Too Efficient

It's a great feeling to get things done effectively and efficiently.  However, we must sometimes be reminded that life's joys care nothing about efficiency.  This weekend, I'd planned to leave the office in time to meet friends for an early movie.  However, a colleague who'd just started a new job needed some information which would only take me a few minutes to provide.  She got her information, but I missed my movie by 10 minutes.

Since Plan A went awry, I decided to go for a run.  Midway through my trek, I got a call inviting me to dinner.  My initial reaction was to decline because I'd already changed from presentable to sweaty.  Thankfully, I was convinced that there was time to shower, dress and join the festivities.

Though I'd already showered and dressed for work that morning, nothing more than an attitude was preventing me from starting over for a fun outing.   Sometimes starting over late in the day trumps the efficiency of dressed once and done.

Summarize It

We're all busy and inundated with information from many sources.  I know I'm not the only one who gets countless attachments for meetings.  It's far easier for the sender to pass along information received rather than taking the time to highlight key points.  But, it's intimidating for the recipient to tackle 6 or more attachments.  Often, when the material looks like it's going to take a lot of time to process, the recipient sets it aside for later.  Unfortunately, later doesn't always come, and the shared information remains unread.

When I want action or buy-in, it's worked well for me to summarize the contents of documents in 1-2 pages to share with others, rather than hoping they find time to sort through myriad documents.  Though I offer to share the source documents, my recipients are generally grateful to simply hit the highlights.  This allows us to streamline prep time and devote meeting time to key issues.

For one project that I'm leading, I've scheduled weekly 30 minute meetings using this method.  As an incentive to committee members, once they've achieved 100% for their commitments, they can opt out of the weekly meetings.  With time as a precious commodity, 30 found minutes per week motivates quick action.

The time spent summarizing information, at the beginning, provides great time effectiveness and efficiency through the life of the project.

Just summarize it!

Waste

Waste is prevalent, but preventable.   Time, effort, money, food, equipment, talent, creativity and opportunity are commonly wasted. With forethought we can maximize use of each of these resources to eliminate unnecessary waste.  Efficient use of available resources positions us for increased success and effectiveness. When we creatively use available resources rather than starting each project with a clean slate we are challenged to think and innovate.  Excess and need are often viewed as opposites.  A different point is that they are simpatico.  Excess is seeking to fill a need and need is attempting find a resource.

Efficiency v. Effectiveness

I would love to be able to give credit to the very creative person who provided this image, but alas, it was sent to me anonymously. Kudos to you and all other creative souls who can't be acknowledged for your work that makes us laugh, think and act.

My "efficient self" loves the practicality of this image and sentiment. However, my "creative and effective" self realizes the folly of not taking time to appreciate and enjoy each chance to celebrate.

May we all remember that effectiveness is our goal!

Receptivity to New Ideas

One of the many great things about joining Sterling Bank has been the mutual receptivity to new ideas. Being a non-banker in a banker's world has given me the chance to learn a lot of new things. Each industry and company has unique requirements, expectations and processes. One common denominator across thriving companies and industries is the need to provide extraordinary customer and employee experiences.

It's been refreshing to have my ideas and those of my fellow bankers enthusiastically received. When I ask, "Have we considered...?", the answer has generally been, "No, but let's do it!" This organization's receptivity to new ideas is one of the reasons I believe Sterling Bank has been repeatedly recognized as a "Best Place to Work" by Fortune and Houston Business Journal.

Continuous improvement results as associates offer great new ideas that are enacted by the organization.

We also grow individually as we embrace more effective and efficient ways of operating.

I'd love to receive more ideas to make me more effective and efficient.