Dear Joan:
Since we are a small office, our administrative staff all wear many hats and are assigned daily, weekly and longer-term projects. When we were small enough, I would track these tasks on a status report - but I am not happy with how it works now. And, rather than me spending many hours filling them out - I am moving to having the staff fill them out and return them to me either bi-weekly or weekly.
Do you have any "easy" forms or templates for status reports available?
Answer:
Why not ask each of them to recommend some ideas? You can tell them what information you need and what you use it for, to help them shape their recommendations.
Some easy reporting systems I have seen:
A weekly "journal" describing actions they have taken and outstanding questions they need answers/approvals on before proceeding.
- A score board divided into four sections, with headings such as: Accomplishments last week; Goals for next week; Anticipated barriers/problems next week; Help I need from my supervisor.
- Establish metrics (measures) you know are key indicators for the business and ask for reports on progress made.
- Have one-on-one meetings with your staff and ask them to update you on the tasks that you have assigned, as well as on short and long-term projects.
Joan Lloyd is an executive coach, management consultant, facilitator and professional trainer/speaker. Email your question to Joan at info@joanlloyd.com. Joan Lloyd & Associates, (800) 348-1944, Visit www.JoanLloyd.com © Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.
Joan Lloyd´s job hunting tools are available at: http://www.joanlloyd.com/store/default.asp
