No. 54 - The Importance of Punctuality

In business, time is money.

If you have a meeting with someone and keep them waiting, you may be wasting his/her money.

We recommend you be very punctual with others. For some people, this comes naturally. For others, adherence to a clock/watch is not easy.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Always wear a watch.

2. Set an alarm to remind you when you need to leave for an important meeting.

3. Overestimate the time it will take you to get from Point A to Point B. Remember Murphy's Law and consider traffic or other possible delays.

4. Always have something to do if you arrive early. That's pretty easy today with the number of digital devices we are connected to. Even if you arrive quite a bit early, you're not wasting time (i.e. losing money).

5. If you arrive early and you're at a person's place of business, don't announce yourself until about five minutes before the meeting.

6. Don't indicate your displeasure if the other person isn't on time - there is no point to it.

7. Keep your eye on your watch during meetings, conference calls or whatever. One late meeting can trip you up for the rest of the day. Keep on schedule.

8. When you are one of several joining a meeting or call, being late can work to your disadvantage. You may miss something important.

9. If you called the meeting, don't wait for late arrivals. Send a message that your meetings start on time.

10. If you have to leave a meeting before it ends in order to be on time for another one, this is totally acceptable. People respect those who keep to a schedule. Of course, try not to schedule meetings too close together so you have ample time for them all.

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Read more about time management, or check out the work-in-progress book ''

You can also find out more about the book The Skinny On Time Management.

Comments

[jonathanfigaro]

When it comes to business transactions, meetings, board room appearances and corporate venues, we need to be on time. Tardiness is frowned upon when your partners are there entertaining your guest, far beyond your stop watch. Best advice ever. Wear a watch.