smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

The United Kingdom's long hours culture has been well documented. According to the Trades Union Congress, British workers put in £23 billion of unpaid overtime in 2006. Employees should look at ways of working smarter rather than harder in order to reduce the amount of extra time they spend at work.

‘It may be that some employees feel that they are expected to work long hours in order to show their commitment to their job. However, by working smarter, employees should be able to ensure that they complete their work without having to work longer hours,’ comments Suzanne Cameron, senior commercial consultant for recruiter Carlton Resource Solutions.

SmallBusiness.co.uk and Suzanne Cameron have these tips for working smarter not harder.

Switch off your email/switch on your voicemail - Researchers at the University of California have found that on average workers only manage to complete three sustained minutes of work before being diverted. Common interruptions include emails and phone calls.

Email can be extremely intrusive, especially if a message flashes up on screen every time a new email enters your inbox.

When working to a deadline you should consider activating your voicemail, switching off your email alert or altering the frequency with which new emails are delivered to your inbox - this should allow you the time and space necessary to finish your work.

Organisation is key - You can't expect to be at your most efficient if you don't know what you have to do. Create a list of all outstanding tasks and then prioritise them. There is something very satisfying about completing a task and then crossing it off your to do list.

Avoid drop-in sessions - Many people find their working day interrupted when colleagues stop at their desk for a chat. Not having a spare chair at your desk will discourage impromptu meetings from taking place. If there is a need for a meeting then arrange a mutually convenient time and book a meeting room; this will help to ensure that the meeting stays on track and does not digress into a chat.

Maintain useful information - Keep your diary and contacts up to date. Taking the time to manage your diary and your list of contacts will pay off in the long run. You will always know where you are meant to be and when and should also be able to find the phone number or email address you require, making the most effective use of your time.

For more information call 01224 650500 or visit www.carltonrs.com.

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