Building A Better Work Culture

  By hmteam • November 24, 2015 ,

A great work culture is the secret to a successful organisation. And that culture depends on how happy and productive your employees are. Your management skills are key to making employees relish the thought of showing up for work that they enjoy on most days. Armed with your Nanyang Fellows MBA experience, you’ll know how to make things even better than they already are at work.

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Here are some pointers.

  • Get Rid of Toxic People:

Every person you hire will be a part of your work environment. That means that they can either add to it positively or bring in negatives that ruin it. So you can’t let the bad seeds spoil your team. Daily performance is correlated with good attitudes in the workplace. If you find somebody putting others down or not contributing to teamwork, you need to act. It’s hard to tell people that they are about to be unemployed, but there is too much at stake to ignore the matter. Hire well. Make sure that you and the other interviewers know exactly what you want from the candidate and what you don’t want. Still, sometimes people will surprise you.

  • Create a Comfortable Work Space:

Cleanliness shouldn’t be limited to your home. A workspace is conducive to productivity if it is clean, well lit, organised and comfortable. Take a look at the furniture; is it somewhere you’d like to sit all day? Or will it give the user a backache to nurse? Invest in your team or employees’ well being. For example, bad light can lead to eyestrain and headaches. That, in turn, can bring down productivity levels. Also, consider dedicating a space for employees to take a break. It could be a small room with beanbags for quick naps or maybe a ping-pong table for a de-stressing game between meetings. Just ensure that those working at that time aren’t disturbed and trust everybody to use their time well.

  • Foster Relationship Building:

Cubicles or cabins or an open structure shouldn’t affect collaboration between your employees. Introducing regular events like Pizza Night or an Evening at the Bar is sure to give folks an opportunity for conversation. You could even throw in a short, informative speech to update everybody about the things happening at work. Even then, don’t try to control the entire event and let them talk because that is how they’ll loosen up and let their ideas flow. There are way too many situations of colleagues being so formal with each other that they are too scared of criticism to share their ideas and feedback openly.

  • Connect One-on-one:

It’s easy to communicate by office email and phones. But don’t forget to spend some quality one-on-one time with your team. Just as they need your feedback about how they are doing, you need their inputs as well. Taking both sides into account is how your work culture ends up making everybody happy. So talk and listen. Never forget to say thank you when recognition is deserved as appreciation creates enthusiasm. Once individuals are enthusiastic about their work, they’ll work harder and strive to create an impact – which helps the company progress.

  • Set Clear Roles and Expectations:

A good manager communicates clearly. Employees always know what is expected of them and have their roles clearly defined. You need to explain each team member’s role and the responsibilities that come with it. Connect that to other team member’s roles and the company goals and objectives and strategy. If there seems to be a problem, sit down and explain so that all aspects of the role can be realigned or understood better. For instance, is A focusing too much on meeting his own sales target and ignoring the big picture?

As every company grows older, communication forms the backbone of running a business productively. Imagine trying to get every employee to agree with every decision when you’re double in number or size. You certainly can’t create a process for everything from scratch. That’s where an effective work culture comes in. When it’s good, new entrants will learn how things are done, by just being a part of the team.

Unlock Your Potential With A Mid-Career Academic Programme

  By hmteam • November 23, 2015 , ,

Some years into your career is a great time to carefully assess how an academic degree can bring you closer to your goals. Whether you are looking at a bigger salary or a more senior role at the workplace, an elite MBA can give you what it takes to get there.

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Here’s why you should consider investing in a mid-career academic programme like the Nanyang Fellows MBA programme at the Nanyang Business School.

  • Flexibility:

Once you find yourself in a classroom full of other candidates with varied experiences unlike yours, you’ll know that things will not always be done the way you want them to be done. For example, in your current workplace, you have probably developed a method that your team follows. You like getting things done that way and no other way. But an intensive MBA programme at this stage will throw you out of your comfort zone. Working with your fellow students, you’ll learn how to accommodate new ways of thinking and new processes after years of following a rigid pattern. In fact, the result will be a more versatile you with your newfound know-how.

