The New Economy

This technological revolution has organization, efficiency and productivity requirements well above what was needed in the past. And although all three of these have always been important, they are now considered crucial in the growth and maintenance of businesses worldwide. Technology's power gives us the tools to reduce routine tasking in order to increase productivity, spend more time with customers, and have more time for ourselves and our personal priorities. Processes become quicker, better and more effective (and efficient) as we learn to do more things differently. Here are some ideas for integrating technology in your daily life.

Consolidate information.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) such as the Palm, Treo, and Compaq are used by many. They store names and addresses, appointments, 'to do' lists and many other necessary pieces of information. They are actually small, lightweight handheld computers that can also act as a clock, a calculator, an expense log with a variety of peripheral programs available to support them. PDAs consolidate information by putting it all in one place that is both compact and portable. With the push of a button, you can synchronize information in the PDA with your computer.

Take advantage of programming.
If you have features on your electronic equipment that enable you to set up speed dial or automatic timers, take the time to read how to use them. Time spent doing this once will eliminate repetition of doing things we know are both routine and inevitable.

Multi-capabilities within a single software program.
Hire a computer consultant or put time aside to explore all the time saving capabilities available through within one of your software programs. I use ACT! as my contact management program. This program does more than maintain information. It can automatically dial phone numbers and record those calls. No more writing down the number, picking up the phone and making the call. It saves time during a busy day.

Using the Internet.
The Internet can be a tremendous timesaving device. You can set it up to deliver information to you on things such as stocks, sports, entertainment, special events, reminders, etc. But beware!

If you tend to be a procrastinator or poor time manager, you can spend many hours on the Internet looking for information that may not be important or a priority to you. In fact, it can easily lure you away from your priorities. Use this technology deliberately and wisely.

Copyright 2000 Cynthia Kyriazis. All rights reserved.

Cynthia Kyriazis is an organizing and time management consultant, trainer, speaker, coach and author with over 20 years management experience in multi-unit corporations. Organize it, a division of Productivity Partners, Inc. is an organizational training firm she founded in 1995 and has been serving Fortune 500 clients ever since. Cynthia works with business and their employees to help improve performance and realize productivity gains.

Cynthia has appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kansas City Star and the Legal Intelligencer. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), member of the Kansas City of the International Society for Performance Improvement - (ISPI-KC) and consultant to the American Coaching Association.

AP - Vice President Joe Biden says he's convinced America is better positioned than other nations to continue to lead the world's economy — whether or not his boss is still in charge.

Reuters - The number of Americans signing up for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, the latest sign of recovery in the labor market.

AP - The White House is lauding a rosier election-year economic forecast, predicting the economy could add two million jobs this year. But the upbeat projection is based partly on the shaky premise that Congress will sign off on President Barack Obama's jobs agenda.

AP - Wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles sharply in December although the gains are expected to slow in coming months, a development that could curb overall economic growth.

AP - The number of people seeking unemployment aid neared a four-year low last week, a positive sign that strong hiring could continue in the coming months.

AP - The price of natural gas jumped Thursday after a major producer said it is aggressively cutting production.