September always brings a flood of resumes across my desk and this year what popped out at me was the use of the phrase “attention to detail”. After a little digging on-line I learned that it is one of the top 3 skills that experts advise that you add to your resume for best results.
“Attention to detail” is certainly a good planner’s greatest strength. But what exactly does “attention to detail” mean? And if considered a skill then it must be bred not born? Behavioral professionals lean towards the belief that shy people are considered better at attention to detail. Their shyness results in being better listeners and better observers. Does that put A-types at a disadvantage?
For me “attention to detail” means constant improvement. I believe everyone can improve their “attention to detail” skills.
Try these tricks –
Proof Reading:
Attention to detail goes beyond just spell check and reading things slowly, backwards and out loud.
- Double check boilerplate text, like the company letterhead. Just because it's frequently used doesn't mean it's been carefully checked.
- Make sure listed phone numbers are correct and work, do the same for listed links.
- If you are listing a deadline make sure you add the day and not just the date Friday September 23, 2011
- Do the math, do the math, and then do the math again. Somewhere between the screen and the printer 2+2 often becomes 3.
- Clarity is Key - You must learn to watch for things that your readers could misunderstand.
People Watching:
- Look at people and make a point to remember at least one thing that stands out about each person. We always like to point out delegates with special dietary needs to the wait staff and maître d’. Last night at a dinner event I took particular notice of what those delegates were wearing. Women are easier of course (a blonde lady in a turquoise sweater with silver bangle earrings). For men, try picking out the design on their tie or if they wear glasses.
Pay attention to your surroundings:
Site inspections are a breeze for me, paying attention to my surroundings is second nature. I don’t just observe the area I analyze it.
- Take photos (don’t overlook different entrances, different angles, floors, carpets and ceilings).
- Use a check list.
- Make notes on potential hazards.
- Customize your review to the specific program. If you have lots of deliveries for that program include a look at the loading dock and storage areas. If you have lots of social functions you may want to note types and colours of linens, napkins and skirting.
Perfect “To Do list”
- Too many people wait until the morning to review, or create their to-do list for the day. That’s way too late; the pressures of the day and all its little interruptions are already crashing down upon you, and you have no time to be objective.
- The list is going to change – be flexible, delegate, defer and divide and conquer when possible
- Write things down on paper, in your Outlook task list or in an app. - whatever works best for you. Once you realize you have a safety net to capture all of your important thoughts, it frees you to really get stuff done.
Complacency is definitely an easy pitfall – everyday routine tasks can trigger carelessness. Avoid this by turning lackluster assignments into a dynamic process by adding creative thinking; challenging assumptions, testing, executing, and follow up will result in continuous adjustments for improvement.
It isn't always about paying attention to details. Sometimes it is about admitting your weaknesses and/or mistakes and figuring out ways to work around them.
I don’t believe most people can be calculated and precise in everything they do but try to asking yourself this EVERYDAY -
Can I improve this process, task, system, etc. by ten percent or better today?
Hope my “Free Idea” makes your Friday!
PS – I spent this past week at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls on a client program – a big shout out to the team there. We were pleasantly surprised on the level of service and the food was really really good (you know that is a big compliment coming from me) http://www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com/
