Dear PR Matters,
First of all, I would like to let you know how much I enjoy reading your column. I have picked up many tips from the articles, which I find very interesting and helpful not only for public relations (PR) practitioners, but also those who want to do better in their careers.
I have been in the PR industry for the past five years, mainly doing consulting work, and have observed that many of the clients I encounter are big on productivity. How much share of voice, how many column inches, how many hits in social media. They also want our media conferences to be packed.
Will it be possible for your group to share with me some tips on how to be productive? I will really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Vanessa J.
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for your kind words. My International Public Relations Association colleagues and I are happy to be of help to you.
Your question reveals the kinds of pressure PR practitioners undergo most of the time. PR is very results oriented, and while impressive presentations and credentials can get you clients, it is productivity that will help us keep them.
How does one become productive? It starts, amazingly, with having a productive day. And we can learn with some of America’s top leaders.
In an article, Drew Henricks discusses the results of a survey by CMOOE, a leadership-consulting firm. The survey of many influential leaders showed how the average leaders spend their day.
Among those participating were leaders from Adobe, Kellogg’s, Fibernet, Google, John Deere, and AT&T, and while they come from different backgrounds and industries, there are common ways in which they spend their workday. There are 8 things we can learn on how to be productive.
Many influential leaders like to exercise everyday, at an average of 45 minutes. Michael Schneider says it helps him stay productive, and this daily activity will certainly boost your mood and energy.
Limit e-mail and text
Tech keeps us connected, but it can also distract us from our work especially if we are addicted to Facebook and Instagram postings.
According to the survey, the average leader only spends two hours and 25 minutes on e-mail and text. “This is still a big chunk of the day,” Hendricks says, but that is limited. Be sure to set periods of time to respond to and send e-mails and text messages. This will help you stay productive throughout the day and limit distractions.
Set goals
Setting goals and strategizing for the day/week/month/year are vital for long-term success. How can you even begin your workday without a schedule or plan?
Hendricks advises us to “be sure to set time, and set goals and strategize for the future. Do this everyday. Most days you only need 20 to 30 minutes to revise and review your plan. Other days, take time to create a master plan and really strategize for your company and team.
Teamwork
In the survey, over 50 percent of leaders spend more time working with people and team than their own personal tasks and projects. The average leader only spends one hour and 45 minutes on his/her personal tasks and projects. The rest is spent working with teams and people. Teamwork is powerful—there is certainly strength in numbers.
Utilize the commute
We can only sigh encountering the traffic to and from work every day. Depending on the distance from your home to your office or from meeting to meeting, this can run into hours.
It’s important not to let this time be wasted, Hendricks says. It’s a good time to make your calls, review your goals or keep updated. “Utilizing this commute time will help to open up your day for other things while you are not commuting,” he added. “It is not creating new time, but it will surely feel like it.”
Make time for friends and family
According to the survey, the average leader spends eight hours of the week socializing. It is always good to have a work/play balance and spend time with those you care about away from work.
“Get out and have fun,” Hendricks says, “interact with people and have a healthy work-life balance. Plus, your networking can always help in business down the road anyhow. Don’t make it about work or business, but most of the time, it tends to happen where and when it should be.”
Have productive meetings
Conference calls and meetings take up two hours and 26 minutes of the average leader’s day. That is why it is important to make this time productive and worth it.
Always have an agenda and make sure that presentations are made in such a way that they are clear, precise and efficient.
Develop yourself
Most of the leaders in the survey devoted 30 minutes everyday for personal development. That is a good example to follow.
Set aside time to “read a book, write a journal, learn a new skill or polish what you already have,” Hendricks says. “Do something that will make you better day after day. This small amount of time adds up, as does the value you get from it.”
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the UK-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the senior vice president for marketing and communications of SM, is the local chairman.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.