- Whether to mention a pregnancy in a job interview
- A possible meeting protocol
- What are an end-user's responsibilities?
- Another take on opening PCs, or not
- Getting some process going
- Selling a more open environment to management
- Running an effective meeting
- Licensing rules for virtual machines
- The ROI of metrics
- Legal challenges to virtual machines
January 27, 2007 | Comments: (0)
Some thoughts on time management
Dear Bob ...
I just finished reading an article from Forrester, dated December 29th, 2006 by Lewis Cardin titled "How CIOs Should Spend Their Day." In the article it says that we should set aside 30% of our time to work with or in the interest of those above us in the organization, 30% for those at our level in the organization, 30% with our Department to strengthen it, and 10% of our time should be spent on ourselves.
What are your thoughts on the division or management of our time?
- Franklin Covey
Dear Franklin ...
I'm guessing what Cardin really meant was that CIOs shouldn't forget to actively deal with each of these areas. Fixed percentages are so ... inflexible.
I don't disagree with Cardin - the idea is fundamentally sound. We do use a different slice-and-dice, though, which I've written about before: the "Management Compass" ("Which say are you facing?" Keep the Joint Running, 12/12/2005).
The Management Compass has four directions: North (to those you report to), East (to your organizational peers), West (to those in the company who make use of what your organization delivers), and South (to those reporting to you). CIOs need to manage and build strong relationships in each of these directions, and that takes time.
I also agree with Cardin's point that CIOs (and not only CIOs, but everyone) should reserve some time during the day for personal improvement, priority-setting, and planning. Otherwise, you'll find yourself doing things out of habit, not because they're still a good idea.
- Bob
Posted by Bob Lewis on January 27, 2007 10:00 AM
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