  • Confidence Boost:

Do you run the show at meetings? Could you call yourself a good communicator? Well, you must have some degree of soft skills already with your years in the workforce, but an MBA in the middle of your career will give you the opportunity to improve them and learn new ones too. One of your goals will be to make sure that you make the most out of every connection that you make during the 12-month programme. While top B-schools like NBS have strong alumni network and links with bigwigs in the industry, it is up to you to use these associations effectively. A few weeks into the programme will be enough to get you into networking action as you gain more confidence.

  • Entrepreneurship:

Having what seems to be a great idea is important. But starting your own business venture is rarely easy. Finding investors who like your idea and getting things organised can be a long, painful process. Fortunately, taking a break to focus on academics can give you benefits like professional feedback and practice – before you go ahead and set things up for real. An MBA programme can be your platform to get opinions and advice from experts from a number of fields including your faculty members and classmates.

  • Career Progression:

Many people join mid-career programmes because they feel like they’re stuck in a rut. When it begins to feel like the same old work every day with no chance of a promotion or excitement, career development needs focus. The global industry is evolving rapidly and a well-designed MBA curriculum is the answer to keeping up to date on changing practices and trends. A lot has happened between your last academic programme and current job. You can’t afford to be too comfortable in the old and tested waters.

Once you earn your MBA, prospective employers will appreciate your commitment to your professional development. Dedication, hard work and leadership skills combined with your new qualification make it clear that you care about learning and developing new skills in order to have an impact on business. And that is the kind of leader that the industry needs!

5 Powerful Habits of Successful Leaders

  By hmteam • November 20, 2015 ,

Successful leaders are the ones who can get the most out of the people they lead. If you can keep your team highly motivated and engaged in their work with no negatives such as unwanted stress, your company will benefit. A happy employee is a productive employee.

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Here are some habits that successful leaders have.

  1. They Create a Culture to Fit the Company’s Vision

Every company has a vision but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have your own. So create a vision that translates to what a great leader you could be. Next, communicate that vision to your organisation and your employees. Once they are inspired to achieve that vision, let them know what you expect from their individual roles. Employ your management skills to build the perfect work culture to fit your vision. Encourage trust, openness, fun and creativity. Let everybody share new ideas. Remember, you need to reach your goals together. So figure out the best way to do that.

  1. They Follow and Communicate Positive Values

Personal characteristics including honesty, integrity, objectivity and independent thinking are present in thriving leaders. You need to demonstrate these positive values at all times. When people you work with realise that you take your values seriously, they will reciprocate. Keep your eyes and ears open for any conflict in values because they can affect your organisation badly. For example, an employee who believes in using dishonest means to finish reports as fast as possible can ruin the work culture and deliver substandard work. So talk to everybody and find out how things are going at their level. Be there for them so that they are there for you.

  1. They Set the Bar High

Great leaders challenge themselves. They have clear goals that they usually exceed. When your employees see you meeting and surpassing goal after goal, they’ll know that you mean serious business. Along with being motivated, they’ll push themselves to do their best on the job too. You can help them set realistic goals while allowing them to make decisions about how it is done.

  1. They Handle Pressure Well

Tough times can drive some people into negative behaviour such as self-doubt and anger. Bad things will happen and you have to deal with them. Being the leader, it’s your job to keep calm and let others look up to you especially when they need you. That means that you should learn how to assess situations and take action while you keep the employees in the loop. Never leave them in the dark and never lose your confidence.

  1. They Believe that Success is Achieved Together

A simple thank you can act as a major motivator. Celebrate your employees’ achievements. Be personal and consider sending them an email or dropping by their office so that they know you don’t take good work for granted. Share credit with them if your projects get noticed. These behind the scenes people are important to your company.

A leader has a deep, long-lasting influence on the people he leads. If you lead well, your team will do great things for your company. Be positive. Build a rapport. Show them the way to success.

Check out the impressive list of Nanyang Fellows MBA alumni who have become top leaders in their respective fields!

