It's almost 2008 and the fact is: email has replaced the phone. Email is the number one business tool.

Why do I say this? Our company email server exchange is down and our business is almost paralyzed, (at least for the next few minutes.)

Have you noticed that most of us would rather send an email then pick up the phone?

Calling someone takes effort: you have be "on" so to speak. You have to be polite and use the right tone and more importantly you have to think in real time rather than composing your thoughts and typing away. Thinking on your feet is way too hard.

Emailing has replaced the telephone. Is this a good thing or bad? Neither. It's just a fact.

It's a fact made very clear the minute your server goes down or something happens that effects your ability to send and receive emails.

So here's what I suggest that you do when you are unable to send an email:

Pick up the phone and make your calls- the way we did it in the 90s. This is going to kill you: pick up a pen and write a letter- oh and don't forget to put a stamp on the envelope. What a "relic from a different age." Use your fax machine......even though it's so yesterday. Go home. By the way, if you do decide to go home-check your email when you get there. You're probably going to receive a termination email from your boss!