. Our IM system gives users the chance to describe themselves as busy, sleeping, offline, etc. & if the IM system shows they’re not available, then leave a voice mail or send the e-mail. Nonconversational e-mail & transmitting documents, schedules, etc., belong in e-mail.