7 Time Management Tips for Managers
If you are a Manager, you’ll know how demands and expectations have increased.
Here are 7 time management tips especially for you…
1. Cut down the firefighting
Chances are you find yourself ‘firefighting’ some of the time – dealing with issues brought to your door by members of your team. For some Practice Managers this takes up most of their time.
Chances are also, some of these issues can really be resolved by your team members without your involvement.
The key is to make sure as little of your time as possible is taken up firefighting.
Create a planner on your wall or computer which captures the regular tasks you need to complete. Adopt a regular time of day, week or month for these tasks as appropriate, and block this time out on your planner.
Allocate regular periods of time on your planner for project work.
Then explain your planner schedule to your team, highlighting when you are ‘open’ for interruptions.
2.Keep an up-to-date project plan
There is a lot which lands ‘on your plate’. Plus you have to manage the projects and tasks going on around the practice.
There is specialist software or you can simply set up a spreadsheet. Just make sure you can clearly see who is taking a particular action, by when, and what progress has been made.
Keep your plan updated and you will be clear on your own priorities and the work you have delegated to others. This will save you time working out what is currently being worked on and confirming the status of particular projects.
3. Insist on regular communication with your Director
Regular communication between you and your Director vital.
The Director/ owner needs to understand the status of the projects on your project plan, and what you and the team are working on in these areas.
4. Delegate effectively
When you delegate effectively you save time for yourself as you avoid having to go over tasks again. You also prevent wasting team time.
5. Get help from specialists where appropriate
Don’t try and become a master of everything. You’ll spend unnecessary time trying to get your head around new concepts and skills which others can quite simply provide for you.
Make use of specialists when you can.
6. Keep team communication lines open
You need to communicate regularly and effectively with everyone in your practice to work efficiently as a Manager.
It is time well spent as it will subsequently save you time trying to convene ad hoc meetings and get-togethers.
Plus you’ll have formal time to share and gain information efficiently, so you stand a much better chance of achieving what you need to achieve.
7. Keep in touch with your fellow Managers
Life as a Manager can feel isolated and chances are there will be a Manager out there who has gone through the issue or challenge you are currently experiencing and can help you overcome it. More quickly. More effectively.
Stay in contact with the Managers you meet.