Top 3 Time-Losers at Work
Responses from 38,000 people worldwide suggest that workers lose an average of 2 productive days per week on the job. The 2005 Microsoft survey uncovered 3 primary pitfalls:
Lack of Communication
-Central to the success of every workplace is its ability to efficiently share and manage information. The challenge gets tougher as the volume and complexity of information increase and businesses grow and change.
Solutions: Rather than waste time with unnecessary messages, think about what needs to be communicated and the best time and method for providing information - for example, would an email be as efficient as a phone call? Cut the confusion: Keep your communications clear and concise.
Ineffective meetings
-When meetings are poorly run and lack focus, they waste valuable work time and energy.
Solutions: Don't call for a meeting until you have established its purpose; circulate an agenda for the meeting to all attendees in advance. When you give feedback in a meeting, make sure it is aimed at a specific problem and related to the subject at hand.
Unclear goals
-Working without clear objectives leads to confusion and lack of commitment, as well as wasted time and effort.
Solutions: Set both short- and long-term goals and establish effective leadership to guide and monitor the team's progress. Be sure goals are specific ("contact 5 potential clients" rather than "increase sales") and positive ("study new computer program" instead of "don't make computer mistakes").
-Personal Best Healthlines, February 2007
Responses from 38,000 people worldwide suggest that workers lose an average of 2 productive days per week on the job. The 2005 Microsoft survey uncovered 3 primary pitfalls:
Lack of Communication
-Central to the success of every workplace is its ability to efficiently share and manage information. The challenge gets tougher as the volume and complexity of information increase and businesses grow and change.
Solutions: Rather than waste time with unnecessary messages, think about what needs to be communicated and the best time and method for providing information - for example, would an email be as efficient as a phone call? Cut the confusion: Keep your communications clear and concise.
Ineffective meetings
-When meetings are poorly run and lack focus, they waste valuable work time and energy.
Solutions: Don't call for a meeting until you have established its purpose; circulate an agenda for the meeting to all attendees in advance. When you give feedback in a meeting, make sure it is aimed at a specific problem and related to the subject at hand.
Unclear goals
-Working without clear objectives leads to confusion and lack of commitment, as well as wasted time and effort.
Solutions: Set both short- and long-term goals and establish effective leadership to guide and monitor the team's progress. Be sure goals are specific ("contact 5 potential clients" rather than "increase sales") and positive ("study new computer program" instead of "don't make computer mistakes").
-Personal Best Healthlines, February 2007
975 page hits and 956 unique visits since 08-28-07
Updated on 28-AUG-07
Edit this page
| View text only version