We recently were asked about "results statements." What are they? How do they work? Are they necessary? 

As far as we are aware, not every TMI company throughout the world teaches "results statements" in their Time Manager classes. In the United States market, it is an important concept on which we place a heavy emphasis. 

A results statement is a general statement of what you want to achieve for each of your Key Areas. It could most closely likened to a mission statement, in contract to a vision statement. A vision statement, in our assessment, is most closely akin to a goal. So, the results statement is more generalized, normally with no specific deadlines or quantities stated. 

Listed below are the results statements for six Key Areas identified by a woman who recently attended TMI USA's Strategic Planning for Results two-day program. The woman was secretary to the general manager of a large corporation, so she held a pivotal position. When we first began to talk about her work, she described it in terms of the functions she performed: she typed, she filed, she arranged meetings, etc. Never did she talk about the results or implications of this work. 

After she identified her Key Areas, I began to coach her on what was the purpose of each of these Key Areas. I asked her specifically what she was trying to achieve. Why did her boss need her to do these things? Gradually, she came up with some brilliant Key Area Result Statements which are described below. (Note: Key Area is listed first, followed by the Results Statement.) If you are like most people, as you read her final statements, you will recognize the conversion in this woman's thinking from task-orientation to results-orientation. This kind of shift is significant, and one that we believe is necessary if individuals and organizations are going to be strategic. 

Key Area # 1: Boss. Make my boss look great. 

Key Area # 2: Reports: Get information on time and in usable format, so my boss can easily use it. 

Key Area # 3: Meeting logistics: Organize hassle-free meetings. 

Key Area # 4: Travel: Arrange travel so my boss shows up alert, rested, and with necessary information. 

Key Area # 5: Office organization: Be able to find everything at all times. 

Key Area # 6: Company Secretary: Prepare reports that satisfy government requirements. 

Everyone who has looked at these Key Areas and Results Statements has said, "Where is that woman? I'd like to hire her." Indeed.

Key Area Results Statements can help shape your thinking about what is important, how to spend your time, but most importantly provide you with a quality standard to help evaluate your own work. A well-written Results Statement can help focus your thinking about what you do. Are they necessary? In our opinion, they are only necessary if it is important for you to know what you are attempting to achieve. And we don't know too many people for whom that is not important. 

We recommend you write a Results Statement for each Key Area, and then copy it to the top of each of your Key Area Task sheets. This way, when you review your Key Areas on a weekly basis, you will see your Results Statement and again be reminded of what you are trying to accomplish in each of your strategic and important Key Areas. 

Please submit your questions to Time Manager Questions and Answers. If you have questions, undoubtedly someone else has the same question. By asking a question, you'll help a fellow Time Manager user become more effective.  

Janelle M. Barlow, President  
TMI, USA  

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Please submit your questions to Time Manager Questions and Answers by fax or e-mail . If you have questions, undoubtedly someone else has the same question. By asking a question, you'll help a fellow Time Manager user become more effective.

 
 
 

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