How to Create Your 140 Character Elevator Pitch

  By hmteam • November 19, 2015

There’s a lot happening every hour whether it is in your industry or in the economy or even the daily news. Time is money. Prospective employers need to know what you can offer them as soon as they meet you. That’s why you need an elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is where you sell yourself without making it seem like a memorised speech where you end up gulping for air. A good one combines elements that enable further conversation. With creative Twitter bios being a topic of interest lately, a 140-character elevator speech sounds like a good thing to have.

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Here’s how you can craft it:

  • Identify Your Niche

When you meet somebody at a networking event, what is the first thing that you’d want them to know about you? “Hi, I’m a marketing executive.” That sounds boring and doesn’t give enough details. Choose words that tell them how you stand out in the crowd. Remember that it is a conversation – not a speech. Figure out what your niche is. Ask yourself what value you can bring to them and what value you have been bringing to your current clients. Your pitch needs to make them ask for more details, so it better be interesting. For example, you could say that you are a marketing executive who has spearheaded XYZ campaigns that changed the lives of heart patients in China. Focus on what you have done as an individual to deliver results.

  • Summarise Your Experience in a Nutshell

Your concise pitch must give prospective employers a picture of what you have done so far in your career. You won’t have time to list off all of your companies or roles. Instead, you need to summarise your experience. Highlight what has been significant. This applies to the process of updating our résumés too; you can’t give somebody a six-page document, so you have to edit and prioritise while never letting your accomplishments be ignored. Ask yourself: What is my main ability? Maybe it is to design award-winning advertisements. Or maybe you have a knack for solving marketing issues. Put it together in a few words. Do not be too technical. For instance, you could have been a part of the world’s most popular cat food’s launch team. That’s big. But you cannot just say that you did that one thing. You need to add the other great things from your achievements and make it crisp.

  • Communicate Your Reasons

Why are you delivering this pitch to this particular person? They need to know. You could be interested in being an investor in their company. Or you may be raising money and have equity to give. Your quick lines need to communicate your expectations clearly. Imagine ending your carefully practiced elevator pitch leaving the listener wondering, “Why did he just tell me all that?”

  • Request a Follow Up

Confidence is a vital component of success. Nobody is telling you to talk big to the point that the person in the elevator thinks you are a show-off. Still, you need to let people know that you expect to meet them again to discuss things further. That involves ending your quick pitch with the exchange of business cards and expressing your desire to talk more. The elevator spiel is all about creating interest in you as a candidate. It is the first step that can make or break your relationship with this prospect.

The perfect pitch is one that will make the person listening to you think. It should push his mind into action as he tries to place you in a role in his company. A boring pitch will prove that you have nothing special to offer. And a highly technical one will make you seem like that’s the only skill you have. Let the few words convince them that you are versatile. Don’t forget: First impressions matter.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

The Marketing Professional:
Hi. I’m (NAME). I’m a marketing wiz at X. I had some thoughts on your recent (PRODUCT) launch. Could we set up a time to discuss it?

Hi. I’m (NAME). I’m the marketing guy who set up (COMPANY). I had some thoughts on your (CAMPAIGN). Could we set up a time to talk about it?

The Sales Professional:
Hi. I’m (NAME), Sales Brain at X. Singapore is my third stop in Asia and I’m glad we finally met. How about I stop by your office next week?

The Writing Professional:
Hi. I’m (NAME) and I run writersden.com. You’ve probably seen my latest book on the shelves. I help writers make money. Could we talk?

Managing the Gen Y Workforce

  By hmteam • November 17, 2015

The Gen Y members or the millennial generation has a reputation for being spoilt and hard to handle. That’s actually not true. You just need to manage them well. These are headstrong individuals who refuse to be a part of a command and control leadership structure. They believe in doing things because they WANT to and not because they have been told to do them by somebody else. The good news is that the Gen Y workforce thrives on setting new challenges for themselves and is focused on constant self-development. So instead of worrying about how you would manage the millennial clan, learn how to communicate with them:

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  • Give Constant Feedback

This generation seeks regular interaction and acknowledgement. Being stuck at a desk alone all day and getting work done isn’t enough. The typical Gen Y employee needs to feel that he is working with a purpose. So a supervisor needs to stay present and be consistent with feedback. You should check-in in some way. That could involve a weekly report or a quick coffee session. You are not expected to give out prizes every week, but let the employee know that you know about and appreciate his effort at work.

