Should you use Acronyms in Business Emails?

[Big Dan]

As a spin off from Ray's thread listing Email Acronyms do you think internet shorthand has a place in business correspondence?

Personally I use shorthand with business contacts via Instant Messenger but not in emails it just seems unprofessional to me unless you really know who you're talking to.

Your thoughts?

 

[EQ Admin]

It depends.

In communication between coworkers that you frequently email I think it is OK.

In communications to a client when you are representing a company I'd recommend against any non-technical internet chat shortcuts / slang terms / acronyms.

For example I would not start a sentence with FWIW in a business email, but I would be OK including DoS (though I'd likely define it too to be safe / give a complete understandable answer).