Become effective before you try to become efficient, says author and performance expert Tom Connellan. His new book, “The 1% Solution for Work and Life,” gives readers the keys to doing the right things before doing things right. No need to read that twice.
Ann Arbor, MI – May 2, 2011 (via PressReleaseNation.com) — Businesses that aren’t efficient simply don’t survive. We all know that. That’s why most of us are continually looking for ways to do things more efficiently, and why we feel pretty darn happy with ourselves when we find a way to shave costs here, save time there.
“So why is it that we very often still fall short of what we set out to achieve?” asks Tom Connellan, bestselling author of The 1% Solution for Work and Life. ( http://1clik2.com/1PercentBook ) “Why is it that there are never enough hours in the day, and something important always seems to get left undone?”
It’s because while focusing on efficiency, many of us have forgotten about effectiveness. Effectiveness means doing the right things. Efficiency means doing things the right way.
If you stop and think about those definitions for a moment, it’s forehead-slappingly clear why it’s a big mistake to focus on efficiency before effectiveness. Because what’s the point in becoming highly efficient at doing the wrong things?
“There’s no sense to being quick and smooth if what you’re doing affects no one,” says Connellan. “Just ask the world’s fastest eight-track tape installer.”
It’s time to stop and think about what you do on a daily basis.
First, make sure that you’re spending your time doing the right things, not wasting your time on the wrong ones. Drop the things that are ineffective. (Yes, even if you have gotten really, really good at doing them.)
Once you’re sure you’re doing only the right things, then concentrate on doing them really well. “Because,” as Connellan points out, “there’s no point in doing well those things that you ought not to be doing at all.”
“Focusing on efficiency over effectiveness might be the elephant in the room at your business,” says Connellan. “But the elephant is really just a balloon. Grab a needle and pop that thing. It’s an eye-opening experience. And quite effective.”
“Be relentless in continuing to improve,” Connellan says. “If you improve by just 1% a day, you’ll be 50% better on the 41st day and twice as good on the 68th day. If that’s two much, improve something by 1% a week and you’ll be 50% better in the 41st week and twice as good in the 68th week. Commit to a series of 1% improvements in a time frame you commit to. If you’re a sales rep and can improve your closing skills by 1% every call, you’ll be 50% better on the 41st call and twice as good on the 68th call.”
“But get started right now.”
About The 1% Solution:
The 1% Solution for Work and Life gives readers a structure that works because it’s based not upon opinion but upon research, testing, and application. The 1% Solution for Work and Life delivers page after page of tools to use right now. By establishing the habit of incremental change and improvement, readers can take stock of where they are right now in life, and put in place a plan that gently but firmly forces them, day by day, to take the actions that will lead them where they want to go. Priced at $19.95, The 1% Solution for Work and Life is available from Amazon.com ( http://amzn.to/OnePercentSolution ) and other online book retailers, or can be ordered through any local bookstore.
About Tom Connellan:
In demand as a keynote speaker by firms such as FedEx, Acura, BMW, Neiman Marcus, Canadian Tire, Marriott, Home Depot, Sobeys, and TD Canada Trust, Tom Connellan ( http://www.TomConnellan.com/ ) has gained a reputation as a “tough talking and truth telling” speaker because he delivers actionable ideas. In his previous books, Inside the Magic Kingdom: Seven Keys to Disney’s Success and Turbulent Times Leadership for Sales Managers: How the Very Best Boost Sales Connellan shared his insights into building a successful business. With The 1% Solution for Work and Life, he makes his success principles accessible to everyone.
For information on Connellan’s schedule and availability, call 734-428-1580, visit http://www.TomConnellan.com/ or write to:
Karen Revill
Program Manager
1163 South Main Street
Suite 306
Chelsea, MI
48118
# # #
Press Contact:
Karen Revill
Program Manager
The Connellan Group Inc.
1163 South Main Street
Suite 306
Chelsea, MI
48118
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