Latest Articles
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With the New Year here and many mature businesses not, we must reflect on what has to be done to operate effectively with out current resources all while taking advantage of the opportunities left behind from closed competitors. The silver lining is the opportunity to build capacity and increase market share. For non-profits this means providing more services for the community with the current resources.
- Lean Office - The Relentless Pursuit of Common Sense
When someone hears the word "Lean" in a business setting they may respond with ugh. No need however. Even as this discipline is essential to the survival of companies in the new world economy, it is also an exercise in common sense. Well herein lies the problem. What is common sense to one is not necessarily common sense to another.
- What is Value Stream Mapping and How Can it Help Me Increase Profits?
You are probably asking what is a Value Stream Map and how does that help me increase profits? Do you have a good idea what you are wasting time, money and resources on? If you are like most business owners probably not.
- Evaluating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software - Increase Productivity Database
As I work with clients this tool is becoming increasingly important. To try to track your correspondence, email, documents, phone calls and appointments with your customers and prospects is nearly impossible to do on paper.
- The Organized Stress Free Vacation
Summer is here and so is family vacation time. I speak to many people who dread the preparation and aftermath of a vacation. How do you minimize the stress of vacation? With preparation. Below are some tips to help your vacation be the best it can be.
Time Blocking For Productivity
I was working with a client this week and we talked about blocking time and eliminating interruptions. Below is a statistic from the National Association of Professional Organizers about multitasking:
“People who multitask are less efficient than those who focus on one project at a time.” Star-Telegram.com
Coming from the keep your nose to the grindstone frame of mind this is a foreign concept. More and more we hear experts telling us that multitasking is a habit we need to change. Our 21st century society and all the technology has brought with it a whole new set of issues that business professionals of the past did not deal with. Just like Pavlov’s dogs, a cue comes we must answer it. Say no to interruptions and yes to focusing on what you need to get done. It is far more productive.
To help you do this, try the following:
• Time blocking
• Turn off your email alert
• Only open your email program when checking email
• Pick three times a day to check email and voicemail
• Give your parameters on your voicemail and email so others know when to expect your answer.
I was watching a video by Eben Pagan of Wake Up Productive and he offered a great tip on helping to prioritize your day.
• 40% on customer creation
• 20% on sales conversion
• 10% on content – what your product is
• 30% on management (time, people, business)
This lets you know what you should be doing during your time blocks for the day. I thought this was a great formula to really give people parameters.
Below is a sample schedule of blocking your day so you can minimize interruptions and still answer email, voicemail and questions from other people. This is just a starting place. Adjust the schedule to suit your needs and workflow. These can be shifted around but the first 90 minutes should be your most important task(s) of the day.
TIME AND TASK
First 90 minutes---Most important task & Customer creation
15 to 30 Minutes---Email, voicemail, questions
Second 90 minutes---Customer creation
15 to 30 Minutes---Email, voicemail, questions
Lunch break---Eat a healthy meal
Third 90 minutes---Sales conversion & content
15 to 30 Minutes---Email, voicemail, questions
Fourth 90 minutes---Management (time, people, business)
15 Minute Wrap---Wrap up you day and prioritize tomorrow
Let everyone know your visiting hours. This way they will collect all their questions and use your time and theirs more efficiently. For those who have a time sensitive job such as a lawyer or an admin in charge of multiple people you can check the email and voice mail for time sensitive emergencies and then start this schedule. If it is not a true emergency then address those messages at the scheduled time.
Please send me some of your techniques that have helped you be more produc