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Dear ,
Time vampires, that is.
I was planning on writing today about avoiding people who suck your time relentlessly.
Then I found this article from Inc. that does a perfect job giving you some great tips. So, I will paste it below and
include the link here, if you'd like to see it formatted.
Enjoy.
10 Ways to Keep Productivity Vampires
From Sucking Away Your Time
Sure, they mean well, but these colleagues, contacts and potential clients can easily drain your time, intellectual resources, and productivity. Here's how you can tell the fangs are about to come out.
No, that's not Halloween season paranoia kicking in: there really are scary creatures haunting your office. Though not as highly
publicized as those creepy clowns that may or may not be popping up across the country, productivity vampires are lurking in the shadows of the copy machine just waiting to suck your time, brainpower, and workplace productivity. Beware! While wooden stakes and garlic are a bit extreme to defend yourself from these often well-meaning vampires, you do need to watch out for their fangs.
Here's how you can tell Count Distract-ulas are coming for you, and how to scare them away.
1. They Don't Have a Clear Ask or Call to ActionThis is probably the clearest indication that your upcoming meeting or call will meander, go nowhere, or worse--become an unpaid consulting session! Stake
any vampires who want to "pick your brain" by asking them to send a few questions in advance that you can address them in person.
2. They Put "Quick Question" in an Email Subject LineWhile it is often quick to ask a question, it is rarely quick to answer that question--at least not as thoroughly as you'd like. Feel free to ignore or archive this email (sales pitches very
often begin with this innocuous sounding request) or add this as a new item on your to-do list--right below your other "quick" projects.
3. They Call Your Cell Without WarningWhen your cell phone rings unexpectedly during business hours, the person on the other end is usually calling to discuss a pressing problem--one he or she doesn't feel like solving on their own. Let the
sun shine this vampire to dust by letting the call go to voicemail, and texting back, "Saw you called! Email me and we can set up a time to talk."
4. They Haven't Done Their ResearchSomeone is requesting an informational interview, but it's clear that they don't know anything about you or your business. Put a mirror in front of these vampires by asking why they were attracted
to your business before filling a precious lunch or coffee meeting slot.
5. They're Heading Out for the DayAnyone who drops by your desk with their bag on--and starts a conversation--has mentally checked out for the day...even if you still have two hours of work ahead. Indulge them for 30 seconds, then act like an important email has arrived that you have to answer it right
away. They'll either move on to their next victim, or move out the door.
6. They Send Epic Length EmailsIf an email is about as long as the last Twilight book (and *shudder* about as well written), request the cliff notes. Reply with a single line asking them to hit the highlights on your next call or status meeting.
7. They Ask for Free WorkThese are people who want you to supply strategic recommendations for their business, website, or social media feeds--just to get a sense of how you might work together and if you'd be a "good fit" for future business.
Don't get sucked into this vampire's lair: Decline,
no matter how promising the client. True professionals respect that excellent partners don't give the goods away for free.
8. They Blow Up Your MessengerThanks to instant message, iMessage, GChat, and Slack, your desktop has become an easily accessible water cooler destination for a chatty coworker. Thankfully, you can easily slay this vampire with a "working" away
message.
9. They Change the Meeting Time--AgainThe contacts/colleagues are all but telling you, "I don't respect your time." Unless it's big client, feel no guilt about phasing these vampires out of your professional life!
10. They Don't Have an AgendaPeople who value their own time--and yours!--send an agenda before your call or meeting. Don't hesitate to ask for one, particularly if lots of people are going to be on the phone or in the room. You'll be saving meeting attendees a productivity bloodbath!
If you have any comments, ideas or suggestions, please email me at:
nader@copticchamber.com.
Until next time...
Your friend,
Nader Founder of the Coptic Chamber
ABOUT NADER ANISE
For the last 30 years, Nader’s talents as a marketing strategist and copywriter have generated hundreds of millions of dollars for himself and his clients. In addition, he is a
recognized PR expert, and has been featured in countless media outlets such as: The Wall Street Journal, NBC, CBS, Forbes, Bloomberg and USA Today.
Nader’s storied marketing and sales experience has enabled him to mentor business owners in all types of industries, including: legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, mortgage, investment, wealth, retail, insurance, transportation, pharmaceutical, clothing, restaurant, real estate,
education, insurance, construction, internet, telecommunications, religion, manufacturing and many others.
Nader has trained over 25,000 business owners from all around the world on sales and marketing.
To read Nader Anise's bio on Wikipedia, go
to:
3 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT NADER ANISE, ESQ.
FACT #1: In 2001, Nader wrote a one page press release that generated over $2,200,000 in free national publicity.
FACT
#2: Within four years of starting his law practice, Nader was featured on the cover of Lawyers Weekly USA section B (currently Lawyers USA) and was lauded for his remarkable achievement of building a "thriving law practice... without spending a penny on advertising."
FACT #3: Nader landed on the cover of the Wall Street Journal after sending the editor a cold email with a subject line that consisted of
nine words, including, ONE key, riveting word.
(BONUS FACT): Nader wrote a direct mail letter for a small business that created such an overwhelming response, the owner sent Nader a frantic email with the message: "You're killing me with all the new business. We are busting at the seams and all my employees are freaking out..."
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