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How to Work with Efficiency as an Office Manager

November 6, 2023

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Three people sit at a computer and work with efficiency, demonstrating the skills of an office manager.

The office manager plays a pivotal role in maintaining an efficient office environment. From team collaboration to communication, making deadlines, hosting meetings, and much more, your efficiency directly impacts what gets done daily. 

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If you’re curious about how you can improve your efficiency to impact your organization's daily operations, keep reading. We’re about to break down the best ways to improve your efficiency as an office manager.

Want to be a Highly Efficient Office Manager? Do This. 

As you navigate the various responsibilities of an office manager, how do you feel about your productivity and efficiency? Taking a step back and evaluating your efficiency has a trickle-down effect on the entire office. 

Here are a few ways you can improve your efficiency in the office. 

Prioritize Communication 

For an office to run smoothly, communication is essential. Communication is the foundation of success in any organization as you collaborate with other departments, interact with your team members, and facilitate with executives. 

Whether running a meeting, crafting internal emails to the company, or speaking with a vendor on the phone, proper communication skills ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. 

Adopt New Tools 

From calendar management to organizing projects, internal communication, and payroll, leveraging tools and technology is critical to being more efficient in your role.

If you can consolidate your workload and allow technology to handle the mundane tasks, you’ll be readily available to handle more pressing matters that require your attention.

Empower Your Team

If you have employees who report to you, provide them with the support they need to do their jobs and make yours more manageable. 

This can be done by delegating some of your daily tasks, teaching them different facets of your role, or having them shadow you throughout the day. In doing so, you are empowering your employees and helping them gain new skills while creating more space for yourself to complete other tasks.

Work Well with Others

Collaboration and rapport among team members are essential to create a productive and harmonious environment in any office setting. As the office manager, you should work well with others, teaming up on tasks that require it and successfully delegating work projects to other employees.

Understand the Business

You may not be an executive assistant (yet), but you can increase your value as an office manager by understanding various facets of the business you are serving. 

From operations to marketing, budgeting, and customer service, you likely have some involvement in most departments’ tasks and responsibilities. So, maintaining a solid understanding of different departments can significantly benefit your efficiency as you run the office. 

How to Work More Efficiently, Not Harder

If you’re looking up the efficient definition, here’s what Webster’s will tell you:

Efficient: adj. “Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.”

Ever heard the phrase, “Work smarter, not harder?” As an ambitious office manager, you likely get pulled in every direction during the day. 

It’s difficult to say no to new tasks and responsibilities, even if you feel overwhelmed. You want to be approachable and trustworthy and show eagerness to take on new challenges. 

Regardless, we all have limits, and healthy boundaries must be set for your mental health, particularly in a highly visible and accessible role like Office Manager. 

By setting boundaries, you free up the space and energy to become more efficient in the tasks that matter most in your role. 

Sharpen Your Skills as an Office Manager with ASAP 

Improving your productivity and efficiency as an office manager will put you on track toward a highly successful career path in any office or organization.

ASAP provides training and resources to executive assistants, administrative assistants, and office managers looking to improve their skills and diversify their resumes. Join our community today!

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