When Is Time Management Not Enough?

Written by Gerry McRae


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Now, let me share with yourepparttar simple control device that didrepparttar 144179 turn-around for me.

It was set up as a spreadsheet. Inrepparttar 144180 first column I listedrepparttar 144181 items to be produced, inrepparttar 144182 second column wererepparttar 144183 objectives (e.g: 10 / week, 0.2/day, 12 in can, etc.) and torepparttar 144184 right columns headed with dates ofrepparttar 144185 workdays forrepparttar 144186 month into which you tally your production. Inrepparttar 144187 far right columns are totals and evaluation against your objectives.

The vertical tally gives you a quick view of your daily output.

You can construct this on your personal workstation, laptop or palm device. I opted for a printout for recording my single stroke [|||] tally because I was working at my desktop computer. Results can be entered on my spreadsheet or into my database later if I want more extensive analyses or records.

This is especially valuable forrepparttar 144188 manager assumingrepparttar 144189 responsibility of selling to key accounts and may have excused himself or herself fromrepparttar 144190 scrutiny of a sales manager.

It’s a good idea to occasionally review all of your functions for any possible lapses into some gold-bricking activities. It pays to ask yourself, “Who’s managingrepparttar 144191 manager?” Should you find a weakness, you have my empathy as it can be a humbling and/or embarrassing experience. Take heart – it’s rewarded with valuable improvements in your own productivity along with improved self-esteem.



Gerry McRae has taught time management techniques in his university courses and at several police colleges. He is also the author of "Time Management for Entrepreneurs - What to do, When & Why" available at http://www.unclemaxsays.com/timemanagement.php


The Significance of the Mundane

Written by Robert F. Abbott


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From that example, we might think of crafting our own communication strategies, based onrepparttar mundane.

One ofrepparttar 144154 great difficulties withrepparttar 144155 mundane, of course, is that it's harder to see and to grasp. After all, it'srepparttar 144156 absence of something rather than its presence. The classic expression of this phenomenon may have been Sherlock Holmes‘ remark aboutrepparttar 144157 dog that didn't bark.

Having identified a mundane phenomenon, we're next faced withrepparttar 144158 challenge of understanding its significance. If not a single customer calls with a complaint or compliment, what does it mean? If there haven't been any resignations lately does it mean your employees are more loyal than they used to be? Or is it just a statistical blip?

And, one final issue: how will you explainrepparttar 144159 significance ofrepparttar 144160 phenomenon to others? Will you explain it for what it is, or what it is not?

You may rememberrepparttar 144161 Show About Nothing episode ofrepparttar 144162 Seinfeld television series. George Costanza tries to explain to TV executives how a new show would be about nothing, whilerepparttar 144163 executives look bewildered. And, switching quickly from art to life, a show aboutrepparttar 144164 mundane life of Jerry and friends became one ofrepparttar 144165 most successful television series ever.

In summary,repparttar 144166 common and ordinary things of life,repparttar 144167 mundane, offer untapped opportunities to create great communication strategies.

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com


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