Streamline Your Office Management Systems in 3 Quick Steps!

Running an efficient and streamlined business is all about continuously improving and ‘tweaking’ your office management systems so that they grow with your business and not hinder your business.

But why do you need efficient office systems in place? Here are some answers!

# To quickly and easily find important contact information.

# To be able to respond to client’s requests straightaway.

# So that you can immediately submit a proposal. To keep track of your business.

# To be able to follow-up with clients and contacts.

# So that you can stay on track with your projects.

# To monitor your latest marketing campaign.

Sometimes though problems don’t become apparent with your office management systems until you actually start using them — and then you may find out that they’re not working in the way that you’d hoped.

So what can you do about it?

Step #1 Look at where the problems are.

Are you constantly searching around looking for an email address? Or cannot tell at a glance if your project is on track? Or you don’t know your cashflow situation?

Make a list of where you feel the problems are, and then follow step two – you may be surprised at what you discover!

Step #2 Analyse what percentage of your time is being spent on administrative tasks.

Keep a diary for a week of how you are spending your time. At the end of the week look it over and see what percentage of your time is being spent on these jobs. Could this time be better spent on income-generating activities? Or market research?

Step #3 Compile a list of all non-income generating tasks that you currently do.

Could some of these be delegated? Would it help if you took on an assistant?

Once you have followed these 3 steps you should have a good idea of where your time is being spent, what your biggest time drains are, and where you can make improvements. You will be well on your way to deciding if you need to partner with a Virtual Assistant and will be able to see exactly where you need the support.

(c) 2007 Tracey Lawton

Questions You Should Ask During The Job Interview

At some point, usually at the conclusion of the interview, you may be asked, “Do you have any questions?” A common answer to this question is, “No, I think you’ve covered everything very well.” This is the wrong answer! You have passed up your opportunity to ask some critical questions that may make a difference as to whether you want to work for this company.

Here are some rules and basic questions to consider asking when asked if you have questions:

Rule #1 – Ask questions.

This is a critical time for you to find out insider information about the company or position.

Rule #2 – Formulate your questions based on information you hear during the interview. Paying attention to clues and listening are the keys to asking intelligent questions.

Rule #3 – Bring a list of potential questions to ask, at least four or five, as a back up.

Q#1 – You’ve been discussing your system, could you tell me what has been tried in the past to deal with the problem?

(Listen carefully to the answer given as this may be your chance to inform the interviewer of our past experience with the same type of problem.)

Q#2 – There are a lot of companies laying off right now. How has this company been able to maintain the workforce and continue to hire new employees?

(You’ve done your research and know some of the reasons, but are interested in the insider point of view.)

Q#3 – Could you tell me about the way the job has been performed in the past? And, what improvements you’d like to see happen?

(This is an opportunity to convince the interviewer that you have what he/she is looking for by giving a specific, similar past experience story.)

Q#4 – How would you describe the culture or spirit in this company?

(One of the interviewer’s concerns is whether you will fit into the company culture. You need more information to see if this would be a good environment and fit for you.)

Q#5 – What are the challenges I would face in this position over the next three months?

(Your first 90 days on the job is a critical time for any new hire. You need to know what will be expected of you as you start your learning curve.)

Q#6 – When I responded to your question regarding my past experience handling stress, you commented that you have your share of that here. Could you tell me more about the stress level here?

(Clues are given and problems alluded to during the interview – listen carefully and turn up your intuitive. Ask questions if you need clarification.

Q#7 – May I ask what your background with the company is?

(There’s a big difference between showing an interest in someone and grilling them. Interviewers don’t like being cross-examined. Ask friendly questions and be alert to clues regarding this person’s satisfaction with the company.)

Q#8 – How would you describe your management style and interaction with your staff?

(You may need to read between the lines here. Make sure this manager’s communication and style fit with your ideas and values.)

Q#9 – Ideally, what qualities will it take to get this job done?

(This is a chance for you to sell yourself, and tell once more why you are such an excellent fit for the position – the added-value you would bring to the company.)

Q#10 –I am very interested in pursuing this job further. What is the next step in the hiring process?

(It is best to find out what the hiring plan is so that you will know the sense of urgency and how to follow up.)

The types of questions you ask will be determined by the conversation and types of questions asked of you during the interview. Pay attention to the interviewer’s body language to determine how many questions to ask – relaxed and willing to talk, or in a hurry and running late? Lastly, make sure your questions are succinct and to the point, demonstrating your knowledge and interest.

Human Resource Directorship – Various Challenges Of The Role Revealed

In the world of business, the human resource department is a very vital of most other departments. It’s in this department that firing, hiring process, payroll creation, training programs and other clerical tasks are undertaken, others may involve conflict resolution and mediation. The person delegated with the responsibilities of a human resource must therefore be a character of strong business background, human resource management, public relations and excellent communication skills. The position of human resource director can be very difficult and demanding at most times as well as enjoyable at times.

The person entitled to the position of human resource has to learn to properly communicate with both the senior executives and employees at all levels. The director of human resource is often seen as the bridge between the employees and the executive. He/she has to regularly present the staff concerns to the senior executives and argue for their sake as to why these concerns should be addressed. It should also be noted that oftentimes the director may find him/herself in an discomfited position with the staff. The employees will always come to the human resource director with personal or job related issues and the director must find a way to counsel that individual properly. if the problem is job related and is affecting the employees productivity at work, this can be noted by absenteeism from work or decreased motivation. Then the issue has to be dealt with in time because work will bear the brunt. It the problem is a wrangle between two or more workers at the workplace, it is the human resource director’s responsibility to arbitrate the conflict and bring peace. This can be a very tricky task for the human resource director.

The human resource has to be extra cautious and always remain unbiased in his/her dealings, because making decisions based on personal feelings in unethical for this position. Mediation talks and conflict resolution sessions never lack hard feelings and this is one challenge of the profession. The human resource director must demonstrate the ability to take this opinions and feelings as part of work and not as personal attack. The other challenge of this noble office of human resource is that due to their position as the employee representative to the executives, they can only consult the senior executives and nobody else for employee related problems. That tough part here is that the problem subject here could be the same senior executive he/she has to consult.

The positive side of the human resource office is that is offers security that makes it an attractive career opportunity. Many chances exist of a human resource director in higher echelons like the senior managerial positions. The position of human resource is found in almost all companies, so switching work to another company is must of a challenge. The profession entails contact with people and does not merely rely on paper work. There are plenty of opportunities out there for people with these skills out there. It is also a position sought much by persons who’ve in the position of human resource with other places and desire to move up the career ladder into managerial positions.

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