  • Be Flexible

Gen Y workers want to deliver results and be proud of themselves, but they probably won’t like being told exactly how to approach a project. It would be a better idea to explain the end result you seek. You should also suggest how to go about it and give examples of how it worked in the past, but don’t forget to give them a chance to provide their thoughts on it. Ask them how they would tackle the project.

  • Consider their Wellbeing

A lot of Gen Y workers continue to rebel against the morning to evening, stuck in a desk routine that people followed without question before. The millennial is focused on bringing value to his/her organisation, but not at the cost of wasting precious time. Long commutes are a major complaint. Allowing some days of work from home is a way to deal with this, as long as productivity levels do not suffer. If you absolutely need them in the office, then devise a plan of other benefits such as reimbursement for gym membership, a nap room, and chairs that keep their backs happy. This generation is more aware of psychological and physical burn out and its effects, so they will appreciate the gestures and be happier at work. And happy employees work well.

  • Encourage Growth

While Gen Y workers are known to change jobs frequently, that is not a reflection of their loyalty as much as their reaction to a lack of growth. If you don’t want to spend hours interviewing, hiring and training new employees every year, you need to understand the millennial’s thirst for learning and skill building. Be their mentors and not a distant boss. Talk to them about their future career goals. Give them time to attend important seminars and industry events. See if the company can support them in further education endeavours.

  • Keep Them Motivated

When a Gen Y individual joins a new job, s/he is ready to do ‘real’ work from day one. Challenging is the key word here. As their managers, you need to let them know that you would love to hear their ideas. It could be a regular brainstorming session, with the entire team. Creativity and innovation drive this demographic cohort; allow them to constantly contribute and never put down any ideas in front of the other workers.

There are numerous advantages of working with Gen Y. They are tech-savvy, fast learners and seek personal fulfilment. They are very competitive as well. These characteristics enable them to bring a vibrant force to decision-making and their work. Once you know how to interact with them, your company will benefit as well.

Go Global with the One-Week Overseas Business Study Mission

  By hmteam • November 16, 2015

When you choose the Nanyang Fellows MBA programme, you are in for a memorable journey that will take you to new places metaphorically and literally. While your professors and classmates teach you things that will help you succeed in the business world, the curriculum goes a step further with its one week long overseas business study mission component. This carefully planned programme aims to enrich your knowledge of global developments while you work on your dissertation. Instead of sitting in your classroom in Singapore and just reading or hearing about how things run abroad, you get to experience it yourself.

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Locations

In the past, candidates have attended business study missions in the Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York City, London, Toronto, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Athens, Brussels, Cambridge, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Sydney, Berlin, Bangalore, Dublin, Munich and Copenhagen. Every location has unique characteristics that can contribute to your research and lead to an in-depth dissertation based on life changing experiences. You’ll end up choosing the location that matches your selected topic best.

The Project

The business study mission gives you the opportunity to conduct a detailed case study in a country that will probably be completely new to you. Once you reach your destination, you will be studying a specific geographical area to recognise the nature of its business environment. You will also be studying a particular industry and organisation. Although independent research will be your primary activity, you will not have to worry about finding the right connections thanks to NBS’s extensive network with B-schools and companies across the globe. Combined with your own effort and the network’s resources, you’ll find yourself talking a lot with consumers/suppliers and managers. At the end of your one week, you present a final report to the company that gave you so much time and attention so that you could know so much more.

