"Emails cannot replace the spoken word.'"
Sure nice comment for the CEO to make when he has people doing his actual emails/letters for him. However, in a real company, where real accountability with projects, employees and customers is required, the spoken word is nothing but that, spoken. When I ask a project manager why a customer compained about something not being done, and he clearly demonstrates it to me in an email, then I won't have to "take the spoken word" for it will I?