TTC's Training Continues

The operations manager Abi Cooper and senior project manager Nurcan Yorulmaz are just two members of the team that have benefited from time management training. Earlier this week the pair attended a seminar organised and run by a corporate training company based in Essex.

The Course detailed time management methods to enable individuals to analyse and evaluate time allocation, as well as teaching practical techniques to help them improve their current methods and therefore increase productivity.

Below is a list of Abi’s and Nurcan’s top time management tips: 11 things to do for Effective Time Management

1. Invest time to save time
'Too busy’ to plan? Big mistake. If you fail to invest this time, this may save a little time in
the short term but is likely to waste a lot of time in the long run. It is important to find the
balance between investing too little time and investing too much.

2. Use Priority Grid
Section A, tasks that are very urgent but also have high importance.
Section B, tasks that are not urgent but important
Section C, tasks that are urgent but not important
Section D, task that is neither urgent nor important

3. Knowing your optimum time periods and using block time rule
Allocating a block of time for certain tasks will be more productive, especially if you place
these in your optimum time periods (early morning, if you are an early bird)

4. The three-minute rule
If you are presented with a task that can be completed in less than three minutes, then do it
straight away to prevent a number of minor, 'bitty’ tasks accumulating.

5. The worst-first rule
It helps to go for the 'worst-first' by identifying the tasks you are reluctant to do, and doing
them first. By 'getting them out of the way’ you can achieve a sense of satisfaction and relief
- and this can have a positive effect on morale and energy.

6. The Swiss Cheese Method
Breakdown your large tasks into small tasks, and then break them down into smaller tasks. Then
break the smaller tasks down into even smaller ones. This will give you manageable amount to do
and will prevent procrastination.

7. Quality not Quantity: Have a clear focus, have quick breaks
The idea that 'I am too busy to take a break' is a dangerous one. It also does not recognise the
fact that a refreshed mind can achieve more than a tired one.
The 80/20 rule: “We receive 80% of our results through 20% of our work activity”
Basically 20% of effort focused in the right way can achieve 80% of the result

8. Getting more from meetings
• Only call a meeting if you have something to discuss not just because we 'have to have a
meeting on this day'. Anyone should be able to call a meeting.
• Have an agenda for a meeting which is given to people before the meeting so they have a
chance to think about it and prepare.
• It is more effective and time efficient if we stand up when having meetings. This helps
ensure that the meeting does not to drag on longer than is necessary.

9. Delegate
Sharing your workload is often a way of building a positive team spirit and as a result
achieving more overall. If we don’t delegate we can feel isolated, swamped under and quite
alone with the heavy workload we have.

10. Allow extra time when you have meeting or an appointment.
Allow extra time when you have meeting or an appointment. If it takes half an hour to get there allow another half an hour just in case.
If you arrive on time you are late
If you arrive early you are on time.

11. In a crisis situation follow below:
• Write it down.
• Does it really need to be done?
• Label each task:
Must
Should
Could