iPod...

It seems I've won a video iPod... I already own an iPod, of course (what self-respecting Mac user wouldn't?), but who could object to getting a shiny, new one?

I won it for filling in an internal survey on how much e-mail we receive, and why it's so bad...

I don't know whether my name was just drawn out of a hat, or if they chose a response that was vaguely useful (probably the hat...), but my responses are below. Most of them are straight from Merlin Mann's excellent 43 Folders site. Well worth a read, if you have the time.

Would you like to see the amount of email that you receive reduced?

Yes.

Most e-mail I receive that is not directly addressed to me is long-winded, usually irrelevant, and gets deleted instantly.

Would you like to receive better quality e-mails ?

Yes.

Because of the quantity of e-mail, I believe that the following rules should apply when sending:

1. Subject lines can convey whole messages: e.g.

   • XYZ Meeting Tues 28/02 MOVED to 15:00
   • Lunch resched to Friday @ 1pm
   • REQ: Resend Larry Tate zip file?
   • Thanks for the new liver?works great!

2. Be brief. Exceptionally brief. 1 paragraph is ideal.

3. Use small paragraphs - people do not, apparently, like reading dense text off a screen.

4. Don't bury the message. Put the one thing that you want to convey in a one liner at the top of the e-mail.

5. If you must be long-winded, follow rule 4, above, then explain in long and tedious detail. i.e. an e-mail should consist of:

   • A one liner summarising the whole mail.
   • An explanation

I strongly suggest that everyone, particularly those in senior management, read : http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/19/writing-sensible-email-messages/