I got into a debate with my co-worker over how we should address emails to clients. He feels that starting correspondence with "Dear So&So" is too familiar and should be avoided, in fact we shouldn't use their name at all but cut to right to chase. I don't agree, and neither does another co-worker, who said when he got his MBA in the '80s "Dear XX" was expected. Yet our coworker insisted things have changed, and using "Dear" would just be weird. What do you all think?
We DO know the recipients' names. The debate is over whether the email should start with "Dear AP, Thank you for your interest... " or just simply jump to "Thank you for your interest...". The claim is that "Dear" is too familier and therefore should be reserved for friends and family, not business contacts. I think jumping to the chase just makes the email look like unsolicited spam. (which it is not)
We DO know the recipients' names. The debate is over whether the email should start with "Dear AP, Thank you for your interest... " or just simply jump to "Thank you for your interest...". The claim is that "Dear" is too familier and therefore should be reserved for friends and family, not business contacts. I think jumping to the chase just makes the email look like unsolicited spam. (which it is not)