6 steps to more productivity

Every one of us needs to organize his/her workload in order to be more productive below is a summarized steps on how to reach that. (summarized from reference below)
1-make a daily list: make a daily list of what you are going to finish today.
2- Segregate time for each task: give each task of your daily list a specific amount of time to be finished.
3- focus: The instant we break concentration, the entire problem that we were modeling in our head drops on the floor and shatters into a million pieces.
4- Take breaks: When you can’t figure out a problem, it’s time to put it on your mind’s back burner for a bit. Or, right after you solve a problem, have a 10 minute celebration before moving on to the next thing.
5- Take care of your equipment: Most of what you’re paid for is produced by your brain, so treat it like your most important piece of equipment. Caffeine may put some spark in it, but overdoing caffeine may make you think less clearly. Beer as well causes neurotoxins (nerve cell damages)
6- Follow through: If you have a choice between working on two projects, choose the one that is nearly finished even if the other one is more fun. When you complete a project, it creates momentum and reduces that long to-do list.

Reference: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/project-management/?p=193&tag=nl.e108

Today, soft skills are required in all functions of the workplace

Today, corporates are increasingly relying on e-learning to improve the soft skills of their employees. Until a few years ago, soft skills training was offered only to the sales team as these skills were equated to training in communication and client interaction. But now it is a prerequisite to all categories of employees.


A full study made by HR Magazine about e-learning and soft skills through a sample of big companies such as Reuters, Delaware North Companies Inc, US Bancorp and others stated that companies nowadays rely more on technology ways to deliver soft-skills to their employees. Globalization has played a major rule in this expansion as many companies have multinational employees and they want to teach them all sorts of soft skills in order to develop their productivity and teamwork efficiencies.

For example, more than half of the employees at Reuters News Agency are Non-native English speakers and operate in non-English native countries. That motivation created the need for developing their language skills, the reason that Reuters chose to contract with an e-learning company GlobalEnglish Corp to deliver online virtual classes and customized courses for their employees. The feedback of the program was positive and the cost of teaching each employee is about $500 a year.

You will find interesting information about more examples in this report.

http://brandguidelines.elementk.com/HRMagHTML/January%202008%20HR%20Magazine%20Hard%20Facts%20About%20Soft-Skills.htm


Amjad Alqaisi