Time is finite. All the more reason to give special attention to managing time blocks on your schedule and the boss’s schedule. Here are two tactics, taken from two executives who use time management to boost their productivity:
With dreaded tasks hanging over your head, you’ll feel more drained and uneasy than if you just tackle them, says author Gretchen Rubin. Next time you don’t feel like making that phone call or going to the gym, try these strategies:
Save up to $250 by shipping your luggage via a carrier rather than checking it at the airport … Focus on the most important 10% of words you speak or write, to make them more memorable … Track your company’s competition with
WatchThatPage.com, a free tool that monitors specific web pages.
Lunchwalla.com reduces the effort involved in organizing lunch meetings. The site pulls together reviews, menus, OpenTable reservations and an RSVP function into one central location.
Gazelle.com gives you cash for your business’s out-of-date gadgets.
How are companies feeling about the future? A recent McKinsey survey reports executives are feeling positive about their companies’ ability to rebound: 74% of respondents say they expect companies’ profits to rise over the next 12 months.
Much has been written about the show “Undercover Boss” and what managers and leaders can learn from it. But managers aren’t the only ones who can benefit. Admin pros, who partner with those same managers and leaders, can benefit from glimpsing a business through the eyes of top brass. It’s a reminder of how to bring value to your organization.
Laura answers at least 25 calls a day on behalf of her boss. He has asked her to e-mail the messages to him, rather than write them on paper. “But he gets hundreds of e-mails a day, and he complains that his phone messages get lost in the shuffle,” she says. “How can I resolve this and make it simple for him and me?”
High performers usually focus on only a few things at a time. The more you take on, the greater the chance that you will lose effectiveness not only in getting that task done but most likely in all aspects of your life. Use these tips for saying no to keep you on track and save you time:
Got a great idea? Find the audience most likely to “buy” it, and sell the idea by touting benefits. For example, your idea for conserving paper might be music to the ears of an operations executive tasked with reducing overall waste. Sell the idea to him first, then strategize about ways to influence others.
Early riser? Or night owl? Knowing when you crank out your best work can help improve work flow. Start by locating your power times, advises management consultant Karen Leland.
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