Out of the Office

When I send out my monthly newsletter, it's interesting to see the variety of 'Out of Office' messages that come back.

Some are more helpful than others.

They vary from the simple "I'm out of the office until (date)", to the more informative or more specific.

- If you need to contact me urgently here's my mobile number.
- I'm not available but here's another person to talk to.
- If you're calling about a specific topic, have a specific request - contact this alternate number.
- I will/won't be checking my emails while I'm away.
- I'll be checking my emails periodically and will get back to you as soon as possible.
- I'm away on business ...
- I'm out in client meetings all day ...
- I'm on holiday until ...

I've even received a very specific one - along the lines of:

"I'm out of the office until (date). I will be checking my email at (time), I will respond to your email if it's urgent the same day, otherwise I will reply by the following day.  If you need to talk to someone urgently, please contact (person + contact details)".

Out of Office auto-responses are useful for setting expectations - the sender knows you're away and when you're returning.  They also have an alternate contact if needed.

Remember to switch them off when you return - set a reminder in your scheduler.

Do you use them - what's on yours?

out of office (Photo credit: Victor Bezrukov)

Women In Business

Today is International Women's Day - a day to recognise and empower women around the world, especially those competing in business.

While much of the business world is still male dominated, it is changing, slowly.  Women have been in the workplace for less time than men and still earn less - even for doing the same job.

I've seen the rapidly expanding growth of women's business networks, where women get together to support other like-minded women.

Only a small percentage (12.5%) of the FTSE 100 companies have women on their boards and even less as CEOs.

Nearly 30% of self-employed businesses are run by women and they're growing and employing people at a greater rate than those run by men.

More women are setting up their own businesses.  The main reason given is that they're able to run a more flexible business around school hours, particularly with a young family and have a better work, family, life balance than being employed.  A reason why 30% of self-employed women work from home.

10% of women would like to start up a business but fear holds them back.  Lack of support is also likely to be a factor, as they're still expected to be the 'home-maker' and main carer of children, so have to juggle running a business alongside their family commitments.  It's probably one of the reasons that half of my clients are women.

Several 'kitchen-table' businesses have grown to become multi-million, global companies - the Body Shop is the most well-known.

Many ideas from businesses come from women recognising a gap in the market and creating a product or service to fill that gap or growing their hobby in to a business.  So, if you think you've got a good idea, why not take the next step to turning it in to a business?

Today you can support other women entrepreneurs on International Women's Day - for every download of the Time Audit I'll donate $1 to Kiva.  Grab your copy here.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The power of accountability to increase results

If you want to achieve something - you're far more likely to do so if you've made yourself accountable.

At the beginning of the year - along with 25% of the population I decided to 'do more exercise and lose weight'.  To make sure I stood a better chance of success I buddied up with a friend.

We set our goals for the amount of exercise and target weight and then we've been checking in with each other regularly throughout the week.  First thing in the morning - stating what we're committing to for that day and then being able to say if we achieved it or not the following day.

It works a treat - there's an element of competitiveness in making sure that we're not the one who slips behind, it helps us stay focused and on track and more importantly there's the accountability that makes even more certain we do what we say we're going to do!

It's the way so many of the slimming programmes work where there's a weekly weigh-in - you're being held accountable by the rest of the group and you don't want to feel bad or let others down.

I hold clients accountable by checking in with them regularly - either weekly or fortnightly.  Weekly works best - especially at the start.  Daily is even more powerful.

So how can you make yourself more accountable?

• Get yourself a buddy, mentor or coach or team up with a friend or colleague.
• Set the goals that you want to achieve or the habit you want to create.
• Create an action plan, structure or routine to follow.
• Check in regularly.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)