Balancing PLay and wORK: Leveraging Time, Part 2Written by Robert Brents
In this article we suggest some ways to "work smarter", or achieve more by multi-tasking - multiplying our productive time so we have more time to PLAY!For example, we may choose to drive car, listen to music or an audio book, or talk on our hands-free cell phone. Our brain is certainly equipped to assist us achieve this efficiency. How many times have you been driving in your car and found yourself thinking about something other than your driving -- you have no recollection of last 5 miles of road, yet you weren't in an accident? Confused? Don't be. The playful use of time changes from situation to situation. This is just one more example of PLORK being a continuing life theme! Multitasking Examples: 1. Work another file on your PC while downloading a large file or document from Internet or local network. 2. Sign letters while conversing on phone. 3. Listen to language tapes or music or audio books while getting ready in morning or driving car. 4. Use a hand-held digital recorder to dictate notes, thoughts, memos, sales calls, business plans while driving. [Later you can use software to download your notes directly into computer without retyping]. 5. Hate to exercise? Build exercise into your daily routine. Examples: Walk to lunch, climb stairs, park car further away and walk, do isometric or stretching exercises at your desk, move your phone off your desk so you have to stand and move every time it rings (you'll also sound better and feel more powerful if you're standing rather than sitting).
| | Guidelines for *Staying* in BusinessWritten by Robert Brents
As "soloists" -- entrepreneurs, webpreneurs, SOHOs, HONOs (Home Office, No Office), or plain old small businesspeople, we must remember that without a business, i.e., a profit- making business, we have a hobby -- & we have to go get a job-job just to pay lousy bills.Furthermore, without clients, we don't have a business. In order to survive and get that new client or return business, we need to establish guidelines in dealing with clients. 1. The client or prospective client is never an interruption of your work. The client is reason you are in business. The client must have your complete attention. Do not multitask while speaking with your client or potential client. 2. Always greet clients and prospective clients with a friendly smile or hello. Clients are people, and they like friendly and pleasant contact. They will usually return it. 3. Call clients and prospects by name. It is important to call your clients and their staff by name. Keep name and contact records of your clients. Before calling or visiting a site, pull record and study it. 4. You are company. In eyes of client, you represent your business. If you are one of lucky ones who have several techs working for you, training them well will reflect on your company and you. Ditto your receptionist, or whomever answers your phone. 5. Never argue with a client. From his or her point of view, client is always right. Be a good listener, agree when you can, and do what you can to make your clients happy, even if it involves a freebie (a small one). It is more valuable to give a free service and keep your clients than lose them. Most of time. As one of my consultant buddies taught me several years ago, "Sometimes, no work is better than bad work." 6. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know" (once in a while). If you don't know answer to a client's question, say, "That's a good question. Let me see if I can find out for you." Even most skilled IT professional can't remember everything. Become an expert on where to find answers to your client's questions. Be sure to respond in a timely manner. Remember, client pays your fee.
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