Editor's note: Consultants receive hundreds of e-mails and dozens of news clippings from friends. It's tempting to put them in a pile and forget them. We think it will take great effort to send a thank you, but it doesn't. In this case, six words do the trick. Whenever someone takes the trouble to send you something, at least let them know you received it. My exception to this rule is humorous Internet e-mails. I like to laugh and love cartoons, but I don't interrupt my business day viewing the latest funny photos of wrecked cars.

In this case, my friend Martin has sent me a timely article. Here is a typical short, effective reply: