| I wonder if you remember the day when it was | | | | at least familiar to you. Chances are you will have |
| claimed that by 2000 we would be in the world of | | | | read something similar or complimentary about |
| the paperless office. The truth is managers and | | | | the topic. |
| leaders now have more than ever to read. As | | | | To help inform your reading, ask yourself what |
| well as traditional stuff like letters, meeting papers | | | | you already know about the subject matter. |
| and circulars, we now have e-mail and a whole | | | | Tip 4: Read with a purpose |
| host of on-line stuff. Given that time is always an | | | | It is easy to fall into the trap of reading |
| issue, how can managers and leaders become | | | | something just because it is in front of you. The |
| more effective readers? | | | | alternative is to ask yourself what the purpose or |
| Tip 1: Distinguish between total understanding and | | | | goal is from reading the item. Is it:o To gain |
| overall impression | | | | informationo To inform a decisiono To get a |
| In some cases it will be essential to have total | | | | different perspective |
| understanding about the topic in the material you | | | | When you are clear on your outcome it is much |
| have to read. For example, if you are in the | | | | easier to focus your attention on what matters. |
| Finance team and there is a change around | | | | Tip 5: Skim through first |
| accounting regulations, a detailed level of | | | | A useful technique is to skim through the |
| understanding will be important. On the other hand | | | | document first, focusing on the headings, |
| if it is about production processes and you are in | | | | sub-headings and conclusion to get a general feel |
| Finance, an overall understanding might be all that | | | | about the content of the document. |
| is required. | | | | Tip 6: Read summaries first |
| Each time you have to read something, make | | | | Most reports or long publications have a one page |
| sure you get clear on whether you need total | | | | summary. In printed articles in professional |
| understanding or an overall impression. | | | | magazines, a summary of the key themes is |
| Tip 2: Set a time limit | | | | often given in a small box. Start with these |
| Most people can only read for short periods of | | | | summaries first. |
| time without a break, usually about 45 minutes. | | | | Tip 7: Make notes as you go |
| Make a habit of setting a time limit for how long | | | | Capturing notes as you go is an extremely |
| you will allocate to each reading session to | | | | effective way of keeping focus. Mind maps or |
| maximise your overall effectiveness. | | | | checklists are particularly useful ways of capturing |
| Tip 3: Ask yourself what you already know about | | | | what you might need to refer to in the future. |
| the topic | | | | Reading can become a very time consuming task |
| Sometimes the topic that you are reading will be | | | | but by making a few simple changes you can |
| completely new. Most of the time the topic will be | | | | significantly improve your overall effectiveness. |