How To Make Your Job Easier

The techies could do a lot more to make our life at work easier and more pleasant.

Take the telephone, for example. I don't know about you, but there are several things that bug me about talking on one of these confounded instruments.

First of all, there are those long-winded conversations. Personally, I would like to see a device installed on all telephones whereby any business call that lasts over 10 minutes is cut off unless the person on the receiving end punches a default button. The person who had placed the call originally would have to pay triple rates for replacing the call.

Another thing, any time there is a dead silence on the line for more than 45 seconds, the machine would automatically hang up and the same rule for a recall stated above would go into effect.

It would be helpful to have a pocket-sized instrument that deactivates the telephone in the office of a prospect when one is poised to make the final sales pitch.

Techies Could Improve Meetings

The techies could do a lot to improve meetings.

To begin with, I would suggest that something like a vaporizer be placed in all conference rooms. The machine would be activated by specific occurrences to emit an invisible fog of an odorless chemical appropriate for the need.

One such chemical would be silently spread about the room when any presentation lasts longer than 12 minutes, without interruption. It would cause the brains of the listeners to switch off the rambling of the presenter and automatically tune over to contemplate a day in spring, a favorite fishing hole or some other pleasantry. Of course, it would have to work so that the eyes of the audience would appear to be bright and focused as if they were intently interested.

The same effect would result when anyone declares they want to ask a question and then make a self-serving statement lasting more than three minutes.

Oh, yes, the invisible fog would also cause a splitting headache for persons who commit any one of the following transgressions:

? Hear an idea for the first time and immediately launch into a knee-jerk explanation of why it won't work.

? Carry on a loud side conversation while the chairman is trying to conduct the business of the meeting.

? Refuse to get serious when serious business is being discussed.

? Stray from the stated subject under discussion more than twice in any meeting.

Another helpful thing would be a tiny pill that one could take during meetings which would allow one to go to sleep, with eyes open and neck and shoulders upright.

The techies could help with etiquette at work, too.

I am sure a device could be invented that would cause a raucous ringing in the ears of anyone who fails to say "thank you" for a favor or a job well done. It would also work on anyone who takes credit for someone else's' work. Those who habitually walk into another person's office when he or she is on the telephone, sits down, picks up a magazine and acts as if they are not listening would hear the same unpleasant sound.

I would also like some little instrument that would cause extreme discomfort to people who read things on other people's desks, even if they are reading them upside down.

We also need a lot of tech help with travel on airplanes.

It would be nice to have a device to spray dye on any piece of luggage that is placed on top of another person's carefully folded coat in the overhead compartment.

I am sure there would be a market for a chemical that one would apply to his clothing that would cause seatmates to suffer uncomfortable eyestrain if they try to read one's papers. The same spray would cause seatmates to have a mild case of lockjaw if they repeatedly attempt to strike up unwanted conversations.

Some of these helpful gadgets might seem a bit far-fetched at first glance, but they probably could be created if there is enough demand for them. Now's the time to speak up.

Ramon Greenwood is former senior vice president of American Express; a professional director for various businesses; a consultant; a published author of career related books and a syndicated column. Senior career counselor for http://www.CommonSenseAtWork.com

---

7 Tips for Being Your Best Time Master

It is not enough if you are busy. The question... Read More

How Much Is Poor Time Management Costing You?

* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More

Taking Time Out to Play - Summertime and the Living is Easy

As the song goes, this is the time to relax,... Read More

TIME, The Undervalued Resource

We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More

Time is Money - Dont Waste It

"If you control your time, you control your life" -... Read More

Biggest Time Management Mistake

The biggest time management mistake you can ever make is... Read More

Are You Really Swamped or Just Disorganized

"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More

Priorities: Dont Dry Your Dishes

Do your dishes really need to be dried, or could... Read More

Time Management And How It Affects Your Kids

Last week I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More

7 Reasons to Take Breaks at Work

My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More

Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life

Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More

Productivity at Home

Increased productivity, the ability to get more value for our... Read More

Doing Things We Dread

As I sit here in front of the computer... Read More

Time Management: How To Get More Done

If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More

The 3 Biggest Priority Busters

As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More

Achieve More With Less Through Proper Planning

One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More

Webmaster or Web Slave? Time Saving Tips for Cyberpreneurs

Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More

Hey, Free Agent, Did You Eat Your Breakfast Today?

And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More

How To Pack 48 Hours Into Your Day

Too much to do, too little time, constant stress. Most... Read More

Prioritize Your Life for Success

Today, it is hard to open an e-mail newsletter, a... Read More

How Can I Get Some Time to Myself?

"I never seem to have any time for myself. What... Read More

Focus on One Thing at a Time to Get the Job Done

All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More

Managing Worry: Productivity Tips for High Achievers Who Worry

Are you a worrier? Do you frequently spend time and... Read More

Desktop Management Boosts Productivity

Many of us spend long hours at our desk. To... Read More

Have You Got a Minute?

Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard... Read More

Creative Leadership; Inspirational Power ( Part 2 )

Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More

Save Your Time - Delegate!

Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More

Peace Of Mind At The Workplace

Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More

Top Ten Motivators

Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More

Living on Purpose: Achieving Balance Between Work And the Rest of Your Life

Many of us get so caught up in day-to-day pressures... Read More

Hows YOUR Productivity?

Microsoft wanted to know how individuals around the world were... Read More

Time Management: How To Manage Your Time So Your Home Business Will Flourish

If you operate any kind of home business, you must... Read More

10 Time-Saving Calendar & Scheduling Tips

Nowhere is the line drawn more clearly between 'Industrial brains'... Read More