Every time I ask someone “how are you?” I typically get the response “busy”. It seems that everyone has a long to-do list and we are increasingly adding to it. Job duties are expanding as we find efficiencies in our processes through technology and most companies are facing vacancies resulting in multifaceted roles and responsibilities.
For managers out there trying to find time to engage employees, delegate work, go to meetings, answer emails and do their own tasks, sometimes the workday can escape you. So what’s the answer?
A few years ago, at a manufacturing conference, one of the VPs presented a cost savings idea which was, simply: stop doing unnecessary tasks. This seems too easy, but he asked his team, “what are we doing now, that we should stop doing?” He found out that his team was producing a report each month, printing it out, and filing it. No one reviewed it and no one looked back at the files. How much time did that save? A few hours each month. Can you imagine if you found a few of these for your team?
At your next team meeting, I challenge you to ask, “what are we doing now that we should stop doing?” Look for wasteful, unnecessary tasks. You may find some and you may also find some items where the “why” or why we do this hadn’t been adequately explained. So it’s not really waste, it just seems cumbersome to your staff. Then empower staff to find solutions to these wasteful steps, meetings, or reports. Are there alternatives or do we just get rid of it all together?
Not only will this free up time for your staff, but it will also have a trickle effect. This will free up your time reviewing, approving, and attending meetings as well.
What items do you find unnecessary? What do you think will be your team’s reaction?
