In this new environment with lots of people now working from home and coming to terms with what that means, there are some good productivity hacks for remote workers.
Productivity is about 3 things – attitude, focus and then the right tools so let’s just quickly work through some of those.
[HACKS] Top 10 – Working from home productivity hacks
1. Attitude – With this new environment, approach is everything and your attitude is critical in helping you get the most in being productive.
“Present is not productive” is one of the big things. Take regular breaks, be social, do some of the things you would normally do at work and remember, just sitting there all day staring at the screen doesn’t mean you’re productive.
Establish routines that keep you focused. If you need to get dressed for work, drive around the block and drive back in the driveway and then go into the workspace, then do it. If you always get a coffee in the morning, still get a coffee. Have your coffee, have your tea breaks, your lunch breaks, and regular team meetings. Think about virtual coffee and lunches with your co-workers. If you’re normally caught up with a couple of your friends from work, then do it online—it’s easy using Zoom or FaceTime to have a quick connection with them and a coffee while you do it.
Claim your space. Designate a workspace even if it’s temporary. If it’s the end of the dining room table, set it up like it’s your workspace and do it. Create rules for your family. I’ve worked at home for the best part of 20 years and my 2 young children knew that if Daddy was in the office with the door closed that he was at work and weren’t to disturb him. I know other people have things like a dinosaur toy, and when that dinosaur toy was out the kids knew that Mum was at work and they don’t need to be there.
Use noise-cancelling headphones for privacy and/or for confidentiality so you don’t have your speaker blaring out some confidential information around the room. It can also just help you focus.
2. Focus – Stay focused on what you need to do. A couple of techniques here:
Use the 4 Things model. What are the 4 areas of activity that you must focus on to be successful in your business or in your role? In my business, my 4 Things are: client work, sales & marketing, strategy & planning and personal development to grow and sharpen the tool which is me. I tick off something from the list every day so if I take 15 minutes to do sales, at the end of the week I’ve spent an hour and a quarter on it. What is the framework for you? For more details on the model, watch the video here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wRFjvzBaXs
Use the Stop Doing Matrix. For all the things that don’t fit into your 4 Things model, what are you going to stop doing? My coach, Chris Mason says to me every year, if you want to increase your productivity by 20%, what are you going to stop doing? Now, if you can’t stop it then delegate it to someone internal to you in the business or outsource it from someone external to you in the business. Following that, what can you do to re-engineer the process, so it takes up 10% of the time? More details here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1v3-jJn-54
Have better meetings which is a combination of face-to-face and online meetings such as daily huddles or transactional catchups from 5 to 15 minutes, or circuit breaker meetings monthly for 15 to 20 minutes and quarterly performance reviews for 30 minutes. It is important in this current environment that you have better meetings to understand how your people are going and how they’re faring. If you need more details on meeting structures, I’m happy to discuss them with you.
3. The Right Tools – Most people think productivity is about tools but if you don’t get your attitude and focus right first then the tools are often a waste of time.
The Pomodoro Timer – Work in 25-minute bursts and then have a 5-minute break and then in every 4 cycles, take a longer break. What it does it increases focus and concentration, reduces interruptions and maximises output. Use the app Pomodoro Focus Timer or Focus Booster to keep you focused on the things you need to be doing. I’ve done a short video of that here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DO9T27-JKo
Task Management – When you’re in a distributed network with some in the office and some working from home, use a software system that you can integrate with your Team. I use Trello.com for my small Virtual Team in the Philippines and we’ve used Trello for the best part of 10 years to communicate. It’s functional, easy, it syncs with all my devices, and best of all it’s FREE. Watch some tips on how to use Trello here – https://shifft.com.au/videos/#oArrfgSv-gQ
Use Zoom/Skype – There’s a whole heap of video conferencing solutions to choose from but I use Zoom predominantly. It’s easier to use than Skype and Zoom maintains video quality better than Skype. But one thing Zoom doesn’t have is the capacity to call people like a phone call so Skype is a really good option for that. There are heaps of resources on using Zoom and you can find it all here – https://shifft.com.au/using-zoom/
Audio and Video Messages – Respond to complex emails and phone messages with either an audio message or a short video message. My experience is that it takes you 20% of the time to complete an audio or video message and you can often provide a far more detailed response. Just remember to plan your response, make dot points so as not to ramble. Use desktop tools such as Loom, Snagit, Zoom, Camtasia, Screenflow or some smartphone tools such as video and voice memo.
Email – This is a major productivity drain. Don’t view it first thing or last thing. You don’t want someone else setting the agenda of your day. Set up “Rules”to allocate your inbox to specific mailboxes and check emails in time with your Pomodoro breaks. Turn off notifications so they won’t distract you with what you’re doing now but make sure you check your email regularly. And if you’re doing similar responses, set up some templates.
