Step 4: Invest in training

A short argument for training:

• New roles need new skills
• Learning by trial and error involves trials and errors
• Invest in training
• Prioritise training needs

You might think this hardly worth saying, but there are many reasons why people are hostile to the idea that they might benefit from training.

There are a lot of tools out there, ranging in cost from expensive to free, that could have immediate results in efficiency: see for example Prince2, Microsoft Project, Getting Things Done, iGoogle.


Invest in tools not systems

It's easy to be tempted by the prestigious, complex, formal training opportunities; deciding which to pursue requires thought.

• How much more would you achieve if you spent 50% less time dealing with emails?
So look at Getting Things Done

• How often will you use the knowledge gained from a Palaeolithic rock art conference in Australia?
So unless you are a full-time specialist in rock art, don't go.

• Is your organisation ready to adopt Prince2 throughout?
If not, don't get Prince2 accredited.

Step 4a: Do you know everything already? If not, get some training.

Step 4b: Start with the tasks you spend the most time doing, or the ones you do worst