Why is Time Management Important?

We’ve all heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder”. This idea is entirely centred around the concept of effective time management; setting priorities in advance and strategically scheduling tasks to successfully hit deadlines and reduce stress.

Easier said than done, right?

Well, you’d be surprised.

With the right knowledge and resources, any business can transform the framework of its workplace and emerge with better results than ever before — and all it takes is the right time management course. You and your team can learn practical strategies and tools from experienced professionals to accomplish two main goals: better work-life balance for your employees, and stronger outcomes for your clients and stakeholders.

In this article, we’re going to recommend 5 types of time management courses that will teach your business to work smarter, not harder, alongside tips for picking the best option for you. Let’s get started!

How effective are time management courses for employees?

Investing in time management courses for employees can bring a number of benefits to project management teams. Strong time management skills improve productivity and efficiency, which in turn leads to the successful completion of projects and meeting deadlines.

Effective time management increases employee productivity and efficiency

When employees are able to effectively manage their time, they are more likely to prioritise their tasks and make the best use of their working hours. This means that an employee’s workload will be completed to a higher standard in less time.

According to a study from the European Research Journal, multitasking costs an individual employee 6 hours of productivity a week. That’s almost an entire 9-5 work day lost due to either excessive workload or poor time management skills. With the right techniques in place, this lost time can easily be reduced or even eliminated entirely.

Managing time efficiently improves employee satisfaction and motivation

When employees are able to manage their time effectively, they are far less likely to feel overwhelmed and stressed. This leads to a more positive work environment, as well as a more engaged and motivated team. They may even be inspired to share new ideas and solutions, and take interest in finding ways to make a positive difference in the workplace.

A recent study shows that 80% of employees feel that their work is not under control every day, leading to more stress. Without a comprehensive plan in place, the employee is more likely to procrastinate. A strong schedule, goal setting, and time management training have the potential to save a lot of underutilised time.

Managing time efficiently saves money for your company

With a more productive and efficient team, your business can save a significant amount of money on labour expenses and avoid costly delays or mistakes. This can result in a bigger budget for employee upskilling, or added benefits to further improve employee satisfaction.

A study by an industry expert for Sage has shown that a boost in productivity by as little as 4.9% could lead to an increase in GDP of at least $31.8 billion per year. On a smaller scale, strengthening time management skills and using the right tools to automate basic tasks can help business owners and their teams boost overall productivity.

 

How did we decide which time management courses are best?

To ensure that you find the most effective time management course for your business, we’re judging potential options based on several factors: topic coverage, qualified trainers, accreditation, and delivery options.

Topic coverage

A good time management course should cover:

  • Setting and achieving goals
  • Prioritisation
  • Time tracking and analysis
  • Planning and scheduling
  • Delegation
  • Eliminating distractions
  • Time-saving techniques
  • Mindfulness and stress management
  • Communication and negotiation
  • Adaptability and flexibility

Qualified trainers

Time management trainers should demonstrate the following characteristics:

  • Expertise
  • Real-world experience
  • Strong communication skills
  • Adaptability to your industry
  • Flexibility in approach to learning
  • Professionalism
  • Passion for teaching
  • A relevant qualification or certification

Flexible delivery options

  • Online classes
  • In-person workshops
  • One-on-one coaching

 

The 5 best time management courses for employees

With the right time management course, your company can position itself to experience better results than ever before. Below, we’ve organised the courses by topic and provided examples of the skills your team will learn, who the courses are best suited for, and which particular course will work best within the corresponding topic. Click the links to further explore your options and find the right facilitator for you and your team.

Microsoft Outlook courses

Overview: Microsoft Outlook is a widely-used productivity tool that assists employees in organising their day-to-day workplace tasks. Courses centred around Outlook can teach employees how to effectively use the software’s various features and functions, such as email management, calendar organisation, task management, and communication optimisation.

Skills learned

  • Email management: Outlook courses teach employees how to effectively manage their inboxes and prioritise important messages, reducing the time spent on redundant and time-wasting communication.
  • Calendar organisation:The course will teach employees how to schedule and manage their appointments and meetings more efficiently, reducing the risk of double-booking or missing important events. You may also change the way your business plans and approaches team meetings once you have a set schedule in place.
  • Task management: Employees will learn how to create and manage tasks and to-do lists, helping them stay organised and aware of their priorities.

Best for: Anyone who currently uses Microsoft Outlook, but needs to learn how to do so more effectively – from executive assistants to managers, directors and CEOs.

Best courses to try: Time Management: Working smart with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook for Mac

2. Microsoft OneNote courses

Microsoft onenote

Overview: Microsoft OneNote is a note-taking and organisation tool that can help your team keep track of projects as they progress and evolve. To-do lists and other written components of project planning and completion can be accomplished through OneNote, all while being accessible to other members of your team for seamless collaboration.

Skills learned:

  • Organising and structuring notes: OneNote courses teach employees how to create and organise notes in a way that makes them easy to find and reference. This can save employees time when they need to refer back to previous notes or feedback.
  • Sharing and collaboration: Teach your team how to effectively communicate and share important updates, improving teamwork and increasing productivity within the workplace. If you have remote workers, OneNote can become the anchor that provides all of the need-to-know information at any time.
  • Integrating with other programs: OneNote can be partnered with other programs in the Microsoft suite to further improve productivity and efficiency in your team.

