IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START

An old Japanese proverb claims that saying it's too early makes it too late. Never put off starting something simply because it won't be needed for quite a while.

 

STICKY REMINDER NOTES

If you surround your computer screen with sticky notes you can clean up your act with electronic Stickies 4.5b, downloadable free at www.btinternet.com/~tom.revell. You can create, edit, move or delete these yellow reminder notes that appear on your screen. It's hard to forget something that's stuck right on top of your work in progress (although you can hide them as well.)

MOBILITY IN THE OFFICE

A cordless telephone headset will free up both hands and allow you to move around the office as you work. Linda Talley, a professional speaker, recommends the Plantronics model CA10 and handset lifter HL10 from www.plantronics.com. Teleconference guru Judy Sabah also recommends Plantronics. Another case of an expense that may have a big payback.

PARETO'S PRINCIPLE IN ACTION

If 20 percent of your staff account for 80 percent of the results, these are the ones you should support and encourage with additional training and rewards. Not that you should ignore the low producers, because you want them to improve. But realizing a one percent increase in production from the top producers will affect the bottom line more than a similar increase from the low producers.

TRAVEL TIPS

Most felt pens leak at high altitudes. Use a ballpoint pen or one that specifically states it is air travel friendly. Resist the urge to accept headsets unless you're on vacation. TV anywhere is a time robber. And take advantage of the relatively interruption-free flight time for priority work.