Have you heard of BLUF and I DO?

Much of work at work comes down to two simple things: emails and meetings.

Here is one tip for each to make you that bit better this week.

1. Email: use BLUF

Normally emails begin with friendly connection (“how are you?”), then give an explanation (“so I was thinking about X, and because of Y, we need to consider Z”), and then finally give the conclusion (“we need to ABC”).

To make emails a lot better, use BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front.

This means flipping the order. Begin with the conclusion. Then give the explanation. Then close with the friendly connection.

2. Meetings: use I DO

Most meetings chug along without purpose. We kind of fall into them.

To make meetings a lot better, use I DO: Intention and Desired Outcomes.

Begin every meeting by stating the intention and desired outcomes. If you’re not running the meeting, ask what the intention and desired outcomes are. Then when the meeting wanders away from the I DO, say: “We are wandering away — let’s get back to our I DO.”