Email Management Application

In our email management course, we try to help participants gain control over and manage their email. Below is an approach from one of our recent customers:

Hi all

In an effort to increase productivity and efficiency I am beginning a new personal email policy. I've recently realized I spend more time shuffling through my inbox and less time focused on the task at hand.

It has become an unnecessary distraction that ultimately creates longer lead times on my ever-growing 'to do' list.

Going forward I will only be checking/responding to email at 10a and 3p on weekdays.

If you need an immediate time-sensitive responseŠ please don't hesitate to call me. Phones are more fun anyways.

Hopefully this new approach to email management will result in shorter lead times with more focused & creative work on my part. Cheers & here's to life outside of my inbox!

All the best,

Project Management

Yes...Reading a calendar is essential for Project Management. Great email from a participant:



Hi:



Maybe four years of college has still made me incapable of reading a calendar (not the first time this has happened to me), but I seem to recall signing up for the Project Management training opportunity on a different day than Aug. 1, simply because of the fact that I’ll be out of the office on vacation on this day. I definitely want to participate in it, but next Wednesday won’t work for me.



If there are other dates and times for which I can sign up to participate, please let me know, and I’ll re-work my schedule accordingly.Maybe a future training opportunity could be “Calendar Reading 101: They’re Not Just Squares With Numbers.” I’d gladly jump in on that.



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Performance Appraisal Humor

I just finished a Performance Management training course and am reminded of some of the funniest comments I have seen on performance appraisals.

Here they are. Enjoy:

• Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig
• Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap
• When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there
• This young lady has delusions of adequacy
• He sets low personal standards, then consistently fails to achieve them
• This employee should go far and the sooner he starts, the better
• This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.

The wonders of Self-Management

Below is an email string regarding a scheduled Time Management course:
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Participant Question:
Hi,

Would it be too much trouble to resend the email from last week regarding the noon training today?

I need the document and the virtual meeting information.

Thanks
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My response:

It is actually tomorrow. I’ll send the webinar training information next.
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Participant Response

Thanks! I'm happy I didn't miss it.
I enjoy the training classes.

Talk to you tomorrow.
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Stress Management in tough economic times

As everyone is aware, there is a financial crisis occurring across the globe right now. Financial concerns is often a stressor that is mentioned by participants during Stress Management training. Stress management is as easy as identifying what is in your control and what is out of your control (i.e. the controllability factor) and trying to change what you have control over and not worrying (too much) about what you can't control.

Another Time Management Example

I facilitated a Time Management course yesterday and had some interesting moments. First, I had my typical participant who runs down the hall and through door while completing the pre-work - trying not to be late (for time management training). Second, the group had a good discussion on utilizing a prioritized action list. Research states that creating a "to do" the night before or the morning of is an effective way to manage time and stay organized.

What are your thoughts on this situation?: One participant stated that she crosses items off her list after she completes them and then at some point she finds herself re-writing her list because it gets to messy.

Time management application

Recently, I facilitated a time management training course. During time management we recommend beginning each day with a prioritized action list and then aligning the list with a daily calendar. So...I'm wrapping up the course and a participant runs in and says I forgot the course was today. He said I really need this course and I agreed!

Life as a Management Trainer

The purpose of this blog is to have fun with the training situations that I encounter. This is supposed to be a behind the scenes look into facilitating training courses.

All situations discussed have been approved by the participants described.