I think we are all familiar with the term PPE now, which stands for Personal Protective Equipment. There isn’t enough of it, and we are all wearing it when we go out of our homes. But today I thought I would give you another set of PPE tools: Pareto, Parkinson and the Eisenhower Matrix. Looking for ways to be more efficient with your time? Then this post is for you!
Everyone can use help with Time Management
I provide Virtual education training for Tourism organizations that include tourism specific topics such as Group Tours and Tourism Sales, as well as topics around sound business practices. Time Management is one theme that is often requested by organizations. After a recent training, one attendee told me these topics are just as important as PPE, which is what gave me this blog idea!
Pareto Principle- or the 80/20 Principle
Some of my long time readers might be rolling their eyes – Here she goes again with the 80/20 rule! I have written many posts on this time-saving law of nature before( here is one popular post on the topic). Villfredo Pareto was an Italian Economist who realized that 20% of the residents in his town held 80% of the wealth. Then he started to see the principle in nature as well- like the fact that 20% of his garden plants yielded 80% of the food when he looked closely.
Through the years, his observations have been distilled to this: Some things are very important, most things are not. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter, it’s still true. 20% of your clients bring you 80% of your revenue. 20% of your daily tasks give you 80% of your success.
That means the converse is true as well. 80% of our daily tasks only account for 20% of our success. When you understand Pareto’s Principle, you will learn to concentrate on the 20% activities and let the rest go. It is very hard for people to implement because we are taught that everything ( and every customer) are equally important. To those who can see past that, there is free time on the other side.
Parkinson’s Law
This is another time-saving strategy that seems counterintuitive and yet its founder, Sir Parkinson noticed it daily in his work in the British Civil Service. He wrote a humorous article about it for The Economist back in 1955 and the premise holds true today. Parkinson’s Law states that work expands (or contracts) so as to fill the time available for its completion.
Basically that means that if we have to work with a project on a tight deadline, we are less likely to add other people and steps to the project.We focus on getting it done.
But longer-term projects become a challenge. The term ‘project creep’ is a 21st-century term that describes this problem clearly. We decide to hold numerous additional meetings and add other people to the attendee list. This strategy tends to waste time and money.
How do you take advantage of this law? Set tight deadlines and stay focused on the end result. Many of you that are back at work will be short-staffed and have to make many decisions. Parkinson’s Law should give you some relief knowing that having more time for lots of meetings around decisions wouldn’t have helped – and actually could make moving forward more difficult.
So harness Parkinson’s Law today – stay lean and focused.
Eisenhower Matrix
This decision making template was developed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a way to help him prioritize difficult decisions every day. Sound like your life in 2020? The format became known as the Eisenhower Matrix, and is a helpful tool for all of us.
Take some time to list your tasks and responsibilities. Then put them in the quadrant that best fits. Sometimes you have to be a bit ruthless – there are things you will need to eliminate. You will want to concentrate on the “DO” quadrant. These are the activities that will help move your business forward. We all have limited brain capacity due to stress so let’s prioritize the actions that will bring us success.
Looking for more Time Management Help?
I just released a New Online Course – Time Management for Tourism Professionals. In this course, you will be able to learn about 5 different time Management techniques. Tourism professionals have always been super busy, but 2020 has given us a whole other set of stress. This course can help you find a technique that works best for you and helps you be more efficient. Check it out here!
How is your LinkedIn Profile?
Did you know that LinkedIn is now the #1 Business to Business platform? It is THE place to go to build your network and look for work – especially since we can’t do anything in person for now.
If you would like to make sure your profile is optimized and that you know the best ways to leverage the platform, join me this Thursday, August 6th for a FREE virtual training. My friend and LinkedIn Expert Louise Brogan has generously offered her time to help my readers.
Click here to register. And please feel free to share with others in the industry. My goal is to help us all get through this challenging time and come out on the other side as stronger Tourism Professionals.
DMOs/Tourism Organizations:
Are you looking for a way to provide value to your partners during this challenging time? Check out the Online Tourism Training Program with this link. I can help you provide monthly virtual training for you to offer to your partners/members. My team and I do all the work and you reap the benefits. Topics range from Best Practices for small business, to Group Tours, to Tourism Sales.
Looking to increase your Tourism knowledge and skills?
Then check out Tourism Pro Academy. This platform is a one-stop-shop. You can check out free resources, courses and other ways to work with me. I am adding new offerings this month. Click here to see what’s available.
How’s your Profile Sheet?
If you are ready to build back your group tour business, a great profile sheet is key. How is yours? Need help? I am going to host some live profile sheet reviews on my Facebook Business page starting in August. Reply to this email if you are interested in trying something new – and upgrading your profile sheet in time for trade show season!
May I ask a favor?
Could you share this post with at least 2 people who might benefit from reading it? And then they can sign up here to receive my posts directly to their inbox every week. I thank you – and I bet they will too!