So, these are my tips on how to work from home productively. And if you want some more help, you can check out a whole heap of free resources on the website – www.shifft.com.au.
Also, if you’re really struggling with this COVID-19 situation and not sure how to handle it, please use this link – https://calendly.com/russellcummings/30-min-meeting and book a call with me at no charge. I’m happy to help you navigate this process. It’s important that we all help each other out so I’m more than happy to do my part to help you and your business move forward in this difficult phase.
As we move to a period of less face-to-face contact, there is a growing need to make better use of video conferencing tools like Zoom. However, I’m finding that there is a large number of people that are unsure of how to make the best use of Zoom or even how to use it all.
The following documents and videos are aimed at the Business Owner who would like to use Zoom to communicate with clients, suppliers and/or remote team members.
DOCUMENT #1 – A simple guide for using Zoom for remote communication.
DOCUMENT #2 – Logging onto Zoom for the first time [This is a document that you can forward to external parties with some simple instructions and links to instructional videos].
VIDEO #1 – Using Zoom for remote communication. This is a video summary of Document #1
VIDEO #2 – How to use Zoom for the first time. Watch this short video from Russell Cummings, Business Coach, if you’re a first time Zoom User.
VIDEO #3 – How to use Zoom with slow speed internet. This is for users who may have slow internet and will help them have better meeting.
VIDEO #4 – How to log onto a Zoom Meeting using your mobile phone.
Hey there! I’m excited to kick off the Lessons Learnt series with you, where I’ll be sharing insights gained over my 37 years as a business advisor.
Each video will be short and sweet, focusing on three or four key takeaways about a particular topic.
Today, we’re diving into Marketing and Promotion. I want to share with you three key insights that may change your perspective.
If you find that you want to dive deeper into a particular insight, please let me know! I’m always happy to help.
And, as a bonus, please feel free to explore the free resources we offer on our website, ww.shifft.com.au. We have a wealth of blogs, videos, templates, courses, and more available for you to explore.
Of course, if you ever need any one-on-one support, I’m always here to assist you.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you have a great day!
In the 2024 landscape, Mindshop’s Business Leader Success Insights Report emerges as a vital beacon for leaders navigating through the tumult of modern business challenges. This article synthesises the report’s essential messages, distilling actionable insights and strategic directives aimed at enhancing leadership effectiveness and organisational performance.
Embrace Change and Innovation
The report commences by urging leaders to adopt a contrarian mindset, challenging conventional wisdom to foster innovation. It highlights the importance of ‘Timeboxing’ for enhanced productivity and underscores the critical role of operational excellence in achieving superior organisational efficiency.
Leadership and Team Dynamics
A significant emphasis is placed on ‘Modelling the Way and Being the Coach,’ advocating for leadership through example and the cultivation of a coaching culture within teams. The report also advises leaders to ‘Learn from the Right Peers,’ stressing the value of mentorship and peer learning in personal and professional development.
Sustainable Growth Strategies
The insights further delve into ‘Profitable Growth,’ promoting strategies that ensure revenue growth aligns with profitability. ‘Customer Centricity’ is highlighted as pivotal, with a focus on aligning products and services with customer expectations to drive business success.
Technological Advancement
An important aspect of the report is the encouragement to ‘Leverage AI & Technology,’ recognising the transformative potential of technology in operational efficiency and competitive differentiation.
Strategic Simplification
Leaders are encouraged to create a ‘Stop Doing List,’ identifying low-value activities to eliminate, thereby focusing on what truly matters. Building a ‘Higher Quality Team’ is identified as essential, advocating for diversity in skills and expeditious management of underperformance.
The Mindshop Way
Lastly, the report champions the ‘Mindshop Way,’ advocating for the adoption of streamlined business methodologies that simplify complexity, supporting growth and development.
Action Steps to Abandon Outdated Practices
In parallel, the report advises leaders to abandon counterproductive practices such as the endless pursuit of ‘Unicorn Team Members,’ a ‘Fixed Mindset,’ and the sustenance of ‘Loss Making Products & Services.’ It also warns against tolerating ‘Toxic Team Members,’ neglecting ‘Work/Life Balance,’ and the pitfalls of ‘Living on Social Media.’
Strategic and Emotional Intelligence
Abandoning ‘Echo Chambers’ and ‘Strategic Planning with No Implementation’ are highlighted, alongside the importance of addressing ‘Emotional Intelligence Blind Spots’ and the risks of engaging with ‘Unworthy or Poor Quality Customers.’ Lastly, it suggests leaders should stop ‘Worrying About Things You Can’t Change,’ to focus on actionable priorities.
