The Wheat From The Chaff

Standing in a room full of business leaders this week I had my eyes opened. It was similar to wandering around a zoo in some ways; although someone had left the cage doors open and there was an oversupply of what looked like large penguins. I meandered around observing behaviours, actions, reactions and even the occasional smile. Most conversations were as false as they were contrived. The talkers were animated, trying desperately to convince the world they'd seen a vision of biblical proportions. The listeners were either absorbing every word through insecure ears hoping their epiphany was being downloaded like Trinity’s helicopter pilot program or bored senseless, nodding eagerly as they needed the talker’s business. Others were impatiently waiting for the beat in the chat that would afford them the opportunity to tell the story they thought about two minutes ago (which actually had no relevance now) or were completely zoned out wondering whether or not the finger buffet would arrive soon and if it'll have those little spicy crab puff things they had the last time they were there. 

Ok, I'm being slightly facetious (slightly) but I can't help coming back to the same question at these events: was attending really the best use of everyone's time? Sure, I was there too, I hear you say, but I was there specifically to meet someone that wanted to purchase our subsea market intelligence. So if there's one bit of advice I'd give to anyone in a small business, it's don't waste time. Time is the true common currency. We can’t buy it (not really) and it disappears at the same rate every day. No matter who you are, you don’t get it back. 

Now, when you’re younger you think it plentiful. Bucket loads of the stuff. And you don’t think twice about wasting some either; in fact it’s mandatory. Then one day you look round the club and you can’t see the old guy or girl. And why? Because it’s you. The people you went to school with all look like the parents that used to drop them off and you make exhaling little moaning noises when getting out of a chair. Subsequently the face of your own mortality comes into focus a little clearer and gives you a smug wink as you search for the bucket lids. 

But I digress; irony not lost on me given the subject matter. So without further ado, here are my top 5 anti-time wasting tips. 

1. Stick to the plan. If you’ve agreed a way forward, stay on track. It’s easy to have meetings for meetings sake or sit tapping away aimlessly on a keyboard creating documents no-one will even see let alone use. Make sure every action has a purpose and takes you towards the goal. 

2. Delegate, delegate, delegate. We all like to think only we can do things the right way. However, unless you’re supremely talented; and most of us aren’t, it’s just not true. Make sure you delegate as much as you can through the team and make sure the team do it too. They might not undertake the task your way but that doesn’t mean it’s not fit for purpose. And if they’re in their 20s and you’re in your 40s or older, the chances are they’ll do it better than you will anyway. Egos waste time like Brexit negotiators. Bin them and spread the load. 

3. Allocate Time Correctly. How often have you seen a meeting request come through for an hour that probably only needs 15 mins or less? Don’t fall into a convention trap. Productive meetings should be like a great scene in a movies: get in late, get out early, metaphorically speaking. (Don’t interpret this analogy literally. You’ll just look like an arrogant weirdo.)

4. Look. Listen. Lead. Although we’ve all got ‘stuff to do’, if you work in a team then it’s important to remember we’re all parts of a single entity. See a way you can help the team, do it. Don’t wait to be asked. Offer genuinely and thoughtfully. We all have off-days and someone seeing this and helping us out can make a huge difference to the schedule. 

5. Embrace Technology. The world’s full of intelligent people. Use the fruits of their labours and invention. It might seem like a waste of time constantly retraining but it’s not. Technological advances that free up time are essential to your long-term competitiveness and ultimate sustainability. So if you’re belligerently still using your Nokia 5210 or the entry level Asus computer you bought when you started the company, get a grip of yourself. 

So there’s my thoughts. What’s your number one time saving tip?

Have a great weekend. 

Cheers,

David