Word of the Day: Inbox Zero

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |June 4, 2014

InBox Zero Inbox Zero is a rigorous approach to email management aimed at keeping the inbox empty -- or almost empty -- at all times. Inbox Zero was developed by productivity expert Merlin Mann. According to Mann, the zero is not a reference to the number of messages in an inbox; it is "the amount of time an employee's brain is in his inbox." Mann's point is that time and attention are finite and when an inbox is confused with a "to do" list, productivity suffers. Mann identifies five possible actions to take for each message: delete, delegate, respond, defer and do. Here are some of Mann's tips for effective email management: Don't leave the email client open. Process email periodically throughout the day, perhaps at the top of each hour. First delete or archive as many new messages as possible. Then forward what can be best answered by someone else. Immediately respond to any new messages that can be answered in two minutes or less. Move new messages that require more than two minutes to answer -- and messages that can be answered later -- to a separate "requires response" folder. Set aside time each day to respond to email in the "requires response" folder or chip away at mail in this folder throughout the day. Quote of the Day "How many of us are copied on emails or invites that we didn't necessarily have to be copied on -- or receive email blasts about the latest snack in the kitchen, birthday or car in the parking lot with its lights on?" - Tom Pisello   Fun Fact The first email was sent in 1971 by computer engineer Ray Tomlinson. The first use of network email announced its own existence. Related Terms Related Terms email bankruptcy email rage email response management system munging phishing Related Tags Collaboration Applications for Unified Communications   Required Reading Better communication skills can make or break your IT career success IT pros know the technical aspects of their jobs, but what about the most important one: people? Here's why better communication skills are a must. Mobile productivity apps catching up to Outlook's capabilities Outlook may soon have a competitor in mobile productivity functions as improvements put them on par with the desktop. How can enterprise gamification boost productivity? Gamification is more than a tool to incentivize customers. It works for employees too. Working in the cloud: How IT enables mobile productivity Mobile productivity tools and working in the cloud make employees' jobs easier, but the trends create concerns for IT administrators. Learn some of the ways to combat those challenges. Stay In Touch FOLLOW WHATIS.COM     CONTACT US For feedback about any of our definitions or to send us ideas for new definitions, please contact us at: editor@techtarget.com About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2013 TechTarget. All rights reserved.