Productivity

Are You Driving Employee Engagement?

Are You Driving Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement is critical! This week's blog gives you 6 strategies to drive employee engagement. Start your engines and check your levels of engagement.

Where focus goes, energy flows!

Where focus goes, energy flows!

Tired of doing everyone else’s work and not your own!? Then sharpen your focus. Don’t be busy be productive. Take a minute and read this week’s blog to make sure YOU are the priority.

Opportunity + Preparation = Success!

Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation!

Wanting to head into 2016 on a positive note I was excited to receive my new business journal and commence planning the 2016 journey. The excitement of planning holidays, client project milestones, creative thinking opportunities and brainstorming key performance indicators ensured I focused on planning to achieve ‘what matters most’ and not to get caught up in the small stuff!

“ Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation”
— Zig Ziglar

Applying the 80/20 rule, focusing on my top 20% high yield tasks, sent the goal implementation plan pounding forward. Within the first week I have been able to action plan and implement 12 new project plans.

So here are my tips for planning to succeed in 2016!

  1.  Have and use a business journal to capture your thoughts and ideas.
  2.  Establish a Master Task List and record everything you need to contribute to in order to achieve your Master Plan; plan your months out in view. Visual planning boards help you to see what’s coming up.
  3. Start project plans early; spend 15 minutes a day brainstorming how to action your key performance indicators. Keep building on your ideas throughout the week, in 5 days your action plan will begin to take shape. 
  4.  Collaborate with others; better ideas come from proactively building on concepts with key stakeholders. Planning in isolation will narrow your focus.
  5. Stay positive! Always look for solutions and benefits in ideas and concepts; look for ways to make it work rather than shelving your enthusiasm and innovative ideas.  
  6. Plan in a creative space; encourage your creativity don’t stifle it! Ensure your environment encourages and stimulates you.
  7.  Be open and adaptable to change; it keeps you in business!

So what’s your planning schedule look like for 2016? We’d love to see it!

Send us a photo or drop us a line on our Facebook page or through LinkedIn!

Don't lose your focus during the silly season!

Our top tips to remain on task and on target in 2016!

 

1. Schedule down time

Plan time to refresh, recharge and revitalise. You have earned it; so prioritise it. Keep in the holiday spirit and encourage the team to enjoy their planned down time so that they return revitalised in 2016.

2. Communicate, celebrate, commiserate!

Remember to keep your communication honest and two-way. Be clear on your expectations, priorities and timelines for projects and tasks that you are working on. You may need to negotiate around others leave time. Discuss your expectations early to achieve synergy in efforts and results.

Thank people for a job well-done and reward them for milestones achieved. Be prepared to reflect and refocus with the team when things get off track.

3. Schedule blocks of time wisely; remain focussed on your goals

Know your priorities and plan accordingly. Schedule everything….from family time, fun time, to gym time. What doesn’t get planned gets missed! Remove distractions, make sure you have access to an appropriate environment whenever and whenever you plan to work.

4. Buy a new journal and start planning

Nothing is more exciting than buying a new diary or business journal in anticipation for 2016. Fill it with thoughts and ideas on everything you want to achieve. Mind map your Key Performance Indicators [KPI’s] a goal not planned remains a dream. Break things down…it’s not as daunting.

You can see a list of stationary and tools we love here.

5. Remember multitasking is a lie!

Work on one thing at a time! Doing two things poorly is worse than focusing your energy and effort on one thing at a time to achieve a quality outcome.

6. Design a creative and stimulating environment

Refresh and reorganise your office. Change your desk around. File, declutter.

7. Remain positive and solutions focused

Nobody likes a grouch. Head into 2016 determined to make a difference. Present a positive outlook to your team.

Follow these tips and you should be skipping into 2016, revitalised and ready for new challenges! Do you have any tips to share? How do you prepare for the end of one year and the beginning of a new one? We'd love to hear from you in the comments - or drop us a line on our Facebook or LinkedIn!