Three pearls of wisdom.
Jul. 21st, 2006 10:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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cofax7: Three pearls of wisdom about my not-so-chosen-but-wound-up-in-anyways chosen profession.
Do it now.
You're told no problem, we've got plenty of time, don't worry about it...? That's a signal to have it done yesterday. Always, always, always get the little things out of the way first. The "big projects" will usually drag behind, so the way to save time is to have all the details done up front. Trust me, I've shaved two months off of a six-month project this way, no kidding.
Take time to step back, look at the entire workflow, and change the system.
99% of all offices are dysfunctional and mindlessly continue habits that don't work. Usually the solution is obvious if you stop and think, "Why are we running around like chickens with our heads cut off?"
Talk to people in person. Answer your phone. Avoid email and voicemail if it's not routine.
Modern technology increases your work-load and undermines the relationships you could be developing. Think of it. If someone doesn't reach you in person, first they leave you a voicemail, then they send you an email, then they call your cell. You end up picking up the same message three times. Messages never give you enough information, so you always have to call -- at which point you end up leaving them a voicemail, then sending an email, and then... ugh.
If you just pick up the phone in the first place or walk ten feet to their office you can avoid all that. Also, in-person communication brings up questions, answers issues you might not have considered, and takes whatever you're working on a step further. Plus, conversation develops your relationships.
cofax7: Three pearls of wisdom about my Do it now.
You're told no problem, we've got plenty of time, don't worry about it...? That's a signal to have it done yesterday. Always, always, always get the little things out of the way first. The "big projects" will usually drag behind, so the way to save time is to have all the details done up front. Trust me, I've shaved two months off of a six-month project this way, no kidding.
Take time to step back, look at the entire workflow, and change the system.
99% of all offices are dysfunctional and mindlessly continue habits that don't work. Usually the solution is obvious if you stop and think, "Why are we running around like chickens with our heads cut off?"
Talk to people in person. Answer your phone. Avoid email and voicemail if it's not routine.
Modern technology increases your work-load and undermines the relationships you could be developing. Think of it. If someone doesn't reach you in person, first they leave you a voicemail, then they send you an email, then they call your cell. You end up picking up the same message three times. Messages never give you enough information, so you always have to call -- at which point you end up leaving them a voicemail, then sending an email, and then... ugh.
If you just pick up the phone in the first place or walk ten feet to their office you can avoid all that. Also, in-person communication brings up questions, answers issues you might not have considered, and takes whatever you're working on a step further. Plus, conversation develops your relationships.