Dealing with Information Overload

1. Dealing withInformation Overload Tom Heron October 24/25 2011

2. What’s the Problem? • Corporate ‘Culture’ • Personal Effectiveness & Productivity

3. We LOVE Email!!! • 2 hours per day dealing with email • 1000 staff organisation • UK average salary: £24K ANNUAL COST = £6 Million Pounds Up to 50% is wasted!!

4. Real - world situation • High volume of new/incoming emails • Drop-in visitors/interruptions • Telephone calls • Things take longer than planned • Unrealistic expectations • Do quantity not quality • Procrastination • “Political” Priorities • Etc….etc….etc…..

6. Focus & Prioritise!! Activities 20% 80% Results

7. Outlook Toolkit Calendar Email Tasks Contacts

8. Email Top Tips • Check emails 2 - 4 times per day • Is email the best option? If it’s sensitive or urgent… ….reach for the ‘phone first • Think before you ‘cc’ someone • Apply the ‘4 x Ds’ • Switch off all the ‘Bells & Whistles’

9. Managing Your E-mail • Turn off the “Bells & Whistles” • Apply the 4xDs • Convert Emails into Tasks

10. “Plan B” “The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise and is not preceded by a period of worry and depression.” Sir John Harvey-Jones

11. Thank You!