Using Lists to Communicate with Co-Workers

I am definitely a list freak and a notebook freak. For whatever reason, they both calm, ground, and get me back into focus; which is a good thing! But when you think of making a list, what comes into your mind first?

• Grocery list
• To Do list
• Christmas present list
• Chore list

Notice how all of these lists pertain to what YOU must do. Or maybe it's a list FOR your kids or spouse. But how about a list that helps you communicate to those you may not see every day? Perhaps a co-worker?

I have been working on a nifty little project for a business development team and we have come up with some great tools to help keep everyone on track, in the know, and keep the VP of Business Development in the groove without having all of those annoying and time wasting meetings.

First, we designed Command Central or our Communications Board. Which has been working out great with keeping the department up to date on a lot of the marketing projects. However, what we ran into was the actual steps for the projects.

Take for example the Tradeshow one of the gals was working on for the President and Vice President. There was a ton of marketing materials, booth designs, product to be shipped, etc. etc. etc. It was absolutely crazy and the Communications Board was quickly filling up and looking rather cluttered. (Yikes!)

So, we came up with a check list! We created the check list in Word using those great little boxes, listed everything that needed to be accomplished and she pinned it up on the board. As she finished a task, she crossed it off in the check box and it was easily readable and everyone knew her status. It was PERFECT!

Next, we looked at some of the other projects that were going on to see if a list could help those processes and sure enough, they did! Now every project has a To Do List that each marketing manager is in charge of. They get posted on the board and when Nick needs to get a quick update he just walks into the office and checks it out.

There are a couple of reasons why I am falling in love with this system.

1. You get to make a list!
2. It eliminates meeting overkill.
3. You get the information you need, when you need it.
4. Keeps everyone in focus.
5. It is extremely simple AND streamlined!

Don't just think of a list as something that is only for you. A list can be a powerful communication tool to help save your sanity!

Happy Organizing!

Suzanne Babb