What is Time Really Worth & Is it Worth Your Time?

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Do you measure your, and your team’s, Return on Time (ROT)? Yes, it can be hard to measure. Who wants to be recording every second they’re spending on something? How long should a non-mechanized, white collar type task really take? So, I suggest starting simply - and meaningfully. Since much of our time is spent in meetings, start there. Let’s say you have a meeting with 5 of your top performers for 1 hour. There must be a great reason for having that meeting, right? Figure out the hourly salary for each of you in the meeting and add that up. Did you accomplish something at that meeting that’s worth that amount?

I have a few meeting policies:

• No agenda = Deb doesn’t go (ideally I like agendas 1 week before);

• Clearly state the reason for the meeting and expected outcomes;

• Don’t leave the meeting without specific tasks, owned by specific people, with specific due dates and definition of what ‘done’ means and how you will follow up;

• Recap to the attendees within 24hrs with the tasks, etc.

There are a few more - like I like making the agenda items into questions instead of statements (e.g., “What are the issues and successes of X to date?” vs. “Status of X”) because it focuses the discussion on action versus theory. Anyway, this week, start thinking about your personal, and your team’s, ROT, quantitatively and qualitatively. See what happens! Let me know!

Where's the 5-Time Jacket? #DisrupTV

What a great way to start the new year! Getting my (virtual) 5-time jacket on #DisrupTV on Vala Afshar and R. Ray Wang’s 1st episode of 2023 and 305th episode overall! So much fun talking about managing chaos in today’s business world. You can see the episode here and below.

Thank you Vala and Ray for always being so gracious, insightful and fun!

p.s. you can find my other 4 times here (yes, blatant boast)

Unintended, Unanticipated ~ Does It Matter?

Belhaven Bridge, Scotland (Adobe Photo)

Happy 2023! Now, don’t ask me why, but I’ve been thinking about the difference between unintended and unanticipated consequences. Is there one? Does it matter? Given my role with companies, I think it does - a lot.

To me, unintended consequences are those that one is, was, or should have been, aware of if the proper due diligence or research into the project, product, or “thing” that caused the unintended consequence had been done… it was predictable or possible, no matter how remote the odds. For whatever reason, no measures were taken to eliminate or mitigate or address those consequences. They should have been - not necessarily implemented immediately, but on hand in case. It’s part of being responsible and accountable.

Unanticipated consequences are different. These are consequences one couldn’t have anticipated, have seen as even remotely possible or probable, that one couldn’t even have thought of or imagined. In this case, no amount of due diligence or research would have led to predicting the consequence. This does not negate the responsibility of acting to remedy the situation upon learning of it, but unlike unintended consequences, it does alleviate the responsibility of knowing the consequence could happen.

Consequences can be (hopefully) small, minor, and unharmful or they can be severe and long-lasting. As you work on existing and new things this year, stop for a moment and ponder the potential unintended consequences - and see how you can address them so they need not happen. And tell me what you think. Am I defining the two the way you do?