Best for: Virtual teams or for those whose schedules simply don’t line up – administrators, project managers, team leaders, supervisors – anyone who makes notes and uses, or wants to start using, Microsoft OneNote to its full advantage.

Best course to try: Time Management: Working smart with Microsoft OneNote

3. Effective meeting courses

Working Smart in Meetings

Overview: Courses on effective meetings can help team members better manage their time by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to plan, conduct, and follow up on meetings in a way that is efficient and effective. This leads to increased productivity and interest in the role of leadership, improved workflows, and less stress.

Skills learned:

  • Setting an agenda: The right course will teach your team leaders how to ensure that all meetings are on time, on track, and on purpose. Determine the priorities and estimate the necessary amount of time spent and people involved in the meeting.
  • Conduct with confidence: Learn when and how to facilitate critical discussions, manage participation, and keep the meeting on track with a clear schedule. Ensure that your team can conduct meetings with confidence without discounting any necessary information or conversations.
  • Managing communication and conflict: Courses on effective meeting management will teach your team how to handle negotiations and conflict during meetings, as well as how to solve them in a productive and non-alienating way.

Best for: Executives, managers, team and project leaders, as well as anyone who attends meetings regularly and wants to be a part of improving organisational effectiveness.

Best course to try: Time Management: Working smart in meetings

4. Google Suite courses

Working Smart with Google

Overview: Google Suite provides a range of programs and time management apps for professionals, all free and easy to share and collaborate with. The right course will give you and your employees a better understanding of the practices made possible through Google apps, including better management of emails and calendars.

Skills learned:

  • Email management: Learn to use Gmail for organising email correspondence, setting up filters, and using labels for clarity at a glance. You and your team can easily identify and access important emails, reducing the time spent in the inbox or distracted by incoming messages.
  • Calendar management: Schedule meetings, set reminders, and share calendars with professionals both inside and outside of your team. Ensure that your employees never miss a meeting, appointment, or deadline again with unique calendar views and other tools.
  • Collaboration:Google Suite allows users to work on the same document in real time; this can save time by reducing the need for back-and-forth communication.

Best for: Workgroups or teams, including managers, technical and sales professionals, supervisors, administrators and project leaders who currently use Google’s suite of Apps but are not optimising this powerful time-saving tool.

Best course to try: Time Management: Working smart with Google Apps

 

5. Microsoft Project courses

Microsoft project landing page

Overview: Microsoft Project is a project management program that can improve workflow and effectively outline all moving parts of a project, no matter how detailed or large it may be. Courses focused on Microsoft Project will assist professionals in navigating the program’s unique features.

Skills learned:

  • Project scheduling: Project courses teach team leaders and project managers how to create and manage project schedules, set milestones and deadlines, and monitor progress. This helps your team stay on track and complete projects on time.
  • Progress tracking: Microsoft Project helps project managers to track progress on tasks and overall projects, providing them with real-time insight into what’s been accomplished and what still needs attention. This keeps the whole team accountable for the project’s success.
  • Resource and budget management: Employees will learn how to manage resources, such as people and equipment, more effectively. This also applies to project budgeting, with planning and tracking expenses leading to more accurate figures in reporting. Your team will stay within budget, be conscious of the resources they’re using, and stick to the outlined plan.

Best for: Anyone responsible for monitoring the execution of a Project and/or has multiple projects to administer. Employees will also benefit from learning the functions of the program.

Best course to try: Time Management: Working smart with Microsoft Project

 

Which course is right for your staff?

When selecting the right course to implement time management strategies within your workplace, there are a lot of factors you need to consider:

Cost

The costs of courses can vary widely depending on the provider and format. It’s critical to consider your budget and compare the return on investment you’ll get from your chosen course.

Format

The course may be offered as an in-person session, while others may be exclusively online. Some may be self-paced, and others may be structured with a teacher leading the topics and activities. Consider what technology is needed and the easiest way to access the aspects of the course.

Difficulty

Consider who the courses may be geared towards. Are they designed for absolute beginners, or do they expect a certain level of experience or education? Courses typically list their requirements and expectations online, so be sure to look into this before taking action.

Credibility

The credibility of the course provider and instructor should be carefully considered. Research the quality of the course by reading testimonials, reviews, and blog posts.

Relevancy

The relevance of the course content to your industry, potential workplace issues, and goals are important factors to contemplate. Does the course align with your company’s objectives and desired development?

Flexibility

If your workplace is particularly fast-paced with a heavy workload, you should look for a flexible course that suits the needs of everyone involved. Some courses may have strict schedules and deadlines that aren’t realistic when aligned with your current priorities; others may be more flexible and offer purely online training that can be completed at any time.

Support

Some courses offer additional resources, such as online forums and direct support for any potential questions and/or problems that could arise.

Outcome

Will you and your employees receive a certificate or other government-recognised qualification upon completion? What is the path ahead after the course has finished, and what are the potential outcomes for each learner’s career?

 

Looking for a time management course for your Australian business?

Carefully consider the right course for you and your company. Priority Management Australia offers a variety of courses with a specific focus on effective management, each suited for different levels of experience. Some of our courses also provide nationally-recognised accredited training in order to give our students a strong sense of confidence and capability.

You can opt for an in-person class or online learning; we offer classes in all states, with offices in several major cities:

Above all else, time management is about developing healthy habits for success and finding the best ways to use your energy.