Oh, My Gosh! The Network is Down! What do I do with my time?

This is what I heard at a client's office where the network crashed. That included all connectivity, including telephones (VoIP). In fact, the entire NYC block was down. It happens. It wasn't a blackout, but it did affect the workers attitude during the two hours it was down.

I was amazed to see all the developers, managers included, stuck. They had no idea what to do so they just talked among themselves about the outage. It was too early for lunch so what else could they do?

When I was approached by the developers, "The network is down, what are you doing?" I replied, "Getting work done." I got a surprised look from the developer. When a manager came by and said, "You look busy. Any suggestions on what I can tell my developers to do?" "Yes, let's call a meeting in 5 minutes," I replied. The manager then asked, "Ok, what is the topic?" I replied, "Great Time- Wasting Ideas."

I then called, from my cell-phone, the help desk to get an update on the problem with an estimated time for correction. Luckily, it was a recorded message. Someone there was thinking! They knew that it was a waste of time to answer every person with the same answer.

I have no problem getting in front of an audience. To me, this was an impromptu speech to last about 15 minutes. It provides an opportunity for me to do what I love to do-- … mentor. I took advantage of this time to help the business community and the Information Technology communities by helping individuals think about time in their own terms. In terms of themselves, were they time-rewards or time-wasters.

Time-Wasters are those that do not use time wisely. They waste it by not investing in their growth. Time-Rewarders use time wisely by investing in themselves. A gap in time (network down or a meeting getting cancelled) is a gift that needs to be appreciated. They are only appreciated if they are captured and used to benefit themselves for the future.

I opened my speech with this comment.

"Network Outages are a blessing in disguise. They show us if we are time-wasters or time-users. Let's talk about the top things we could do with this estimated 1 hour outage."

1. Call our business users with our cell phones to see how they are dealing with the outage. If they are within walking distance, go visit them with a cup of coffee. Calm them down if they are nervous about the outage. Giving them information about the situation will calm nerves and give you more credibility.

2. Desk check work. This catches more errors than can be found by Quality Control or your manager or business user. Check your own or have someone else nearby take a fresh look at it.

3. Read a book or magazine that is geared toward the business or will improve your technical skills. Listening to your iPod may not give the right impression even if it is an audio version of a techical PodCast.

4. Build team rapport by finding someone to mentor. See if they would like to discuss any ideas they may have to improve the process. See if you can teach them how to do a technique that you have found valuable. Heck, they may actually help and teach you something new.

5. PC's do not always need to be connected to do work. Write a paragraph or two towards your blog or eZine. Writing leads to wealth! You can always enter it later. Don't have one? Why not! Start one.

6. Schedule an impromptu meeting like this one to generate ideas to improve anything. Use this time to improve your own speaking skills and build team spirit. Ask ever team member to stand up for 2 minutes and answer the question: "What to do when a blackout occurs." Remind everyone that they ONLY have 2 minutes (that will stop any grandstanding).

7. Review your short term and long term goals. Assess your progress to date. Etc.

What would you do if you had an unexpected hour free? I'm sure if you were home, you would have no problem coming up with ideas. Now, if the TV is also down you may have more difficulty…but this points out that you might be a time-waster instead of a time-user.

Why is it different if you are at work? Are you a time-waster or a time-user? Time is not limitless. It is not abundant. What is also interesting, everyone, and I mean everyone, has the same amount of time to use as they see fit.

You may say, "But Pat, everyone needs a break once in a while." Sure, look at those that get ahead. How do they define "break." Is it a chance to waste time or time that can be used to enhance their career.

What NOT to do with unexpected time...GOSSIP! This is not the time for you to talk about ANYONE. Management sees if you are roaming aimlessly during business hours. They will remember (especially during layoff meetings or promotion meetings, or salary discussions) who was proactive during minor outages. They will learn quickly who they can count on if a real crisis occurs.

Don't annoy the network group or help desk. They have enough to worry about. Their hands are filled with the outage. Assign only one person who can check every hour if necessary to have a time check. I've lived through many blackouts or burnouts. I also remember the days when networks were not stable. The one lesson I've learned is that you will hear quickly enough when the network comes back up. Checking constantly is like "watching the kettle that never boils" (to quote an old adage).

Don't just look busy ... be busy. Time is too valuable to waste. Those that do, never reach the heights that include the best jobs, the best assignments, or the best rewards. Use the gift of time to make yourself more marketable. Show how you are the person that excels all others. Use this time wisely to build a better you, a better business relationship, or a better teammate.

On other outage occasions, I've asked someone if I could help them (both business and Information Technology). If not, I'd pick up a book and read. On the rare occasion I did not have a book, had nothing to desk check, I'd write another article for the eZine or another page of a book I was writing. If it was my home network that I could not repair myself, I'd do a task that I hate to do…filing. I value time. I know how much it is worth in terms of my own consulting rate. I've learned to be flexible and work on different tasks given the situation. I use my 24 hours wisely.

Take advantage of the unexpected time break to enhance YOU!

SBDi speaks both Business and IT languages. Bring SBDi in to help communication between both organizations. Let us help you find the right flexible solution that will help business increase revenue.

Pat Ferdinandi, Chief Thought Translator