Find Out Your Electronic Mail Quotient (EMQ)
by Maureen Chase and Sandy Trupp
Co-authors of Office Emails that Really Click,
Don't Stub Your Pinkie™ on the Space Bar
1. When you receive an email message that solicits a response, at what point
is it appropriate to reply?
a) immediately - I hate to keep people waiting!
b) within a week
c) do I have to reply?
2. How often do you forward emails?
a) only if it’s a great or important message, like computer virus
warnings
b) sometimes - there are some pretty funny jokes out there
c) all day long - I love all of those chain letters going around email!
3. Suppose you received a "joke" email that you think is funny. To
how many people might you forward it?
a) 1 person
b) 5-10 people
c) everyone in Cleveland
4. Have you ever been guilty of spamming?
a) no
b) yes
c) what is spamming?
5. When you send emails do you usually use a subject header?
a) yes, of course, I label all of my emails
b) no, why should I?
d) what is a subject header?
6. How often do you check your email?
a) every five minutes -- I can't wait any longer!
b) once or twice per day
c) never - do I even have email?
7. When you compose emails do you usually use a greeting such as "Hello,
Kathy"?
a) yes
b) it depends
c) no, they know who they are
8. Do you spell check your emails?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Is that possible?
9. How do you sign, or close, your emails?
a) with my full name or initials
b) with my nickname from college
c) I don't sign my emails. People should know who the sender is!
10. Can I fulfill certain business obligations through email, such as
thanking someone for a gift or sending out company party invitations?
a) often
b) sometimes - depends on the particular situation
c) never - email is not the right forum
11. Sometimes I like to write my emails in all capital letters, or even in
all lowercase letters. Is this ok?
a) never, unless you are intending to shout or whisper, respectively, at
someone!
b) sometimes
c) always, because it’s much easier
***BONUS***
12. Where can I find a comprehensive guide to sending successful emails?
a) In OFFICE EMAILS THAT REALLY CLICK: Don’t Stub Your Pinkie™ on
the Space Bar from Aegis Publishing (October
2000).
Tally your totals of each letter then...
TRACK YOUR EMQ!!!
