How quickly to reply or to expect a response

Use common courtesy and common sense. Like other communications, it's best to try to respond to business emails within 24 hours, even if it's only to acknowledge that you received an email request and let the sender know when you'll be able to provide the information they're looking for. Just like paper correspondence, it's smart and efficient to only "handle" emails once. However, reading and answering emails can become a distraction or even a way to procrastinate working on other tasks! Schedule several time slots a day for dealing with email. And be patient regarding replies … not everyone will share your priorities!