Why was I told off for saying 'To whom it may concern' in an email to client's customer?

[autisticconsultant]

Just joined this year

I basically cc'd a customer into an email chain where a bunch of client employees were discussing how to best help the customer

Then some lady from the client complained to my manager and said I shouldn't have

She also said me emailing a pair of managers 'To whom it may concern' sounded frosty and unprofessional (?)

I used 'to whom it may concern' bc my email was addressing a bunch of people in senior positions and I thought it was more professional than going 'Dear X, Dear Y, Dear Z, Dear A' or 'Hi all'

My manager told me that essentially the lady felt annoyed that I gave this client problem without trying to sum up the problem myself and present her with some action points and her complaints re the To whom it may concern email were to do being put off by the massive problem I gave her re the client

no worse than calling someone an idiot lmao
what should I call a stupid person then?

I would only use 'to whom it may concern' on a reference that someone might send to various companies while looking for a job, or attach to a CV.

On an email it makes it sound as if it may or may not be relevant to the people receiving it, ie, read this and decide if it was meant for you or not.

Dear Colleagues maybe if you think Dear All is too informal.

I got one sent to 'Dear Comrades' once which I thought a bit odd!

Autistic or not, your use of the English language is appalling which you have clearly demonstrated on this thread. There is no reason why you can't improve your communication style and I strongly suggest you do.

but are you now clear about the issues you raised in the OP?

@FurQuenelle , 4 threads not 2
but no posts before today.

in emails?
i, and just about everyone i know, would simply bin anything addressed as TWIMC that landed in our inbox

i was not aware that you had to use proper English to do communicate with strangers online

i usually use good english in my professional work

1. All is better.
2. Never just include a customer in an internal email trail.
3. If you're asking Senior Management for assistance, show you value their time and effort by summarising the issue, rather than expecting them to trawl through an email thread.

That's a start of the mistakes you made. Nicely.

to be honest it is extremly difficult to parse your op. And if you want help it is better to use concise, clear language.

Your reactions to being told things you don't want to hear (a polite not to use "moron" for eg) don't give me the best impression. Hope you're not like this at work with people who are trying to help you.

Ah ok why did I make those mistakes? is it autism, laziness etc.

Oh dear. You’re not really open to being given advice or information are you?

Reading this, I would advise you to work in a setting where you have a colleague who communicates with third parties, while you focus on your strength with numbers behind the scenes. A good colleague who knows you well will be able to communicate your work product and value on your behalf. The best financial analysis in the world is of no use if the client feels that communication is deficient. Many professional services organisations split roles between those strong in sales and client care and those strong in analysis.

I still don't understand what happened.

Can you start again, OP.

Lack of experience, and if that is correct, then some lack of guidance.

I've made similar mistakes on the way up, been told about them, and moved forward ensuring I use best practice I've learnt.

I wouldn't hyperfocus on the telling off, I'd focus on taking things you're learning from this thread onboard going forward.

Hi Op

All a learning curve.

I've seen it asked a couple of times but can't see you've confirmed yet.

Did you copy in a customer into an internal email trail that should not have been shared to ask them to confirm the problem you are having with the job?

I think you need to be understandable for people to comment on your situation/questions… it may be worth just double checking your comments before you post them to make sure they make sense!

Nothing!
Keep your opinions to yourself, whether you think a customer or a work colleague is less than intelligent.

Neither.
It's just an inability to write clear English, IMO.

i usually use good english in my professional work

Only usually?

Maybe just lack of experience?

You know now. Some very good advice on this thread.

Something I think a lot of younger people don't realise: you can make yourself very liked and respected at work, simply by learning how to communicate well – especially over email.

Being clear, succinct, writing appropriately depending on your audience, giving clear timelines, responding quickly etc.

People really like it. It makes them feel understood, it makes them feel you value their time and it makes you look capable and organised.

Hey OP - please can you genuinely slowly read back what you've written here and try and reword it? Currently it does not make sense, either grammatically or semantically. Maybe you've made a typo? Maybe you've missed something out?

Blimey, I hope you aren't still in a probationary period. Your attitude stinks.

I would also add: with so much of our communication now taking place over email, there is a huge opportunity here for people who may struggle with face-to-face communication.

OP, you could make it your mission to get good at logical, clear written communication. Yeah you will probably still miss nuances etc, but there's a lot you can learn. And maybe you can learn that if X person is a customer/senior to you/at your level, then you modify how you deal with them.

“Good morning all” may have been better (or afternoon)

”to whom it may concern” is inappropriate.

take the ticking off and learn for next time.

It’s definitely rude.
If you don’t know their names write “ Dear Sir/Madam’

”To whom it may concern “ sounds officious and rude.

”Two whom it may concern, do please use our names or titles in future “

See how unfriendly it sounds?

I agree. I suspect it wasn't just one email that raised concerns.