Eliminate the Chaos at Work: 25 Techniques to Increase Productivity

Eliminate the Chaos at Work: 25 Techniques to Increase Productivity

by Laura Leist
Released February 2011
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470878996

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Book description

Create office efficiency and business productivity with this helpful book.

Eliminate the Chaos at Work increases your business productivity and peace of mind by showing you how to create streamlined information systems, processes and workflows.

Laura's proven 25 techniques are easy to implement, realistic and results oriented. Using these techniques, you can take control over your time and information to create workable systems built to reflect how you think and process information.

Eliminate the Chaos at Work breaks down the everyday organization and productivity challenges you face at work into four areas: time, paper and information management as well as managing all of the stuff in your office. You'll learn effective time and information management techniques including how to:

  • Produce logical, user friendly information management systems to ensure information is organized and easily retrievable

  • Schedule and manage meetings that aren't total time wasters

  • Implement a system to process and follow up on e-mail

  • Create an organized e-mail filing structure for easy retrieval

  • De-clutter paper files, decide what can be stored, scanned, shredded or recycled

  • Learn what paper management system will work best for you and how to create the filing structure

  • Use the PAPERS method for maintaining efficient paper management systems

  • Determine which task management system is right for your needs and how to manage your tasks and projects daily using the 20-minute rule

  • Use the 10-step process to organize the stuff in your office

Imagine working in an office where you feel in control and on top of things, instead of overwhelmed. Setup a comfortable workspace and make yourself and your team's office more productive, supported and in control with Eliminate the Chaos at Work.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. Introduction
  7. 1: How Long Will It Take?
  8. 2: Biggest Mistakes
    1. Technique #1: Identify Problem Areas Up Front and Set Yourself Up for Success
  9. I: Time Management
    1. 3: Can You Really Manage Time?
      1. Technique #2: Learn How to Manage Your Actions and Choose to Spend Your Time
    2. 4: 10 of the Biggest Time Wasters at Work and How to Eliminate Them
      1. Technique #3: Identify Time Wasters and Implement Solutions to Eliminate Them
    3. 5: Three Priorities a Day Keep Chaos and Clutter Away
      1. Technique #4: Develop Strategies for Accomplishing the Most Important Action Items Each Day in Order to Meet Your Goals and Complete Projects on Time
    4. 6: Creating an Effective Action Item Task Management System
      1. Technique #5: Implement an Action Item Task Management System, and Use It Daily to Help You Manage Priorities and Time
      2. Technique #6: Use the 20-Minute Rule When Entering Tasks into Your Electronic Task Management System
      3. Don’t Confuse a Task with a Project
      4. Tasks—Microsoft Outlook
    5. 7: Task Management Applications and How to Use Them
      1. Technique #7: Standardize on One Electronic Task-Management System
      2. Applications—Computer and Cloud-Based
    6. 8: Planning Your Day, Week, Month, and Year—Looking Forward and Back
      1. Technique #8: Devise Systems to Plan Your Day, Week, Month, and Year
    7. 9: Planning and Participating in Productive Meetings
      1. Technique #9: Conduct and Participate in Productive Meetings
    8. 10: Make Time for Time Management Maintenance
      1. Technique #10: Make Time for Time Management Maintenance
  10. II: Paper Management
    1. 11: Paper Management Systems Defined
      1. Technique #11: Implement One or Several Paper Management Systems for Your Office, Depending on Your Needs, Including Daily Action Center™, Reference System, Operational or Archival
      2. Why You Need to Use a Variety of Systems, Rather Than Just One
      3. Client Examples
    2. 12: Eliminate It—Paper to Recycle or Shred Now and in the Near Future
      1. Technique #12: Get in the Habit of Eliminating Paper and Information Immediately If Not Needed or After the Purpose Has Been Served
    3. 13: Turning Piles into Files
      1. Technique #13: Use the 10-Step Process to Turn Paper Piles into Files
    4. 14: Implementing the PAPERS™ Method
      1. Technique #14: Use the PAPERS Method Daily
      2. How the PAPERS Method Works
    5. 15: More Than Just a Label
      1. Technique #15: Design the Paper Management Structure First, and Then Create the Labels
  11. III: Electronic Information Management
    1. 16: Manage Information Overload
      1. Technique #16: Develop and Implement Strategies to Help Alter Behavior and Habits That Will Reduce Your Feeling of Information Overload
      2. Resetting Expectations: The Taxi Accident Example
    2. 17: Using Naming Conventions and Version Control on Your Computer Files
      1. Technique #17: Implement File Naming Convention Best Practices
      2. Technique #18: Implement Version Control for Your Electronic Documents
      3. Version Control
    3. 18: How to Take Control of E-Mail and Implement a System for Tracking and Organization
      1. Technique #19: Implement Strategies to Help You Control E-Mail, Implement a System to Keep Track of It All, and Eliminate the Vast Quantity of Messages in Your Inbox
      2. Organize the Subject Matter of Your E-Mail
      3. Processing E-Mail
      4. Personal E-Mail File Structure
      5. Creating and Using E-Mail Templates
      6. Additional Outlook Productivity Resources
    4. 19: Considerations When Purchasing a Smartphone
      1. Technique #20: Understand the Questions You Should Ask, and Answer These Questions before You Purchase Your Next Mobile Device
    5. 20: Tools and Resources
      1. Technique #21: Connect to Your Files and Applications Securely from Anywhere via the Internet
      2. Technique #22: Organize and Share Notes, Thoughts, Photos, and Ideas in a Way You Can Find Them
      3. Technique #23: Find Out If a CRM Is Right for You, and Have All the Answers When It Is Time to Implement One
      4. File Sharing
      5. Remote Desktop Services
      6. Note Taking and Archiving Applications and Services
      7. Customer Relationship Management
      8. Additional Resources
    6. 21: Preparing for a Data Disaster
      1. Technique #24: Implement a Disaster Recovery Plan for Your Electronic Data
      2. What You Need to Know If You Work at a Large Corporation
      3. What You Need to Know If You Are a Small Business Owner
      4. Remote Backup Solutions
      5. Backup Solutions for Those Who Value Data More Than Money
      6. Do You Know Where Your Software Is Stored?
  12. IV: Organizing The Stuff
    1. 22: The 10-Step Process to Organize Your Work Space or Office
      1. Technique #25: Use the Eliminate Chaos 10-Step Process as Your Guide to Create the Organized Spaces You Desire in Your Office
      2. Step 1: Dedicate Time
      3. Step 2: Gather Supplies
      4. Step 3: Establish a Staging Area
      5. Step 4: Sort
      6. Step 5: Eliminate
      7. Step 6: Group Like Items Together
      8. Step 7: Examine Your Space
      9. Step 8: Shop
      10. Step 9: Install Product
      11. Step 10: Maintain
  13. About the Author
  14. Index

Product information

  • Title: Eliminate the Chaos at Work: 25 Techniques to Increase Productivity
  • Author(s): Laura Leist
  • Release date: February 2011
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470878996