Fundamentals of Management 6th Edition by Ricky Griffin

Exercise 3

Exercise Overview
Not surprisingly, time management skills-which are the ability to prioritize tasks, to work efficiently, and to delegate appropriately-play a major role in performing the control function: Managers can use time management skills to control their own work activities more effectively. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate the relationship between time management skills and the process of controlling workplace activities.
Exercise Background
You're a middle manager in a small manufacturing plant. Today is Monday, and you've just returned from a week's vacation. The first thing you discover is that your assistant won't be in today (his aunt died, and he's out of town at the funeral). He did, however, leave you the following note:
Dear Boss:
Sorry about not being here today. I will be back tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some things you need to know:
Ms. Glinski [your boss] wants to see you today at 4:00.
The shop steward wants to see you as soon as possible about a labor problem.
Mr. Bateman [one of your big customers] has a complaint about a recent shipment.
Ms. Ferris [one of your major suppliers] wants to discuss a change in delivery schedules.
Mr. Prescott from the Chamber of Commerce wants you to attend a breakfast meeting on Wednesday to discuss our expansion plans.
The legal office wants to discuss our upcoming OSHA inspection.
Human resources wants to know when you can interview someone for the new supervisor's position.
Jack Williams, the machinist you fired last month, has been hanging around the parking lot, and his presence is making some employees uncomfortable.
Exercise Task
Review the information above, then prioritize the work that needs to be done by sorting the information into three categories: very timely, moderately timely, and less timely. Then address the following questions.
What additional information do you need before you can begin to prioritize all of these demands on your time?