Technology has quickly become an indispensable part of daily life. From communicating with clients and coworkers to improving both work quality and work speed, technological advancements are critical to professional success. Digital communication has quickly become the norm, in other words, and with it comes a new set of challenges and advantages to keep in mind. If you want to excel in your job, you must be able to adapt your processes to fit the times. One of the most important areas to constantly improve on is turnaround time.
From incorporating even more technology into the workday to disconnecting entirely, there are several things you can do to improve turnaround time.
What is the digital era?
Before we look at improving turnarounds times in particular, let’s take a broader look at the digital era. The definition of “digital era” is typically known as the period of human history where large amounts of information are easily available and many things are done via computer. We rely on digital technology to do most things in the digital era, including something as simple as keeping in touch with a friend to as complex as researching a dissertation. There is something online for everyone, and technology is being included in all manner of industries and work.
This easy access to information has led to a shift in attitude. Instead of waiting patiently for information, today’s customer is accustomed to instant gratification. In a world where even complex information is just a quick Google search away, lengthy project timelines simply don’t fit. Improving turnaround times is critical to success.
How to boost project turnaround
There are a few things you can do to help optimize your turnaround times and attract clients willing to pay for quick, but quality, work.
1. Use technology
This might seem like a no-brainer given the topic of this paper, but you might be surprised at how many people overlook the many ways technology can make their lives easier. Automated software can do everything from filling out standard forms to generating complex blueprints! All you have to do is determine where you can include technology in your workday and start incorporating it. The goal is to streamline daily tasks so that you have as much time as possible to work on completing projects.
2. Learn from mistakes
No one is perfect. Regardless of what industry you work in, you will eventually make mistakes. This is a common fact of life, but that doesn’t mean that it must slow you down. In fact, it’s a good idea to make note of the mistakes you make during projects specifically so that you avoid them in the future. And if you do find yourself repeating mistakes, maybe your records will make it easier to recover and stick to your stated timeline.
3. Improve communication
Cutting down on the amount of time you spend on email, text, or the phone can boost turnaround time completely. Today’s world is one where most people are highly connected to each other. The ease of access to communication tools that allow them to easily keep in touch with loved ones has given way to the expectation that professionals will be just as easy to reach. While you don’t necessarily have to stay connected all of the time, it is a good idea to improve your communication skills so that when you do communicate, it answers all your client’s questions so you can get back to work.
If your goal is to thrive in the digital era, be prepared to adjust to your client’s demands regarding deadlines and communication methods.
