Business Computing Tips

By K&K Fainges kfainges@...

Last week we covered the urgency matrix -
http://www.users.bigpond.com/sagatech/planning.html.

So, now we know what is urgent, how do you convince other people? how
do you shut your door, especially if you don't have one?

Do you have a boss that drops 'urgent' jobs on your desk at 4:30? How
do you train him or her to plan? One technique is to look for a
pattern. If every week a report needs to be done by Thursday
afternoon, get everything ready to be signed off by Wednesday. Face
it, they are probably going to dump it on your desk anyway, why not
do it when it suits you.

Or show them your to do list. Say, 'these are the things I have to
get done, which would you rather I didn't do in order to get this
done? Sometimes it is legitimate and the boss can make the call, but
get a record of them saying it, maybe their initial. If it is not
legitimate, they might just realise what is more important.

Another problem is often the chatters. Socialisation is important,
but set aside time for it. Say to them, I have to get this done, how
about we have a tea break at 3pm and talk then when I can concentrate
on what you are saying.' Be firm and don't accept, 'but it will just
take a second'. It never does.

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Please feel free to pass it on to your friends, just let them know I
wrote it.

Karen Fainges holds a Bachelor of Business, and a Grad. Cert of
Vocational and Educational Training. All this is nice but it's the 14
years of having to make sales or starve that makes her think she has
really learnt what does and doesn't work. A tutor for all ages, she
specialises in helping people get started on the long road to
technology.

"It has to be practical, it has to be cheap, and it has to work."