A Plea to People Who Send Calendar Invites: Write Better Subject Lines You + Me = much more informative.

By Jason Feifer

Rawpixel | Getty Images

Next Thursday at noon, I have an item on my calendar that says, "Call with Jason Feifer." Except, you know, I am Jason Feifer. And I don't schedule calls with myself; if I need to chat with Jason Feifer, I can just talk out loud.

So where'd this thing come from? I was emailing with someone I need to speak to, and, once we settled on a time we're both free, his assistant created an invite and sent it to both of us. The title was "Call with Jason Feifer," because that's exactly the information her boss needs. But it doesn't really help me, the other person invited to this event. Now, come Thursday, I might look at that entry on my calendar and have absolutely no recollection of who I'm talking to.

Related: A Dozen Ways You Don't Realize You Are Making a Bad Impression at Work

A quick scan backwards in my calendar finds many, many other examples of this. May 9 at 4 p.m.: "Jason Feifer Conference Call." (Question to ponder: Is a conference call more or less insufferable if you're the only person in one?) April 13, 10 a.m.: "Interview with Jason." I hope I asked myself some great questions! Tuesday, April 3, at 11 a.m: "Jason from Entrepreneur." Just a statement of fact?

So here is my simple plea to everyone who sends calendar invites: Write titles that help everyone out. Put my name and your name. My company and your company. Or hey, some combination thereof. You can get creative! Here are some fine options:

1. Jason Feifer + Joe Smith

2. Entrepreneur / Joe's Startup

3. Sync up: Jason/Joe/Nancy/Andrea

4. Joe/Jason interview

You get the point.

Together, we can maintain a baseline level of coordination between multiple parties. Together, we can remain fully informed and prepared. Together, we can create a living, mutually useful document of our finely scheduled time. And most importantly, together, when we get on the phone at noon on a Thursday, we can know who will be at the other end of the line.

I just spoke to Jason Feifer, and he thanks you for your attention to this important matter.

Jason Feifer

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief

Jason Feifer is the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine and host of the podcast Problem Solvers. Outside of Entrepreneur, he is the author of the book Build For Tomorrow, which helps readers find new opportunities in times of change, and co-hosts the podcast Help Wanted, where he helps solve listeners' work problems. He also writes a newsletter called One Thing Better, which each week gives you one better way to build a career or company you love.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Kevin O'Leary Says to 'Survive the Rest of Your Life' You'll Need This Hefty Amount in Your Bank Account

The "Shark Star" explained the concept of passive income based on interest rates.

Business News

Amazon Is Offering Students $25 Flights Home for the Holidays

Amazon partnered with StudentUniverse to sell thousands of $25 tickets for Prime Student members.

Leadership

How to Build a Socially Responsible Employer Brand (and How It Can Help You Tackle Attrition)

People of all ages and from all generations have become skeptical about companies' corporate social responsibility efforts. Here's how to fold social change into all the fibers of your corporation's brand.

Business News

George Santos Is Making Six Figures on Cameo, According to a New Report

He's on a path to eclipse his $174,000 Congressional salary.

Leadership

How to Lead With a Balanced Sense of Optimism When The Future Looks Bleak

This approach can help conscientious leaders maintain good morale and results even through uncertain times.

Growing a Business

6 Signs You Need an Executive Assistant

Executive or virtual assistants perform much more diverse functions than most people realize. Here are six signs you need to hire one.