Implementation and Support
The report culminates with a call to action, urging leaders to integrate these insights into their strategic planning. It recommends completing the Growth and Profit Solutions (GPS) diagnostic, crafting a personal one-page plan, and engaging with Mindshop advisors for tailored support.
In conclusion, the Mindshop Business Leader Success Insights Report 2024 offers a comprehensive blueprint for leadership and organisational excellence. By adopting its strategic recommendations and abandoning outdated practices, leaders can position their businesses for success in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. The synthesis of these insights not only provides a roadmap for the year ahead but also underscores the ongoing journey of learning, adaptation, and growth essential for contemporary business leadership.
Marketing is one of the most important and time-consuming activities of business owners as we all want the right image for our business and more of the right clients. We want them to not only see but to also understand what our business offers and how they can differentiate us from our competitors.
That’s what Marketing is all about. It is creating specific brand images in the minds of our target customers and advertising is the mechanism used to communicate these images to them.
Unfortunately, most businesses do not have a formal marketing plan and their marketing and advertising becomes a series of uncoordinated events. Businesses are often talked into advertising programs that are not linked to any marketing plan.
So how do we avoid falling into that trap? It is important to note that the secret is in coordinating a sequence of activities targeted at clear customer segments and that there is no magic one event in a marketing campaign that works all the time, every time. It is a process of trial and error.
American advertising guru, Ian Ogilvy, made the famous remark “I know that 50% of my advertising budget is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which 50%”. So with that, here’s a process that will help to ensure that you do not waste your money.
Step 1 – Set Objectives
Set clear objectives and start with your Business Plan. Decide whether marketing activities are for the purpose of “brand awareness” or a “call to action”. Take note that both have different response times. Highlight tangible benefits that make your products, services and you different.
Step 2 – Test
Test your message before committing to it with a sample size of at least 30 responses. Gather responses and build in a response mechanism to your ads. Google Adwords can be a cheap & effective method for doing this.
Step 3 – Do It
Run the ads, conduct the promotional workshop, use the script, put up the sign, make the offer, etc.
Step 4 – Measure Effectiveness
After implementing Step 3, determine following:
Was the communication received and understood by the target market?
Were the sales objectives achieved?
You may never fully solve Ian Ogilvy’s dilemma, but follow this process and you will do much better than he did.
In a recent blog we discussed how we can make sure that marketing is effective for our business. This blog reiterates that while you need ensure the effectiveness of your Marketing, it is also crucial to ensure that it is effective all-year round.
Businesses will often gear up for events such as Christmas, Mother’s day, Father’s day, Stocktake Sales and the like, and then accept that there are quieter periods in the rest of the year. But really, this should not be the case. What can we do to market all-year round?
Let’s look to multinational companies to explore this issue. It gets hard to compete when you are reacting all the time to promotions of big players and you feel you have to follow. Unfortunately, most businesses react by putting on sales which may actually reduce your profits due to the size of the discounts offered to get a response from the price conscious customers.
But we have to realize that the thing that makes multinationals successful in marketing is that they know how to make their customers think that everything is for sale all the time. How do they do this?
Here are 3 steps to follow.
1. Determine the purpose for the promotion
Knowing the purpose sets the stage for the rest of the promotional plan because it lets everyone involved understand what it is for and why the outcome should be successful. Also, tell all your staff about the promotion and ask for their ideas.
2. Set specific targets
Setting specific targets allows you to focus your marketing dollars and your message on a specific area that is more likely to act on your promotion i.e. your loyal customers. Plan your advertising to match the customer – this is a much efficient way to increase sales, target margins and sell specific products or services.
Make sure you’re running and interesting promotion and not just discount sales. Why not try to package your products to see how your customers react to this kind of offer?
3. Evaluate the success of your promotion
If it clicks, identify how you can measure if it was a successful promotion. Identify a specific increase in sales needed to compensate for any decrease in the price. And in the end, make sure you evaluate the overall success of the promotion.
Now, here are 8 questions that can determine whether your marketing activities are worth your time and money. In our experience, if your score is below 48 then you are not getting value for money for your advertising, and your result will be mixed.
Rate yourself on these 8 questions by scoring 0 to 10, with 0 – lowest; 5 – average, with some ideas in writing; 10 – strongly planned, well organized:
Use the result as a guide for the things you need to improve on to make sure you’re running successful and effective marketing activities that can stand any season or any event.
Remember that successful marketing is the backbone of a business and will determine your financial future.
![[Lessons Learnt] Marketing and Promotion Tips](https://shifft.com.au/wp-content/uploads/tips-1080x675.jpg)
