The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

190 / IMPROVING YOUR SKILLS

Working effectively

To help you work quickly and effectively,

always keep your desk clean and ensure

that frequently used items are readily

available to hand. The same goes for

information you use regularly. Set up

favorites for websites; keep a list of

who knows what, and of key phone

numbers; and use an old-fashioned

card index for storing nuggets of

information you refer to often.

Build thinking time into your

schedule: travel is often considered

to be a time-waster, but it can also

provide just the change of pace and

scenery you need to do some valuable

creative thinking.

TELEPHONE CALLS

>>^ Prepare everything you^

want to say before you call.

>> Talking on the telephone

helps build relationships,

but sometimes emailing

instead avoids distraction.

>>^ If someone calls you and you’re

short on time, tell them you will

call them back at a specific

time. Be sure always to follow

up on your promise.

of office workers

have a smartphone,

and 33% of them

use it to check their

emails more than

20 times every day

during working hours

and at home

90 %

Set aside 15 minutes

every so often to collect

messages and return

calls. Let people know you

will be unavailable between

certain times

Focusing your actions

US_190-191_Managing_your_time_3.indd 190 30/05/16 3:03 pm