The Benefits

One week could seem too short to some of you, but the length of the programme has usually encouraged students to cram in as much as possible into those precious days. So be prepared to learn about the business and industry of whichever segment you are researching, in another country. You’ll develop better critical thinking skills as you’re thrown into a new space outside the safety of a classroom. You will also be exposed to a new culture and learn about how people behave, talk and work in it. For instance, a student in the past learned that even though Aussies were laidback people who enjoyed their lunch break and rugby games, they didn’t waste a minute during office hours and therefore never had to whine about working overtime. Insights like this supplement your business knowledge, adding to your overall growth as a future leader.

So the overseas business study mission is not just about spending time in an office. It is about immersing yourself in cultural, social, political and business dynamics that are a part of the larger regional or international stage for different players in the marketplace.

Gear Up for a Role in International Business

  By hmteam • November 12, 2015 , ,

In today’s world economy, almost every business career is an international business career. And you are an ambitious, tech savvy person who is ready to be a part of this diverse scenario. There’s a lot of cultural exchange and business knowhow involved in every business interaction these days. Do you have the drive to succeed in this challenging environment? If you answered in the affirmative: Does your skill set include what it takes? Here’s your checklist.

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  • Be culturally sensitive

If you want to succeed in international business, staying stuck in your local cohort will not get you very far. You don’t have to travel to Spain to know that a business dinner could go well into the wee hours of the morning because the mealtime commences so late. You also don’t have to spend time in Japan to find out that the Japanese don’t think twice about asking people what they earn. Taking out the time and interest to talk to international students on your campus is good enough to teach you a long list of things like this. Extensive reading helps too. Or you could end up offending an elderly Japanese individual by offering to shake his hand. Some cultural customs may even irk you, but the more you know, the better for your growth.

  • Work on your language skills

Simply reading books often is one way to improve your language skills. Getting As in English classes throughout school and college doesn’t say anything about your conversational skills. Work on your communication. Push yourself to talk to more people and to develop good conversational skills so that you can build lasting relationships. Plus, knowing multiple languages is essential. Chinese languages have become popular for B-school students since the country has a booming international business environment. The truth is that people are comfortable talking in their local language, so remove that barrier.

  • Stay abreast of world affairs

There is a reason that there are so many newspapers and magazines in the market; you need to stay in touch with what is happening around you and elsewhere. When you are working in an industry, staying in a vacuum is just not and option. You need to read the news, watch the news, sign up for online alerts and know what is happening across the globe. Daily events affect stock prices and the prices of raw materials. Rapid changes like a terrorist attack in a safe city result in changed business processes and demand and supply. For example, somebody working in the hotel/tourism industry would need to know about the 2015 Bangkok temple blast because it obviously affected business. Knowing what is happening enables you to change and adapt your strategy accordingly.

  • Learn about governments/political relations

In the current business space, organisations work with colleagues and clients in various countries. Develop your knowledge of international politics and economics of the nations and cities that you work with. Find out about the chief minister/president and the ruling party. Then do your research and understand where things stand between the government of your country and that of those places. Also understand the relationship between the ruling party and its opposition. That could help you avert trouble if you are offering goods or a service in their location. For instance, a multinational company that runs cab services globally will study each location, learn about its trade unions and understand how supportive or unsupportive political parties are when it comes to welcoming foreign business.

The Nanyang Fellows MBA programme

The Nanyang Fellows MBA programme nurtures candidates who go on to succeed in the international business world. From top experts teaching you to time carved out for a visit to a top US B-school, there are multiple elements to bring you closer to your career goals. Whether you want to start your own entrepreneurial venture after years in the workforce or join the coveted C-suite, the entire experience will help you build the skills and mind-set needed.

As a representative for your company in the global arena, you’ll enjoy new experiences each day. Even if you aren’t always on a plane, you’ll be going places as you continue to excel as an international communicator.

Adopt These 10 Powerful Public Speaking Tips to Move Your Audience

  By hmteam • November 10, 2015 ,

Talking in front of a group of people doesn’t come naturally to many people. Still, introverted individuals who can be called shy can learn how to combat their fears. Public speaking is a vital part of being an industry leader. You need to know how to communicate and create an impact with your words.

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Here a few pointers to guide you.

