Library

Questions of the week: Can I move ahead and start the practice of the next Time Management stage when I am not so good at the current stage? Can we make one day a Library day? On this day, no one will disturb anyone, only one day with no calls, no messages? How will you handle the process if no senior person is available?

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Can I move ahead and start the practice of the next Time Management stage when I am not so good at the current stage?

The learning journey often works in an iterative cycle.?

Let's take an example of learning how to cycle (Pun intended). If you know how to cycle, you will remember the learning process. You start slow and pick your balance to ride for some time.?

We often hit a stage where we can ride on open ground without any obstacles or people in front of us, but we need help to start our ride.

You will not dare to ride on the road.?

You are comfortable in a protected environment with the help of your parent or friend.?

Similarly, you can practice some of the advanced stages by creating your protective practice ground, and it would be helpful to have a team of 3 people. You can set some guidelines and targets around the steps you will take to practice.?

Let's take an example of Stage 8 in Time Management and let us pick automation.

Guidelines

1) Pick something straightforward and easy to apply

2) Something that takes a few minutes to setup

3) It should be a no-brainer and simple to measure

Target

Saving 5 minutes per day

Here is a tool called aText it's a Text Automation. Watch this 50-second video https://www.trankynam.com/atext/

Now the practice is to identify all the repeated text and blurb you write often and create shortcuts for it. While you work in a group of 3, you may end up getting an aha moment, and you may exchange snippets.?

Go for it and see how it makes you feel to save a few minutes daily.?

Can we make one day a Library day? On this day, no one will disturb anyone, only one day with no calls, no messages?

This idea is from the book "It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work." the authors reveal, the answer isn't more hours. Rather, it's less waste and fewer things that induce distraction, always-on anxiety and stress.

In one of our culture call, the idea was rejected due to the workload and pressure.

Here is a blueprint I would create for running with this idea.

1) Pick a date one month in advance.??

2) Assign one person from each team as a fire marshal?

3) Block your calendar in advance so no client meeting

4) Write an article about Library day on 73bit.com

5) Article has to emphasise how it improves productivity

6) If clients ask for a meeting, share the article

7) A day before the Library day, set out of the office?

8) Out-of-office email contains the Id of the fire marshal.

9) Your Skype Status contains Out of office - Email to ....

10) Fire Marshals can talk to each other and clients.

11) Fire Marshals will watch the ticketing system closely

12) In case of emergency, they will ask for a 1-day extension??

13) Key members will be notified if it turns out to be a crisis.?

We can have two more versions of the same plan.?

Low Risk: Only half of the company does the Library day

High Impact: We educate every client and pick a designated day a month for Library day.?

Notes:

1) Make sure the date picked doesn't fall on the dates where there is a major client release.

2) See if we can set an auto-responder for any ticket created with a message to the recipient that we will reply in 1 business day. In case this is urgent, please email to <Fire Marshal's email id>

3) Plan your work before so you can carry it out solo.?

How will you handle the process if no senior person is available?

We are already working to document processes in 73bit. We are currently in a much better place. Over the past years, we have created many hours of training videos and documentation.

You should know where to find them and how it is organised.

Next, you follow the steps in the documentation to handle the process that gets the job done.?

In theory, that sounds good, but you will face some of the following situations

0) Unable to search the documentation

1) Not understanding the documentation

2) Getting stuck on any particular steps

3) Finding new scenarios in real work

4) Finding a new variation in the work

5) Client asking questions that you are unaware of

You will make a note and update the documentation with your scenario. If the senior is on one day of leave, check with the client if they can wait for a day.?

In case of crisis, ask for help to find other members who can help you. In case you think you need to escalate the situation go ahead.?

Once the task is done in whichever manner, your actual job is to never be dependent on that subject starts.?

Go back to the documentation, and fill in the missing information. Make it easier for anyone who comes after you to find the information. Add multiple scenarios or versions that could come up in a similar situation and add the solution to it. Put enough path links, images and how the feature works in the documentation.?

Can you share it with your colleague Today?