1. Create a filing system with broad categories such as "Insurance" and then break those categories down further into sub-categories (i.e., car, life, medical), alphabetizing them along the way. Devote one file drawer to each category (if possible) and use a different color for each category.
2. Create a file index for you and anyone else needing to access your files. A file index is basically a user-friendly guide to where each file is located. So if you are looking for an insurance claim, the entry in your file index may look like this: (I call it my Bible-do not lose!)
Insurance Claims- Insurance (I-10)
3. To minimize interruptions of your own time and others, schedule a 5-minute meeting somewhere during the day with the people you most often need to speak with. This prevents the frequent knocking at your door you may experience! Let others know when you are available to meet with them, perhaps between 3-4 PM, for example. Ask your boss for 5 minutes of his/her time everyday to go over any questions you may have, eliminating the need for constant interruptions. (Tip-this works great with spouses also! No more, "Honey, can I just ask you to do this one thing?" Or calling him/her at the office to find out when to pick up the kids. Daily meetings are much appreciated by all!)
4. Resist the need to answer your phone every time it rings. Use your voice mail when you are working on something.
5. Prevent phone tag and wasted time on the phone. When returning phone calls, gather all the information you need BEFORE you make the call. See if there is another person who can answer your question, instead of having to wait around for a response.
6. Sort your incoming paper daily and decide what you need to do with each piece of paper. Set up a tickler file to corral these to-dos. A tickler is a 1-31 file with dividers for each day of the month and months of the year. So, if you have a memo with a phone number of someone you need to call back, put that paper in the tickler on a day you can return the call.
7. Use templates and forms anytime you can. So if people come into your office often to borrow something, instead of having them leave a note, keep a stack of "Borrowed Item Forms" for them to fill-in-the-blank and leave for you in a designated location.
Rebekah Slatkin is a professional organizer dedicated to getting people organized through hands-on decluttering sessions, teleconferencing, coaching, and her website http://www.best-organizing-products-supers tore.com Visit http://www.best-organizing-products-supers tore.com and subscribe to Organewz, her ezine dedicated to organized living and get organizing tips- free
The ability to solve complicated problems quickly is more important... Read More
1) Where is the agenda? A meeting without an agenda... Read More
If I was a fly on the wall what would... Read More
Successful enterprise building requires seven elements. These are:1. People, who... Read More
A good consultant provides specialist abilities and experience, innovative ideas,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
Managers make three mistakes when they try to run businesses.... Read More
Let's begin by singing the jingle from an old US... Read More
These factors where determined by interviews with and books from... Read More
In Stephen Covey's great book, "The Seven Habits of Highly... Read More
Have you ever heard yourself say to a team member... Read More
Managing, supervising, being a team leader is the hardest job... Read More
This technological revolution has organization, efficiency and productivity requirements well... Read More
Recently a client told me a wonderful story about how... Read More
Want to hear a fascinating story? Let's sit in at... Read More
Management or Leadership?Simply stated, management ensures that things get done,... Read More
Modern business faces complex problems; management often calls upon highly-specialized... Read More
Performance appraisals aren't fun. But a lot of the time... Read More
In the first part of this two part article, I... Read More
The Best Workplaces report (Financial Times, April 28, 2005) notes... Read More
The phrase "turning ideas into action" is a Russian doll.Managing... Read More
SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION PROCEDUREEvery complaint will be thoroughly investigated.... Read More
One of the first things I look at when I... Read More
Supervisor-employee relations are a critical part of a work place... Read More
As a business owner, time is of the essence. Running... Read More
As a result of consolidation of operations and significantly increased... Read More
Do you know how many customers you have that are... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
It used to be that only the largest multi-nationals needed... Read More
Succession Planning provides many valuable assets to your business. Yet... Read More
ISO 9001 2000, Getting startedBefore starting the ISO 9001 2000... Read More
If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More
It's all very well having a flashy (and expensive) advertising... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
I was watching a TV program some months ago about... Read More
The following nursing home collections report outlines 11 guidelines you... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
To develop and deliver a great Leadership Talk, you must... Read More
It can be concluded with great certainty that certain organizational... Read More
People buy from you, offer help, and grant rewards based... Read More
In any event, getting the process right is a vital... Read More
This article relates to the Senior/Top Level management of an... Read More
The candy box is a container for all your favourite... Read More
During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More
Yesterday I look at my calendar and saw that my... Read More
One thing a lot of us don't do in sales... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Let me tell you a secret.Things don't always go the... Read More
Service Level Agreements, or "SLA's" are tricky but useful mechanisms... Read More
Business Management Business Management |