1. Let Your Passion Show

Speaking effectively about a topic requires you to understand the subject well. You cannot memorise facts and statistics and let that be your presentation. Passion is contagious, so you need to make your audience feel it too. Make sure you know what you are talking about. Care about it. Because if you don’t, they will figure it out and not be that interested either.

2. Adopt the Right Body Language

Non-verbal communication is important. That basically means that what you do with your hands and eyes and mouth and the rest of your body during your talk will determine how the audience responds to you. So maintain eye contact, smile enough but not too much, and don’t roll your eyes or keep fingering the long strands of hair that fall across your face. Sound professional and act professional.

3. Always Practice

Practice does make perfect. Read the speech out loud multiple times. Track how long it takes and leave time for Questions & Answers. Record it. Once you think you’ve got it down right, practice in front of somebody you trust to be honest with his/her opinion. Let them tell you what could be said better or emphasised more. Maybe your shoulders are slouching and you aren’t looking confident? Find out.

4. Be a Storyteller

Everybody prefers an engaging story to a long message delivered in monotone. Make your speech a story. Narrate the facts and figures with a personal touch. For example, you could throw in some anecdotes about the time you experienced something relevant and how it affected your feelings. Also add interesting bits of information that could be new learning for your audience.

5. Throw in Some Humour

You don’t want your audience sitting there with the same expression on their faces throughout your talk. Add some humour wherever appropriate. A good laugh always makes people feel good immediately and sharing a laugh can help you bond. Just make it relevant and clean.

6. Calm Your Nerves

Being nervous is a common problem before presentations until you get more regular at it. Choose some quick relaxation exercises that work for you. A yoga instructor or coach could advise you. And don’t let your nervousness make you speak differently – more quickly or trying to impress too hard. Aim to create a rapport with the audience members. People remember how you made them feel. So be comfortable and let that feeling pass on to them.

7. Use Voice Techniques

Voice therapy comes in handy for people who have issues such as a stammer or a high-pitched voice. A good speaker should sound pleasant and friendly. There are a few vocal exercises including energy, pitch inflection, pace and silence that can help you communicate effectively. Are you pausing when you should, to give the audience a moment to let a point sink in? Are you talking too fast? It’s important to know how you’re doing.

8. Focus on the Message

When you structure your speech, you need to keep the main message in mind. Losing focus can ruin your speech. Do your research beforehand to know more about your audience. Think of every possible scenario for the Q and A session. Even if somebody wants to drag you in another direction (away from the message) you should know how to bring the conversation back there.

9. Connect and Motivate

A good leader motivates his audience. To do that, you need to structure your talk to meet their needs and expectations. That requires research. Watch their body language when they speak to you. If you notice them looking confused or sceptical, what would you say? Your words, tone and gestures should work in a combination to make them want to get involved in the subject as soon as possible. Tell them what THEY can do instead of just telling them what has been done.

10. Respond Positively to Negative Feedback

Most speakers face resistance to their views. Listen to the audience member. Understand that he/she is very interested in what you have been talking about to have an opinion. Respond calmly and do not be defensive. Being neutral is the key. Remember the message that you are there to present and disagree without going off topic or getting flustered.

If you follow these tips from Day One, you’ll find yourself getting better and better. Great leaders are great communicators. Good luck!

Embracing Technology Disruptions

  By hmteam • November 7, 2015

Technology is here to stay. But it isn’t going to stay still. Most companies are taking the challenge head on by embracing the frequent disruptions that characterise the technology landscape. They are investing in mobile devices, social media, cloud computing and big data to keep customers engaged. Insights are collected obsessively because this is where a business can succeed or fail. You, as an individual, have to take the volatility in your stride.

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Here’s how:

Be Willing to Experiment

The role of technologies has been shifting. Interaction is never a one-way street. Customers are using social media to let their grievances be heard and requesting customer service. Employees are working from mobile devices. And businesses are using the cloud to execute case management and solutions. The bottom line is that you cannot hang onto the past – the past could be referring to yesterday, by the way. Change is the norm, so you need to drive change. Business strategy works hand in hand with IT; you need to support low-cost experimentation to realise new and more efficient ways of working. In other words, let the disruption lead to improvement.

