Working Smart/Smart Working

Welcome, Guest Blogger Angie Berman of Werner Paddles!

I had the pleasure of attending my Werner Sales Meeting in beautiful Orondo, WA this past weekend and I have got some things to share.  Angie Berman, who heads up Human Resources at Werner Paddles gave a great presentation called, Working Smart/Smart Working.  There is something all of us can take away from this.  Please share it with the floor staff too!

Basic Organizational Skills

                - What is the #1 thing you do to stay organized?  

                                - focus on what is important

                                                                - long term goals

                                                                - daily priorities

                                                                - keep photos of your family or inspirational pictures                             nearby

                                - Use Outlook

                                                                - use alarm and reminders

                                                                - ENTER all commitments

                                                                - don't use multiple tools, use one that is integrated.

                                                                - schedule meetings so the time and date is set

                                - Make Lists

                                                                - daily, weekly and monthly

                                                                - review daily priorities at the beginning of each day

                                                                - always have your computer or phone with you for 

                                                                  entering notes

                                                               

                                - Manage Your Time Well

                                                                - don't do what you're good at, get good at doing what's

                                                                important

                                                                - work smart not hard

                                - Use Deadlines to Get Things Done

                                                                - make an action item after a meeting or seeing a dealer

                                                                - set realistic time frames for tasks

                                                                - use TASKS in outlook, deadlines are easy to set

                                - Managing Your Mail and Phone Calls

                                                                - sort incoming mail into categories by priorities or action

                                                                - How do you sort your INBOX?

                                - Stay Organized

                                                                - reduce clutter, focus on priorities

                                                                - keep electronic files organized, it's easy to save in odd 

                                                                  places

               

Email Etiquette

                                                                - be concise and to the point

                                                                - read thoroughly, answer all questions

                                                                - use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation

                                                                - answer as quickly as possible

                                                                - do not attach unnecessary files

                                                                - use proper layout and structure

                                                                - do not overuse the high priority option

                                                                - Do not write in capitals

                                                                - Don't leave out the message thread

                                                                 - Read the email before you send it

                                                                - Do not overuse Reply to All

                                                                - take care with abbreviations and emoticons

                                                                - be careful with formatting

                                                                - do not copy or forward a message or attachment with

                                                                permission

                                                                - use caution emailing confidential emails

                                                                - use a meaningful and relevant subject line

                                                                - use cc sparingly.

                                                                - don't email to avoid personal contact

                                                                - use email trailers for confidential emails

                                                                - be sparing with group emails

                                                                - wait to fill in the TO email address (no accidents)

Phone Etiquette

                                - SMILE!!!  (you can tell)

                                - State your name

                                - Have a purpose and an agenda for your call

                                - Know the caller (casual vs. professional)

                                - leave short concise messages

                                - slow down

                                - know their names

                                - LISTEN