Effective time management for improved performance

Purpose – The paper aims to consider how effective time management can lead to improved personal and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the collective experience of the authors. The relationship between culture and chronicity is explained with reference to working styles. It deals with the notion of time and time span with regard to new technologies, and how these may impact on concentration, face‐to‐face communication and styles of learning. It discusses the importance of effective systems and task management, along with decision making. Finally, the paper addresses time issues pertaining to e‐mail. Findings – The paper finds that the nature of information has changed from face‐to‐face to staring at computer screens. Research shows that over one‐quarter of recipients of e‐mails misunderstood the communication, even where those interacting are close colleagues, while research at three US business schools found that colleagues were more likely to be dishonest with one another when using e‐mail because of the lack of face‐to‐face interaction. Studies have also shown that business teams co‐operate less if they have not talked face‐to‐face. Originality/value – The paper will be of relevance to all those working under time constraints in various cultural settings.