Take Advantage of Accessibility

Sometimes, shifts in technology can expose you to new options. Think about third-party data centres that let organisations tap into sophisticated IT tools without having to manage equipment themselves. Also remember that hardware and software resources are offered on remotely hosted servers, or the cloud. This means that you can make experimental prototypes and test models without spending too much of your budget. Another good news is that your customers are more accessible to you because of the proliferation of smart devices. So all the feedback they give you on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites can be analysed to get better results. Research and development using the help of smarter technology is a must. You need to be a part of the change to create positive results.

Forget Static Plans

Be proactive at all times. Advancing technology is a boon if you are alert in a state of preparation for it. If you aren’t, you can lose everything. How can you stay in ready mode? Become involved in every aspect of your business, including customer feedback, markets and business strategy. Being so deeply involved will enable you to grasp the opportunities that come with the disruptions. In fact, emerging technology gives managers the space for more automation, freeing their focus for other vital matters.

Work Smart

Technology is going from a command-control relationship with humans to more of a partnership. Instead of telling the machines what to do, you’re getting feedback from them. They have perfect memory and fantastic analytical skills. But you are not supposed to let them take over. You have the ability to think, judge and make decisions based on what you’re hearing. Do those things while technology continues to change and be a better companion for you.

Some businesses try to stay stuck to their original business model and lack the flexibility to react positively to technological disruption. It’s your job to share your vision and encourage your organisation to invest in dynamic IT systems and look at marketing strategy and technology changes as two intertwined components instead of standalone features.

Time Management: How to Improve Your Productivity

  By hmteam • November 5, 2015 ,

Some people are running against the clock. But too much running can be crazy. You have to know how to pace your days to get the best out of yourself. And with changing responsibilities and new priorities, how you use your precious time is going to change. In fact, drastically. Not only will you have more to do, but every action of yours will also affect the company in big ways. Extraordinary leadership skills will come into play. You’ll also be juggling several projects with customer, employee and shareholder expectations. Sometimes you’ll need to change things to get the results that you desire. Time management is the key.

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Here are some things that you should remember in order to achieve optimal productivity levels at work, always.

Live Life Beyond Work

Some people think that clocking long hours makes them extra productive. The truth is you don’t have to kill yourself to show how dedicated you are. Focus on what’s important to achieve your goals. Get it done. Go home. Interestingly, lots of studies have shown that working too many hours can be counterproductive. That means that your productivity will decrease. Imagine yourself struggling to keep your eyes open and your head straight after a long day of meetings and whatnot, with work that can be done tomorrow. Physical and mental strain can actually make you sick. And if you feel terrible in general, you will end up accomplishing little. So don’t forget to unwind, eat, exercise and spend time with your loved ones.

Have a No Interruptions Policy

You need to be selfish. If you aren’t getting work done because people keep on coming into your office or the phone keeps on ringing, you need to be more disciplined about your hours. There’s no excuse to stay stuck in the office at the end of the day, exhausted but still facing big responsibilities that should have been addressed during the day. Are you making yourself too available? Don’t be rude but have a screening system in place like keeping a specific block of time to take calls and answer emails. Keep things brief and to the point. And silence the endlessly chatty colleagues with a simple: What can I do for you?

Rank Your Priorities

Make a list of priorities and stick to it. Reflect on your daily activities, your personal goals and your organisation’s goals. Long-term goals should be on the list because each day is supposed to bring you closer to them. Focus on the important things first and push the less important items on your agenda to the bottom. You’ll feel stress free and accomplished as you tick off each item as it’s done. Use online software and apps to build and track your daily schedule.

Paying attention to time management will help you avoid last-minute leaps to finish projects, meaningless meetings and calls, and unproductive days at work. Bonus: The team you lead will benefit from your high productivity. They’ll know that you mean business and will try to follow your example. Don’t forget that we all have the same 24 hours!

Have a specific tip on time management and improving productivity that you’d like to share? Don’t forget to mention it in the comments below.