Work Smart and Make Lots of Money!

Effective Communication Using Email

Due the huge volume of email we get each day at my company, I have compiled some ways in which we could use email more effectively. These recommendations may help to reduce unnecessary email and help you review and respond to emails in a timely manner.

1. Unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists and distribution groups.
2. Review your email only 3 times a day. Email is a distraction and a huge time waster. Don’t spend all day on email! Email should be used only at scheduled times (unless there is an emergency or you are working in real-time with others -- such as when doing QA). Do not interrupt your work time and fall into the trap of responding to email immediately as it comes in.Turn off all email notifications. (pop-ups, sounds, etc.)

• Turn Off all IM & chat software and IM notifications (pop-ups, sounds, etc.)
• Minimize Outlook
• Don't look except at scheduled times, such as 3 times each day (Morning, before lunch and afternoon (say at 9 AM, 12 AM and 4 PM).
• Let people know that if they need to get a hold of you urgently, call.

3. Don't review email when you are communicating with other people (on the phone, when others are in your office, etc).

Work Smart and Make Lots of Money!

My parents instilled a strong work ethic in our family.  To this day, every time my mom hears that I am heading off to work she says, “Work hard and make lots of money.” Whether it was to leave the house for my first lawn mowing job or to fly to New York to negotiate a new contract for my company, she would repeat the phrase, “Work hard and make lots of money.”

Over the years I always worked hard, but I rarely made the windfall she predicted. And it wasn't until very recently I learned that there was a simple flaw in her philosophy. Her intentions were good, but her execution was off on one fundamental point... Working hard is not the way to make lots of money. Sure it seems correct, but working smart, not just working hard, is the key success.

Believe me, I have been running small business and working hard for over 20 years (and I mean really hard, as in 18 - 24 hour work days and over 100 hour work weeks), and no matter how many hours I worked, there was always more to do. It wasn't until recently that I learned that working effectively is more important than working hard.

I now believe that as an entrepreneur, if you truly want to achieve success you need to implement steps to make you, your employees and your company more effective. By working smart you can increase sales, productivity and quality. And over the last few years, I have learned some fantastic lessons, and implemented some great tools, that have helped me and my company work smarter and more effectively, and have allowed us to make more money.

This weblog is my way to document the things I have learned and the steps I have taken to "Work smart and make lots of money." If you are an entrepreneur, or just someone who would like to learn how to work smarter, I hope you find this site helpful.