Improve My Business

Those of you who are regular readers of the blog may notice that we have several bloggers who regularly write these posts. This is done for two reasons:

1) I’m willing to share the limelight with other McDonald Consulting employees - that’s just the kind of sharing, selfless person I am.

2) I don’t want to write blog posts twice a week, every week. That feels too much like ‘work’.

OK, so there are really 2.5 reasons:

2.5) I think it’s important for you, or loyal (or occasional) reader, to hear more than one voice, one outlook, one viewpoint on how you can improve your business.

How does this work? Well, any one of us can write a post and upload it to our site. Suzanne, our intrepid Ops Manager, will review quickly for grammar, spelling, but otherwise does not change what’s written (in most cases, unless we’re ragging on Suzanne, in which case I’m guessing she’d edit it prior to posting) and then upload. Oftentimes, the first time I’m reading the blog post is the same time that you are.

This is great for 2.5 reasons:

1) It gives me insight into what others who are working with me closely are thinking (because sometimes our conversation just doesn’t get around to whatever the blog post topic is on);

2) It gives you multiple voices to hear from on ways to improve your business, implement efficiency ideas, or hear what we’re thinking;

and

2.5) I don’t have to write blog posts, twice a week, every week. (at least you know I’m honest!)

So if you like a post, or dislike a post, or want to comment on the post, note who wrote it - and feel free to address us by name!

Thanks to our bloggers Suzanne, Barret, Jenny, and James!

-Mary

Technorati Tags: blogging, communication, working smarter

Everyone has heard the saying that nice guys always finish last. However, rather than referring to male/female relationships, I wonder if the quote applies to professional success and productivity. This adage was stuck in my head while I watched a movie called “Yes Man” a few days ago. If you haven’t seen it yet, go do so! – great humor and entertainment. It stars Jim Carrey as a bank employee who reluctantly decides to follow an outlandish program called “Yes!” Everyone that follows the program is encouraged to say yes to every single opportunity that presents itself because it’s supposed to allow you to live a richly satisfying and rewarding life. As a result, you get to witness a host of hilarious events throughout the movie. It’s not hard to guess what happens to Jim Carrey’s character during the plot’s rising action – utter chaos and disorganization.

It’s obvious that saying yes all the time doesn’t have good implications. However, maybe some of you (like me) still have trouble mustering up the courage to say no to more people, especially to family and friends.

If so, read this article I (coincidentally) came across a couple days after watching the movie - “Say ‘Yes’ to ‘No’!”

The article makes a valid point: We’re all too familiar with the regretful, and sometimes resentful, feeling we get after agreeing to do something for someone and it ends up taking way too much time. Granted it’s a very kind gesture, too much of it can definitely take a toll on our own personal goals. As the article states, “it’s important to remember that every time you say ‘yes’ to something or someone, you’re saying ‘no’ elsewhere in your life” and it’s likely that you’re saying no to yourself or your personal agenda. Once you realize how much you’re helping others with THEIR tasks, it’s silly to say no to your OWN tasks and not invest the same amount of effort to your own personal goals. At any rate, it’s imperative that we clearly understand what’s on our own plate at all times so that we can be prepared to say no to people and support it with solid reasons. After all, it’s nice to be honest! Moreover, people will respect your reasons and you can finish the tasks you have at hand. You shouldn’t have to be disorganized because of anything other than your own problems.

The lesson for you and I (and Jim Carrey’s character) is that you can still be a nice person if you occasionally say no and, furthermore, that nice people really can finish last with their work if they don’t take care of their own time. As for romantic relationships, I’m really not sure how credible that saying is…

Technorati Tags: efficiency, Getting Stuff Done, humor, Time Management, working smarter

We’re only 20 days into summer, 73 more days until the first day of fall, and here in Austin it is HOT! - 105° today! The weatherman says to stay inside, stay hydrated, and limit exposure to the heat. Seems like it would be easy to take the weatherman’s advice and use your time in the A/C to concentrate on your business, but still, this time of year the mind wanders to thoughts of vacation. The TV commercials for Sea World, Six Flags, and Schlitterbahn only exaggerate the feelings that you should be doing something else. Are you afraid that the summer will pass you by?

How about making that summer excursion the reward for reaching a goal? I’m sure you have some work project that’s 75% -85% done you just lack the motivation to finish. Go ahead and finish it up, or at least move it to the next step. Then have a little fun. You know you need to relieve the stress, and that you will come back felling refreshed and revived, with a new zest for getting stuff done. It’s a win-win situation! The sooner you finish that task, the sooner your mini-vacation will come!

Here’s my simple goal: I will fill out my work calendar and schedule for the next two months. My reward will be to schedule in the time to go see Shamu!

What will you do? Do you have any easy, but necessary tasks that deserve a reward? Please share your tasks and rewards, with a few good ideas to choose from maybe I’ll see you at the zoo, aquarium, movies, or outdoor concert!

Technorati Tags: reward yourself, summer, working smarter

People have different opinions on multi-tasking vs. one focus approach… so which is better?

“The Myth of Multitasking” by  Christine Rosen details several reasons why multi-tasking is not the optimum approach:

• a fall in IQ (more so than if the subject were smoking marijuana
• decrease in learning
• negative impact on productivity (affecting the economy?)
• lost ‘brain time’ as the brain works to juggle several tasks
• and many more.

I’ve seen first-hand how multi-tasking affects our decision making — while sitting at a light waiting to make a left, I watched a woman coming through the intersection from the other side, talking on a cell phone, and drive right into a telephone pole.  She never braked until she actually impacted the pole; and she continue to chat as she got out of the SUV to inspect her damage!  Unluckily for her, a patrol car was at the red light on the cross street; he simply flicked on his lights and pulled over to write her up.

When trying to get a project complete, divide the project into smaller tasks.  This tip:  do those smaller tasks in their entirety prior to moving on to the next step.

Good ways to accomplish this:

• ignore the phone and email while working on a project
• set aside time on your calendar to do research, gather materials, and write rough drafts
• work from start to finish without pause, if possible
• if you must break, take a break at a logical stopping point, and leave your materials in place for easy restart

WARNING: These simple ideas may cause you to become more focused, productive, and happy.  PROCEED WITH CAUTION!  <grin!>

Technorati Tags: focus, multi-tasking, productivity, Project Management, working smarter

Earlier this month we talked about “dividing and conquering” your to-do list. The very next week I received my Mind Tools newsletter, titled “Delegate and Thrive”. The newsletter article goes into detail on the what, why, how, and when to delegate. There’s also a free downloadable Delegation Worksheet and a quick “How Well do you Delegate” quiz.

I scored a 36, which indicates I’m making progress on my delegation skills. How about you? What challenges do you face with delegation?

Technorati Tags: communication, delegation, leadership, newsletters, problem solving, Streamlining, teamwork, working smarter