Eliminate the Time Wasters

Overview/Description
 Is it impossible to schedule your time because you are constantly being interrupted by drop-ins and telephone calls? Even if these interruptions were eliminated, are there simply too many tasks on your plate? And, does each one take so much longer than planned? Just processing incoming mail sometimes takes hours. This course is about time wasters and ways to control them so that you have time for the more important tasks. Yes, it is possible to limit drop-in and telephone interruptions and control meeting time. Even handling the mail can be performed more efficiently. There are ways to reduce responsibilities. Use time-proven techniques to identify tasks that can be delegated or eliminated. Or, better yet, just learn to say no firmly and effectively, so less time is expended. Regardless of your position and job environment, this course offers a number of practical hints that you can implement immediately.

Target Audience
 Employees at all levels, team members, staff members, team leaders, supervisors, managers, and sales professionals

Expected Duration
3.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Minimizing Interruptions

  • recognize the reasons why it is important to control interruptions in the workplace.
  • identify the ways to limit the number and length of drop-in visits.
  • identify the actions you can take to manage incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
  • identify the causes of preventable interruptions.

    • Streamlining Meetings

  • recognize why it is important to limit unnecessary and excessively long meetings.
  • identify the components of a good meeting agenda.
  • identify the steps to keep meeting items on the specified timetable.
  • analyze situations to determine appropriate actions for reducing time spent in meetings.

    • Eliminating Unnecessary Work

  • recognize the benefits of taking the time to identify tasks that can be delegated or eliminated.
  • identify the types of tasks that would be good candidates for elimination.
  • select the information that must be passed on in the delegation process.
  • select the ways to refuse work requests while giving the requestor alternative solutions and/or choices.

    • Processing Incoming Paperwork in Less Time

  • recognize the primary reason why it's important to control paperwork received on the job.
  • identify the steps that must be taken to process incoming mail.
  • identify the efficient ways to respond to postal mail.
  • select the methods that can be used to efficiently process reading materials.

    • Course Number: PD0122