Managing Leadership^®

In our current discussion of portable time-management gadgets, we began by focusing on paper-based daily planners/organizers. We then moved on to a progression of computerized versions of these. Finally, we gave a round-up of the capabilities of my current device, a Nokia E71 business-oriented smart phone, which extend well beyond the initial requirements we had for such instruments.

These new functions seem almost indispensable now. But let’s take the discussion back to the core problem that began it: the struggle managers are continually engaged in to use time as effectively as possible. We suggested previously that today’s gadgets can help us do that, and we’ve discussed principally the portable versions.

But let’s take a look at the complete set of devices we use to do everything from routine writing and research to the time-consuming and sometimes complex document management, data-crunching, analysis, and file retrieval that can take up so much of our time, either directly or while we wait for it to be done, organized, and presented to us.

Or, rather, let’s take a look at those that I presently use. Here they are:

• Main computer: Dell XPS M1710. Since the vast increase in power, memory, and storage capacity that laptops have achieved, I don’t use desk-tops anymore. This particular Dell is perfectly suited to my needs, whether at the office, at an off-site presentation, or on an extended trip. It was not the one I initially purchased, though; but that’s an ongoing and unhappy story that I’ll tell a little later.
• A portable/external hard drive for Norton Ghost mirror-image backups of the Dell hard drive. In case it goes down, it can be replaced, the mirror image restored to it, and the computer essentially returned to its pre-crash condition – including DRM and software program licenses/registrations.
• A second portable/external hard drive for backups of the documents folder and other files. In case the computer goes down for another reason (such as a bad video card, as happened recently) and a Norton Ghost restore can’t be done, at least you have your files for use in the interim while the computer is repaired or replaced, although you will have to restore or repurchase usage rights for some files and programs.
• Satellite computer: HP tx-2. This is a small but remarkably capable laptop, convertible into a tablet, used for short trips in town when I know I’ll have a little free time during which I’ll want to do some extended writing. The documents folder and selected other files on the Dell are synced with the HP at the beginning and end of each day over the office LAN – a swift, simple, and inconspicuous process.
• Office printer: a highly capable HP all-in-one inkjet printer that handles everything from routine documents to photos and color brochures, as well as faxes, scans, and photocopies; larger jobs and formal reports and the like are taken on a memory stick to a local print shop.
• The Nokia E71, along with Jawbone and Motorola noise-cancelling Bluetooth headsets for hands-free communication, and an amazingly high-fidelity Bluetooth Sony stereo headset for the same, and also for listening to music.
• Bose QC-3 noise-cancelling headphones. These are an absolutely essential travel tool, reducing a stress-filled, engine-roaring, circulation-system-humming, high-pitched conversation, squealing children, and crying-baby-filled flight into a peaceful, relaxing experience that seems to be over before you know it – whether you are using it as a stand-alone device, or as a stupendously high quality stereo headphone for listening to music or even the in-flight movie. Get a pair (or consider gettng the new QC-15 – over-ear instead of on-ear, bigger, but newer and better technology). You’ll be amazed how relaxed you are after even the longest flight.

That’s the gadgety stuff; and it’s mostly in the background, unobserved by others. But there are three more items: a writing folder, a Moleskine memo pad, and a decent pen. These are hardly high-tech gadgets, but some things don’t change, and don’t need to.

The memo pad is for quick note-taking when ideas strike, time is short, use of the phone is impractical or inappropriate, and the thoughts must be captured. The writing folder is for client interviews; technology normally doesn’t intrude on those – just me, a writing pad, a pen, and a focus on the matters before us.

Which, actually, leads to how all of this relates to the next item in our discussion; but we’ll pick that up tomorrow. Please join in.

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Today’s tip: Speaking of focus and keeping plugged in, please see Wally Bock on how to managment by walking around is really done.

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